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04 August 2018 / 27 Comments

Camping and swimming at Le Lavandou - Côte d'Azur in France

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After a nice visit to blog friends in Provence, it was time for us to roll south towards Le Lavandou on the French coast, Côte d'Azur. The plan is to visit the islands that are located here, which are usually called the "Golden Islands". But before that there was driving on dramatic mountain roads and an evening swim at a very charming and beautiful beach.

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Winding road to the coast

After swimming in the pool and having lunch with our blog friends in Belgentier we headed south towards the coast. I think I emailed nearly ten campsites before one replied that they had a few vacancies. Not only is it really hot in the south of France now, it's also high season as most French people just started their holidays on 1 August. According to our friends, French media warned of traffic chaos, so maybe it was after all little positive that our GPS chose a strange route up the mountain ...

France

The strange choice of road up in the mountains meant that we avoided traffic chaos and queues, and instead took narrow roads with hairpin bends and steep cliffs. According to the road signs it was allowed to drive at 90 km/hour here, but we were probably more like 30 km/hour. Beautiful roads, but not easy when there were meetings!

Vägar Frankrike
Väg Provence
slingriga vägar

One advantage of driving the mountain roads was that we occasionally had great views of the coast below, the Côte d'Azur.

Kusten Provence

Camping Parc De Pramousquier

Eventually we arrived at the campsite Pramousquier Parkwhere we found a spot right at the entrance. So far this feels like a nice campsite with a small shop, small restaurant and just a short walk to the beach.

Södra Frankrike camping
Camping Sydfrankrike

Evening swim in the sea

It's incredibly hot now, with temperatures well over 30 degrees every day. We get very tired from the heat and I (Helena) have also felt my headache. Then it was at least really nice to go down to the beach and take an evening swim! The beach here is super nice with fine-grained sand, beautiful little bays and cosy little restaurants right down by the water. We love this place!

Strand Frankrike, Le Laavandou
blommor frankrike, Le Lavandou
Strandbar, Le lavandou
Bad Frankrike, Le Lavandou

Central Le Lavandou

The campsite is a short distance from the centre of Le Lavandou, and if you don't want to take your campervan with you (it's not easy to park), you can take a bus into town.

Le Lavandou is a cosy little tourist town, full of shops and restaurants. Right next to the town there is also a large sandy beach, and here you can also buy tickets for various boat trips. Here is a photo from the town, and from the beach in the centre of town.

Le Levandou
Le lavandou

The Golden Islands off the coast of France

Just off the coast of France, not far from Le Lavandou, are three islands that are often referred to as the French 'golden islands'. Porquerolles is the most "touristy" of the three islands and offers many beautiful beaches. It includes Notre Dame beach, which has been named the most beautiful beach in France.

The island of Port-Cros is almost Caribbean with its lush green vegetation and relaxed bars where you can drink mojitos in the shade. Last but not least, the island of Île du Levant is ideal for those who like to take off their clothes. This is Europe's only naturist island. Read more about the three islands here:

Notre Dame vackraste strand

Facts about Le Lavandou

  • Country: France
  • Region: Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
  • Canton: Collobrières
  • Arrondissement: Toulon
  • Location: South-eastern France
  • Residents: 5500 (2015)

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04 August 2018 6:00
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25 Comments

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  1. Ama de casa says:

    Oooo... I wonder if I wouldn't have preferred traffic chaos and queues instead of narrow roads with hairpin bends and steep cliffs... Although it's clearly much nicer on those skinny roads 🙂 ...

    Have a great Saturday!

    04 August 2018 - 8:12

    Reply

  2. Husisblogg says:

    Always a great challenge to drive on such roads, what do I meet behind the crest?
    There have been many baths for the owners this summer.

    04 August 2018 - 8:42

    Reply

  3. Lena - gott för själen says:

    What a way to go, but it was still a good choice, as I said.

    Hug Lena

    04 August 2018 - 8:46

    Reply

  4. Steve says:

    Narrow and winding roads, but oh so beautiful nature to glide through.
    How nice for you to find a really cosy campsite.

    04 August 2018 - 9:32

    Reply

  5. Lena i Wales says:

    A part of France I don't know very well. Exciting!
    I have a lot of reading to catch up on with you, but have followed you on Instagram during my visit to Sweden.
    Take care!

    04 August 2018 - 10:37

    Reply

  6. Anders och Birgitta says:

    We have been to Le Lavandou several times, we also liked it there. We were then at Camp du Domaine, we booked once but the other times we got a place anyway, the campsite is on a slope down to the water with great views.

    04 August 2018 - 11:18

    Reply

  7. Mias Mix says:

    I understand that it was not easy to drive a motorhome there, but what a win with beautiful nature instead of traffic chaos.
    The heat is getting annoying... I also feel my migraine a little extra now. Can't run during the day but only early morning. Evening bath is really nice!

    04 August 2018 - 12:52

    Reply

  8. Lennart says:

    Wise to avoid traffic congestion.
    Standing still in a queue is no fun, better to drive slowly!

    04 August 2018 - 15:40

    Reply

  9. Matts Torebring says:

    We drove these roads across inland France last summer. That's enough for the rest of our lives.

    04 August 2018 - 19:53

    Reply

  10. BP says:

    The choice of road was probably wise after all, even if it was wrong. Because major roads near French holiday havens are always clogged during the summer. The French started their "industrial holiday" just now.
    The campsite is incredibly nice. Personally, I think it is the most cosy so far during your trip.

    04 August 2018 - 21:36

    Reply

  11. Monet says:

    What "luck" with different road choices. It is beautiful but narrow to drive here where we have nature so close to civilisation. Had you driven the other way, you would also have been stuck in traffic due to the huge security arrangements organised at the time - President Macron landed at Hyeres airport and later received Theresa May at Fort Brégancon in Bormes-les-Mimosas. French presidents' holiday retreat, a stone's throw from Le Lavandou! Excellent campsite - very charming!

    05 August 2018 - 12:07

    Reply

  12. Marias Memoarer says:

    So beautiful! But hairpin bends are a pretty stressful experience. The first time I went to Masca in Tenerife (not me driving) was terrible, haha! And then the roads were otherwise in good condition and so on.

    05 August 2018 - 19:34

    Reply

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