A stone’s throw from overcrowded beaches, saturated roads and stifling heat waves, the Var and the Alpes-Maritimes offer here and there oases of freshness, little preserved and wild corners of paradise, peaceful places where the weather is good. come and relax for a day or half a day.
Aquatic and athletic hike in the hinterland, walk in a garden with colorful and luxuriant vegetation, cultural immersion in an air-conditioned museum, underground exploration in the bowels of the Earth, restorative siesta in the shade of trees… Discover how to occupy your summer differently, whether you are a tourist on vacation in our departments or a native wishing to take advantage, free or at a lower cost, of the assets of the region.
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1. Villa Noailles and Saint-Bernard Park in Hyères
Nestled on the heights of Hyères, the villa Noailles is an architectural setting. The art center offers you, free of charge and like all year round, an exhibition dedicated to the history of the place and its sponsors covering the avant-gardes (from Dalì to Man Ray or Cocteau). Once the visit of the villa is over, a passage through the Saint-Bernard park is essential. Shaded (clearly a quality in this period), it will allow you to discover the city of palm trees from another perspective. Perched. Little known but so well maintained, it will offer you breathing time that has become essential.
Villa Noailles, Montée de Noailles, in Hyères. Free. Info. villanoailles.com
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2. Fragrant siestas in the historic center of Grasse
Deckchairs cleverly arranged in the best shaded and ventilated corners of the city of a thousand fragrances. Suspended misters distil orange blossom water, a scent chosen last month by the people of Grasse as part of a competition offered on the website of the City of Grasse. Treat yourself to a sensory break in one of the three squares in the historic center in the spotlight. The opportunity to relax while (re)discovering Grasse’s heritage.
Squares of August 24, Etienne-Roustan, Georges-Morel, in Grasse. Every day, until August 31, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free.
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3. The Louis De Funès museum in Saint-Raphaël
With Louis De Funès makes a big deal out of it, you can discover the new temporary exhibition dedicated to gastronomy, a theme widely mentioned in the actor’s films. With, in particular, an immersive visit to the Tricatel factory (Wing or thigh) and Monsieur Septime’s table (The Grand Restaurant). Inaugurated at the end of July 2019, the Raphaëlois museum will allow you to find multiple extracts from films, letters, posters, photos and personal memories of the cinema star. A summer must-have, cool.
De Funès Museum, rue Jules-Barbier, opposite the station in Saint-Raphaël. Open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (except Sunday). Access to the temporary exhibition included in the visit. Price: 6 euro. Reservations on www.museedefunes.fr
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The Louis De Funès museum in Saint-Raphaël.Photo Philippe Arnassan.
4. Pictorial walk at the Bonnard Museum in Cannet-Rocheville
Almond trees and mimosas in bloom, ocher roofs, breathtaking views of the Estérel and the Mediterranean… The landscape, an inexhaustible source of inspiration, played a key role in the work of Pierre Bonnard, who lived in Cannet-Rocheville. , in the Alpes-Maritimes, from 1922 until his death in 1947. The museum dedicated to his work, opened in 2011, offers a floral and colorful journey, an explosion of colors and light, in the footsteps of painter who stocked up on images and smells every day during his walks in the surrounding hills. A soothing pictorial walk to discover within the walls of the former Saint-Vianney, near the town hall.
16 boulevard Sadi Carnot, in Cannet-Rocheville. From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Closed on Mondays. 5 euros (reduced 3.50 euros). Info. 04.93.94.06.06
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5. The Sainte-Maxime underwater trail
The tip of Sardinaux, its clear water, its warm sand. The setting is dreamy. So far, not necessarily enough to cool off. But wait until you put on your flippers, put on your mask and snorkel… and jump into the water! The opportunity to discover, in autonomy, the marine path, thanks to panels implanted all along the site of Sardinaux: a marine protected area and a remarkable natural space. And if you like underwater activity, it is also possible to opt for the aquatic walk (also at Sardinaux, at 9.30 am and 11.15 am, price: 9 euros).
Sainte-Maxime underwater trail. Accessibility: on foot from the D559 (5 to 10min). ● Launching: from the beach at the foot of the old bunker. Estimated duration: 1h to 1h30. Free. Info. 04.94.55.75.55.
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6. Breathe in the scent of flowers at the Val Rahmeh Botanical Garden in Menton
Magnolias, Iceland poppies, fire vine, citrons, grapefruits, Buddha’s hands, lychees, banana trees, olive trees around 300 years old, tillandsia, platycerium, java bischofia… In the shady paths and thick foliage, in the freshness of the fountains and basins, discovers a real haven of peace, a botanical jewel of one and a half hectares. The Val Rahmeh garden owes its original layout to its progressive constitution. In small steps, new species and varieties were introduced, reaching 1,700, including 80 palm trees.
Avenue Saint-Jacques, in Menton. 500 meters from the SNCF station. From 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Closed on Tuesdays. 7 euros (reduced 5 euros). Info. 04.93.35.86.72.
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7. The Hotel des Arts in Toulon
Its colorful facade is known to all Toulonnais. Under the cool air of its air conditioning, the Hôtel des arts is currently hosting an exhibition from the design collection of the Center Pompidou in Paris. The theme? “The Interior of the 1920s-1930s”. The opportunity to find in situ, furniture notably created by the famous architect Robert Mallet-Stevens, who designed the villa Noailles in Hyères. To complete the family outing, workshops for children are set up.
The Hotel des arts, 236 boulevard Leclerc in Toulon. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 04.94.93.37.90. Free. Info. hda-tpm.fr
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8. Water slides in the basins of Touët-de-l’Escarène
A small corner of paradise near the coast, the basins of Redebraus, in Touët-de-L’Escarène, in the Alpes-Maritimes, seduce both nature lovers and thrill seekers. The first two, overlooked by waterfalls, allow for a variety of water games. Higher up, more difficult to access and therefore quieter, other water holes enclosed in a narrow channel invite you to swim and laze on large slabs bathed in sunlight. Be careful, in this period of drought, the water is less abundant than usual. In the morning, the site is in the shade. The sun does not arrive until late morning at the bottom of the gorge.
At the exit of the village, towards the Col de Braus, a footpath starts at the foot of the exit sign for the town. 15 minutes after crossing a bridge, you will reach the large basin. Count 10 more minutes for the second by a path difficult to find on the right. The other basins, upstream, are reached by going up the stream by athletic passages (20 additional minutes).
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9. The underground cathedral of Saint-Martin-de-Pallières
An architectural curiosity. Designed in 1747, this “cistern” of more than 500m² impresses. Both by its structure and by its singular side. Created to meet the water needs of the castle gardens, this underground cathedral will refresh your spirit. And what better way to discover this special setting than a tune? Every Wednesday in the summer (July-August), Les Concerts en Voûtes, a classical music festival, enhances this place with its remarkable acoustics. to discover!
Underground cathedral, “La Bergerie”, in Saint-Martin-de-Pallières. Visits on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 2.30 p.m., 3.30 p.m., 4.30 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. Price: 5 euro. Info. cathedralesousterraine.com
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10. Descend 40 meters underground in the cave of Saint-Cézaire
Located just fifteen minutes from Grasse, the site offers exploration in the bowels of the earth, 40 meters deep. In total, 200 meters of route between stalagmites, stalactites, concretions of more than 6 million years, and fluorescent waterfall of 17 meters high. Guaranteed permanent temperature of 15 degrees. A food truck on the way out to recover from his emotions. And, to prolong the pleasure and “warm up”, possibility of renting electric mountain bikes and taking a little height via a tree climbing complex. 1.481 route des Grottes, in Saint-Cézaire-sur-Siagne (06). From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Adults 9 euros, children (from 6 to 12 years old) 6 euros, free under 6 years old. Info. 04.93.60.22.35./grotte-saintcezaire.com
