LE CASTELLET, LA CADIERE D'AZUR, BANDOL AND THE COAST

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Le Castellet is extremely pretty and has wonderful views from the church square. The little winding streets are great to wander through, with plenty of stylish boutiques, cafes and restaurants to discover. Nearby is La Cadière d’Azur which is equally lovely, with old narrow streets and the remains of the old ramparts.

 

The famous Circuit Paul Ricard, only a short drive away, is used for both professional race events plus track days and driving courses which are available to the public.

 

The coast is ten minutes drive away and includes the beaches at Bandol, St Cyr sur Mer and Sanary sur Mer. Bandol makes a wonderful day out with its busy harbour, great cafés and acres of yachts in the marina to explore. There is a 'secret' beach at Anse de Renecros - absolutely ideal for children. Towards the west is La Ciotat with beautiful beaches and one of our favourite places, the port of Cassis. The beach at Cassis is pebbly, but there are walking trails across the Calanques which offer spectacular scenery. The Calanques, now a national park, is a stunning area of dramatic limestone sea cliffs, gorges and turquoise creeks. In the summer the Calanques boat trip, or a kayak, are wonderful ways to see the cliffs from the water.

 

GASTRONOMY – RESTAURANTS, 

A few of our favourite restaurants in the area:

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Le 52

Our local - just 5 minutes from the house

Pizza, fish, meat, grill

Open every evening and Saturday and Sunday lunchtime

739 Boulevard Acacias 83330 Le Brulat

Tél : 04 94 32 64 35

 

Le Grand Large

Fish, Meat, Pasta, Menu

Open every evening

Esplanade Charles de Gaulle, 13260 Cassis

Tél. : 04 42 01 81 00

 

Le Bistrot de Jef

Within the Hotel Berard. The Bistro has a veranda with lovely views

Closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays

6 Avenue Gabriel Péri, 83740 La Cadière-d'Azur

Tel : 04 94 90 11 43

 

Roche Belle

Fish, Meat, Menus

Corniche du Liouquet

13600 La Ciotat

Tél : 04 42 71 47 60

 

La Farandole

Fish, Menus, great views, Mediterranean food

140 Chemin de la Plage, 83110 Sanary-sur-Mer

Tél : 04 94 90 30 20

 

L’Auberge du Port

Seafood, Menus, Champagne Bar

9 Allée Jean Moulin, 83150 Bandol

Tél : 04 94 29 42 63

 

La Farigoule

Characterful local restaurant in Le Castellet

2 Place du Jeu de Paume, 83330 Le Castellet

Tél : 04 94 32 64 58

 

LOCAL MARKETS:

• Le Beausset (4km): Every Friday and Sunday (8h-13h)

• La Cadière d’Azur (4km): Every Tuesday morning

• Saint Cyr Sur Mer (8km): Every Sunday (8h-13h)

• Bandol (11km): Every Tuesday (8h-13h)

• Sanary Sur Mer (14km): Every morning there is a food market but on Wednesdays the whole town comes alive. From antiques to wonderful fish stalls, country food stalls, clothes and shoes.

• La Ciotat (23km): Every Tuesday (8h-13h)

• Aix en Provence (65km): Every Friday (8h-13h)

 

BANDOL WINES  AOC:

Bandol wines have been recognized since 1941. There are many domains and vineyards dotted throughout the immediate countryside where you can taste and buy rosé, red or white wines of the Bandol AOC. The official Bandol wine website has full information about its history and an interactive map of the domains.

 

SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES:

Golf

The course at Le Dolce Fregate is one of the premiere courses in France and is a short drive away. We recommend booking in advance.

 

Kayaking

Guided sea kayak excursions of the Calanques by Raskas Kayak are suitable for all abilities.

 

Scuba Diving

Discover the underwater life of the Bay of Bandol. The introduction to scuba diving by Bandol Plongee is accessible to adults and children (from 8 years).

 

Water Sports

Jet ski and more adrenaline fun in Bandol from Entre Ciel et Mer.

 

Horse Riding

The L'écurie du Paradis is open every day of the year and located in Le Beausset. Qualified instructors provide riding lessons, trekking and riding in the beautiful hills of the Var.

 

Boat trips

Boat trips from Bandol  to the Calanques of Cassis, Porquerolles Island and dolphin spotting.

 

DAYS OUT:

Aix en Provence - the city of fountains

A lovely city with cafes and shops on the Cours Mirabeau which are wonderful to explore. The old town has lots of interesting boutiques, antiques shops and fantastic food shops. The Place des Cardeurs is recommended for its many quality restaurants and cafes.

 

Toulon - a characterful seaport city

40 minutes from the house, this is a great place to go to sample the local bouillabaisse in the restaurants around the port overlooking the cruise liners and the ferries which set sail for Corsica and Sardinia. The cathedral is worth a visit and the old town has many interesting junk and antique shops. The food market is a wonderfully diverse experience - from North African specialities to the local catch.

 

L'Isle sur la Sorgue - antiques heaven

Every Sunday the pretty town of L'Isle sur la Sorgue, with its river running through, is taken over by hundreds of stalls of antiques. There are also permanent antique markets which can be visited throughout the week.