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Le Lavandou: A Quiet Corner of the Côte d’Azur

07 Oct 2024
When people think of the French Riviera, or Côte d’Azur as it's known in French, it's most likely various images of glamour and wealth that come to mind - from the luxurious resort town of St Tropez to the beaches of Nice and the star-studded Cannes Film Festival, as well as the city state of Monaco with its Casino de Monte-Carlo.

And while all of these places and their reputations are well-deserved, most of the region is actually quite more laid back and easygoing - towns and villages filled with locals, French tourists, families and pensioners, and the odd travel writer from Europe's largest publisher of locally-produced city guides (we're walking of course about ourselves here, ie In Your Pocket).

Or at least this was the case recently, when we went for a weeklong visit with the family of an old friend, who spend about half the year in the town of Le Lavandou.
​  Saint-Claire Beach in Le Lavandou, Côte d’Azur © Travelling Curmudgeon

Playing Pétanque

Arriving late at night, and having to spend the morning working, our introduction to the French Riviera consisted of a homemade family lunch (some mouthwatering steak frites if you were curious), followed by a rousing 3.5 hours spent playing pétanque with the residents of the local community. Getting teamed up with Jean-Luc and then going 3-0 against all the competition was a thoroughly enjoyable introduction to the sport. Although we were informed that for any real action, we'd have to head into the town. Alternatively, with an internet connection and a device, real money games of chance are never far away - including some with no deposit casino bonuses. But we digress.

Bormes-les-Mimosas

The neighbouring - some might even say rival - town of Bormes-les-Mimosas is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful small towns in this part of the country, or really anywhere for that matter. And that's not just locals talking, as it's home to the official summer residence of the President of France! While Fort de Brégançon is usually only open to the public for a very limited time each year, the upper part of the town is a medieval wonder, with narrow streets and stairs winding around the entire hilltop, offering spectacular views down towards the sea.

Meanwhile the lower part of the town is a more modern resort, with a large marina, and a very lively atmosphere during the summer season. We were lucky enough to visit during one of the Escapade Gourmande food festivals, which was one of the most delicious culinary events we've ever had the good fortune to tuck into!
Le Lavandou, Côte d’Azur © Travelling Curmudgeon

Exploring by Sailboat

A trip around the bay and the protecting ring of islands on a sailboat is a must when you're in Le Lavandou - even better if your friend's family happens to own their boat, which we must admit was the case for us. While the wind wasn't exactly blowing up a storm that day, the views offered from out on the water are amazing regardless, and learning a bit about the basics of sailing was also a fascinating experience. Following a day on the water with a sunset tipple at one of the cafés at the marina is also highly recommended!

Getting There and Away

Situated about halfway between St Tropez in the east and lesser know but larger town of Toulon in the west, Le Lavandou is not the easiest place to reach, but for those coming from further away, a flight to Marseilles or Nice and then a combination of train and bus will be your best bet, while there are also some limited flight options into Toulon-Hyères airport itself. Alternatively, if you're coming from Paris, or anywhere else in France, train will likely be the easiest and often cheapest option. Plus, getting to experience a ride on the famed TGV - as it speeds though the idyllic countryside at over 300 kilometre per hour - is a travel bucket list item in itself.

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