Facing the Iles d'Or, in front of the Massif des Maures, there is the important seaside resort of Le Lavandou. This former small fishing port offers an exceptional setting made of beaches and nature. Originally, Le Lavandou was part of the commune of Bormes-les-Mimosas until 1909. Le Lavandou is now completely autonomous and is one of the most beautiful villages in Provence. Many personalities used to there, own their holiday homes or simply came on holiday, like former President Nicolas Sarkozy or Jean Cocteau, who wrote Thomas the impostor.

The Chemin des Peintres

Since 2006, the "Chemin des Peintres" takes you on a tour to discover the neo-impressionist painters who stayed at Le Lavandou, in the Saint-Clair district. Thus, by following the 2.5 km route for 2 hours, you will discover the works of Paul Signac, Maximilien Luce, Edmond Cross and many others. You will easily understand how these artists found inspiration in this absolutely magnificent setting.

The 12 beaches of Lavandou

Its vast coastline extends over 12 kilometres and includes 12 sandy beaches and coves, all surrounded by pines, mimosas and eucalyptus trees. They are called the Douze Sables (Twelve Sands). Lavandou's seabed is renowned for its rare beauty and attracts an increasing number of divers. The former fishing port is now an important international port for yachting and deep-sea fishing.

On the land side, this typical village of Provence has an abundant and varied vegetation. The name does not come from Lavender, as you might think at first sight, but rather from a "wash house" in Provençal. Indeed, the first inhabitants of the site were fishermen who set up some huts and washed their laundry in the stream. This gave birth to the name, which was later transformed.

A renowned seaside resort

One of the major symbols of the city, the emblematic figure that can be found on all the old postcards, is undoubtedly the "Castle" as everyone here calls it. Located on the quayside and facing the sea, just like the fishermen's houses, it was built in 1881 by a Toulon apothecary and herbalist who regularly sailed to the Port Cros island to find medicinal plants. From this glorious past when fishing was prosperous and supported many families, there are still a few people called the "pescadous", who reproduce the same ancestral gestures.

Stay at Le Lavandou

If you are planning to visit Le Lavandou, why not stay there for a while and rent a holiday home near the beach? Also consider other options for your holiday rentals, such as holiday residences or hotel apartments.

Activities

As you may have noticed, Le Lavandou, with its beaches, is an ideal destination for all water sports lovers: diving, kayaking, paddle or even boat rental. Moreover, if you do not have a boat licence, why not take advantage of your holidays in Provence to do a boat licence internship? And its surroundings will allow you, during beautiful hikes, to discover the Provençal villages and their magnificent panoramas.

As you will have understood, Lavandou is the perfect destination for a stay that will delight all the members of the family.

The best way to discover the region

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