Bandol

On the seaside (D 559) between Marseille (50 km) and Toulon (20 km).

Article updated in September 2024 following a new visit to this pretty town

Discover the superb town of Bandol in the Var region of France

Bandol is an authentic seaside resort and one of the oldest: its first tourists were Thomas Mann, Aldous Huxley, Marcel Pagnol, Mistinguett, Raimu and Fernandel... They made Bandol a fashionable resort before the days of Brigitte Bardot and Saint Tropez.

Beaches and creeks.

Numerous sandy beaches - Plage du Grand Vallat, Plage du Casino, Plage Centrale, Plage de Rènecros - alternate with pebble beaches - Plage du Barry, Plage du Capelan, Plage Eden Roc. Along the corniche path, you'll discover some beautiful calanques and small natural coves. The clarity of its waters and the richness of its seabed are renowned among scuba diving enthusiasts.

Port and water sports

Bandol's marina is home to over 1,500 boats of all sizes: yachts, tall ships, tuna boats, trawlers. All kinds of water sports are available in Bandol: sailing, parasailing, water skiing, jet skiing, sea kayaking, windsurfing, paddle boarding.

Bandol golf course

Nestled between hills of pine, willow and snow, with views over the Mediterranean, the 18-hole and 9-hole Frégate golf course offers beginners and experts alike the chance to play one of Europe's most beautiful courses, designed by the famous architect Ronald Fream.

Bandol's famous rosé wines

Bandol's famous south-facing vineyards were awarded their first AOC label in 1941.
Today, some fifty winegrowing estates work the vines and the famous Mourvèdre grape that gives Bandol wine its uniqueness, a wine found on the finest gourmet tables:

- Red wines are powerful and velvety,
- Rosé wines are fruity and finely racy,
- White wines are fine and full-bodied.
Bandol wines are unquestionably the most famous in Provence, and Bandol rosés are among the best in France.

A pretty market

Bandol's big market takes place every Tuesday morning on the main port quay. It's a lovely waterside market with many local producers and ultra-fresh seafood. It's a great opportunity to stock up on good produce and stroll around the pretty town of Bandol.

Our map of Bandol (postal code 83150)

To help you find your way around Bandol, you can use our interactive map of Bandol, which you'll find on this page. It shows all the town's points of interest (town hall, tourist office, port, church, etc.). You'll also find our accommodation recommendations, which we update every year to bring you the best places to stay!

What to see

Bandol vineyards and its wine estates.

Domaine de la Begude is one of the best winery on the Bandol appellation. Certified organic, this house is located 400 meters above the sea level and its 17ha vineyard is set in the middle of a 500ha natural area. Frequently rewarded in the main wine guides (Hachette, Bettane & Desseauve, Revue des Vins de France), this property has its very own charm with its Provencal Bastide house and its 7th century chapel where the wines are ageing. See the winery’s visits

Near from the Castellet villages and the Cadiere d’Azur, Domaine Lou Capelan eis a small familial property producing wines with an excellent quality/price ratio. Despite its young history (it was created in 1992), the winery has now a vineyard of more than 40ha and produces red, white and rosé wines of the Bandol, IGP Mont Caume and Var appellations. See the winery’s visits

Leisure activities

Sailing school, water skiing, scuba diving, deep sea fishing.
Paragliding, ULM.
Mountain biking, Cycle Tourism.
Tennis, Horseback riding.
Golf course of Frégate.
Thalasso, casino, summer entertainment.

Hotels

Hôtel Spa Thalazur Bandol Ile Rousse

Bandol (Bandol - Toulon)

A wonderful hotel located on a small beach in Bandol
Heated pool, spa, sauna and hammam
Wonderful view and attentive staff!

View the site

Bel Ombra Hôtel

Bandol (Bandol - Toulon)

Excellent location in Bandol, clean, comfortable rooms, superb breakfast.
Restaurant - WIFI - Air-conditioning - Balcony
300 meters from Renecros beach

View the site

Accomodations

Hotels.
Holiday rentals.
B&Bs.
Campsite.

Your questions about Bandol

After writing this guide to Bandol, you sent us several questions. Here are our answers to your most frequently asked questions.

Why is Bandol famous?

Bandol is world-famous for its highly acclaimed AOC rosé wine. You'll find plenty of wineries and vineyards around Bandol to sample them (in moderation, of course!). Bandol is also a popular seaside resort in the Var. Its fine sandy beaches are very pleasant!

When to go to Bandol?

Our favorite season to visit Bandol is spring (April to June). The weather's already nice and warm, there aren't too many tourists yet, the laurels are in bloom... in short, it's the best time of year for us! The off-season (September-October) is also very pleasant.

What's the island opposite Bandol?

The small island opposite Bandol is the Isle of Bendor. Bought by Paul Ricard, this island welcomed French stars in the 50s and 80s. Closed for renovation since 2021, the island is no longer accessible to the general public.

What to do in Bandol?

Start by strolling through the pretty town of Bandol, wandering its narrow streets and discovering its many stores. Then head for the port of Bandol to stock up on good produce and enjoy a drink in the sunshine. Then spend the afternoon at the beach or discovering one of Bandol's many vineyards.

Where is Bandol?

The town of Bandol lies on the Mediterranean coast in the Var department (PACA region). Nearby towns include Saint Cyr sur Mer and Sanary. The old village of Le Castellet is also nearby.