Spring activities and events for children in Provence Sud Sainte Baume

Leisure activities: 

• Go out to sea to watch whales with Atlantide departing from Bandol.
• Visit the Petit Aquarium de la Madrague near Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer.
• Learn the national sport, pétanque, at the Sainte-Anne d'Évenos boules court.
• Playing tennis or basketball on the sports fields of La Cadière d'Azur.
• Discover golf at Frégate Golf Club in Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer.
• Explore the surroundings of Signes on horseback with the Bois Soleil Stables.
• Enjoy games available at the port of Sanary-sur-Mer.
• Fly your kite in the greenplains of Signes.
• Reach new heights at the Royaume des Arbres in Le Castellet.

Culture and heritage: 

• Learn more about olive cultivation at the Jardin des Oliviers in Sanary-sur-Mer.
• Enjoy local markets to introduce them to colors, flavors, and scents.
• Playing knights in the medieval town ofLe Castellet.
• Observe the fun exhibitions at theÉcomusée Départemental des 4 Frères in Le Beausset.

Walks and hikes:

• Walk along the coast and have a picnic on Engraviers beach in Bandol.
• Explore the local scrubland on the Défends loop in La Cadière d'Azur.
• Explore the old village and go back in timeto towards Évenos.
• Follow the path of the Oratories of Le Beausset.
• Create your own Provençal herbarium in the Riboux countryside.

🌸 Bonus: events organized by local authorities, especially for the holidays!

Let's start this article with the most important thing: activities and hobbies that will allow children to burn off some energy. That way, afternoon naps and bedtime will be appreciated, or even requested! 

Our adventure begins at the port of Bandol, near the company Atlantide. While the beauty had been somewhat dormant during the winter, spring marks the start of its sea cruises. And there is one that appeals to parents and children alike: the cetacean cruise. This approximately 6-hour excursion will take you offshore toobserve whales and dolphins in their natural environment. And for those who get seasick, the Petit Aquarium de la Madrague is also a great option for discovering the marine species (smaller ones, of course) of our coasts!

Another idea that is sure to be a hit: sports. Whether it's through an introduction to pétanque given by grandpa and grandma on the charming boules court in Sainte-Anne d'Évenos, during aa game of tennis or basketball with brothers and sisters on one of the courts in La Cadière d'Azur or even during a discovery course at the Frégate Golf Club in Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer, you can enjoy the beautiful weather and play outdoors—it's priceless. All this without the summer heat, which is important to note!

Let's continue in the countryside, where there's no shortage of ideas either. If your toddler is an animal lover, a horseback ride around Signes might tempt them. And it is particularly with the Écuries de Bois Soleil that make this horseback ride possible. On the way back, you can even stop at the edge of one of the town's fields to fly a kite. Known for its paragliding spots, Signes is the perfect place to enjoy the wind and the leisure activities that go with it.

Finally, for little ones looking for thrills, the Royaume des Arbres, near Le Castellet, offers a a tree-top adventure park accessible to all levels. Spend a few hours in the canopy and feel like Indiana Jones as you alternate between rope bridges, zip lines, and tree trails.

A vacation in Provence Sud Sainte Baume also means discovering a rich culture. That's why every spring, numerous activities are offered to families, highlighting our traditions and our way of life between Provençal and Mediterranean influences.

Among them is an educational center dedicated to the fruit that best represents the South of France: the olive. More specifically, it is located in the Jardin des Oliviers in Sanary-sur-Mer that the magic happens. Here, you and your children can learn more about the cultivation this fruit and the production of the local green gold, olive oil.

You can also continue your gastronomic journey by strolling through the aisles of local markets. A festival of colors and scents, these small gourmet events are an excellent opportunity to introduce your little ones to new fruits and vegetables and all the flavors that go with them. In particular, take advantage of the tastings of tapenade, anchoïade, and even artisanal cookies offered by the merchants.

Change of pace with other cultural and heritage activities that will delight the whole family. For example, you can visit the medieval city of Castellet where your children can play at being knights in a life-size setting. As a bonus, a famous crêperie called Roy d'Ys is open all year round for afternoon snacks. You can also head to Le Beausset and its Departmental Ecomuseum of the 4 Brothers. Inside, there's no boring art that will bore the little ones, but rather super fun and sometimes even interactive exhibitions through which they will learn about local flora and fauna.

In addition, media libraries and other cultural institutions in the area are also heavily involved in passing on our identity to children. Workshops, reading sessions, and activities are offered throughout the year, particularly during school vacations, by establishments in our various villages. Remember to checking out their programs !

Spring is one of the best seasons to enjoy hiking in Provence Sud Sainte Baume. It is the season when all the flora is in bloom, offering us fabulous sights both by the sea and on our hills. In fact, we suggest you start from the coast and head up to Riboux, introducing you to easy walks that are perfect for families in spring.

Let's start with Bandol, a coastal town in our beautiful destination. Here, you can walk along the coast from the town's port. Heading west, you will cross the sandy beach of Renecros, stay close to the pebble coves until you reach the last one, the beach of Les Engraviers. Here, we recommend you unfold your towels to enjoy a sunny picnic. Why not enjoy some delicious treats bought at the daily morning market?

On the Cadière d'Azur side, a completely different atmosphere awaits you, that of the local garrigue. On the the Défends loop, you can discover Mediterranean flora, historical monuments, and of course panoramic views. The appeal of this walk is that it allows children to let off steam in the open air while admiring beautiful landscapes.

Let's continue towards Le Beausset and its famous Chemin des Oratoires. More rocky and steeper than the previous one, this short hike of about 1.5 hours will take youaccess the sublime chapel of Beausset-Vieux. Located at the top of the village, it can be visited in the afternoon and has an orientation table right outside its doors. From there, you can admire the surrounding area, from the vineyards to the sea. Your little ones will love this little bit of exploration... A feeling they will also experience in the ruins of Nèbre, the old village ofÉvenos. The medieval atmosphere will take them back in time and spark their imagination.

Finally, our last suggestion for a springtime outing is a walk in the countryside around Riboux. In the far north of our region, the idea is to make a Provençal herbarium. How? By carefully and sparingly picking a few herbs and flowers that are emblematic of Provence, turning your walk into a mini biology lesson...

From April 5 to May 5, 2025, spring break will allow all school districts in France to spend a few days in the sunny Var region. If this applies to you, here are all the activities organized by the municipalities of Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer, Bandol, Sanary-sur-mer, Evenos, Le Beausset, La Cadière d'Azur, Le Castellet, Signes and Riboux, especially for your children:

🎁 PS: Discover the full program for April to June at the Maison du Terroir et du Patrimoine. Activities specially designed for the whole family and a menu to check out right here...

Events at the Maison du Terroir et du Patrimoine (Local Heritage Center)