Sunday, 15 June 2014

Le Lavandou: the chill out beach spot

The original plan was to stay at one of the luxurious beach resort along Cavaliare-sur-Mer but despite booking 3months in advance everywhere was fully booked! That just shows how serious the French people take their summer vacation. Some of the guys at work is from the south of France hence recommended me to check out Le Lavandou. It is a little known vacation spot for the French, and much cheaper compared to its neighbour Cavaliare-sur-Mer.

What to do:
Aside from chilling at the beach and water activities like sailing, the region is also known for its wine. The Bandol region especially is known for its rose.

View from our hotel room
You can rent kayaks and diving equipments
watching and learning the rules of petanque - and still not getting it
Le Lavandou has a small city centre
Most choose to hang out at the beach
I wonder will this be us when we are old?
Where to eat:
What else to eat other than fresh seafood when you're next to the fishing port.

many restaurant along the port to choose from
some local wine to go along - Chapelle Prieure
Moules / mussels as started
grilled fresh catch for main
Restaurant la favouille:

the owner who was eating at the next table (in red) told us to help advertise on tripadvisor and other social media :)
whole pot of fish soup as starter and a whole plate of crotons that was hard to resist

fresh catch from the sea, accompanied by excellent house specialty ratatouille

Satisfying lunch
At Au Vieux Port:
The exterior
Another bottle of local rose
Whole 'boat' of treasures from the sea
Profiteroles were good!
he had simple ice cream and fruits
Where to stay:
While searching for places to stay in Le Lavandou I came across an elderly couple's review where they stayed at the same place for both their honeymoon and 40th wedding anniversary celebration. That's how I decided on Auberge De La Calanque.

The hotel is an old mansion converted to hotel. It was indeed rather old but full of character and has a fantastic location. We could walk to most places without driving. The only down side was the lack of parking space for hotel guest. Although parking is free, but there are only 3-4 slots in front of the hotel. If it is full you will have to park at the slope opposite the hotel or few streets away.

On our 2nd night there was fireworks from across the bay and it was nice viewing the fireworks while sipping wine in our balcony.
the husband loved the little balcony with a sea view

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