Le Beausset

Last update on Jun 12, 2026

On road N8 between Marseille (40km.) and Toulon (15km.).

Discover the small town of Le Beausset in the Var, near the Gorges d'Ollioules.

An ideally located town

Le Beausset is a small town in the Var department that many tourists pass through without stopping—a mistake. Located halfway between Le Castellet, Évenos, and Bandol, this town of over 10,000 residents is considered the gateway to the Sainte-Baume Mountains.

SEE ACCOMMODATIONS FIND AN ACTIVITY

It’s also an ideal starting point for exploring the Provençal countryside while remaining just a few minutes from the sea.

Romanesque Chapel and Old Beausset

On the Bandol Wine Route, Le Beausset invites you to discover its old village, its Romanesque chapel, and its 57 oratories dotted throughout the area. Vineyards, olive groves, pine forests, and garrigue make up an authentic Var landscape, far from the major seaside resorts of the French Riviera.

History lovers will be delighted, as numerous historical sites recount the eventful past of Old Beausset. A 12th-century Romanesque chapel still stands there, along with an older gallery displaying over 80 ex-votos offered in gratitude to Our Lady of Old Beausset.

Louis XIV and Napoleon Bonaparte stayed here

Many illustrious men stayed here: Louis XIV, Bonaparte... The sanctuary can be reached via the old mule track, lined with a series of oratories. After the abandonment of Le Beausset-Vieux in 1506, the community moved to the hilltop where today's Le Beausset is located.

A pleasant town renowned for its olive oil

The town of Le Beausset, although a few centuries more recent, is no less rich in historical memories. Le Beausset has been classified as a “green resort” and is well worth a visit. You'll be able to enjoy the peace and quiet and savour the excellent olive oil under the protection of ND du Vieux Beausset.

A good restaurant to eat in

If you're looking for a good meal in Le Beaucet, here are two popular addresses. First, the restaurant “La Ferme Auberge” for its fine Provencal cuisine and charming atmosphere. Secondly, “La Cauquière” for its Michelin-starred gourmet cuisine. We recommend them without hesitation!

Le Beausset markets

Le Beausset residents are lucky enough to have several market days a week. On the Esplanade Charles de Gaulle (see our map), there's a gourmet market on Wednesday mornings, a Provencal Var market on Friday mornings and a smaller market on Sunday mornings.

Our map of Le Beausset

To help you find your way around Le Beausset, this page features our interactive map of Le Beausset. We've listed all the town's points of interest (chapel, town hall, tourist office...) as well as our recommendations for accommodation in the commune.

Our photos of the town

Our team has taken many photos of Le Beausset. You'll find them all in a slideshow at the bottom of this page. We hope they will inspire you to come and discover the town.

What to see

The 19thc. church.
The great fountain.
The St. Louis Oratory. The Romanesque chapel.
The statue of Notre Dame.

Things to do

Hiking.
Cyclo-tourism

Hotels

La Cigalière ★★

Le Beausset (Bandol - Toulon)

Charming rooms and suites which overlooking the hotel’s pretty garden.
Suites with a well-equipped kitchenette - Swimming pool- tennis courts

Visit website

Vacation rentals

Une Pause en Provence

Le Beausset

A beautiful Provencal home with a calm garden and superb infinity pool overlooking the hills. A little corner of paradise in Le Beausset! We warmly recommend it!

Visit website

Accommodation

Hotels.
Bed and Breakfasts.
Vacation Rentals.
Camping.

Your questions about Le Beausset

After we published this guide to Le Beausset, you sent us several questions via email. Here are our answers to help all our readers.

What tourist activities are there to do in Le Beausset?

Le Beausset offers a wide range of activities for a stay in Provence. Hiking takes center stage, with several trails suitable for all skill levels. The Oratory Trail starts in the town center, winds through the cobblestone streets, and climbs up to the Beausset-Vieux Chapel on a roughly 3-kilometer walk. Lovers of Provençal heritage will enjoy exploring the old village and its monuments. The Tourist Office also organizes two popular flea markets: on Easter Monday and August 15. The Provençal market is held every Friday and Sunday morning on the Charles de Gaulle Esplanade. The nearby vineyards offer the chance to discover AOC Bandol wines just a few kilometers away. The Paul Ricard Circuit is also located within the town’s boundaries.

What places are worth visiting in Le Beausset?

Le Beausset-Vieux is the town’s main tourist attraction. This historic part of town features a 12th-century Romanesque chapel listed as a Historic Monument. It is accessible on foot via the Chemin des Oratoires, or by car with parking available below. In the town center, you’ll discover the Church of Notre-Dame de l’Assomption de la Vierge, the 14th-century Maison des Têtes, the Saint-Louis Oratory, the Isnard Well, and Place Jean Jaurès with its moss-covered fountain. The Écomusée Départemental des 4 Frères is a site dedicated to preserving the natural and cultural heritage of the Var region. The sea view from the hill of Beausset-Vieux is one of the most beautiful panoramas in the Var.

How do I get to Le Beausset?

Getting to Le Beausset is easy from both Toulon and Marseille: the highway takes you there directly. By car, take exit 11 on the A50, follow signs for Le Beausset (D66), then turn left at the roundabout (D559b). Toulon is about 24 km away, and Marseille is 49 km away. By bus, line 880 departs from Bandol and arrives in Le Beausset in about 30 minutes. Services are infrequent: be sure to check the schedule before leaving. A car remains the most convenient way to explore the town and its surroundings. Parking is available in the town center.

Where to eat in Le Beausset?

Le Beausset offers several restaurants for lunch or dinner on the terrace in the heart of the village. The downtown restaurants allow you to linger in the shade of the plane trees after a morning of sightseeing. Provençal cuisine takes center stage, featuring local market produce. The Friday and Sunday morning markets also offer a chance to buy cheese, fruit, and regional specialties directly from producers. The surrounding area also offers great dining options: Bandol and Sanary-sur-Mer are less than 20 km away. For recent reviews and the best restaurants, check online booking platforms before your arrival.

What upcoming events are there in Le Beausset?

Every first weekend in July, Le Beausset celebrates Saint Eloi. On the program: a mass in Provençal, a procession in traditional costumes, folk dances, a ball, and aioli. The town also organizes Martror, a Provençal event that pays tribute to the deceased by celebrating life and highlighting the local historical heritage. The Tourist Office welcomes visitors and provides information on cultural events and upcoming happenings in Le Beausset. For the full calendar and specific dates, visit the official website of the Le Beausset town hall or contact the Tourist Office directly at Esplanade Charles de Gaulle.

What is the history of Le Beausset?

The site of Beausset-Vieux contains traces of human occupation dating back to Antiquity, linked to its strategic position on the land route between Marseille and Toulon. Built in the Provençal Romanesque-Gothic style, the castle chapel was erected in the 12th century by the bishops of Marseille. It served as a parish church until 1506, when the inhabitants left the hilltop village to settle in the plain. The castle that dominated the site was demolished in 1615 by order of Richelieu, at the request of the population. Saint Mary is the patron saint and protector of Le Beausset: for generations, residents have taken the path of the oratories to reach the chapel, which has become a place of devotion to the Virgin Mary. Le Beausset is one of the municipalities in France with the highest number of oratories, with some fifty monuments dotted throughout its territory.