Classical Program
DAY 1
- Morning
Leave the hotel on your walking tour that will take you near Place de la Liberté to the exquisite 19th century Opera House which preceded by 13 years Paris Opera House. Stop at the cathedral Our Lady of the Seds and on Cours Lafayette.
Your tour continues as you enter the Rue des Arts lined up with delightful workshops from biscuits to hat crafters. Pause for pictures on Place Vatel at the replica of the bow of the frigate Flore. This 10 feet high & 10 feet large sculpture is a vibrant witness to Toulon's everlasting maritime connections.
Then, proceed through the Old Port towards the Musée National de la Marine (National Navy Museum) you should not miss on Puget's telamons as you walk on the pier of the Vieille Darse (Old Habour). Visit the museum and around noon head to the restaurant to enjoy local specialties (fish or seafood preferably from nearby Tamaris Bay...)
After lunch you will board your vehicle to depart for St Tropez.
- Afternoon & evening
Upon arrival in St Tropez & its former fishermen harbor, visit the village that ranks high on the bucket list of jet setters & visitors alike. Since the 19th century it has been continuously inspiring artists such as painters Signac, Matisse for instance until more contemporary artists like film maker Roger Vadim or actors like Bardot. Discover the village on a guided walking tour and enjoy free time which you may dedicate to shopping - you may look for high end items, the selection is large or you may consider local handmade products such as clothing material like the Tropezienne shoes - or you may do as well some sightseeing on your own & visit the Annonciade or simply stop at a café & enjoy the yachts sails’ scenery that expands in the picturesque harbor ...
You will then return to Toulon where you shall get ready for your evening venue. This evening en route to la Cadière d'Azur where you will enjoy dinner in a Michelin star restaurant.
The evening ends as you return to the hotel & overnight in Toulon.
DAY 2
- Morning
Today you will depart the hotel for Hyères les Palmiers, this seaside resort is remarkably packed with architectural landmarks. The old medieval town is nestled under the ruins of its fortified castle. A panoramic drive will enable you to identify some of the iconic villas that adorn the town & retrace the resort's peak period of the end of the 19th century. Stop outside the Villa & Chapel Godillot & the Villa Tunisienne. Explore the city center walking on Massillon Square and under the Peniscola arch, climb up the cobblestoned streets that lead you up to the Castel Ste Claire Park that shelters the tomb of the discoverer of the Venus of Milo.
After Hyères, leave for Brégançon Castle established in the beginning of the XVIII th century on a former marquisate estate ; the fort which was only one part of the property, is currently a summer state residence for the French President - As you reach there in the end of the morning, visit one of the vine growing plots & the cellar. The end of this morning exploration is brightly enlightened with a cheese and wine pairing tasting.
Leave Brégançon for Bormes les Mimosas where you proceed to the restaurant venue for a local lunch.
- Afternoon
Time now to get familiar with medieval Bormes as you hike up the network of narrow cobblestoned streets that have shaped this very picturesque 12th century town.
After your visit, you will re-board the vehicle and drive to le Lavandou where you may either, according to your interest, decide to focus on the fishing past of the resort or spend some time exploring the beaches and retrace the inspirational atmosphere of the end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th centuries following the painters' path. An afternoon tea or coffee break will happily conclude your exploration.
It is soon time then to return back to Toulon where you shall have diner and overnight in your hotel.
DAY 3
- Morning
Leave the hotel and drive westwards to Ollioules. You will walk the village which gathers in a very limited area an amazing architectural heritage under its powerful medieval castle & keep : meander through the medieval streets comprised within the walls with to the West Rue Baudin, search for Renaissance windows and classical period facades, stop by Rue Hoche and its wrought iron balconies typical from the 2nd French Empire and so called Hausman period.
This morning tour will resume with the visit of a traditional nougat making workshop. Mid morning or so, leave Ollioules for Le Castellet village, upon arrival your guide will take you on a walking tour. This is the perfect drop off for panoramas over some Var vineyards all together with the coastline. Lunch will be next on the program around noon time.
- Afternoon
After lunch, depart to Sanary. A guided tour will allow you to get to know this original fishing village, do not miss on the "pointus" traditional sailing boats of the Mediterranean French coast. Easy to identify they feature a slim shaped stern & a quite flat bow ; they were in the past operated with rows or sails. Start your exploration upon arrival before being given some free time in town.
As the afternoon progresses, return to Toulon and the Mont Faron cable car*. Ascend the mount and enjoy an inside visit of the WWII Memorial that is established at the top.
*Please note that in case of heavy winds conditions, the cable car closes for safety reasons -Shall this be the case, a scenic panoramic drive may take you around the coastline allowing you to discover the beaches & the fortified constructions that used to protect in the past the safest bay of the Med.
Leave behind Mont Faron for the return trip to the hotel where you may have dinner which is on your own tonight.
Overnight in the hotel as your program ends tomorrow.
