Bandol as a couple for a week in winter

A week away from everything as a duo, if that's not beautiful! What if you made Bandol your base for exploring the Var?

Saturday: discovery of bandol

Take the morning to arrive, settle into your pied-à-terre for the week and unpack your bags. No pressure, it's the holidays and Bandol Furthermore ! For lunch, how about starting the week at one of our bandolais restaurateurs ? Delicacy and conviviality guaranteed.

In the afternoon, start getting your bearings. Stroll through the pretty shaded streets of the town, stroll through the shops and learn more about our beautiful village. To do this, let yourself be guided in your walk by our historical route. Come see us at the office to retrieve the paper guide or download it here.

Sunday: walk on the coastal path

It's Sunday, the weather is nice, the temperature is mild and it's only the beginning of your vacation. What if we had a little walk along the coast to help you discover the natural side of the city?

Direction the western part of Bandol, in order to take the coastal path. This beautiful hike will allow you to follow the entire coast, beaches Bandolaises, to the Calanque de Port d’Alon, passing through paths and magnificent viewpoints. A lovely 4-hour round trip walk that will introduce you to the Var flora. To find out everything about this trail, just click here.

Good to know : the trick to transforming this walk into a great day is to leave at the end of the morning with a picnic in the bag and to stop for lunch at the Calanque de Port d’Alon. A towel, a sandwich, your partner, the sea and the pebbles… There is nothing better.

Monday: on the mimosa road

If there is one flower that represents the South, it is the mimosa. These beautiful trees typical of our territory are adorned every winter with pretty bright yellow balls.

The mimosa route begins at Bormes-les-Mimosas, about an hour's drive from Bandol, to end around Grasse. Don’t worry, we’re not going to send you to the land of perfumers. That said, if you are in the area in winter, go get lost in this part of eastern Var. You will discover that more than just a flower, the mimosa is also available in gastronomy, decoration and other pleasures for the eyes...

To find out everything about the mimosa and this famous route, click here:

For the day, we advise you to start from Bandol in the direction of Rayol Canadel, a blessed place for garden lovers. You will be able to enjoy beautiful flowery landscapes from the road. So make a stop at Bormes-les-Mimosas to get even more eye candy! After an hour and a half of driving, you will arrive at your destination.

There is a magical place: the Mediterranean Garden. A place where all the plant species, or almost all, that grow around the world in the same Mediterranean climate as here are grouped together. Which allows you to navigate between France, New Zealand or even Chile in a few minutes. Magic, we tell you.

Good to know : at the Jardin des Méditerranées a small restaurant is available for a lunch break in a green setting.

To find out everything about this place, click here:

Tuesday: southern market & relaxation

Tuesday in Bandol is the day of Brive market !

After a good breakfast taken in your room, on the terrace, or even on the beach, meet at the port. There, on the main quay, you will discover what is 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 lunchtime, head to the church square and sit on the terrace. The advantage of this place? THE daily market is located right in front and many merchants offer you something to snack on, serving you directly on the terrace. What if we made ourselves a seafood platter with a glass of AOC Bandol rosé?

After this morning of browsing the stalls, it would be time to take a break for two. That’s good, in Bandol is the very nice spa Thalazur, from the Ile Rousse***** hotel, located on the Renecros beach. Imagine the two of you enjoying a soothing massage, followed by tea with a view of the sea. Tranquility, calm and gentleness, in any case we can see ourselves there!

Remember to make an appointment on the Thalazur by clicking here:

Wednesday: discovery of the big brain in Sanary

You discovered the coast at the start of the week with the coastal path, it’s high time to gain some height! For this, we suggest you go take a stroll in a nearby massif, that of Big Brain.

Located in the town of Sanary-sur-mer, it is accessible just 5 minutes from Bandol and it offers quite exceptional panoramas and viewpoints. So exceptional that we dedicated a page to it. So put on your walking shoes, take your picnic with you and let yourself be guided on a beautiful hike:

Thursday: visit to an AOC Bandol wine estate

Who says stay in Bandol obviously says wines. Do not miss our vines ! Certified by the AOC Bandol, the wines are part of the identity of the city and the territory. Before choosing which area will be your vacation spot, we advise you to go to theœnote library of the city, located at the end of the quay, opposite the gaming casino. There you can get valuable advice on which areas are open for visits.

Once you have chosen the estate, take your car and head to the vineyards! Most vineyards are within a 30-minute drive of Bandol. You will therefore not have much to do, but still enough to admire our beautiful Provençal landscapes.

This visit will allow you to learn more about wines, from working the land to pressing and fruits and above all to be able to discuss with those who work all year round to offer you exceptional grape varieties, the winegrowers. A visit which is often accompanied by a tasting!

Be careful, alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, consume in moderation. In addition, it is better to choose which of you two will do the Sam and who will enjoy these good wines only once you return. Otherwise, let yourself be guided by a professional !

Friday: discovery of the Var hinterland

How about go a little further inland ? Just a little huh. The villages that we recommend you visit are only about fifteen minutes by car from Bandol. You will always have a view of the sea, don't worry!

Start by the Cadière d'Azur and its typical Provençal village. Stroll through the colorful and quiet little streets typical of here. Then continue on Castellet. It is a medieval village, a landmark for local creators, 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.