This part of Eastern Provence is perfectly situated to offer a wide range of attractions.

OUTDOORS

Rocky beach : Porte d'Alon
Sandy beaches : Bandol, les Lecques, Six Fours, Sanary
Riding: Plan de Castellet - 0494 90 23 29.
Bandol - 0494 32 64 48.
Signe - 0494 10 00 54
Boat trips to the Calanques de Cassis,the islands of les Embiez, Porquerolles and Chateau d'If :
(0494 32 51 41 / 0494 29 65 91)
Sailing : Sanary - 0409 74 16 39. Bandol - 0494 29 42 26
Wind & kite surfing : 0494 34 73 72
Golf : le Fregate - 0494 29 38 00 - golf-fregate@wanadoo.fr
www.fregate.dolce.com
Minigolf: 06 16 53 62 32
Rock climbing: St Cyr: 0494 26 70 77
Canoeing: www.provence-canoe.com
Whale watching (from Bandol): whalesbdsf@hotmail.com

WALKS & DRIVES

There are wonderful walks in all directions, such as that up to the grotto of the Mary Magdalene on Mont Caume - 45mins through oak forest from D80 between Gemonos (RN8 then toward Aix ) and la Roquebrussan. Wonderful drive back through mountains by D2.
Or up in the mountains - from Signes or from St Anne d'Evonos, and above Olioulles and behind Toulon.

Other walks include:
· Sentier Littoral - along by the sea from Bandol to les Lecques via Port D'Alon (where you park under pine trees), passing secluded beaches and the little port of le Madrague as you go.

· Cap Sicie - between the sea and the forest near Six Fours.
· le Gros Cerveau - from St Anne d'Evonos up into the hills.
· Mont Faron - with wonderful views all round.
· Cassis - up above the wonderful Calanques (fiords) de Cassis
· Cap d'Escampobariou near Toulon
· The islands of Porquwerolles and Port-Cros
· Barre de Cuers - le Pilon de St Clement, and Aiguilles de Valbelle - slightly further north.

And there are wonderful gardens in Hyeres - Jardin de Noailles, and Roquebrossanne - 0494 86 83 20.

CULTURE

Le Corbusier's Unite d'Habitation: Marseille
Abbey du Thoronet - 0494 60 43 90
Arles, Nimes, Avignon, Aix en Provence, Orange

SPIRITUAL

The Grotto of St Mary Magdalene is located in the Mountain of Saint Baume which lies directly north of la Daby. A beautiful drive takes you round the base of the mountain, which is followed by a gentle walk up through a forest of deciduous (not pine) trees.

Mary Magdalene is said to have sailed to Marseilles with her brother, and spent the last thirty years of her life living in the Grotto. When the priest who had been in charge there for several decades was asked whether this was really true, he said: “I can't vouch for her having been there then, but she is certainly there now!”.

We are told that, for centuries, paying their respects to the Saint was an integral part of the coronation ceremony of the kings of France. Certainly an awareness of the sacredness of this place permeates the whole area, with masses being held in the Grotto on a daily basis.

KIDS

Acqualand : St Cyr-s-Mer - 0494 32 08 32
Le Zoo : Jardin Exotique - Sanary - 0494 29 40 38
OK Corral : RN8 towards Marseille - www.okcorral.fr
Aquascope : Bandol - 0603 44 59 63 / 04 94 34 17 85
Adventure Parks : Six Fours - 0494 34 65 36; Meounes - 06 13 25 00 68 www.eden -adventure.fr.fm.
Go Kart : 04 94 63 32 23 

YOUNG

Dances : Regional 'balls' in the village squares.
Night clubs : Bandol.
Bowling : Bandol - 0494 29 34 34

 

WINE

Les Vins de Bandol

The vinicultures of Bandol make the best wine from grapes that grow right down to the Mediterranean sea. The rose is especially famous, but the red - a light wine, a bit like claret - is also delicious. The best white wine comes from Cassis and around Cadier d'Azur.

Domains include Tempier, Ott, La Laidiere, and Bunan.

RESTAURANTS

(all 0494 except where marked) [*Bouillabaisse]

Le Fontaine de Saveau: 98 50 01 - 17 bdv Chauzy - left going into village from Champion roundabout
La Grange: 90 40 22 - 34 Bd Chanzy
Les Caraibes: 26 51 82 - in the port at St Cyr
Hotel Castel Lumier: 32 62 20 in le Castellet
L'Aricot: 74 10 33 - of the Bandol / Sanary road overlooking the bay of Bandol
Le Grange: 29 73 91 - 38 rue Republic - which runs parallel with, and one in from, the main coast road in Bandol.
L'En'k: 74 66 57 - 4 rue Louis Blanc, Sanary
La Flambee: 74 17 74 - 205 chemin Buge, Sanary
Relais de la Post: 74 22 20 - place Chanoine, Sanary
Le Singapour: 42 23 39 - 141 av Francois Cuzin, Toulon
L'Oursinade: 21 77 06 - le Pradet, Toulon*
Le St Pierre: 34 02 52 - le Brusc near Six Four
Chez Fonfon: Vallon des Auffes, Marseille*
Chez Aldo: la Madrague de Montredon, Marseille*
Jardin de Savadan: 65 97 53 - 35 avenue de Belgique, Hyeres
Le Ruhl : 0491 52 01 77 269 - Corniche JF Kennedy, Marseille.