Xavier's Guidebook
Food scene
For an easy lunch by one of the nicest beach close by (plage du Pellegrin), my favorite is the simple yet fresh and tasty café de Léoube. They're serving really nice panini, salads, and ice cream along with the rosé wine made at the nearby vineyard of the same name (see winery recommendations).
9 íbúar mæla með
Café Léoube
2387 Rte de LéoubeFor an easy lunch by one of the nicest beach close by (plage du Pellegrin), my favorite is the simple yet fresh and tasty café de Léoube. They're serving really nice panini, salads, and ice cream along with the rosé wine made at the nearby vineyard of the same name (see winery recommendations).
Absolutely memorable bouillabaisse (local fresh fish dish, specialty from Provence) restaurant in the nearby town of le Lavandou. The fish is deliciously fresh, the portions are copious and served in cork oak bark. One of our favorite places to go out for a festive dinner. The location is beautiful and right by the beach.
21 íbúar mæla með
Restaurant les Tamaris
Boulevard de la BaleineAbsolutely memorable bouillabaisse (local fresh fish dish, specialty from Provence) restaurant in the nearby town of le Lavandou. The fish is deliciously fresh, the portions are copious and served in cork oak bark. One of our favorite places to go out for a festive dinner. The location is beautiful and right by the beach.
Wonderful beach side Italian restaurant with very nice cocktails and authentic food that will make you come back for more. A must-try on your way to Hyères or Porquerolles, only 15-20 minutes away from the villa.
47 íbúar mæla með
Le Marais
1366 Bd de la MarineWonderful beach side Italian restaurant with very nice cocktails and authentic food that will make you come back for more. A must-try on your way to Hyères or Porquerolles, only 15-20 minutes away from the villa.
Haven’t tried this restaurant yet... but in my to do soon enough I hope.
11 íbúar mæla með
La Bouillabaisse
3305 Rte de la MadragueHaven’t tried this restaurant yet... but in my to do soon enough I hope.
Nice and simple seafood restaurant on the harbor of la Londe, est the villa. Good value too.
Restaurant le galion
16 Pl. Carr du PortNice and simple seafood restaurant on the harbor of la Londe, est the villa. Good value too.
When visiting Collobrières, you may not heed it... but do not miss a nice lunch in this local establishment. You won’t regret it! Top quality and authentic.
14 íbúar mæla með
Bar Hôtel Restaurant Des Maures
19 Bd Lazare CarnotWhen visiting Collobrières, you may not heed it... but do not miss a nice lunch in this local establishment. You won’t regret it! Top quality and authentic.
Sightseeing
Probably the nicest, most beautiful beach of the coastline (aside from the island of Porquerolles - see other entry) is only a stone through away. La plage de l'Estagnol really is a heavenly little cove with shallow crystal clear water. It can get quite crowded though.
96 íbúar mæla með
Strönd Estagnol
Probably the nicest, most beautiful beach of the coastline (aside from the island of Porquerolles - see other entry) is only a stone through away. La plage de l'Estagnol really is a heavenly little cove with shallow crystal clear water. It can get quite crowded though.
There is this beautiful Provencal village called Collobrières with old roman bridges and a monastery that is beautiful.
It's not high mountain, but if you drive this way you will see many picnic spots and trails, and great views. Then from Collobrières go early and walk a trail or two. Then eat in town where the food is good and not as expensive as other places. Super cute to walk around town too.
The village is 30-40min drive away, then monastery another 15. Allow 2h to visit it. If you're into old stones, nature, and simple things you will love it. Chartreuse de la Verne - closed on Tuesdays.
74 íbúar mæla með
Collobrières
There is this beautiful Provencal village called Collobrières with old roman bridges and a monastery that is beautiful.
It's not high mountain, but if you drive this way you will see many picnic spots and trails, and great views. Then from Collobrières go early and walk a trail or two. Then eat in town where the food is good and not as expensive as other places. Super cute to walk around town too.
The village is 30-40min drive away, then monastery another 15. Allow 2h to visit it. If you're into old stones, nature, and simple things you will love it. Chartreuse de la Verne - closed on Tuesdays.
Spend 1 day on the island of Porquerolles, which has magnificent beaches and pristine water and many nice cycling or trekking trails. This is one of my favorite places in the whole region.
Take a ferry from la Tour fondue on the presqu'île de Giens.
639 íbúar mæla með
Porquerolles
Spend 1 day on the island of Porquerolles, which has magnificent beaches and pristine water and many nice cycling or trekking trails. This is one of my favorite places in the whole region.
Take a ferry from la Tour fondue on the presqu'île de Giens.
Wonderfully quiet beach where the café Léoube is located. Great place to enjoy the beauty of the region and the surrounding pine trees, though you may find l’Estagnol more protected to swim in. You can also follow the seafront trail that passes by for a very pleasant walk along the coastline.
25 íbúar mæla með
Plage du Pellegrin
2387 Rte de LéoubeWonderfully quiet beach where the café Léoube is located. Great place to enjoy the beauty of the region and the surrounding pine trees, though you may find l’Estagnol more protected to swim in. You can also follow the seafront trail that passes by for a very pleasant walk along the coastline.
Sport activities
If you’re active and enjoy practicing certain type of sports, this is the section where I share my favorite places.
Want to go out sailing or windsurfing in the world famous spot of L’Almanarre. Look no further as this is the place to go.
Spin Out
1762 Rte de la MadragueWant to go out sailing or windsurfing in the world famous spot of L’Almanarre. Look no further as this is the place to go.
If you enjoy hitting the ball with a friend or take the little ones for a private lesson or to have fun with them... this quiet and friendly tennis club with 5-6 courts is very near the villa, and very convenient.
Tennis Club Londais
218 Avenue GymnaseIf you enjoy hitting the ball with a friend or take the little ones for a private lesson or to have fun with them... this quiet and friendly tennis club with 5-6 courts is very near the villa, and very convenient.
Wineries
We have many good-quality wine producers in the region. I aim at sharing only those that I’ve personally tried and that I regularly go back to as they stand out.
Very nice local rosé wine producer. Don’t miss their whites either. This place is typical from the region and very good value. Highly recommended.
9 íbúar mæla með
Château Maravenne
Route de ValcrosVery nice local rosé wine producer. Don’t miss their whites either. This place is typical from the region and very good value. Highly recommended.
One of the highest-end rosé producers in France! Pricier than some of the other recommendations in my list but worth a try in my view.
* Domaines Ott Clos Mireille
One of the highest-end rosé producers in France! Pricier than some of the other recommendations in my list but worth a try in my view.
Another top-end producer with Ott. The tasting room is beautiful and the staff very welcoming. Pay them a visit you won’t regret it.
CHÂTEAU LÉOUBE
2387 Route de LéoubeAnother top-end producer with Ott. The tasting room is beautiful and the staff very welcoming. Pay them a visit you won’t regret it.
Near Maravenne and the villa, another great value place for quality local rosé wines. Their high-end red is pricy but never fails to deliver either.
10 íbúar mæla með
Saint André Figuière field
605 Rte de St HonoréNear Maravenne and the villa, another great value place for quality local rosé wines. Their high-end red is pricy but never fails to deliver either.
Further away
Provence is a stunning region. I focus on my favorite places around the villa, but if you have a bit more time do give these a try.
Probably my favorite place in France!!! You have to be ready to walk more than 1 hour to get there but it’s well worth the effort.
264 íbúar mæla með
Calanque d'En-Vau
Probably my favorite place in France!!! You have to be ready to walk more than 1 hour to get there but it’s well worth the effort.
Very cute seafront village... the Castellet village, la Cadière d’Azur village, and some of the most famous wines in the whole region are just a stone-through away.
220 íbúar mæla með
Bandol
Very cute seafront village... the Castellet village, la Cadière d’Azur village, and some of the most famous wines in the whole region are just a stone-through away.
Beautiful and walkable city center with many delicious restaurants and interesting craft markets. Do not miss the Cézanne Museum.
871 íbúar mæla með
Aix-en-Provence
Beautiful and walkable city center with many delicious restaurants and interesting craft markets. Do not miss the Cézanne Museum.