Bandol

Bandol is a small town of 8,400 people (2017) west of Toulon in the province of Var. It is a popular resort also known for its wine.

Understand

Church Saint-François-de-Sales

Bandol was founded in 1595 and built around a small military fort.

The Bandol wine region, near the coast east of Marseille and Cassis, is one of Provence's most internationally recognized wine regions. Built around the village of Bandol, the Bandol AOC covers the production of 8 communes with silicon & limestone soils. Those soils and the warm, coastal climate are ideally suited for the late ripening Mourvèdre grape which is the major variety of the region. For both the red and rosé wines, Mourvèdre must account for at least 50% of the blend, though most producers will use significantly more, with Grenache & Cinsaut usually filling out the rest of the wine's composition.

• 1 Office de Tourisme (Tourist Office), Allée Alfred Vivien, ☏ +33 4 94 29 41 35, otbandol@bandol.fr. Jul-Aug: daily 09:00-19:00; Sep-Jun: M 09:00-12:00 15:00-18:00, Tu-Sa 09:00-12:00 14:00-18:00. (updated May 2015)

See

At the Bendor island

Neptune, Bendor island

Perhaps the major attraction in Bandol besides its beaches is Bendor Island. The island is privately owned, but visitors are welcomed.

• 1 Île de Bendor (Bendor Island) (a frequent ferry connects the island with Bandol – journey approx. 7 min), ☏ +33 4 94 10 65 20, info@lesilespaulricard.com. The island was bought in 1950 by Paul Ricard. The island has a hotel, a few villas, five restaurants, an artists village, boutiques and an art gallery, tennis courts, water sports facilities and a diving club. Two museums are open on the island in season: the Universal Exposition of Wines and Spirits and a Museum of Ricard Advertising Objects. €11-13 (ferry return fee; reportedly it's free if you have a reservation at a Bendor restaurant). (updated Dec 2015)

Eat

• 1 KV&B, 5, rue de la Paroisse, ☏ +33 4 94 74 85 77, lekvb@orange.fr. A so-called bistronomique restaurant. Good food though with a modern twist. There is also another couple of nice-looking restaurants on the same street. (updated Jul 2015)

Go next

• La Ciotat
• Sanary-sur-Mer