The Var is a departement

The Var is a departement that includes Provence. It stretches from the rugged mountains of the Verdon to the glamorous beaches of St Tropez and is within touching distance of Aix-en-Provence, Marseilles and Cannes encompassing different landscapes and touristic experiences. The non-coastal areas (Centre et Haut Var) were plain, agricultural terrain until only a few decades ago and this is reflected in the authentic architecture of the little villages built into the hillsides. Locals Susana Iwase Hanson and Jeany Cronkselect their favourite five destinations to visit in this beautiful area...

1 Bauduen at the Lac du Verdon The great nature reserve around the Lac St Croix is a visitors' paradise. The landscape resembles that of the great nature parks of North America, complete with a huge Canyon filled with lagoon green water called “Les Gorges du Verdon” between St Moustiers Marie and Castellan. There are endless walking, boating and sporting possibilities in the area and it’s well worth a trip, especially during the hotter period when it feels a little more fresh and less crowded rather than down by the coast. Make for picturesque Bauduen, a village by the lakeshore with its back built into the rock. There is a little pebble beach perfect for kids and you can hire pedaloes and paddleboards. Take a dip in the crystal clear waters of the Lac, which is actually a drinking water reserve. You can also hire a sailboat if you're feeling more energetic. A few crèperies and cafés line the lakeshore, but we recommend you head up to the Café Du Midi which has a small but lovely menu and perfect views of the lake. The staff are friendly and kids can roam around the boules square next to the restaurant. The village is tiny with charming stone houses, but has many cute and photo worthy corners. If you’re making a day of it, pop to the neighbouring artists village of Moustiers-St-Marie where where you can enjoy a culinary feast at Alain Ducasse’s Bastide de Moustiers. Boat Hire: location-bateau-verdon.fr Restaurants: Café du Midi (booking essential in high season): +33 4 94 70 08 94 (mid range price) Bastide de Moustiers (Moustiers St Marie, booking essential): bastide-moustiers.com (pricey, but nice)