Things to Do

On your doorstep

The Cathedral & Episcopal City The Cathédrale Saint-Léonce is two minutes from the house. The whole episcopal complex — cathedral, 5th-century baptistery, medieval cloister and former bishop’s palace — is one of the finest early Christian and medieval sites in Provence. The cloister’s larchwood ceiling, painted with 300 images, is remarkable. Free or small entrance fee depending on what you visit.

Roman Fréjus The Roman amphitheatre (2nd century, the only one in the Var) still hosts concerts and events. The theatre ruins, the ancient Porte d’Orée gateway, and the remains of the aqueduct are scattered around the town — most can be found on foot. The Archaeological Museum on Place Calvini is a good starting point.

Roman Fréjus The Roman amphitheatre on Rue Henri Vadon is one of the oldest in Gaul — a 12,000-seat arena dating from the 1st century that still hosts concerts in summer. €3 entry, self-guided tour. The ancient Porte d’Orée gateway, the theatre ruins and the aqueduct remains are scattered around town and mostly free to explore on foot.

The Markets Wednesday and Saturday markets in the old town — fruit, vegetables, fish, cheese, charcuterie, flowers, wine, clothing and general Provençal character. Go early. There’s also a larger Sunday market on the seafront.

Outdoors & beaches

Plage de la Base Nature 2km of fine sand, supervised, with beach volleyball, a fitness area, picnic spots and views of the Estérel. Walkable from the house (about 25 minutes) or a short drive. Our go-to beach.

Saint-Aygulf / Plage des Esclamandes A quieter, longer stretch of beach about 10 minutes by car. Good for paddleboarding and kayaking — hire equipment from Bambou Water-Sports on the beach. Designated water sports zone separate from the swimming area.

Plage Caouanne Our walk-to beach — follow the canal path from the house, about 25 minutes on foot. Quieter than Base Nature even in high summer. Named after the loggerhead sea turtles (caouanne) that come ashore to nest on the Fréjus beaches in summer — the beach was named by local schoolchildren in 2023. Park at Base Nature a little further along and walk back. Old School at the marina makes a perfect stop on the way home.

Coastal path: Saint-Raphaël to Le Dramont One of the best walks in the Estérel — spectacular red rock scenery, sea views and hidden coves. Allow around 2.5 hours. Take water.

The Malpasset Dam

A remarkable and sobering place, about 7km north of Fréjus. On 2 December 1959, the Malpasset dam collapsed, sending a 40-metre wave crashing through the Reyran valley into Fréjus at 70km/h — one of the worst civil disasters in French history, killing 423 people.

The ruins remain in the valley today, with enormous reinforced concrete blocks scattered hundreds of metres downstream by the force of the water. A marked trail from the car park leads to the base of the dam (under 1km), with a longer loop of about 5km to reach the top. Free entry. Guided tours run from the Fréjus Tourist Office in summer (Tuesdays in July and August, around €8 for adults).

Well worth visiting — haunting, dramatic, and a completely different kind of outing.

Water parks

Waterworld — Lac de la Gaudrade, Puget-sur-Argens (15 minutes) An inflatable water park on a lake — 4,000m² of slides, climbing walls, trampolines, jumping platforms and the Xtrem Tower (three slides, 9-metre jump). Families and couples only (no unaccompanied adult groups). Open May weekends, then daily June–August. waterworld83.fr

WGP Arena — Lac Perrin, Roquebrune-sur-Argens (20 minutes) A larger water sports complex at the foot of the Roquebrune rock, with a 3,000m² inflatable park, kayaks, paddleboats, water skiing, a restaurant and a floating bar. Spectacular setting.

Rainy days: Cannes

Jump Area + LaserMaxx — Cannes La Bocca (35 minutes) These two are next door to each other and make a brilliant rainy-day outing. Jump Area has 850m² of trampolines, a ninja course, dodgeball and a Big Air Jump with a 2.5-metre platform over a giant airbag. LaserMaxx next door is a two-level 600m² laser game arena (from age 8). There’s also a kids’ adventure park (Fun City) in the same complex for younger children. Fully indoor — ideal when the weather turns.

Day trips

Saint-Raphaël (5 minutes) — Lively seaside town with beaches, marina, restaurants and nightlife.

Roquebrune-sur-Argens (20 minutes) — Beautiful hilltop village with views across the Var. Quieter than the coast.

Draguignan (30 minutes) — Authentic Provençal market town, less touristy than the coast, with a good Saturday market.

Cannes (35 minutes) — The Croisette, the Old Port, the Lérins islands, excellent food and shopping.

Saint-Tropez (45 minutes via inland roads) — Glamorous, busy in summer, beautiful old port. Go early or in the shoulder season.

Nice (1 hour) — The Old Town, the Promenade des Anglais, the market on Cours Saleya, excellent museums. Don’t miss Illusion Nice (5 Rue Masséna) — an interactive optical illusions museum that’s brilliant for all ages, book online in advance in summer (adults €15, children €12). Directly opposite is Amorino gelateria, famous for ice cream sculpted into flower shapes on the cone. A perfect combination.

Gorges du Verdon (1 hour 15 minutes) — A must. Europe’s answer to the Grand Canyon — dramatic limestone gorges, turquoise water, kayaking, hiking and vertiginous viewpoints. Allow a full day.

Corniche d’Or — The coastal road between Fréjus and Cannes through the red rock Estérel massif is one of the most spectacular drives in France. Worth doing slowly, with stops.