5 Top Things to Do in Bandol, France

I recently returned from a family holiday in Bandol, France, an attractive coastal resort to the west of Toulon on the Côte d’Azur. It’s a popular holiday destination for French people, so if you’re a French-speaking Brit who prefers to be immersed in the language rather than surrounded by other Brits on holiday, this may be the perfect destination for you!

We were there at the start of the school holidays, and although the town was lively, it never felt overcrowded. There was always plenty of room on the beaches and in the restaurants, and we felt very welcome.

©Debbie Emmitt

We quickly learned we needed to hire a car to make the most of our time there, as some of the more attractive beaches are a bit further from the centre. We were also staying in an Airbnb north of the railway line, which meant we couldn’t take a direct route into town and back. As the town is built on hills, this meant several hot and sweaty climbs back to our apartment! If you don’t have a car at your disposal or have trouble negotiating hills, I’d recommend staying south of the railway line.

We packed a lot into our ten days in this beautiful resort. Here are my top five things to do while you’re there:

1. Beach: Plage du Capelan
2. Restaurant: Auberge du Port
3. Vineyard: Château Canadel
4. Ice cream: Sempre Piu Gelato
5. Shopping: Tuesday market

Beach: Plage du Capelan

Bandol boasts ten beaches of varying sizes – some are large sandy stretches, others are small pebbly coves. We tried out a few, but our favourite by far was Plage du Capelan. Despite the pebbles, which were rather uncomfortable to walk on (remember your beach shoes!), this beach is well worth a visit. It is set in a beautiful cove with a small peninsula that you can walk out on and enjoy views across the Med.

©Debbie Emmitt

Despite its compact size, there was plenty of space for the four of us on the two occasions we visited. It’s also perfect for snorkelling, with lots of interesting fish to spot.

Plage du Capelan
Avenue Georges V
83150 Bandol

Restaurant: Auberge du Port

The service and food at this harbour-side restaurant were outstanding. There was an informal yet professional air, and the staff were very friendly and great with the kids.

The various fish of the day were presented just after we were seated (I can highly recommend the daurade – sea bream), and the service throughout was attentive without being intrusive. The children’s menu was also exceptional – no chicken nuggets or fish fingers in sight!

Auberge du Port
9 All. Jean Moulin
83150 Bandol
Telephone: +33 (0)4 94 29 42 63
Open daily

Vineyard: Château Canadel

The Bandol appellation is one of the oldest in France and includes 67 estates. We chose to visit Château Canadel as it was described as one of the most scenic. It did not disappoint!

©Debbie Emmitt

We received a warm welcome from Laure Benoist, who built the cellar with her husband in 2014. She gave us a booklet (available in English and French) containing a walking tour and lots of information about Château Canadel, which we used to follow the self-guided tour around the vineyard. The views were stunning, and the kids were excited to see so many huge bunches of grapes on the vines!

After the walk, Laure showed us the wine being bottled, and of course, we tasted a sample and bought a bottle to take home.

©Debbie Emmitt

Château Canadel
98 Chemin du Canadeau,
83330 Le Castellet
Telephone: +33 (0)4 94 98 40 10
Closed on Sundays

Guide: Wines of Provence

Ice cream: Sempre Piu Gelato

There are several ice cream stalls and cafés in Bandol, but our favourite was Sempre Piu Gelato. The choice of flavours was vast and included Lotus biscuit, Oreo, Strawberry Tart and Banana, to name just a few. The ice cream was piled high in attractive swirls, and there was always a queue, but the wait was worth it!

Sempre Piu Gelato
9 Quai Charles de Gaulle
83150 Bandol

Shopping: Tuesday market

There is a small market every morning in Bandol, selling fruit, veg and other foods, but on Tuesdays, the main market comes to town. It stretches along the seafront and there is a vast variety of wares on offer, including clothes and fabrics, artisan goods, fruit and veg, fish and meat, and sweets.

©Debbie Emmitt

It was bustling, as you would expect, with a friendly atmosphere. A must-see when you’re in Bandol.

©Debbie Emmitt

So, there you have it, five things to look out for when you visit Bandol. There are many more activities in the town and the local area, so it’s advisable to pop into the tourist office (even open on Sundays!) and see what takes your fancy.

Office de Tourisme de Bandol (website)
Allées Alfred Vivien
83150 Bandol
Telephone: +33 (0)4 94 29 41 35
Open daily in July and August

Bonnes vacances!

Guest Writer

Debbie Emmitt is an editor, proofreader and author. She specializes in editing books set in France, historical fiction, memoirs and biographies. She is the author of Improve Your Author Website, Improve Your Editor Website and Tricky Quickies. You can find out more about Debbie’s work on her website: www.debbie-emmitt.com.

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