Plan de la Tour – department of the Var

Saint-Tropez

Saint-Tropez is one of the Côte d’azur’s most famous seaside resorts. Only about 6,000 people live in this coastal town, but it is visited by more than 5 million tourists annually. The town has an attractive marina with nice restaurants. Be admired by the luxury ships and yachts moored in this port. In addition, the city has picturesque stores, small streets and beautiful squares.

Located on a hill is the fort la Citadelle. The fort, from 1605, is today a museum which can be visited. From the fortress you have a magnificent view of the city and the Mediterranean Sea. Definitely worth a visit, then!

Gorges du Verdon

Located in the interior of Var, lies Gorges du Verdon. This is a gigantic gorge with a length of 25 kilometers and rock walls as high as 700 meters. No wonder this canyon is often called the European Grand Canyon. The crystal clear waters, steep walls and diverse vegetation make the area an ideal destination for hikers and nature lovers.

The Gorges du Verdon ends in the lac de Sainte-Croix. This reservoir can be seen as the entrance for the Gorges du Verdon. At this lake there are several opportunities to rent canoes, kayaks, pedal boats and motorboats that you can use to navigate through the gorge. In addition, you can also admire the gorge by car.

Ramatuelle

Ramatuelle sits atop a hilltop and its narrow streets circle the center. The most important historical monument is the church Notre Dame, which was built in the 16th century. The bell tower also served as a viewing post. When visiting Ramatuelle, the car will have to be parked outside the town. From this parking lot you have a fantastic view of the surrounding vineyards and the beach of Pampelonne with the tall lighthouse on Cap Camarat. This lighthouse is the second tallest in France, but unfortunately cannot be climbed.

Ramatuelle is a real center for arts and crafts and there are many small galleries to visit. Its narrow alleys and colorful houses, covered with fragrant blooming Bougainville, provide a picturesque backdrop for leisurely strolling through. In summer, many music lovers come to Ramatuelle for the music festivals such as the classical music festival and “Jazz à Ramatuelle” in August.

Ramatuelle is particularly known for the famous beach of Pampelonne. This fine sandy beach is no less than five kilometers long and has crystal clear waters and many coves and inlets. It stretches from the Cap Pinet to the Cap Camerat. The beach is home to more than 25 beach bars, including the fashionable Tahiti Plage and Club 55. In 1944, the beach at Pampelonne was the setting for the landing of the Allies, which marked the liberation of France.

Grimaud

Grimaud’s history dates back to Gallo-Roman times. For centuries, the village was the most important place in the area. The bay in the sea has long had the name “Gulf of Grimaud.” Around the end of the 19th century, the name was changed to “Gulf of St. Tropez.”
In Grimaud, traces of the past are well reflected. Many buildings feature architectural elements such as columns, capitals, statues, an oculus or a Provençal woman leaning over the balcony at Place du Marché. The old town has narrow alleys with beautiful houses. Important structures are:

• The ruins of the castle – Built in the 11th century, certain parts have been restored. From this high vantage point there is a beautiful view of the surrounding area.
• The church of Francis of Assisi
• Église St. Michel from the 12th century
• St. Rochus Chapel
• Chapel Notre Dame de la Queste
• Chapel of the Penitents
• Pont des Fées – part of an ingenious system to supply the village with water
• Moulin St. Rochus – old village mill that has been back in operation since 1990

Massif de l’Esterel

In southeastern France lies Massif de l’Esterel. the area covers around 320 square kilometers and is about 250 million years old. The nature reserve consists of diverse vegetation ranging from deciduous trees to conifers and bare, reddish rock formations.

It is a beautiful area for hiking enthusiasts. There are several hiking trails mapped out in the area. There are also several trails in the area for mountain biking or horseback riding. There are a number of mountain peaks that offer great views, such as Mont Vinaigre, Pic de l’Ours and Pic du Cap-Roux. Be admired by this beautiful landscape and diverse nature of the area!