Summer - Discover the Most Beautiful Sites
Lake Sainte-Croix
About
Located between the departments of Var and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, this 22 square kilometre lake is the largest lake crossed by the Verdon river and the third largest artificial lake in France. It was created in 1973 and is delimited upstream by the Galetas bridge, at the arrival of the Verdon gorges and to the south by the Sainte-Croix dam which supplies all the surrounding villages with electricity.
Sunny more than 300 days a year, its turquoise waters are due to its clay bottom.
Why should you visit?
Because it is a real turquoise jewel, a real postcard landscape! It enjoys an exceptional location, in the heart of the Verdon Regional Park, a paradise for flowers and birds, with 2,000 species of flowers, some of which are endemic, such as the Villars raiponce, the Verdon doradilla, the Provence sandwort and the ash sandwort, flowers of the garrigue, and birds of prey, such as some vultures and golden eagles, 180 species of birds and 80 species of butterflies, freshwater fish, and 50 species of mammals.
The lake also offers an idyllic setting and a serene environment for holidays, and offers many water sports and walking activities that will delight young and old.
Things to do
Enjoy water sports activities thanks to :
- the Etoile water sports centre: from Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, take the D 957 towards Les Salles-sur-Verdon and stop just before the Galetas bridge. A fleet of pedalos, canoes, kayaks and electric boats awaits you there. Information: 07 68 94 17 87.
La Cadeno nautical base: on one of the most beautiful beaches of the lake, you can canoe, kayak, pedal boat and paddle. Information: 07 82 10 67 03.
Hiking:
- the website visorando.com (or the application) proposes 14 hikes from the lake, from the easiest to the most difficult.
- the komot.fr website offers the 17 most beautiful walks around the lake, with the possibility of choosing according to your level and your desires.
More Information
To find out about all the events and activities available during your stay at the Sainte-Croix lake, visit the websites moustiers.fr and lesgorgesduverdon.fr
Provencal Beaches
Provence is full of magnificent and exotic places. Among them, beautiful beaches. Summer is the ideal season to discover them, to practise numerous water sports, to refresh and rest or to admire the fascinating sunsets. Alone, with family or friends, there is something for everyone. Here is a selection of the most beautiful beaches on the coast.
Plage de l’Estagnol, in Bormes-les-Mimosas
About
Nicknamed the "Tahiti of Provence", it is considered one of the most beautiful fine sandy beaches in the region! 475 metres long between two rocky outcrops. Its advantage? Large pine trees, which border it and give it a wild character. The ideal place to laze in the shade during the hot weather. It is a private beach.
Why should you visit?
Because it has a lagoon with water so turquoise that you would think you were in Polynesia!
Things to do
A short walk: for the early risers, or the brave, it is possible to take the coastal path to the beach of Cabasson, a very easy 7.2 kilometre round trip. This is an opportunity to observe the fauna and flora.
The beach is family friendly. There are many activities for children, including a visit to an educational farm.
More Information
The website bormeslesmimosas.com will give you all the information you need.
Plage de Portissol, in Sanary-sur-Mer
About
Just a stone's throw from the town centre, it stretches for a hundred metres in a magnificent little bay. Fine sand, turquoise and crystal clear water... It is a paradise for swimmers and families with young children, as the water is not deep. On days when the mistral wind blows, it becomes a popular spot for surfers!
Why should you visit?
Because it is one of the most beautiful beaches in Sanary! Its fine sand and turquoise water make it a real little paradise.
Things to do
Diving or snorkelling, thanks to the Portissol underwater path: the start of the path is on this beach. It is a reserved area of 4,500 square metres where you can admire the different species of fauna and flora present in the Mediterranean. So, no more hesitation! Take a mask, flippers and snorkel and dive in! Information: sentiersousmarin.fr
More Information
The website sanary-tourisme.com will give you all the information you need.
Plage de la Petite Afrique, in Beaulieu-sur-Mer
About
Located behind the town's harbour and covered with gravel, it stretches for 400 metres and has magnificent umbrella pines for resting in the shade, as well as extremely clear water. A welcoming place for young and old.
Why should you visit?
Because it is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Alpes-Maritimes. It is bordered by impressive cliffs which are worth the diversions.
Things to do
Beach volleyball, and there is a very nice children's playground.
More Information
All useful information is available on cotedazurfrance.fr and provence-alpes-cotedazur.com
Plage de la Pointe de l’Aiguille, in Théoule-sur-Mer
About
The particularity of this beach is that it is made up of a series of small wild creeks, surrounded by red rocks that plunge directly into the incredibly turquoise water. A magical and exotic setting in a preserved environment, in the heart of the Pointe de l'Aiguille departmental park. It is a little corner of paradise located below the Corniche d'Or road, between Saint-Raphaël and Cannes. Notice to diving enthusiasts: the seabed is sublime!
Why should you visit?
Because it is the wildest beach in the Alpes-Maritimes!
Things to do
- For early risers or the brave with a water bottle and hat, a path leads to the lookout point with a remarkable view.
- An underwater discovery trail, accessible from mid-June to mid-September, runs along the beaches. Ideal for discovering the fauna and flora with a mask and snorkel. Underwater brochures are available at the Tourist Office of Théoule-sur-Mer as well as at the first aid post of the Pointe de l'Aiguille.
More Information
For more information, visit departement06.fr
Islands of Hyères
About
The islands of Hyères are an archipelago made up of three main islands, Porquerolles, Port-Cros and Le Levant, and a few rocky islets in the Mediterranean Sea, off the Giens peninsula and Cap Bénat, in the Var. They offer landscapes of fine sandy beaches, coves with turquoise waters, cliffs and pine forests, and an incomparably rich fauna and flora: 12 species of mammals, 177 birds, 6 reptiles; 180 species of fish and 265 species of shellfish.
Porquerolles is the largest and most western of the three islands, with its 12.54 square kilometres of surface area and 30 kilometres of coastline. It is a real jewel. It has had national park status since 1971.
Port-Cros is the wildest. It is 4.2 kilometres long and 2.4 kilometres wide at its widest point, and its highest point is 199 metres. It has a very rich vegetation thanks to the presence of springs.
Le Levant is the easternmost island of the archipelago. Equal in size to Porquerolles, it is a rocky ridge 8 kilometres long and 1 kilometre wide. Only one tenth of the island is accessible to the public.
Why should you visit?
Because the landscapes are idyllic and look like a little paradise! These islands offer a complete variety of Mediterranean landscapes and offer exceptionally pure water and incredible underwater scenery. Because these are three dream islands that do not require a long-haul flight to reach! You just have to take the shuttle from the mainland. And these car-free islands take us so far away from our urban landscapes!
Things to do
Porquerolles: go around the island by renting a mountain bike and stop on the beaches to swim and feel like you are at the end of the world! For more information, please contact Le Cycle porquerollais: Tel: 04 94 58 30 32 or velos-porquerolles.fr
Port-Cros: take the underwater trail at La Palud: a 30-minute snorkelling tour to observe the fauna and flora of the Mediterranean. You will discover six buoys equipped with explanatory panels immersed along the way. All you have to do is grab your fins, mask and snorkel! Information: visitvar.fr
Le Levant: experience this philosophy of life that is naturism by discovering Héliopolis, an 80-hectare estate. Naturism is free everywhere, except in public places, on the port and the village square. It is compulsory at the Grottes beach and on the seafront.
More Information
The websites hyeres-tourisme.com and www.hyeres.fr/les-iles-dor and onedayonetravel.com/quelle-iles-hyeres-choisir-porquerolles-port-cros-levant will give you all the useful information for your stay.
Nice Colorado
About
The Gorges de Daluis is the first classified nature reserve in the Alpes-Maritimes, covering more than 1,000 hectares, and is home to remarkable gorges carved by the Var into red rocks that look like canyons. This place is nicknamed the "Colorado niçois" because this reserve offers views similar to the American landscapes of westerns.
Why should you visit?
Because it is a spectacular and unusual geological site, unique in Europe! It is also remarkable for its fauna and flora. The gorges are a meeting place for alpine species such as the chamois, the black grouse and the golden eagle, and Mediterranean species such as the ocellated lizard and the short-toed eagle. The reserve also has endemic species: two snails, the maillot and the marbled pelite, and a small amphibian, the Strinati's spelunker. The gorges are also home to 84 bird species and 401 plant species, including 3 nationally protected species and 10 endemics.
Things to do
This is the perfect opportunity to try white water sports, with a guide:
- Canyoning: follow a river, cross waterfalls, walk, swim, slide, jump and abseil, this activity is accessible to everyone from 6 years old. Several routes are possible depending on your level.
- A water walk: a refreshing programme for the whole family. The only prerequisite is to know how to walk in a river surrounded by impressive gorges and not be afraid to get your clothes wet!
All information is available on the website: nice-canyoning.com
More Information
The sites reserves-naturelles.org and verdontourisme.com will give you all the details concerning the Daluis gorges.
