Bandol as a couple for a week in Spring

Are you taking a week's vacation for two before the big summer crowds? You are quite right ! To guide you, here are our ideas for activities to do as a couple…

Saturday: historical flower trail in Bandol

You have just arrived in our beautiful town in the Var. Give yourself the morning to get your bearings and unpack your bags. No violence, it's vacation as they say! And to Bandol Furthermore ! For lunch, treat yourself to a first lunch on the terrace. Between breweries, seafood restaurants or Provencal specialties, find the Bandol restaurants here.

The afternoon, a discovery of the city and its treasures awaits you. And it is the historical route who will be your guide. A route throughout the city which will allow you to learn more about our history, the characters and significant events of Bandol; but also and above all which will make you navigate the small streets of the downtown passing through hidden staircases and other hidden corners. Bonus, spring offers us a rainbow of colors through the trees and plants that litter the course.

To learn more about it, click here.

Sunday: relaxation & Var terrace

If there is a place, a moment that is worth living in Bandol is Sunday morning in the church square. One of our favorite moments! This little place is a bit like the heart of the city. The place where we meet to drink coffee in the morning, do its daily market or even to enjoy a seafood platter on the terrace. And that is precisely what we are offering you today.

In the morning, wander around the city and enjoy our little market where artisans and traders are there to welcome you and offer you the fruits of their work. Around 12 p.m., sit down on the bar terrace Narwhal. There several options are available to you: enjoy a seafood platter from the producers installed right in front of you, accompanied by a good drink white wine, Bandol obviously; or treat yourself to a board of Italian charcuterie from the grocery store on your right, See you in Italy. In any case, enjoy this moment of sharing, these rays of sunshine and this typically Bandolese atmosphere.

And for this afternoon, is it just relaxing and reading a good book on the beach does that tell you? If so, go to Renecros beach !

Monday: picnic on the coastal path between Bandol and Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer

The coastal path is an institution in Bandol. The walk that we like to take on the weekend with the family, the one that we love to take in the morning to wake up or the one on which we happily take a break at the end of the day to admire the sunset. So why recommend it on Monday rather than Sunday? Well precisely because, as it is a flagship hike in the area, a lot of people walk its trails on Sundays.

This Monday will take place in two stages:

• Collect delicacies au small market the Place de la Mairie for an improvised picnic lunch;
• Start this hike which will take you through a sandy beach, coves of pebbles and pine forests.

Ready ? To find out all about this coastal path, click here.

Tuesday: market on the port & AOC Bandol wine estates

Tuesday in Bandol, it's day of Brive market !

After a good breakfast taken in your room, on the terrace, or even at the beach, meet at the port. There, on the main platform, you will find out what a real southern market. Let yourself be captivated by the colors and smells around you. In the distance, you hear the merchants selling their treasures with a beautiful singing accent. A unique experience to live!

At the end of the morning, consider visiting the Œnothèque, the wine house of Bandol. Located at the end of the quay, opposite the Gaming Casino, you will be able to glean valuable information about areas open to visits. Just what we need for the afternoon.

After the theory, place to practice! According to the advice obtained at the wine bar, go to one of the many wine estates in our region. Most are less than 15 minutes by car from Bandol. Visits are regularly organized by the different domains. The perfect opportunity tomeet the producers. You will learn more about their profession, their passion, their terrain and their techniques. And you can leave with a few bottles to bring back with you.

To find out more about our wines and our estates, you can browse the Bandol Wines guide by clicking here.

Wednesday: sanary market & petanque

We are very proud to say that our market is very beautiful. But we must say what is, our neighbor's market, Sanary-sur-mer, was recognized in 2018 « Most beautiful market in France ". And it's definitely worth the detour. As it hurts our hearts a little to recognize it (with a lot of humor obviously), we won't say more except that you will find all the information on this sublime market just here.

In the afternoon why not try your hand at bowling ? Take your best triplet and head to the bowling green located right next to the tourist office. And because learning always begins with a little observation, watch the regulars practice. Then, when you are reassured, get started!

Thursday: climbing around bandol

Less obvious for Bandol than paddle, swimming or hiking, climbing is also a local sport. Thanks to our surrounding massifs, every weekend, many Bandolais and Varois, find themselves at the bottom of the tracks to take a little height on the cities.

Some examples of cliffs available in the area:

• The Destel : situated in the gorges of Ollioules about twenty minutes by car from Bandol, in the direction of Beausset. This massif is described by local climbers as “mini Verdon” because of its canyon shape and the river that crosses it.
• The Baou : massif emblematic of Toulon, facing due south, the climb will be even more beautiful with magnificent views over the entire harbor; accessible about 30 minutes by car from Bandol.

These cliffs both have routes with all grades, accessible to both beginners and expert climbers. To find out more, we invite you to consult the climbing topos on sale in bookstores or at the Decathlon closest (at our place, that of Ollioules). You will find in these the updated information and especially the recommendations of the local climbers.

Friday: visit to the Provençal hinterland

For this last day of vacation, how about going a little further inland? Just a little eh. The villages that we advise you to visit are only about fifteen minutes by car from Bandol.

Start with the Cadière d'Azur and its typical Provençal village. Stroll through the small, colorful and quiet streets typical of here. Then continue on the Castellet. A medieval village, a landmark for local creators and with a breathtaking panorama, mixing fields of vines and olive trees with a Mediterranean as far as the eye can see. To find out more about these villages of character, click here.

Have you thought about the memories?

To bring back a little sunshine with you, here are some souvenir ideas: Savonneries du Soleil, Aristide House, Val NJ Creations, See you in Provence, Creacao, Press House, wine merchants...

Good to know : at the Tourist Office we have a whole range of souvenirs ranging from postcards to Bandolese ceramics and very pretty Monsieur Z posters. To find out more, go to our shop.

This week of vacation is already over! We hope you enjoyed these few days in Bandol. And if you’re not here yet, we hope this will make you want to join us! In any case, don’t hesitate to come visit us at the Office, we’re waiting for you!

PS: if you took photos, share them with us on your networks by tagging us with #bandoltourism or by mentioning us @bandoltourismeofficiel.