Le Lavandou: All destinations, advice & information for your holidays!
Between the Mauren Massif and the Mediterranean lies Le Lavandou. The holiday resort on the Côte d'Azur is known for its twelve stunning beaches. The Blue Flag flies for excellent water quality on the coast. At the palm-lined beaches, you can rent loungers and umbrellas and engage in many water sports.
Table of contents
Le Lavandou - Must-see attractions
Coastal path
Sentier du littoral is a picturesque coastal hiking trail in the French department of Var on the Côte d'Azur. It runs 200 km mostly along the magnificent Mediterranean coast and offers numerous entry and exit points, allowing for several smaller sub-routes. A particularly beautiful section runs on the peninsula of Saint-Tropez to the beach Plage de Pampelonne. Here, one can hike through largely untouched nature from bay to bay, where natural artworks made of driftwood have formed on the sandy beaches.
Knight Beach
The city beach of Le Lavandou is a paradise for the whole family. You can pamper yourself at the Beach Club, rent pedal boats at the sports beach, go water skiing, or book a dive. The sunny beach of L'Angelade is also close to the center. The beach of the Elephant, about 5.5 km from the center, is also called "the Wild." The reason for this is its natural state. The beach of Cavalière is known for its particularly large sports offerings. There is a sailing school and a boat rental here.
The Golden Isles
Mild winters and hot, dry summers characterize the climate of the island region. Here you will find soothing tranquility in picturesque nature on the otherwise bustling Côte d'Azur. Take a boat from Le Lavandou. On the islands, you will find exciting hiking trails. On Îles du Levant, a large naturist village with a town hall, church, and bakery, as well as beautiful sandy beaches, awaits you. The lush vegetation will impress you. Marvel at the strawberry trees in the nearby nature reserve. The cliff hiking trail on Port Cros is also an experience.
Theo Villa
The Villa Théo was once the house of Theo Van Rysselberghe, a neo-impressionist painter. It was built in 1910 in the style of seaside architecture. A visit to Villa Théo is a nice addition to your beach holiday in France. During your vacation on the Côte d'Azur, visit this tranquil retreat, where French bohemians were once welcome guests. The painter Matisse and the writer Jean Cocteau, like today's visitors, enjoyed the Provençal hospitality and the mild climate.
Saint-Clair Terraces
At the end of the 19th century, laborers from the Italian Piedmont created terraces for early crops and flowers in Saint-Clair. After the plots were unused for a long time, it was decided in 2017 to restore them to a well-maintained condition. Today, fruit and vegetables thrive year-round on the dry stone walls in an organic permaculture garden, including pineapples, tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, olive and almond trees. Join a guided tour and marvel at the restored water wheel and the sophisticated irrigation system.
Saint Louis Church
The Church of Saint Louis is located very close to the port of La Lavandou, on the bustling Rue du Port, where there are numerous shops and restaurants. The sacred building dates back to 1855 and was built with donations. Upon entering the church, you will surely notice the colorful windows, which date from the 16th century. Another highlight is the fresco by Jean-Baptiste Garrigou. You can see the tall bell tower from afar.
Le Lavandou - Secret spots
Small Zoo: Bird Garden
Families love the Jardin Zoologique Tropical, located 12 km from Le Lavandou. Amidst tropical vegetation of palms, bamboo groves, and cacti, numerous animals enchant the visitors. The meerkats and parrots are especially popular with the little ones. A highlight is the feeding of the lemurs, donkeys, tortoises, and other animal residents.
Beautiful sandy beach in the Domaine de la Pardigon
Golden yellow sand and comfortable deck chairs with sunshades await you in Pardigon, about 23 km east of Le Lavandou. The bay, framed by wooded hills, forms a protected natural area. In summer, lifeguards watch over the guests. If you're in the mood for activity, join the beach volleyball players on two courts.
Paradise sandy beach Plage de la Fossette
Among the most beautiful beaches of Le Lavandou is the bay west of the Fossette headland. Golden yellow sand, clear water, and green pine groves create a dreamlike setting for relaxing hours by the sea. You can reach this paradise from the town center via a coastal path that offers you wonderful views. The sunsets are particularly beautiful.
Stroll through winding alleys: Rue des Marchands
The Rue des Marchands in Bormes-les-Mimosas is not even 5 km from Le Lavandou. The street of merchants turns out to be a picturesque old town alley in one of the most beautiful villages in France. You immerse yourself in shady medieval arches, discover charming little shops with traditional craftsmanship, and enjoy the atmosphere.
Le Lavandou - In 3 days
Day 1
The small port town of Le Lavandou stretches picturesquely along the Côte d'Azur and has about 6,000 inhabitants. It is perfect as a holiday destination for an extended weekend, during which you can discover the town itself and the surrounding area in three days. Use the day of arrival to explore the community and stroll through the large harbor, which is mainly used by smaller boats. Right on the promenade, you will find some smaller cafés that invite you to linger with a fantastic view. Depending on the season and day of the week, you can expect several markets in Le Lavandou. Every Thursday, the traditional market takes place on Avenue Vincent Auriol, which is popular with both residents and visitors. There are also organic markets, craft exhibitions, flea markets, and many other shopping opportunities. Every March, the flower parade attracts onlookers from the entire Côte d'Azur region. The town hall is considered an architectural landmark.
Day 2
The mild climate year-round and the warm, sunny summers make Le Lavandou a dream destination for beach vacationers. Along the Mediterranean coast, you can look forward to a total of 12 picturesque sandy beaches that invite you to sunbathe, swim, and relax between May and October. Around the turn of the year, long walks on the fine sand are recommended. In many bays, dogs are allowed in the Mediterranean outside the season, so you can easily bring your four-legged friend on your trip. Use the second day on the Cote d'Azur to visit the local sandy beach, the beach of Saint-Clair, or the bay of L'Anglade. All three enchant with the charm of the Caribbean, are lined with palm trees, and are known for the turquoise blue water that promises a refreshing coolness in the warm season. If you are looking for peace and relaxation in unspoiled nature, the bays of Jean Blanc and Le Rossignol are ideal.
Day 3
For the third day, a day trip along the Côte d'Azur is recommended, where you have a wide selection of possible destinations. The glamorous Saint-Tropez, which is just 40 kilometers away, enjoys an almost legendary reputation. Drive to the coastal town in less than an hour by car and take a look at the historic 16th-century citadel, which is considered a landmark of the region. The building houses the Maritime Museum, where you can learn not only about the Mediterranean coast but also about the history of Saint-Tropez. The Musée de l'Annonciade exhibits impressive artworks from various eras. Similarly distant is the large city of Toulon to the west, home to 180,000 residents. Here, in addition to restaurants and shopping opportunities, numerous attractions await you, such as the Cathedral of Sainte-Marie de la Seds and the impressive Toulon Opera.
Le Lavandou - Climate
The climate in Le Lavandou is mild all year round. The highest average temperatures are reached in July and August with 26 degrees, and it is coolest in January with eleven degrees. As early as May, the water temperature reaches more than 20 degrees. The peak value is reached from June to August with 26 degrees. In summer, there is less precipitation than in the rest of the year. The amount of rain is greatest in October with 57 millimeters. Le Lavandou is known as a sunny travel destination: the statistics record 3,419 hours of sunshine. From May to August, it is twelve hours daily.