Winter activities and entertainment for children in western Var

Leisure activities:

• Karting session at the Paul Ricard circuit in Le Castellet.
• Afternoon discovery tour at the ZOA botanical and zoological park in Sanary-sur-Mer.
• An original excursion with Quad Rando Var from Bandol.
• Visit to an olive oil factory at the Moulin de Saint-Côme in La Cadière d'Azur.
• Cheese tasting and meeting the goats at Le Biquet des Meaulnes farm in Signes.

Walks and hikes:

• Outing by the sea on the Lecques promenade in Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer.
• Walk with Randoland through the narrow streets of Le Beausset.
• Exploring medieval ruins in Evenos.
• Discovery of strange rocks on the Siou Blanc plateau in Signes.
• Bike ride through the Provençal scrubland of Riboux.

Cultural activities:

• Movie screening in Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer or Sanary-sur-Mer.
• Fun program at the Bandol media library.
• Creative workshops at the Maison du Terroir et du Patrimoine in La Cadière-d'Azur.
• A Provençal getaway atthe Écomusée des 4 Frères in Le Beausset.

It goes without saying that our region, stretching from the Mediterranean coast to the plains of the Var hinterland, is a natural playground for children. But certain hikes reveal special colors in winter and it is precisely these that we will focus on. 

Let's start on the coast, in Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer. Les Lecques beachis not only beautiful, but also has a very pleasant promenade. Its 3 km path along the sand is perfect for a family stroll. You could easily take bikes for the children and let them pedal while admiring the sea. At the end of your walk, take a break for a snack in one of the bars. Most of them offer gourmet crepes or ice cream for those who aren't afraid of the cold! As a bonus, playgrounds and mini-golf courses can be found all along the promenade...

For those who prefer to explore the hinterland, there are several options available. You can set off to explore the village of Le Beausset and fill in the Randoland game booklet provided by the Tourist Office. This is a fun trail for children that will take the whole family through the cobbled streets. Alternatively, you can head to the old village of Evenos, Nèbre. At its summit are the ruins of an ancient medieval castle. It's the perfect place to let your little ones' imaginations run wild! 

Finally, if your whole family is used to hiking, head to the north of our region. In Signes, and more specifically on the Siou-Blanc plateau, there is a trail called the " circuit de l'éléphant ." And even though this trail is not in a jungle, the rocks you will encounter take the shape of animals that will amuse your children. Another option is to explore the tiny village of Riboux, which offers acres of nature where you can ride your bike. An Immerse yourself in the Provençal scrubland to enjoy a breath of fresh air before taking a grenadine break at the Bistrot de Pays!

Is your little one more active than a walker? No problem, we have just what you need. Well, actually, it's the leisure providers in the Var region who have something to delight you! 

For animal lovers, the ZOA botanical and zoological park in Sanary-sur-Mer will be a real paradise. Here, you can easily spend the day admiring the wildlife basking in the sun, feeding some of the greedy animals, or enjoying the playgrounds available for the little ones. As a bonus, courses for children are regularly organized to accompany the keepers in their tasks.

For aspiring drivers, the Paul Ricard circuit in Le Castellet and the Quad Rando Var establishment should appeal to them. On the one hand, we have a legendary facility that offers a few karting tours on its legendary tracks. On the other, we have a guide who is passionate about beautiful landscapes and who the whole family discover the region on quad bikes. In both cases, these are original activities that will appeal to young AND adults.

If you're looking for an idea that combines the useful with the enjoyable, we have two for the price of one. The Moulin de Saint-Côme, in La Cadière d'Azur, welcomes you all year round, not only to buy gourmet Provençal products, but also to visit an olive oil mill. Prefer cheese? Head to Le Biquet des Meaulnes farm in Signes. While parents stock up on local (and delicious!) goat cheese, children can admire the goats in their natural environment.

After reviewing outdoor activities, let's take a look at indoor leisure activities. First of all, the essential activity for rainy days (yes, because even in the south it happens from time to time): the cinema. Two hours watching a good cartoon with some popcorn is all it takes to delight children. There are two dark theaters in Provence Sud Sainte Baume: the Casino cinema in Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer and the ABC cinema in Sanary-sur-Mer.

Also, consider visiting media libraries and other cultural centers in our villages. The one in Bandol, for example, offers a varied program during school holidays with activities sometimes accessible from 6 months old. Readings, fun games, and shows are organized by the town and associations to fill your little ones' days. The same goes for the Maison du Terroir et du Patrimoine which, in addition to promoting the history of our region, offers creative workshops highlighting our Provençal traditions. Making masks for Carnival, crafting beaded objects, sculpting... There's plenty to let your little ones' creativity run wild!

Finally, if you're looking for a place that combines nature, learning, and activities, head to the Écomusée des 4 Frères in Le Beausset. This Provençal farmhouse tucked away in the forest offers highly entertaining exhibitions for children, designed to raise awareness from an early age about discovering and protecting the environment. Walking trails are also available throughout the estate, and events open to all are organized to learn more about our Provençal culture. A great place to remember for the whole family!

To conclude this informative article, which we hope will be helpful to parents and grandparents, here is a non-exhaustive list of activities organized by towns and villages in our region, especially for the winter holidays from February to March: