Press kit #MyLavandou Tourism office Le Lavandou City ofDolphins and Whales good reasons to come to Le Lavandou
Recharge your batteries • 12 fine sandy beaches • Hiking trails between land and sea • A preserved nature
Reach the open sea • Sea excursions towards the Golden Isles • Catamaran trips • Many nautical activities
Discover • Art Center, Villa Theo and the Painter’s trail • Wineries and the apiculturist • The village and its 14 fountains
Enjoy • Provencal markets • Gastronomy • Provencal art of living
2 // le lavandou tourism office contents
12 beaches, 12km coastline ...... 4
Good to know in Le Lavandou 5
The seaside ...... 8
Le Lavandou’s international harbour 11
On land 12
A preserved heritage ...... 14
Local specialities and crafts 17
Gastronomy and art of living ...... 18
Getting to Le Lavandou 19
www.ot-lelavandou.fr #MyLavandou
le lavandou tourism office // 3 AUTHENTIC FISHERMAN’S VILLAGE 12 beaches over 12 km coastline
This former fishing village features no less than 12 kilometres of coast and 12 sandy beaches, all of different colours. Its fountain itinerary (the town is also home to 14 fountains) is a good way to get to know the resort and appreciate its welcoming quality lifestyle.
In the heart of the village, along shaded alleys in granite pavements, you will meet with local people and find some local arts & crafts boutiques. Stopping by the “Place Reyer” square, you will be able to see the local people playing their favourite game: “La pétanque” and drinking a fresh glass of Rosé!
Walking towards the marina where the local traditional fishing boats “pointus” are still moored, you will have a feeling of an indescribable wellbeing. The small population of Lavandourains only take delight in one thing: welcoming people from all over the world, offering the best gold that can be found in the whole world: the sunshine and the sea!
4 // le lavandou tourism office Good to know in le lavandou
• Region • Var / 83 • Average temperatures • Summer 23°C • Surface area • 29.65 km² Winter 12°C • Population • 5592 inhabitants • Twinning • • Inhabitant • Lavandourain(e)s City of Kronberg in Germany
• Why the name « Le Lavandou »? • Even if Le Lavandou is similar to the word Lavender, the name’s origin comes from the provencal language “Lavadou” which means “Lavoir” (washing place in French). Le Lavandou probably means “the place where fishermen’s wives used to come and wash laundry.” Quality labels • « Flowered cities and villages »: 4 flowers. • Mark of Quality TM for the tourist office • « Tourism Resort » award in 2017. of Le Lavandou.. • « Label Pavillon Bleu d’Europe »: • Pélagos charter: An international agreement- reward for beach quality between France, Italy and Monaco. Le Lavandou • « Label Pavillon Bleu and Clean Ports ». signed the Pélagos charter which aims at pro- tecting the Mediterranean marine mammals. Some figures
Saint-Clair La Fossette Aiguebelle 300 Cavalière days of sun acres 7907
D istrict Pramousquier 5 M ore t han per year 1 International harbour with 1021 boat places
le lavandou tourism office // 5 A resort with 12 beaches and 12 sands
Hiden and wild coves or long sandy beaches. Each of them has a different type of sand: a different size of grain and also various colours like grey, yellow and white with several shades. They all invite you to take it easy, to do some nautical and underwater activities.
Plage de l’Anglade Grande plage du Lavandou
Plage de Saint-Clair Plage de la fossette
Le Lavandou has been rewarded “Label Pavillon bleu” every year since 1997 thanks to the quality of the beaches and water.
6 // le lavandou tourism office Plage d’Aiguebelle Plage de Jean Blanc
Plage de l’Éléphant Plage du Rossignol
Plage du Layet Plage de Cavalière
Plage du Cap Nègre Plage de Pramousquier
le lavandou tourism office // 7 The seaside
On the water, in the water or underwater, make the most of this superb playground. Just climb on board! The Vedettes Iles d’or Company based in Le Lavandou offers many types of excursions.
Day trips to the Golden Isles
• Port-Cros : the wildest, a paradise for hikers. • Le Levant : only a tenth of the island is accessible to the public, the other part is under military control. • Porquerolles : this island is the perfect place for the nature lovers. More than 60 km of paths, tracks and marked trails for cyclists and walkers.
Daily crossing throughout the year towards Port-Cros and Le Levant and from April to October towards Porquerolles.
8 // le lavandou tourism office Naturalists output to the cetaceans
Respecting the environment, the Vedettes Iles d’or company offers an unforget- table meeting with the Mediterran- nean Sea Mammals: dolphins, toothed whales, rorquals, black globicephals... Meeting at the sunrise for departure, it is a 4 to 5 hours sailing trip to Cap Camarat or Le Levant and Porquerolles islands. Everything is put in place to give you the chance to see them : the cetaceans are spotted by a plane. The crew invites you to scan the sea in case of water move- ments or cetaceans fins around.
A naturalist guide, specialist of the ceta- ceans is also on board to teach you many insteresting facts about these marvellous widl animals.
Commented cruise to Saint-Tropez
Along the preserved coastline, discover the wild coast, the peninsula and the villas of the celebrities.
The Seascope
Discover the sea life aboard a trimaran of underwater observation. The central transparent hull offers the opportunity to discover the extraordinary underwater world of our Mediterranean sea.
le lavandou tourism office // 9 Catamaran trips
Discover the preserved Massif des Maures coastline, take a swim in secret coves, sail to the Golden Isles… With family, friends or couples, for those who prefer to go on a small group trip, two companies offer catamaran trips with professional skippers.
Watersports activities
• Waterski/ wakeboard schools • Sailing schools • Scuba-diving schools • Paragliding and jet ski clubs • Several rental boat agencies • Sport-fishing club
10 // le lavandou tourism office LE LAVANDOU’S international harbour
In the morning, on the old harbor, the « pescadous » comes in their Pointus, tradionnal fishing boats filled with local fish. Since 1983, the port has expended and modernized to welcome sailing boats and bigger pleasure boats.
1021 boat places
Port of call
Member of the Var Provence Cruise Club (union of 12 ports in Var region), Le Lavandou’s harbor is welcoming prestigious cruise ships.
Personalised welcome (aboard and on the quay with an employee from the tourist office, provençal folklore demonstration, wine tasting of local rosé…) for the cruise passengers.
le lavandou tourism office // 11 On land
Le Lavandou is also a preserved environment. There are many walks where you can discover beautiful scenery and meet exceptional wildlife and plant life close up. Discover the walks.
12 // le lavandou tourism office Coastal path
Stroll along the coastal path from the Main beach to La Fossette beach. An easy path through the rocks on the water’s edge gives access to the beautiful beach of Saint -Clair. You can walk to La Fossette, an idyllic creek in the heart of the pine trees. All along the 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) you will find boards giving informa- tion on the local culture, wildlife and plant life.
Cavalière’s Balconies route of hike
Cavalière’s Balconies invite you to dis- cover Cavaliere’s magnificent site along 12 km of trail. Come to take advan- tage of pleasant moment in family or between friends the time of half a day!
Bicycle path
Enjoy a bicycle ride along the 7 km cycle path and be amazed by the beautiful Mediter- ranean landscapes. Before being dedicated to the cyclists, this path used to be the first railway connecting Toulon to Saint Raphaël by the train. Nowadays, the « Touristic Litt- le Beach Train » drives commented tours through this path.
le lavandou tourism office // 13 le lavandou a preserved heritage
On the 25th May 1913, Le Lavandou became an independent municipality of Bormes, the first fishing harbour in the Var with 150 pescadous (fishermen) ori- ginally from Genoa and Catalonia.
Saint-Clair Chapel
Built in 1668, the small chapel of Saint-Clair was an important cult place for the inhabitants of le Lavandou who came very often to pray in front of Saint-Clair bust. He is the ecclesiastical pa- tron of the dressmakers, said to be able to cure Saint-Louis Church people of blindness. But the small chapel was not safe from time and events and was declared Built in 1855 and damaged during world national propriety in 1789. Later, the govern- war two, the Saint Louis Church has been ment told people that it was falling in ruins. In transformed throughout the years. The 1905, its owner made it razed to build a cottage! bell tower has been replaced thanks to But in 1996 a new chapel was built close to the Father Hélin, local member of the French first place, and a copy of Saint-Clair bust was resistance. created. The bonds with the past were taken up again. Since then, every year in September, The choir has been renovated with the inhabitants of le Lavandou and the tourists handmade fresco painted by the artist are invited to revive this old custom, this is the Jean-Baptiste Garrigou in 2009. “Romérage” celebration.
14 // le lavandou tourism office The Fountains
The fountain symbolizes life and you will find them in each village of Provence. In Le Lavan- dou, we have 14 fountains that distil the water as a welcoming offering. Discover them while strolling in the cobblestones streets of the old village.
The Castle
You can find it on all old post cards. It is undoubte- dly the main feature of le Lavandou. Sieur Honnoraty got his propriety erected at a few metres from the sea. The architecture looks like that of the edge of the « Lac de Garde ». Its building ended in 1881 and took 40 years! Great traveller, fond of le Lavandou, this apothecary and herbalist from Toulon often sailed from le Lavandou to Port-Cros island in order to find some medical plants. We owe him the acclimation of the Sharon fruit in France. Nowadays, the Castle hosts the tourism office.
Saint-François Footpath
François de Paule: one of the local beliefs claims that in 1482, the Calabrian monk, François de Paule, famous for his miracles, was urged by the French king Louis XI, seriously ill, to come and join him. As he could not land in Marseille, which was devastated by the plague, François de Paule made a U-turn and landed in le Lavandou.
There, at a few metres of the castle, on a rock almost in the sea, stood his footprint and the print of his pilgrim stick. Five centuries later, the legend of Saint-François de Paule who delivered our coasts from the plague is still vivid.
le lavandou tourism office // 15 A former fishing village which has become a source of inspiration for artists.
Many artists enjoy the easy living in Le Lavandou. Famous writers and painters got inspired by the Mediterranean light and landscapes such as André Gide, Jean Cocteau, Matisse, Renoir… Thanks to his friend Henri-Edmond Cross, the neo-impressionist painter Theo Van Rysselberghe discovered Saint Clair in 1891 where he decided to built his house.
Villa Théo, NEW Art Center
The house of the neo-impressionist painter Théo Van Rysselberghe, which truly forms part of the historical and cultural heritage of Le Lavandou, dates back to 1910. It was built according to the plans of architect Octave Van Rys- selberghe, brother of the artist, who wanted to settle in Saint Clair, close to his friend Henri-Edmond Cross (another neo-impressionist painter). The villa was renovated in 2016 to be reopened as an art center with temporary and permanent collections.
The painter’s trail
The “Painter’s Trail” lets you follow the steps of artists who have settled in the district for some time. This path will remind you of several important characters from the neo-impressionism period (1892-1926) from Theo Van Rysselberghe and Henri-Ed- mond Cross to famous writers such as André Gide and Emile Verhaeren. You will be able to find copies of their paintings on easels, all along the 2.50km path (1.5 miles). This walk can be carried out in 2 hours (easy pace).
Follow the guide! Guided walks on reservation request: « Painters’ trail », « Village tour », « Flowers tour ».
16 // le lavandou tourism office Local specialities and craft
Domaine de l’Anglade
Hidden amidst the pines in the heart Baou d’Enfer of Le Lavandou. It is a true eden gar- den with Provencal canes and 44 A small 7 acres vineyard where 6 Provence grapes varieties are grown and manually acres of vineyards by the sea. harvested. Thanks to a special care and savoir-faire the whites, reds and rosés wines get every year the highest reward. Apiculturist in Saint-Clair Follow the guide! Laurent Martin, beekeeper-harvester, pro- A guided tour is the best way duces an excellent Provencal honey, with to discover the winery. It will be ended no additives or preservatives. The most by a wine tasting in the cellar. popular is the Lavander honey.
le lavandou tourism office // 17 Gastronomy and art of living
In Le Lavandou, you will find no less getables, farmhouse goat cheeses, olive oil, than 93 restaurants and 24 beach res- fresh flowers, local crafts… taurants spreaded all over the town. Four of them have been awarded In July and August, a craft market takes place “master restorers” for their savoir-faire on the beach front every Wednesday night. and their home made quality cooking. The organic market every Sunday morning (from April until October) is getting more and The Provencal cuisine is a mix of sun, more popular. herbs and little secrets. It is rich, gene- rous, sensual with olive oil, garlic, aro- Taste the famous bourride, aïoli, bouillabaisse, matic herbs, tomatoes and fish. and other provencal specialities on a café ter- race or on the beach front. Take a seat in one of the many cafes and taste a glass of rose watching the sunset.
Every Thursday morning, discover the co- lours and flavours of the market, one of the biggest in the Var region. Provencal markets are spaces of liberty and conviviality that you can only find here. You will find all the best that Provence can offer: sunny fruits and ve-
18 // le lavandou tourism office Getting to le Lavandou By road Coming from Paris: Take A7 Motorway then A8 towards Aix-en-Provence, A57 Toulon then Hyères exit Coming from Nice: Take A8 Motorway then A57 towards Hyères.
By Train Hyères SNCF train station (25 km) Toulon SNCF train station (40km) Daily connection / 36 35 www.voyages-sncf.com
By sea 43°08 2 N - 06°22 3 E INTERNATIONAL PORT OF LE LAVANDOU +33 (0)4 94 00 41 10 / www.port.le-lavandou.fr [email protected]
By air Toulon / Hyères Aéroport International Airport (25km) +33 (0)825 01 83 87 / www.toulon-hyeres.aeroport.fr Daily connection between Paris Orly airport and Hyères airport.
Nice-Côte International Airport (164 km) +33 (0)820 42 33 33 / www.nice.aeroport.fr
Marseille-Provence International Airport (120 km) +33 (0)820 81 14 14 / www.marseille.aeroport.fr
le lavandou tourism office // 19 Contact us
Director Lucie ALEONARD +33 (0)4 94 00 40 51 / [email protected]
press officer Amélie GONNE T +33 (0)4 94 00 40 50 / [email protected]
Le Lavandou Tourism office Quai Gabriel Péri / 83980 Le Lavandou +33 (0)4 94 00 40 50 / [email protected] www.ot-lelavandou.fr
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Crédits photos : C. Gandolphe, L. Aléonard, C. Di Cioccio, S. Bérenger, A. Gonnet, R. Dupouy, Vedettes Iles d’or et Le Corsaire, Multi Croisières, Domaine de l’Anglade, C. Mourgues.