La Seyne sur Mer

Discover the small town of La Seyne sur Mer near Toulon in the Var region of France

Located at the foot of Cap Sicié, La Seyne sur Mer is a town in southern maritime Provence, open to the Toulon harbor and the open sea. Historically, La Seyne has been a mecca for the naval industry, with its forges and shipyards providing the town with a rich history.

Situé au pied du Cap Sicié, La Seyne sur Mer est une ville du Sud de la Provence maritime ouverte sur la rade de Toulon et sur la haute mer. Historiquement La Seyne est un ancien haut lieu de l'industrie navale, les forges et chantiers navals ont fait vivre de belles années à la ville.

A seaside resort with a rich heritage

Times have changed since then, and the page is now turned, but this great naval tradition shouldn't make us lose sight of the fact that La Seyne has a rich heritage and is also a pleasant seaside town.

The superb Tamaris corniche

One of La Seyne's most beautiful spots is the corniche Tamaris, where you can enjoy superb views and admire beautiful villas that remind you of La Seyne's rich past. This corniche and its mansions were home to many artists at the end of the last century: Renoir, d'Annunzio, Georges Sand, among the most famous.

Marvellous villas to admire

You'll also find some stunningly beautiful Moorish-style villas with minarets and roof terraces. One of the most beautiful (you can't miss it, it's the whitest) is now home to the University of Lyon's marine biology institute.

Stroll through the old town

The town center is pleasant, and the pedestrian and shopping streets are welcoming and lively, especially in summer of course. As you stroll along, you'll come across many of the frescoes that embellish the town, including Vasarely's at the Hôtel de Ville. You'll also notice the beautiful 19th-century campanile on top of the bell tower of the Notre Dame du Bon Voyage church. The old town has a lot of charm, with its old houses in faded colors, narrow streets and shady courtyards.

Sablettes beach

City of the sea, city of fishermen, every morning they're on the quayside selling their catch...don't miss them. The sea, the beach, the fine sand ....bronzing, swimming and lounging are all on the agenda at La Seyne sur Mer: the Sablettes beach has been completely redeveloped and now offers a beautiful beach worthy of the finest seaside resorts. If you prefer to walk a little, you can enjoy a pleasant stroll to the little port of Sainte Elme, or take in the old mussel beds.

Fort Balaguier

Built in 1636, Fort Balaguier was once a cannon tower protecting access to the small harbor. A powder magazine was added, then ramparts, then housing, and finally a fort capable of housing a defensive garrison. Now a listed historic monument, the Fort houses a Municipal Naval Museum with rooms devoted to the history of the civil navy in the Mediterranean, as well as the history of the penal colony (there were almost 4,000 convicts in the mid-18th century...including the famous François Vidocq). Its unique view over the Toulon harbor makes it a particularly popular place for a stroll.

Villa Tamaris

Built on the corniche des Tamaris, this superb 3,800 m² building dates from the late 19th century and belonged to Michel Pacha. He was the driving force behind the development of La Seyne as a seaside resort, notably by draining the marshland (where the Tamaris trees grew). The villa bearing his name now houses a Museum of Modern Art, and offers visitors conference and exhibition rooms.

Our map of La Seyne sur Mer (postal code 83 500)

To find your way around La Seyne sur Mer, you can use our interactive city map. It shows all the town's points of interest (town hall, church, corniche de Tamaris...). We also give you our recommendations for accommodation in La Seyne sur Mer.