9 unusual activities to discover in Provence Sud Sainte Baume

Let's start this article with one of the gems of our destination: Provençal gastronomy. And it's to Bandol, on the Mediterranean coast, that we recommend you go for an activity as traditional as it is unusual. Bandol, the former goods wharf that gave its name to the wine appellation, was primarily a fishing village. Twenty years ago, it was not uncommon to see fishermen mending their nets in the harbor, alongside their pointu.

Although this tradition is now being lost, there are still those who perpetuate it with love and passion. For example, some artisans invite the curious tocome aboard for a session of big-game fishing. On today's menu: swordfish and Mediterranean tuna. A great way to combine business with pleasure, sharing a local art while enjoying a trip in the fresh air. 

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How would you like to travel to New York without even leaving the Var region? Take advantage of a sunny day to stroll through downtown Saint-Cyr-sur-mer and enjoy a drink on the terrace of Place Portalis. Nothing to see, you might say.

Well, it just so happens that in this square, you'll have the opportunity to admire a view that the whole world envies to the Americans: that of the Statue of Liberty. It's an exact replica of the one in Manhattan, except for its size - 2.5 metres high, equivalent to the length of its big sister's index finger. It was inaugurated in 1913, at the end of work to bring water to the village. Donated by Anatole Ducros, a wealthy resident of Saint-Cyr-sur-mer, it was created by sculptor Frederic Auguste Balthold. Proof that talent knows no bounds!

After the sea, it's time to head inland, or rather, inland. The Provence Sud Sainte Baume region is blessed with soils containing a wealth of treasures. The area around Le Beausset, described by professionals as a veritable "gruyère", is a caver's paradise.

As it happens, some of them offer guided tours of the region's caves and caverns. Open to families, couples and groups of friends, this unusual activity lets youexplore hidden landscapes and see that Provence is as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside. A way to see behind the scenes... literally.

Of course, you'll want to do it with professionals! Here are two providers to guide you: 

• ExpéNature in Le Beausset
• Le Royaume des Arbres in Le Castellet

You're bound to have heard of the village of Le Castellet. This medieval town, with its thousand-year-old ramparts still intact, is known as a meeting place for some of the finest designers in the area. But there's more to Le Castellet than the village itself. For this off-the-beaten-track activity, we recommend heading for the hamlet of Le Camp du Castellet.

Here you'll find a legendary motor racing venue: the Paul Ricard circuit. As well as hosting numerous competitions such as the Bol d'Or and the Formula 1 Historic Grand Prix, its tracks are also open to you! Whether you're driving on the circuit or riding in legendary cars, come and break speed records (in complete safety, of course)! 

Have you ever taken a closer look at the craters on the moon? Have you ever glimpsed the silhouette of a galaxy? Or had the chance to contemplate Saturn's rings? Well, there's a place in Sanary-sur-mer where all these wonders are possible.

Head for the Observatoire du Gros Cerveau, located at the summit of the massif of the same name, on the edge of the Var coastline. It's here, every summer, that sky-watching evenings are organized . For the occasion, the association's volunteers make their telescopes available to share unique stellar moments with you. Here's a place where no one will reproach you for being in the moon, and even less for having stars in your eyes!

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If there's one thing we love doing on vacation, it's discovering new flavors. And it has to be said that Provençal cuisine has the advantage of being an explosion of tastes and colors. To let the southern sunshine follow you home, we invite you not only to sample this local gastronomy, but also, and above all, to learn about it. 

To this end, La Bastide des Saveurs and its chef Jean-François Bérard, welcome you for authentic and warm cooking classes. A unique discovery and a sensory voyage through the seasons, all in a typically Provencal setting- how can you resist? 

Nestled in the heart of the Var mountains, between the climbing walls of Destel and the fields of peonies, the village of Evenos has a rich history, still visible today. From the old village, sometimes called "Nèbre" and/or "Vieil Evenos", follow the path to the ruins of its castle.

Perched at an altitude of over 362 metres, these ruins are like a mirage. Emblematic of the ancient medieval city,this seigniorial castle offers a panoramic view of the entire bay, from the Toulon harbor to the Bec de l'Aigle in La Ciotat. A great playground for children, who will be able to imagine their own cloak-and-dagger stories!

This idea of unusual activities makes a lot of sense. But with today's lifestyles and our addiction to new technologies, we need to disconnect. And that's exactly what you'll find at Riboux.

The smallest village in the Var, and a proud representative of Provencal culture in the style of Marcel Pagnol, it's here in the heart of the Sainte-Baume massif that we suggest you visit. You can stroll through the short, but no less charming, ribousiennes streets, take a lunch break at the Bistro de Pays or get lost in the fields and hiking trails nearby. It's a great way to disconnect from everyday life and reconnect with the real thing. That's the promise of a day at Riboux. 

To finish off this top list of unusual things to do in Provence Sud Sainte Baume, let's take to the skies! And what better way to imitate the birds than with a paragliding jump? The area around Signes is popular with sports enthusiasts, both for its cliffs, ideal for exceptional take-offs, and for its open fields, guaranteeing a soft landing.

Paragliding schools are springing up all around this Var village. While all are open to amateurs and professionals, they also offer first flights and other discovery sessions. A leisure activity full of lightness, wonder and enchantment. The kind of unusual activity we love!

The first step towards your flight 

When it's gone, it's still here! Even if our destination is undoubtedly - and in total impartiality, of course - the most beautiful, it's surrounded by little wonders to explore off the beaten track. Here are a few ideas for activities just a few minutes' drive away, to help you discover our region in a different way:

• Put yourself in the shoes of the santonniers of yesteryear in Aubagne.
• Climb Marseille's majestic calanques.
• Explore the cliffs of the Route des Crêtes in Cassis.
• Bathing in a tropical setting at Parc du Mugel, La Ciotat.
• Admire local street art in the streets of La Seyne-sur-mer.
• Eat oysters in an oyster farmer's hut in Tamaris.
• Sunbathing next to pink flamingos on the Almanarre beach in Hyères.
• Take an underwater guided tour of Port-Cros.
• Treading glittery sand at Plage du Jardin in Bormes-les-Mimosas.
• Travel from continent to continent at the Jardin des Méditerranées in Rayol-Canadel.
• Running through fields of poppies in the upper Var.

For even more off-the-beaten-track outings, don't hesitate to follow the local tourist sites: My Provence (Bouches-du-Rhône), Visit Var, Provence Verdon...