Sanary-sur-Mer
I came across Sanary-sur-Mer by accident about 7 years ago. We were driving from Lugano to Biarritz and needed a place to stay for a night or two. It was a last minute decision and there was very little available in the entire South of France! We found one hotel that had a room for our dates and it was in Sanary. We really didn’t know anything about it but just booked the hotel and off we went. It didn’t take long to realize that we’d landed in a great spot. Without a minute to spare, we threw on our bathing suits and headed to the beach. We were told there was a nice beach club just down the road and this was a great option as we were not equipped with chairs or a cooler. Absolute bliss.
After our lovely day at the beach, we freshened up for an evening in town. We walked into the center which is right on the port. The harbor is filled with old sloops, some dating back to the early 1900’s (there are plaques on the boats). All along the harbor you can find many bars and restaurants and the choice is endless. Sanary-sur-Mer is very lively so you will hear lots of music and there’s always entertainment for the kids. This town feels very French. What I mean by that is that French people like to go there. Some of the towns in the South of France attract a more international crowd (which is fine) but I feel that here you will get a true French experience.
Right next door to Sanary-sur-Mer is Six-Fours-Les-Plages. It feels like the same town as it’s just on the other side of the harbor. Here, you will also find many nice restaurants. We often eat at Bistro Fregate or La Vague as they are right on the beach. This strip of beach is very easy to walk on and there are lots of activities for the children. If you like to roller skate, this is where I’d go! I would say that this area is lacking the “chic” aspect that we associate with the South of France but thanks to this, it is a bit more relaxed. We have been going back, off and on, ever since our first visit and we are never disappointed. Now that I live in Aix-en-Provence, I find that this is one of the nicest and easiest areas to get to. As you don’t have to wind your way down the hillside to get there, it is actually just as close as Cassis. I like to get off at the first exit for Sanary which is Sanary/Bandol. Once off the highway, you can turn left for Sanary or right for Bandol. Just as you enter here, you will find some beaches that are very nice and it is relatively easy to park. If you want to get into town, just follow the signs for Sanary Centre and it will take you down to the harbor where you can park your car in the public parking lot. From here you can either walk into town along the port or you can walk along the beach which will take you into Six-Fours.
I love walking by the “Boules Club” , otherwise known as Pétanque where there’s always a group of men enjoying an afternoon with their pals. This sport is a favorite of the locals and you know you’ve landed in Provence when you hear the clink of those balls as they try to get closest to the “Cochonett”.
Here, in Sanary-sur-Mer, you will find everything that represents Provence. Great food, lovely beaches and local activities. This place is the real deal.