The Best of Climates
The prosperous Var department is located in the most extreme south-easterly point in France and has an unsurpassable climate, except in early spring when the heavy showers arrive.
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Toulon - where the English are once again welcome!
Toulon is the departmental capital of the Var with a population of over 160,000. It has the biggest harbour in mainland Europe. France’s Mediterranean navy fleet use the city as its base. Toulon is a historic centre in many ways, and its attractive old streets are host to many ancient buildings and hidden historic corners. The town also has a lively cultural scene, the highlight of which is the fantastic local opera company. The hills that look over the town and onto the sea have a number of great properties.
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The Second World War
The city received substantial damage during the Second World War giving the centre a very different atmosphere to its neighbours on the coastline. It was here that a young man by the name of Napoleon Bonaparte rose to fame during a siege in which the English were expelled.
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A place of contrasts
To the east of the Var you’ll find the town of Hyeres, which is a great blend of both Provence and Cote d’Azur culture. There are few other places that offer exotic palm trees on a sun-soaked coast together with a medieval old town and other historical interests.
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The summer capital
Further up the coastline you’ll come across St-Tropez, dubbed "St. Trop" (meaning "too much"!) This is certainly a stunning town architecturally and is celebrated for its glamorous lifestyle. It has a population of just 6000 in the low season, but as the temperature increases for the summer months so does the number of people residing here.
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Best kept secrets of the Var
Keep heading up the coastline and you’ll come across the tourist resorts of Frejus and St-Raphael with their stretching sandy beaches and Roman remains. Not to be missed is Port-Grimaud. Built along a network of canals, the city bears a striking resemblance to the Italian city of Venice.
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Bargeme and Mont Saint-Victoire
The city is very attractive, although the top prize goes to Bargeme, which is widely acknowledged as one of the prettiest villages in the whole of France. Another close runner-up is Mont Saint-Victoire, which has the honour of being the subject of one of Cezanne’s paintings. In the area you’ll also find the Gorges du Verdon, Europe’s deepest canyon. The locals know it as the Grand Canyon du Verdon.
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Pack your bags!
Both EasyJet and GB Airways fly to Toulon from Gatwick. If you’d rather avoid flying, however, you could take a Rail Europe service from London Waterloo all the way to Toulon.
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What about Var property prices and availability?
Property prices in the Var remain high but have the advantage of a strong rental market to make a return on your investment. Properties get slightly cheaper the further inland you are.
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