Considered the birthplace of scuba diving, Sanary-sur-Mer occupies a sun-drenched stretch of coastline between Marseille and Toulon. It was once home to Jacques Cousteau, a pioneer of deep-sea diving and the co-inventor of the aqua-lung. Today, his legacy is celebrated at the Frédéric Dumas International Diving Museum, which occupies a 13th-century tower.
Things to do in Sanary-sur-Mer
Watching over the town is the 16th-century Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Pitié, which offers magnificent views across the bay. A steep coastal path leads to the chapel, where you’ll find a polychrome wooden pieta and ex-voto offerings relating to the sea. In the heart of Sanary-sur-Mer is the Église Saint Nazaire, a Gothic Revival-style church designed by the renowned French architect Michel Pasha.
Coincide your visit to Sanary-sur-Mer with the Grand Marché, which takes place on the town’s main boulevard. In addition to fresh produce and regional delicacies, you’ll find clothing and household goods. For locally caught fish, head to the daily fish market on Sanary-sur-Mer’s quay before picking up a bouquet at the flower market beside the town hall.
Stretching south-east of the town centre is the Plage de Bonnegrâce, a palm-studded stretch of pebbles with beach umbrellas and sun loungers for rent. It’s a popular spot for windsurfing when the conditions are right. On the other side of Sanary-sur-Mer is the Plage de Portissol, which is nestled in a protected bay.
Getting around Sanary-sur-Mer
Sanary-sur-Mer is around 15 minutes’ drive from Toulon and 45 minutes from Marseille. Marseille Provence Airport is an hour away and has flights to destinations across Europe and North Africa. Regular trains connect to the Gare d'Ollioules - Sanary-sur-Mer while buses travel throughout the town.