Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Le Lavandou
Once a fishing village, Le Lavandou is a family beach-resort with a small but intact old
town and 12km of golden sand. The faux castle on the seafront is the
tourist office
( 04
94 00 40 50;
www.lelavandou.com
;
quai Gabriel Péri;
9am-noon & 2.30-6.30pm
Mon-Sat)
. Opposite, boats sail to the Îles des Hyères.
ROUTES DES CRÊTES
For breathtaking views of the islands, follow Route des Crêtes as it winds its way through maquis-covered hills
some 400m above the sea. From Bormes-les-Mimosas, follow the D41 uphill (direction Collobrières) past the
Chapelle St-François and, 1.5km north of the village centre, turn immediately right after the sign for Col de Caguo-
Ven (237m).
Relais du Vieux Sauvaire
(
04 94 05 84 22; rte des Crêtes; mains €18-30;
lunch & dinner Jun-Sep;
)
is the hidden gem of these hills. With 180-degree views you could only dream of, this restaurant and pool (most
people come here for lunch and then stay all afternoon) is one of a kind. The food is as sunny as the views: pizzas,
melon and Parma ham, or whole sea bass in salt crust.
Past the restaurant, Route des Crêtes joins the final leg of the panoramic Col du Canadel road. On the
col
(moun-
tain pass), turn left to plunge into the heart of forested Massif des Maures, or right to the sea and coastal Corniche
des Maures (D559).
