Sanary-sur-Mer

Day Trips

Begin your visit with a leisurely walk along the quays of Sanary-sur-Mer, admiring colorful fishing boats bobbing in the sunlight. Stop at a local café for a café crème and freshly baked croissant on the terrace overlooking the harbor. Breathe in the salty air as you stroll through the marina and plan your week ahead.

Wander through the narrow streets of the Old Town, popping into artisanal shops and galleries that line the shaded lanes. Sample Provençal olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and local tapenades at a market stall near the Place de la Liberté. Pause at a shaded bench to listen to street musicians playing traditional reels.

Dine at a waterfront bistro where plates of bouillabaisse and grilled fish arrive al fresco. Watch fishermen mend their nets as the sun dips below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. End the night with a digestif in a nearby bar, enjoying the gentle murmur of the Mediterranean breeze.

Rise early to explore the daily market at the port, where vendors offer fragrant lavender bundles and sun-ripened produce. Chat with stallholders about regional specialties like tapenade and local honey. Sip a glass of rosé while sampling slices of crusty bread and goat cheese under a striped awning.

Join a guided walking tour that delves into Sanary’s seafaring history, from its 16th-century origins to its modern fishing traditions. Visit the Saint Nazaire church and admire its bell tower peeking above terracotta rooftops. Pause for a light lunch of salade niçoise or pissaladière at a hidden courtyard café.

Attend an open-air concert in the Place de la Libération, where local jazz and bossa nova rhythms fill the warm night air. Share a plate of moules-frites with new friends at a lively tavern. Finish the evening strolling the illuminated quay, savoring the reflections of lanterns dancing on the water.

Board a sunlit ferry bound for the Îles d’Or, disembarking on Île des Embiez for a coastal hike. Discover hidden coves and panoramic lookout points, feeling the Mediterranean breeze on your face. Pack a picnic of charcuterie, baguette, and chilled rosé to enjoy atop a sun-drenched rock.

Continue by boat to Ile du Grand Rouveau, then snorkel among vibrant sea fans and schools of fish in the clear turquoise water. Swim to a secluded beach and bask in the peaceful solitude, surrounded by pine-clad hills. Return to Sanary in the late afternoon, watching the shoreline draw closer.

Treat yourself to a seafood platter at a waterfront restaurant, featuring langoustines, oysters, and clams fresh off the boat. Take a moonlit stroll along the promenade, pausing to gaze at constellations reflected in the calm harbor. Sample a locally distilled liqueur before retiring for the night.

Set off for a guided hike through rolling vineyards just outside Sanary, learning about Bandol’s storied wine heritage. Breathe in the scent of garrigue—thyme, rosemary, and wild lavender—lining the sun-baked paths. Stop at a lookout to photograph sweeping views of the Mediterranean coastline.

Visit a family-run Domain for a tasting of AOC Bandol rosé, red, and blanc, accompanied by regional cheeses and tapenades. Wander through ancient olive groves, sampling cold-pressed oils with slices of fresh baguette. Hear stories of grape harvests and olive pressing passed down through generations.

Return to town for a Provençal cooking demonstration, crafting ratatouille, daube provençale, and tarte tropézienne under the guidance of a local chef. Enjoy the fruits of your labor in a convivial group dinner. Cap off the night with a stroll beneath twinkling streetlights, the fragrance of jasmine in the air.

Begin at the covered market to shop for seasonal ingredients—ripe tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, and aromatic herbs. Receive a chef’s welcome at a rustic kitchen, donning an apron to prepare classic Provençal dishes. Engage in hands-on instruction crafting aioli, stuffed vegetables, and olive oil cake.

Relish the multi-course lunch you’ve prepared, pairing your creations with a chilled local rosé. Spend the afternoon exploring hidden gem boutiques, from handcrafted pottery studios to vintage linen shops. Enjoy a leisurely gelato break at a pastel-colored parlor on the Quai Gabriel Péri.

Head to the waterfront to catch a live performance—flamenco guitar, chanson française, or a local folk ensemble. Savor tapas-style small plates at a seaside eatery, tasting smoked sardines, marinated anchovies, and grilled squid. Meander home beneath a star-filled sky, serenaded by gentle waves.

Catch the train to Toulon for a cultural immersion in the region’s naval capital. Ascend the funicular to Mont Faron for panoramic views of the harbor and surrounding hills. Visit the Memorial Museum to learn about naval history and the city’s strategic Mediterranean role.

Wander Toulon’s colorful market, tasting Provencal specialties like fougasse and tapenade. Explore the old town’s Renaissance buildings and charming squares. Return to Sanary by late afternoon and relax on a café terrace with a lemon soda.

Back in Sanary, dine at a waterfront grill that specializes in local catch of the day. Share a bottle of Bandol rosé with friends old and new. Finish with a digestive stroll along the harbor, illuminated by lanterns and moonlight reflecting on the water.

Drive or bike to nearby Bandol for a morning at the scenic Plage de Renécros, where soft sand meets gentle waves. Swim in crystalline water or recline under a striped parasol with a good book. Refuel with a beachside snack of socca and fresh fruit.

Tour the vineyards of Bandol’s most acclaimed estates, discovering the terroir that produces robust reds and elegant rosés. Sample vintages alongside local pâtés and sun-dried tomato tapenade. Capture the rolling vines and azure sea in photographs at golden hour.

Return to Sanary for dinner at a hilltop restaurant overlooking the town and harbor. Order a plate of Provençal lamb shoulder braised with olives and aromatic herbs. Cap off the evening with a glass of local Clairette and panoramic views of twinkling lights.

Board a glass-bottom boat to the Underwater Park, marveling at artificial reefs designed to enhance marine life. Observe octopus, wrasse, and moray eels through the clear hull as the boat glides above vibrant seabeds. Disembark and don snorkeling gear to explore in person.

Drift over sunken sculptures and underwater sculptures that attract schools of fish, photographing coral formations and darting sea creatures. Relax on a secluded beach afterward, enjoying a picnic of cold roast chicken, tapenade, and chilled rosé. Return to town for an espresso at a café on the quay.

Participate in a twilight snorkeling session, when bioluminescent plankton dance around your mask and fins in surreal waves of light. Warm up with a seafood bouillabaisse at a cozy bistro afterward. End the night with a glass of lemon-scented pastis by the harbor.

Stroll through a morning artisan fair along the waterfront, sampling handcrafted soaps, jewelry, and Provençal lavender products. Watch local painters set up easels to capture the shimmering harbor on canvas. Sip an iced café noisette as you browse stalls of regional delicacies.

Embark on a sunset sailing trip aboard a traditional sailboat, feeling the wind in the sails as you cross the bay. Toast with Provençal rosé and enjoy light hors d’oeuvres of olives, goat cheese, and charcuterie. Return to shore just as the sky ignites in golden and rose-hued brilliance.

Attend an outdoor film screening or live music event at the festival village set up near the port. Dine on gourmet street food—gourmet burgers, Provençal crêpes, and gelato—under twinkling canopy lights. Conclude the evening with fireworks reflected in the bay’s calm waters.

Spend your final morning unwinding on the sandy shores of Plage de Portissol, soaking up the Provençal sunshine. Sample freshly baked pastries from the beach kiosk and sip a chilled lemonade under a striped umbrella. Dip into clear waters for a rejuvenating swim before packing up.

Enjoy a leisurely lunch at a beachfront café, feasting on salade provençale with anchovies, olives, and fresh basil. Take a last stroll through the Old Town, picking up a few souvenirs—olive soap, honey, or lavender sachets—for friends back home. Pause on the quay for a final photograph of pastel-hued boats bobbing in the harbor.

Savor a farewell dinner at your favorite seaside restaurant, revisiting signature dishes and raising a toast to new memories. Watch the sun set over the water one last time, the sky awash in lavender and amber tones. Depart beneath a canopy of stars, carrying the gentle spirit of Sanary-sur-Mer with you.