There is a particular stillness to the Var - not a silence, but a sense of self-possession.
It does not clamour for your attention with glamorous hotels or iconic postcards. It simply exists, quietly confident in its richness. For those who know where to look, the Var is perhaps the most compelling expression of Provence. Let us begin with the name. The region was once defined by the River Var – but thanks to a reshuffling of boundaries in the 19th century, the river no longer flows within it. The name, however, remains. There was talk of changing it. The idea did not last long. The Var is not the sort of place to rebrand itself for convenience. It holds its ground - and rightly so.
From coast to country
Geographically, the Var spans both the glittering Mediterranean and the inland rhythms of Provençal life. Its coastline stretches over 400 kilometres, but this is no continuous strip of sand. Instead, the shores are broken up by rocky inlets, pine-backed coves, and sleepy fishing ports where the day’s catch still determines the lunch menu. Bandol is one of the better-known names - not only for its gentle swimming bays, but for its rosé, which is deeper, rounder, and more complex than its neighbours. There is substance behind the pale pink.
Inland, the terrain shifts. Vineyards and olive groves ripple out towards the hills. Cypress trees cast their long shadows in the late afternoon. In June, fields are brushed with lavender, and by October, the vines are gold and rust. This is a land of transition - not only between seasons, but between worlds. The coast may steal the headlines, but it is the interior that draws you back.
Spotlight | The village that turned green
Correns, a modest village of stone houses and leafy courtyards, sits along one of these quieter inland routes. It would be easy to pass by. But linger, and you will discover one of the Var’s quiet revolutions. In the 1990s, local winemaker Michael Latz spearheaded a community effort to convert the entire village to organic production. It was not a marketing exercise - it was an environmental commitment. He rallied farmers, cheesemakers, beekeepers and olive growers. Over time, their collective changes transformed not only the village economy, but the health of the land itself.
Correns became the first fully organic village in France - the cœur vert, or green heart, of the Var. Fish returned to the stream. Pollinators came back. The soil regenerated. Other villages took notice. Today, Correns is still small, still understated, but it holds a place of quiet pride in the story of sustainable agriculture in Provence.
A slower rhythm in the Var
There is a lot to be said for meandering through this part of the world without a schedule. Brignoles, Cotignac, Salernes - names that appear small on the map, but offer slow pleasures that accumulate meaning. A morning market. A bookshop with creaking wooden floors and shelves devoted to Provençal folklore. A terrace lunch under plane trees with a carafe of local white. Here, Provençal is not a performance. It is lived in. Cars are dusty. Bread is bought daily. Conversation stretches on. People nod, wave, chat. The details are small, but they stay with you.
Gassin | Villa Rosa
10 people | 5 bedrooms | 10 bathrooms
Tucked within the exclusive Parcs de Saint-Tropez estate in Gassin, Villa Rosa offers a rare sense of privacy just moments from the energy of Saint-Tropez. This five-bedroom villa is built for relaxed luxury, with elegant interiors, a large heated pool, and beautifully maintained gardens. Daily housekeeping and a dedicated concierge service are included, making it easy to enjoy long lunches, boat days, or quiet evenings at home without lifting a finger. From its secure setting to its seamless service, Villa Rosa is an ideal base for those looking to experience the Côte d’Azur at its most refined.
Giens | Villa Alice
10 people | 5 bedrooms | 5 bathrooms
Set on the secluded Giens Peninsula with direct access to the sea, Villa Alice is a rare waterfront retreat that balances coastal elegance with complete privacy. Facing the island of Porquerolles, this newly renovated villa features five en-suite bedrooms, air-conditioned interiors, and expansive outdoor living areas designed for slow, sun-soaked days. From its sea-view pool and shaded terraces to its private path to the water’s edge, Villa Alice places the Mediterranean quite literally at your doorstep - offering a quiet, luxurious escape in one of the Var’s most striking natural settings.
Villa Carqueiranne
7 people | 4 bedrooms | 4 bathrooms
Set above the coastline in the peaceful village of Carqueiranne, Villa Carqueiranne is a modern retreat with sweeping sea views and understated luxury. Designed in 2020, the villa features four air-conditioned en-suite bedrooms, a sleek open-plan layout, and an impressive heated infinity pool overlooking the Bay of Almanarre and the Golden Islands. Just a short walk from the beach and close to local markets and restaurants, it offers the best of both tranquillity and convenience. With a boules court, shaded terraces, and a light-filled interior, this villa is ideal for families or friends seeking a relaxed yet refined stay on the Côte d’Azur.
If you are searching for a version of Provence that is less polished, more authentic, and deeply connected to the land, the Var has it in spades. It is not one place, but many - the coast and the hills, the old and the emerging, the traditional and the quietly radical. In the end, it is this duality that makes the Var so compelling. It does not insist. It does not shout. It simply invites - and then it lingers with you, long after you have driven home.
À bientôt,
The Provence Holidays Team
