Var is the department in the wider Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France that is home to many of the area’s most famous, beloved, and glamorous seaside towns and resorts. To the south of the department you will find, stretching along the iconic French Riviera, the likes of Saint-Tropez (a well-known celebrity hot spot), pretty Hyères with its grand medieval castle, and the village of Grimaud with its pastel buildings and canals. Var is also an area of unparalleled natural beauty and is the gateway to the Golden Islands and part of Port Cros National Park.
So, for those looking to sip cocktails in elegant bars, spend days at picture-perfect beaches, or go on some grand adventure, a villa in Var will offer all this and more besides!
Considering a trip to this magical part of the world but not quite sure? Well, here is our list of the ten best things to see and do in the area and just ten reasons to book a holiday rental in Var today:
1. Head to the town of Toulon and ride the cable car up Mont Faron to take in the amazing panoramic views over the town and out across the coastline and the Mediterranean from the top.
2. Try some delicious local wines and tour a vineyard in one of the many great wineries in the Bandol wine region – this part of France is well-known for rosé but Bandol has incredible red and white wines to discover as well.
3. Admire the incredible medieval architecture and acoustics of L'Abbaye du Thoronet, a stunning late 12th and early 13th century Cistercian abbey.
4. Attend a thrilling car race at the Circuit Paul Ricard.
5. Explore the stunning Porquerolles island and maybe even attend the annual Jazz à Porquerolles festival in the summer!
6. Go yacht-watching, or sports-car watching, or celeb-watching, or simply go wandering around the elegant town of Saint-Tropez and take it all in.
7. Obviously: spend time exploring all of the different beach options in the area – they are truly endless and there are some of the most beautiful beaches in the world in this part of France. To name but a few (among those many, many to choose from), there is the long white sandy beach of Plage de Pampelonne with its perfect turquoise waters, the wild and lovely Plage de Bonporteau, and the charming Plage de l'Escalet with its clear waters right by Saint-Tropez.
8. Endeavour on an expedition to the utterly remarkable Verdon Gorge river canyon and take in the unbelievably striking image of craggy cliffs covered in lush greenery and the startling turquoise-green water for which it is so well-known – don’t forget your camera as you’ll want to capture the immense beauty of this landscape on vacation in Var!
9. Wonder at the extraordinary troglodyte caves of Villecroze. These caves, with unique dwellings built into them are actually found in a park in the village where you can enjoy a picnic and wander the gardens, all while admiring the backdrop that is provided by these remarkable structures and a waterfall.
10. Head to Carnoules and say hello to the tortoises and turtles who live in, and roam about, the Village des Tortues conservation centre. With more than 1,800 of these delightful creatures to care for, your ticket will not only ensure a fun day out but will help support the work at the centre and the animals’ conservation.
Of course, this is only a small taste of what Var has to offer so find your vacation rental in Var today and plan a holiday in this extraordinary part of France to discover the rest for yourself...