Your one-week itinerary in springtime in Provence South Sainte Baume

First and foremost, take the time to arrive! Whether you've booked accommodation on the coast or inland, drop off your bags and recover from your journey. You can even start looking for a restaurant for lunch.

Our itinerary begins in the afternoon, near Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer. This charming seaside resort on the Var coast has many attractions, including one that is popular with residents throughout the region: the Baie des Lecques. This large cove has it all. Green hills on the left give it an almost Italian feel. A fine sandy beach on the Mediterranean coast is perfect for lazy days. A pretty fishing port and an endless breakwater that, when you walk along it, gives you the impression of walking on water. As well as a string of charming bars and cafés where you can sit and enjoy the sea view. It's hard to imagine a better welcome!

On this first day, we invite you to take a stroll along this nearly 2-kilometer walk and enjoy the spring sunshine...

Sunday is the perfect day for a bike ride around La Cadière d'Azur. And we're not just suggesting any old bike route, but the Fontanieu-Pibarnon-St Côme route. Behind this long name lie three wine estates that are just waiting to dazzle you. Yes, because the little surprise of the day is that your bike ride combines nature and agricultural heritage.

On the agenda are panoramic views of the Bandol appellation vineyards and the region's olive groves, 360° views of the Bay of Lecques (here it is again), the Sainte-Baume massif, the village of Le Castellet, and the Ollioules gorges. If you feel like it, you can also stop at a vineyard to discover the wines produced here. It's almost a must if you want to understand local agriculture...

We could have suggested this superb walk on a Sunday, but guess what? It's so popular that crowds flock there all year round! So choose Monday to tackle the Bandol coastal path.

Starting from the town's port, you will cross Renecros beach, the most beautiful in the municipality, and continue on to the charming pebble coves. Along the way, panoramic views will open up more and more towards the horizon, the trail will take you higher and higher, and the natural surroundings will dazzle you more and more. This trip is also an opportunity to discover secret coves and enjoy a picnic facing the sea. 

In short, this is a must-see trail during your week-long vacation with us, accessible to all and offering the perfect immersion in the nature of the Var region.

On Tuesday, head to Le Castellet, a medieval hilltop village offering exceptional views of the surrounding hills and countryside. Your itinerary is quite simple: stroll through the cobbled streets, admire the ancient facades, and immerse yourself in regional history.

Also, don't forget to take a look inside the little shops you'll find along the way. What makes this town so special, apart from its indescribable architectural beauty, is that it is a hub for local artists. Potters, sculptors, painters, chefs... They all have studios within Le Castellet and are just waiting for you to come and discover their art.

In 2018, the weekly market in Sanary-sur-Mer was voted " France's most beautiful market." That's quite something. And it has to be said that it really is beautiful. With local, seasonal produce, colorful parasols, fresh fish and, of course, the delightful hubbub of the vendors' lilting accents, shopping here is the ultimate Provençal experience!

Every Wednesday morning, from around 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., the port becomes entirely pedestrianized to make way for local treasures. Whether you're looking for a few items for lunch or souvenirs to take home in your suitcase, you've come to the right place. And if, despite the already rich selection, you can't find what you're looking for, explore the narrow streets of the city center. Within this maze of cobblestone streets, you'll find many shops that will satisfy your every desire!

For this sixth day of vacation, we suggest you head north of our Provence Sud Sainte Baume region and take in the view from above.

At the end of the morning, head towards Riboux. The smallest village in the Var region with only around fifty inhabitants, it is a local gem. We suggest you stop for a bite to eat at the Bistrot de Pays. Here, you can discover authentic Provençal cuisine. Beef stew simmered for hours, veal with olives, pieds paquets (tripe and lamb's trotters)... All served with the typical warmth of southern France.

In the afternoon, to digest a little, we suggest you head to Latay, in Signes. This place, still unknown even to some locals, is an idyllic rural retreat. An exotic stroll, beautiful views of the surrounding countryside, a river and, if you're lucky and the rain has been on our side during the winter, an invigorating waterfall!

It's already your last day of vacation! To cheer you up, we've planned a day that will put a smile back on your face. 

It all begins in the charming village of Le Beausset. Here, every Friday, a market is held in the main square. This is your chance to discover a weekly market that is more intimate than the one in Sanary-sur-Mer, and also to take home some gourmet souvenirs in your luggage!

Then, in the afternoon, head toEvenos to attend the Peony Festival. A typical spring event, this celebration showcases local culture and traditions every year. As for the date, it's easy, it's the same every year: May 8. An ideal way to end your week immersed in Provençal life.

To make the most of your spring break, choosing the right vacation spot is essential. In this season that combines beautiful weather and nature, we recommend choosing one of the following accommodations:

• Bed and breakfasts: ideal for a friendly, local immersion, often located in villages or in the heart of natural landscapes.
• Hotels: some offer terraces and gardens where you can enjoy spring in complete tranquility.
• Campgrounds and lodgings: perfect for travelers seeking more freedom, with facilities open from the start of the spring season.

✅ And for an overview of what the region has to offer, click here: 

Where to stay?

You've just spent a wonderful week's vacation in Provence Sud Sainte Baume, and now you've completely forgotten to look for souvenirs? Whether you're a magnet collector or looking for the best olive oil in the area, here are the places to go and the gems you'll find there.

• Provençal markets: local produce, traditional fabrics, and even flowers.
• Designer boutiques: near Le Castellet and La Cadière d'Azur: soaps, pottery, colorful fabrics, and more.
• Local producers' farms: honey, cheese, olive oil, saffron, etc.
• Wineries and cooperatives: fine bottles of wine.
• Tourist offices: magnets, postcards, souvenirs of the city in question.