Les lutins d’accueil bed and breakfast Le Beausset

Today was a beautiful day in Le Beausset, but a 100km/h mistral wind forced me to stay at home… I thought it would be a good time to redo my “lutins” for our Le Beausset guest rooms in the Var and our gîte in the Var… A break in Provence

I followed a very simple plan by putting myself in my customers’ shoes:

1. As a priority, provide useful general information on arrival
2. Secondly, to provide information on nearby restaurants, as well as takeaways and home deliveries by delivery drivers for customers who don’t feel like moving and prefer to dine on their terrace or by the pool.
3. Of course, providing information on sporting activities in the surrounding area seems to me to be of interest to all sportsmen and women, whatever their level (and also because we don’t always think of this or that activity).
4. And finally on the “things” to do during the stay (hikes, walks, visits, etc.).

1) General information on arrival :

Le Beausset Tourist Office: 1 Esplanade Charles de Gaulle

Le Beausset market: Every Friday (fairground and Provencal market)
Bandol market: Every Tuesday morning
Sanary sur mer night market: every evening in July and August
Bandol night market: every evening from mid-June to mid-September

Supermarkets from home :
* Carrefour Market at the entrance to Le Beausset. (5mn)
* Casino on the outskirts of Le Beausset in the direction of the Castellet circuit. (6mn)
* Lidl at Plan du Castellet (10mn)

Waste garbage cans (for apartment only) :
They should be deposited in the containers at the bottom of Chemin des Ginestés. (household waste, glass, cardboard, plastic)

WIFI :
You’ll be given your login details on arrival.

SOS Doctors: 04.94.14.33.33
VTC – Private chauffeur : Christophe 06.27.21.71.29

2)Information on nearby restaurants, takeaways and deliveries:

As we don’t do table d’hôtes, we recommend a choice of restaurants that have been tested for you…as well as delivery and take-away options.

Restaurants
Le Beausset ” 5mn ” :

Les Filles – place de la mairie – 04 94 46 59 06
Open: lunchtime, Monday to Friday
Fresh produce – Home cooking – New menu every day.
Terrace.
Very good value for money.
Approx. €25/pers.
Park in the city center parking lots.

• La Symphonie des Plaisirs – place de la mairie (8 rue Jean Mermoz) – 04 94 90 51 64
  Open: every lunchtime from Thursday to Sunday + Tuesday – every evening from Thursday to Saturday + Tuesday
  Fresh produce – home cooking – very good value for money.
  Terrace.
  Approx. €25/pers.
  Park in the city center parking lots.
• Plaisirs Di Vins – RN 8 La Gouarguo – 04 94 05 92 21
  Opening :
  every lunchtime from Monday to Saturday (at the exit of Le Beausset, on the right, route du circuit, every Friday and Saturday evening outside next to the butcher’s shop)
  Restaurant and wine cellar – We eat surrounded by bottles.
  Parking
  Fresh produce – Home cooking – Flavours from the South
  sought-after.
  Approx. €35/pers.
• Le Clos des Arts – 2 bis rue Portalis – 04 94 29 40 37
  Open: every evening from Thursday to Saturday + Tuesday
  Cuisine correcte – Home cooking – Spanish inspiration.
  Lovely garden terrace.
  Approx. €25/pers.
  Park in the city center parking lots.

Other restaurants in Le Beausset (not yet tested by us!!)

• Le Relais de la Calèche
• La Cauquière
• La Grange du Beausset
• La Kasbaa – Chez Abdel (couscous-tagines)

Le Castellet Village “a quarter of an hour away”:

• L’Atelier Glacé – 16 rue de la congrégation – 07 60 31 93 14
  The best ice cream parlour! Homemade ice cream with no additives or colorants.
  Terrace.
• Le pied de nez – 8 montée Saint Eloi – 04.94.29.72.26
  Opening hours: Varies according to season, see website. www.lepieddenez.com
  Panoramic terrace.
  Approx. €40/pers.
• Le Saint Eloi – 15 rue de l’aube – 04 94 26 14 42
  Open: Thursday to Sunday, lunch and dinner
  Panoramic terrace.
  Bistronomic restaurant
  www.le-saint-eloi.fr
• La Goguette – 1 impasse de l’homme de paille – 04 94 90 71 96
  Opening: Variable, call ahead!
• Le Vin’Olive – 7 place du portail – 04 94 25 11 08
  Opening hours: Varies according to season.
  Panoramic terrace.
  www.vinolive.fr
  Approx. €30/pers.
• Owine – 5541 route des Hauts du Camp
  (near circuit) – 04 94 32 21 77
  Open: Lunch and dinner from Thursday to Sunday, Lunch only on Wednesday
  Interest in table-top braziers
  Organizing mini-concerts

Bandol and Sanary are very touristy places, so avoid the “touristy” restaurants, which are often quite expensive and of very average quality.

Bandol 20 minutes away:

• Le Shardana – 16 rue de la république – 04 83 42 38 64
  Open for lunch and dinner Thursday to Saturday + Tuesday + Sunday lunchtime
  Fresh products – Home cooking – Sardinian products. Rather upscale dishes – sought-after flavors.
  Terrace.
  Approx. 45€/pers.
  Park in the port parking lot or the one near the station, then 10/15 minutes on foot.
• L’Atelier du goût – 2 bis rue Pons – 04 89 66 61 37
  Opening hours: Varies according to season, please call ahead.
  Fresh products – Home cooking – Everything is very good! A subtle blend of flavours.
  Terrace
  Approx. 45€/pers.
• Le 8.27 Wine bar only – 10 rue de la République – 04 22 79 69 73
  Opening hours: Call for current opening times
  Fun times guaranteed! Very good choice of wines.
  Terrace.
  Great atmosphere. Perfect for an aperitif or an after-dinner drink.
  Park in the port parking lot or the one near the station, then 10/15 minutes on foot.
• La Plage de Mila – Plage du Grand Vallat – avenue de la libération – 06 03 56 42 80
  Opening hours: Varies according to season, please call ahead.
  Fresh products – Home cooking – Everything is very good!
  Waterfront terrace
  Very good value for money – rare for a beach restaurant!

Other restaurants in Bandol (not yet tested by us!!), but recommended by a fellow restaurateur in Bandol…

* Cecibon
* Le Monti
* L’Espérance
* KV and B
* Le Square
* L’Auberge Provençale (recommended by customers)

Sanary “25mn away”:

• La Ptite Fabrik – 16 quai Charles de Gaulle – 04 94 74 02 17
  Open: lunch and dinner Tuesday to Saturday + Sunday lunch
  Fresh produce – Home cooking.
  Terrace.
  Avoid Wednesday market day, parking very difficult.
  Approx. €30/pers.
  Park in the public parking lots near the port.
• La P’tite Cour – 6 rue Barthélémy de Don – 04 94 88 08 05
  Opening :
  – September to June, lunch and dinner except
  Tuesday and Wednesday
  -July and August, evenings only except Wednesday
  Fresh produce – Home cooking
  Terrace
  Approx. €30/pers.
  Park in the public parking lots near the port
• Restaurant and private beach Yuka Beach – 2195 route de Bandol – 06 50 53 23 36
  Opening hours: variable according to season
  Very good. Very nice. Appreciated by many of our customers
  www.yuka-beach.fr
• Le Sana Beach – Quai du Général de Gaulle – 04 94 74 77 67
  Aperture: Price/performance ratio a little high.
  Ideal seaside location next to the esplanade parking lot.

Another restaurant in Sanary recommended by “word of mouth” (not yet tested by us!!).

• L’Evidence

When you travel :

• Toulon center :
  Carré 2 Vigne
  L’Aromate Provençal (customer recommendation)
  Le Bistrot du cours Lendrin 06.26.14.02.78 – 14 rue Lendrin
• Toulon Le Mourillon :
  Nos Amis 04.94.36.21.26 – 14 rue Castillon (on a square in the Mourillon district, far from the beachside restaurants…)
• La Seyne sur Mer:
  Le Fabregue (seafood restaurant with its feet in the water!)
• Ollioules village :
  Les Etiquettes (traditional, fairly elaborate dishes) 07 86 83 97 26 – 1 place Trotobus
• Evenos :
  Lotentik (crêperie)… remarkable viewpoint
• Saint Cyr :
  The two sisters
  Le p’tit Viet (also takeaway)

For a little “dinette” by the pool on your terrace or veranda:

Delivery or takeaway

Pizza delivery or takeaway : (500m from the house)

• Le Rond Point Italien in Sainte Anne d’Evenos (the best in the region!!) 06.18.08.45.79 remember to order early as it’s very much in demand!

Burger delivery or takeaway (fresh, quality, homemade products):

• Il était une Faim au Beausset 06.88.12.46.69

Sushi delivery or takeaway :

• Sushi’Liv in Le Beausset 09.84.04.75.33
• Easy Sushi in Ollioules 04.94.10.95.19 (the best, but call early as it’s very popular)

Friday take-away at Le Beausset market – Sushi and Poke Bowl :

• Black Box Sushi 06 27 99 18 81

Takeaway Chicken/Jarret/Potatoes (parking at the bottom of the house on DN8):

• Au poulet doré 07.81.40.69.91

Takeaway Italian catering in Bandol :

• Appointments in Italy 04.94.29.40.46 (excellent!!)

Takeaway Couscous/Tagines :

• La Kasbaa – chez Abdel in Le Beausset 04.94.98.70.54

Takeaway Kebab:

• La casa della pizza in Le Beausset 06 71 46 04 40 (for the kebab but not for the pizzas!)

Delivery to order :

• Saveurs du Brasil – lunch and dinner Tuesday to Saturday – 07 81 76 81 53 www.saveursdubrasil.com

And if you wish, your hosts can prepare aperitif platters of cold meats and cheeses… ordered 24 hours in advance. (fresh, quality products)

3) Information on nearby sporting activities :

SPORT ACTIVITIES

Driving experience / Exceptional car driving
Circuit du Castellet
www.gtdrive.com

Karting du Castellet
www.kartingcircuitpaulricard.com

Quad de Six Fours
www.quad-rando-var.fr

Paddleboarding in Six Fours
www.sixfours-surfclub.com

Scuba diving and baptism in Bandol or Saint Cyr
www.bandol-plongee.com
www.lecques-aquanaut.fr

Sea kayaking in Bandol
www.naturevasion.com

Boat rental in Bandol
www.locamer.pro

Jet Ski and towed buoy in Sanary
www.sanary-jetski.fr 06.80.61.59.57

Parachute ascension
in St Cyr www.stcyrparachute.fr 06.11.57.85.46
in Six Fours www.wakysea.fr 06.27.62.48.56

Water skiing in Six Fours
www.wakysea.fr 06.27.62.48.56

Climbing in Ollioules
www.naturevasion.com

Golf in Saint Cyr sur Mer
www.dolcefregate-golf-provence.com

Bike rental in La Cadière d’Azur or Le Beausset
Var Ouest E-bike in La Cadière d’Azur 06.61.92.83.63
Tandem in Le Beausset 06.25.85.08.47

Trout fishing in Signes
Pisciculture de Signes / Les Sources du Gapeau

Microlight flight in Le Castellet
Var ULM 06.03.92.93.55
Resafly www.resafly.com

Flight – introduction to small aircraft at Le Castellet
amicale des aviateurs varois 06.72.82.18.48 or 06.13.44.37.92

Horseback riding in Le Beausset
Center équestre Saint Dominique – 06.21.05.68.54
www.ecurie-st-dominique.fr

Paragliding in Signes
www.envol-parapente.com 04.94.90.86.13

Eden Forme in Le Beausset – gym and fitness centre open all day – 04.94.46.66.38

4) Information on “things” to do :

HIKING TOURS

The oratory path / Le Beausset Vieux chapel
Park at the stadium parking lot in the center of Le Beausset (10km round trip)

Sandstone from Sainte Anne d’Evenos

Massif du Gros Cerveau at Ollioules
DN8 towards Toulon via the Ollioules gorges, cross the village of Ollioules, then turn right out of the village, following the Gros Cerveau signs.

Mont Caume in Evenos
Park at the Col du Corps de Garde parking lot in Evenos.

Coastal path (Bandol / St Cyr)
Either drive from St Cyr to Bandol, in which case park at the Port d’ Alon creek parking lot, or drive from Bandol to St Cyr, parking at Graviers Nord in Bandol or at the Bandol Tennis Club.

Massif du Garlaban towards Aubagne (Marcel Pagnol’s hills)

Massif de La Sainte Baume
There are 3 ways to get to Plan d’Aups (parking area):

1. fastest but least typical: A50 freeway towards Marseille, then A52 towards Aix, then Auriol exit, then towards Plan d’Aups (55mn)
2. very typical but very winding road: DN8 to Gemenos, then D2 towards Plan d’Aups (1h)
3. typical, less winding route through Provence Verte: DN8 towards Signes then Méounes then La Roquebrussanne then Mazaugues then Plan d’Aups (1h05)

I recommend the third route.
Once in Plan d’Aups, park in the Trois Chênes parking lot.

The calanques of Cassis.

Mont Faron in Toulon
Cable car ride and various hiking trails.
www.telepherique-faron.fr

ISLANDS, CREEKS AND SEA

Porquerolles Island.
Pier at Hyères (la Tour Fondue), Toulon and Bandol. Prefer departure from Toulon (more parking)

Port Cros Island
from Toulon

Ile des Embiez
departing from Port du Brusc in Six-Fours and Sanary

The calanques of Cassis
departing from Bandol
www.atlantide1.com

Tour of Toulon harbour
www.lesbateliersdelarade.com 04.94.46.24.65

Little Gaou Island
on foot via a footbridge from the port of Le Brusc in Six Fours.

Mini aperitif cruise
from Toulon
aperobateautoulon / spirit of toulon

SMALL CHARACTER WALKS (1h to 3h)

La Chapelle du Beausset Vieux.
At the bottom of our path, take the DN8 to the left towards Ollioules, then 50m to the right, follow the road up to La Chapelle.
Superb panoramic view over the bay of Sanary/Bandol and panoramic view over the Beausset valley, the Castellet circuit plateau and the Sainte Baume.
The chapel can be visited (check changing opening times)!

Medieval village of Le Castellet.

Village of La Cadière d’Azur.

Old village of Ollioules.

Old village of Le Beausset (narrow streets behind the church and Place de la Mairie for an aperitif on the terrace…)

Old village of Evenos for its viewpoint and enjoy a crêpe at the Lotentik crêperie.

Collegiate church of St Pierre in Six Fours
From our house, take the road towards Six Fours, passing through the Ollioules gorges. Follow the signs for La Seine/Six Fours/Fort de Six Fours, and at the top you’ll be able to admire a rare panorama: to the left, the Toulon roadstead, in the center the Saint Mandrier peninsula, with the Giens peninsula and Porquerolles island in the background, and to the right, the island of Les Embiez and a view as far as the bay of La Ciotat. (Unfortunately, the Fort cannot be visited).
On the way back down, follow the signs to La Chapelle de Pépiole (5th-century chapel). Be careful, the road is narrow, which is surprising because you have to pass through houses and a campsite… and take a road with concrete chicanes! Don’t be afraid, though, and continue on to the chapel’s visitor parking lot.
Address: Chemin de Pepiole, 83140 Six-Fours-les-Plages

LES INCONTOURNABLES just a few minutes away…

Bandol (daytime and evening)

Sanary sur Mer (daytime and evening)

Medieval village of Le Castellet

CULTURAL HERITAGE

The Chartreuse de la Verne in Collobrière.
Via the Massif des Maures – RN8 towards Toulon, take the freeway towards Nice, Solliès Pont, at Cuers, Pierrefeu, Collobrières turn right towards Chartreuses de Verne. The chartreuse is closed on Tuesdays.

Thoronet Abbey
Direction Saint Maximin, Brignoles then Le Thoronet.

RECOMMENDED VISITS TO CITIES (maximum 1h drive)

Toulon
Ideal in the morning for its historic market on the Cours Lafayette, lunch on the terrace of one of the countless small restaurants in the city center (Le Bistrot du cours Lendrin – 06.26.14.02.78 – don’t forget to make a reservation).
Take a pedestrian tour of the city through the narrow streets around the basilica, opera house, Place de la Liberté…
Musée de la Marine and Musée des Arts de Toulon (MAT).
Take the cable car up to Mont Faron to admire the panoramic view.

Cassis and its route des crêtes
RN8 towards Marseille via Cuges, at Col de l’Ange turn left towards Cassis via Roquefort – la Bédoule, (or take the freeway towards Marseille, exit at Cassis), visit the bay of Cassis and the port, the Calanques (by car or on foot).

The port of La Ciotat, with its mile-long pedestrian promenade running alongside the sea.

Marseille
Notre Dame de la Garde, Old Port, Mucem, Yew Castle.

Hyères
Old town and pedestrian streets (rue du Portalet, rue Massillon, rue des Porches, avenue des Îles d’Or, Place des Templiers).

Bormes les mimosas

Aix en Provence

1h30/2h DRIVE

The Verdon gorges
RN 8 direction Marseille, turn right on Signes, Méounes, La Roquebrussane, Brignoles, Cotignac, Aups, Moissac Bellevue, Baudinard sur Verdon, Lac de Ste Croix, Moustiers

Les baux de Provence / Saint Rémy de Provence

L’isle sur la sorgue

The Esterel massif

GASTRONOMIC HERITAGE

HONEY: visit and tasting at the “miellerie de l’oratoire” in Ste Anne du Castellet
987 chemin de l’Estagnol – Sainte Anne du Castellet – 04.94.32.65.78

OLIVE OIL: visit and tasting
* Domaine Souviou in Le Beausset – www.domainesouviou.com
* Au vieux moulin à huile du Partégal à La Farlède – 04.94.48.48.85 (multiple award-winner)

Le NOUGAT: visit and tasting at the Confiserie Fouque in Signes – 04.94.90.88.01
www.nougat-fouque.com

VINEYARDS:
* The Var hillsides
* Côtes de Provence
* the Bandol

FIGUE: Solliès Pont, capital of figs

CHESTNUT: Collobrière, capital of chestnuts

ALGOCULTRE : Do you know algoculture?
If you’re interested in the benefits of seaweed, and in particular Spirulina and its by-products, you can visit one of France’s largest Spirulina farms, with 5,000 m² of ponds, but still using traditional production, harvesting and drying techniques.
1143 chemin de la garde, Hyères – www.spiruline-des-iles-dor.com – 06 20 76 32 77