Bandol solo for a week in Printemps

Taking a week of vacation in the spring is a bit like finding the secret key that opens the doors to paradise. While some prefer the Indian summer, others love the early summer. And they are right. For those of you who are lucky enough to go on vacation before the summer crowds, here is a week of itineraries lovingly prepared by our vacation advisors. A sort of private guided tour to discover Bandol and its region.

Saturday: historical flower trail in Bandol

Freshly arrived, take the morning to put down your things, resume a bit of the trip and start to disconnect. For lunch, we recommend one of our many Bandol restaurants! Between freshly caught and freshly grilled fish, Mediterranean specialties or even takeaway snacks, find the restaurants that meet your desires, click here.

The afternoon is a discovery of Bandol and its history who is waiting for you. For that, the historical route allows you to navigate from beacon to beacon, from highlights to flowery alleys. Yes, because, in addition to learning more about the city's past, the route will take you to hidden corners, hidden staircases and other charming Bandolese corners.

✅ For read more on this route, click here.

Sunday: walk to the Gaou peninsula

On this sunny Sunday, we strongly advise you to take a trip to the Gaou. This small, almost independent piece of land (yes, because it remains a peninsula), is located just opposite the island of Embiez. And it is a protected lagoon, Natura 2000 area that separates them.

On the program for this Sunday day, a picnic in the shade of the pine trees or placed on a rock with, in all cases, a very beautiful view of the sea and an end-of-the-world atmosphere; does that sound good to you? To get there, the easiest way will be by car. It will take you about 30 minutes to reach the parking lot on the peninsula, in the direction of Six-Fours-les-plages.

✅ For read more on this beautiful peninsula, click here.

Monday: day on the beautiful PORQUEROLLES

From peninsula to island, it’s only a step… or rather a day in our case. Porquerolles is the pearl of the surrounding area, the little jewel of which we are so proud. This island, which can be described without blushing as paradise, is located off the coast of Hyères. And for our greatest pleasure, Atlantis regularly organizes shuttles to the island, from the port of Bandol.

Meet at 9 a.m. at the boat from Atlantis, on the quay of honor. Embark on a 1-hour crossing to the magnificent island of Porquerolles. Once there, take a map of the island from the small Tourist Office and go rent a bike to explore this gem.

🚲 Good to know: Electric bikes are available for hire and the island is dotted with climbs of all kinds. If you are not a great athlete, we strongly recommend that you take this option.

Let's go for a day between umbrella pines and fields of vines, between the blue of the sky and the sea. On site, heavenly beaches, wild landscapes and a small village await you. The island also hosts a splendid art foundation where playful and unusual exhibitions take place every year.

✅ For read more on the island and the available activities, click here.

Tuesday: market and hinterland

Tuesday, in Bandol, is day of Brive market ! From 8 am to 13 pm, a large market takes place along the entire quay. Present: local producers with their tasty, flavorful and fragrant fruits and vegetables, ideal for planning a salad for lunch; Provençal artisans, butcher, rotisserie, fisherman and many more…

In the afternoon, to stay in the Provencal atmosphere of the market, we suggest you go for a ride in countryside. Your two drop points for the day will be the Cadière d'Azur and Le Castellet. Two authentic Provençal villages, two villages facing each other and two villages with, despite everything, a soul of their own. One is one typical Provençal nest with its pretty cobbled and colorful streets and the other is a ancient medieval city in the mood arty as we like them. To get there, it will only take you 15 to 20 minutes by car.

✅ For read more on these hilltop villages in Var, click here.

Wednesday: picnic on the coastal path

The coastal path is an institution in Bandol. The walk we like to do on weekends with the family, the one we love to tread on in the morning to wake up or the one we happily take a break at the end of the day to admire the sunset.

This Wednesday will take place in two stages:

• harvesting delicacies at daily market the Place de la Mairie for an improvised picnic lunch;
• embark on this hike which will take you across sandy beaches, pebble coves and pine forests.

✅ Ready? For Know everything on this coastal path, click here.

Thursday: hiking in Sainte-Baume

If there is a beacon of our territory, even of our identity, it is that of the Holy Baume. More than a massif, today it is a Regional Natural Park. The latter offers numerous possibilities for hiking and cycling and above all an immersion in the Var fauna and flora.

✅ Because to introduce you to the latter, nothing is better Experts' opinion and people who spend all their time there, to find out more, click here.

Friday: Southern relaxation and olive oil

On this last day of vacation, take it easy. Take advantage of your morning to enjoy the sun on the terrace, have a last picnic on the beach or even take a last walk on the port along the Pointus. In the end, just do what you liked best during this week with us. And above all, enjoy this ultimate relaxing morning!

For the afternoon, we would like to take you to the exit of Bandol, 5 minutes by car from the port, in the town of Sanary. Your destination: a typical local olive oil mill. The Garden of Olives is an educational site for the transmission of traditional Provençal methods and know-how. It is open to all curious people passionate about history and nature. Olive oil is a star food in our Var cuisine. So you can't leave without learning more about this green gold!

✅ For read more on this garden like no other, click here.

And what about memories?

If you want 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 from postcards to Bandol ceramics and very pretty Monsieur Z posters. To find out more, visit our shop.

🌷 Here is your week in Bandol and especially in Var, coming to an end. We hope that all these ideas have given you some and that you have been able to enjoy our beautiful territory. And for you, who have not yet come to visit us, does it not make you want to? A little disconnection between Provence and the Mediterranean? We await you with open arms! See you soon!

✅ PS: follow our Instagram account @bandoltourismeofficiel and share with us your most beautiful memories in Bandoles territory!