La Cadière d’azur
Surroundings, our home
THE VILLAGE, THE BEACHES AND THE AREA
La Cadière d´Azur
Perched among olive trees and vineyards, this traditional provincial village overlooks the Mediterranean Sea. A postcard that breathes the south of the cicadas and the scents of the scrubland. The beach of Saint Cyr sur Mer, Les Lecques, is just 10 minutes away by car. The beach offers a view of the bay of La Ciotat, ranked among the 40 most beautiful bays in the world.
Places to visit
Plages
The nearest beach is located 10 minutes away at Saint-Cyr-sur-mer. The place is known as “Les Lecques”, half-sand, half-gravel. There are either private beaches or public beaches.
Les Lecques
https://goo.gl/maps/oxiWsZ6zs5KpV4BaA
Not far away, with a 20 minutes drive, you can get to Bandol or La Ciotat, two beautiful cities with sandy beaches.
My favorite beach is Renecros in Bandol
https://goo.gl/maps/259ppFWVsvHEJtVY6
Free parking at renecros
Parking Deferrari
https://goo.gl/maps/BZo5EpN9TmZX9pVR6
Calanques
Calanques
The calanques are one of the most famous natural attractions, and a National Park. This magnificent territory is extremely attractive for visitors who love sightseeing and hikes. Its landscapes are absolutely unique, with its coastal massifs interspersed with calanques (narrow, steep-walled inlets), its submarine canyon, and its many islands, including the island of the famous If Castle, a 16th-century fortress made famous by Alexandre Dumas in his novel The Count of Monte Cristo. The park starts in marseille and ends in Cassis.
Always check on the internet if they are open as they may close to prevent fires.
In Saint-Cyr is the private cove of calanque de Port d’Alon (entry € 8) a hidden gem! A great hike along coves and creeks on the coastal path between Port d’Alon and Bandol.
Le Port d’Alon
https://goo.gl/maps/pqpmChqo7em3sqEK9
It is important not to miss the Route des Crêtes to overlook the most beautiful coves between Cassis and La Ciotat. Once in La Ciotat you can go to Figuerolles and Mugel calanques.
Rte des Crêtes. Always start in cassis and go direction La Ciotat to have the view on the driving side.
https://goo.gl/maps/9Zfm5CHxxysVmwSC6
Mugel
https://goo.gl/maps/a9um4h2jvxVcDsg6A
Figuerolles
https://goo.gl/maps/CZuejGiLMGHat2pG8
Night Life
In summer, the night markets are very pleasant to walk around and have a drink in Saint-Cyr and La Ciotat.
For more entertainment, we will recommend Bandol, Sanary-sur-Mer or even Marseille. Theaters and shopping centers are available in Toulon and Aubagne. Casinos in Bandol and La Ciotat.
Running & hiking
Very beautiful nature walks along the beach, the coast and around the vineyards are easily accessible. Ideal for an early morning or a sunset run. We are on a hill and can be a bit hard, but tgat does not prevent cycling enthusiasts from worshiping the area to train. We can give you good hiking tips …
Day Trips
Driving estimate times: Marseille is a 45-minute drive, Aix 45 min, Cassis 30 min, Aubagne 20 min, La Ciotat 15 min.
If you go west , Nice is about a 2 hour drive , Hyères and its islands 45 min, Toulon 30 min, Sanary-sur-Mer 20 min and Bandol 15 min.
Cassis & Calanques
To enjoy the Calanques it is best to start with Cassis. Start early and park in town if possible (otherwise the town sets up shuttles between the parking lot at the entrance of the town and the city center as well as the Calanques).
Visit the city center but also go for a walk around de “Presqu’île” peninsula … You can also book a table at the restaurant on the peninsula to secure a parking (but it s not cheap…) There is a parking lot on the peninsula which fills up quickly for 8 euros a day.
The restaurant “La Plage bleue” offers a wonderful view of the sea and the crown of Charlemagne, there is a cliffside bar and a snack bar… less expensive than the restaurant. It is also the starting point for the hike of two creeks Port Miou and Port Pin.
Allow easy 3 hours to go for a swim in Port Pin and see the peninsula.
Cassis, the village: very beautiful, very cute, you can go around in about 1 hour / 1h30… If you wish, you can eat in the port, quite expensive but very pleasant with tables on the terrace. Departing from the port of Cassis, you can take a boat to visit the creeks. A must do if you are not seasick. With a 3 creeks tour or event with the 5 creeks tour… there is a circuit allowing you to swim on the creek! https://www.calanquesdecassis.com/tarif.html
routes des cretes
The coastal road opens if there are no strong winds … it will be necessary to call the tourist office of La Ciotat 04 42 08 61 32 or of Cassis 0 892 39 01 03, call in the morning before going for this walk.
The route des Crêtes is sublime, you stop regularly to take pictures, allow 1 hour.
Once at La Ciotat: It is quite possible that you have taken more time that expexted… To do: Calanques de Figuerolles and Calanque de Mugel.
Two beautiful creeks where you can take a dip … La Calanque de Figuerolles has a restaurant RIF (Independent Republic of Figuerolles 🙂 04 42 08 41 71, rather famous and expensive but also nice for a drink)
BANDOL, LES EMBIEZ ET SANARY-SUR-MER
– Bandol is one of the liveliest seaside resorts.
– Sanary-sur-Mer, like Bandol, is the place to go out for a drink or dinner. Beautiful beaches and shops. The south France Style! The most beautiful port on the coast is in my opinion Sanary. The flowery market is one of the most beautiful in the south, it takes place on Wednesday mornings.
– Les Embiez: departing from Bandol you can take a beautiful sea trip to seek for marine fauna or to go to the islands of Les Embiez. Nice preserved jewels. The islands of Paul Ricard can be reached in 15 minutes. You can take a tour on a small tourist train, rent bicycles or boats without permit.
Where to Eat / Drink:
Have a drink on the Thalazur terrace
Restaurant le Rendez-vous in Bandol: for the best parmesan pasta
Bar Le Narval: for an aperitif with shellfish or Italian specialties on the market square.
Restaurant in Ollioules L’atelier du vigneron: the best value for money for true French gastronomy. You must book!
La Ciotat
Very beautiful sandy beaches in La Ciotat.
– The old port is very lively with cafes and bars. Every evening there is a pleasant night market.
– 2 beautifull creeks: Figuerolles and Mugel.
The Mugel park offers beautiful natural pools with steep access to the sea. Beach shoes are recommended and bring a mask and snorkel.
– As for the restaurant, it is possible to eat by the sea at the end of the beaches near the sailing club, opposite the old port.
– La Ciotat has an outdoor casino.
– For a less busy beach day, it is possible to take the shuttle from the old port which leads to the “île verte” island. The island has a small snack bar but it is quite wild. Remember to take the picnic and water.
Where to eat / drink:
Bar O central (to drink a good Chouffe)
Seafront : Les pieds dans l’eau: for the setting, breathtaking view and seaside
Restaurant Au Chantier for a beautiful view of the old port
SAINT CYR SUR MER , LA CADIÈRE ET LE CASTELLET
-The city center of Saint Cyr is quite small but on the place of Portalis you can see the Statue of Liberty made by Bartholdi before doing the on in New York. The market takes place on Sundays in the center.
– Les Lecques beach offers a magnificent view of the bay of Ciotat and the rocks of Bec de l’Aigle.
– Port d’Alon: A magnificent private calanque for swimming or to start hiking the coastal path (Sentier des douaniers), a day to do between Saint Cyr and Bandol. Parking is 8 euros, provide cash.
– La Cadière-d’Azur is a typical Provencal village. The historic center is very cute and you can climb to the top for a nice view of the valley.
– Le Castellet is a small medieval hilltop village. It looks like a village of dolls. Magnificent. Nice shops and a few restaurants and cafes for a drink. Do not miss.
Where to Eat /Drink
To order pizza at home or a picnic on the beach, La cave à pizza.
Private beaches in Saint Cyr: Sophie Beach, La siesta
Restaurant le M: good food, beautiful view of the port
Bars with a beautiful view of the bay: Equateur and Grain de Sable
TOULON ET LE MONT FARON
The city of Toulon is best known for its military harbor which can be visited. The port is quite pleasant for lunch. For a beautiful day in Toulon you can take the cable car up to Mont Faron which offers a splendid view of the city and the coast. The Mont Faron bar is ideal for an aperitif!
AUBAGNE
The town of Aubagne is the town of wirter Marcel Pagnol, the traditional village is at the foot of Garlaban where you can go hiking in the footsteps of “LeChateau de Ma Mère” or “La Gloire de mon père”. Another hike is the “Grotte de Marie Madeleine”, the road leading to the start of the hike is reminiscent of the American West … the path to the cave climbs up the hill but the view is splendid.