Living in Var: Some Information About the Region
Where is Var Located?
Located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region (PACA), in the southeast of France, not far from the Italian border, Var is a coastal department that stretches from the Mediterranean to the Verdon Gorges in the hinterland.
Among its most famous cities, we count Toulon, Saint-Tropez, Saint-Raphaël, Hyères, Le Lavandou, Bandol, Grimaud... coastal cities where life is good. But Var is not only a coastline: as you go further into the department, you discover an authentic and charming Provence, with stone villages and lavender fields. A region less flashy and more affordable.
How to Get There?
To get to Var, there are several ways:
- By road: via the A8, A50, A570 highways and thanks to an intra and interdepartmental bus network
- By train: with the three TGV stations in Toulon (4h20 from Paris), Les Arcs-sur-Argens, and Saint-Raphaël-Fréjus, and about twenty TER stations.
- By air: thanks to the Toulon-Hyères international airport, but also Nice and Marseille airports
- By sea: the port of Toulon serves Corsica, Sardinia, and the Balearic Islands. Many shuttles circulate within the department.
The Origin of the Name
The Var department gets its name from a river… which is in the neighboring department! In the past, the river formed a natural border between the two departments, but following the enlargement of the Alpes-Maritimes, the borders were pushed back, and the Var river no longer flows in Var! While residents once considered changing its name, it was eventually decided to keep it: Var is too iconic.
Var, a Region Where Life is Good
A Mediterranean Climate
Let’s start with the weather, which is one of the region’s major assets: Var benefits from a warm and sunny Mediterranean climate, with over 300 days of sunshine per year, mild winters, and hot, dry summers. Toulon is statistically the sunniest city in France!
With little rain and moderate to high temperatures, Var offers an ideal setting for those who love outdoor living and enjoying outdoor activities all year round. However, be careful, it can get very hot in summer… Proximity to the sea or a pool is welcome!
It’s so beautiful in this region of France that even the most famous painters have lived here at one time or another, drawn by the unique light of the French Riviera! Picasso, Matisse, Renoir, or even De Staël were all captivated by the beauty of the southeast, by its dazzling light that transforms colors. Today, the region keeps many of their works, exhibited in small (or large!) dedicated museums.
A Rich Cultural Life
In addition to the various museums we’ve just talked about, Var has a very rich historical heritage: between the hilltop medieval villages, the Roman remains of Fréjus, the medieval churches… history is nestled within every stone house, fortress, and even (more recently of course) in the old architect’s villas!
Concerts, exhibitions, and festivals are organized every year to offer a dynamic and rich cultural life to the inhabitants. The south of France is also synonymous with regional festivals and in Var, every year you can enjoy the olive festival in Ollioules the first weekend of October, the fig festival in Solliès-Pont the last weekend of August, the St Hermentaire festival (or Corso Fleuri) in Draguignan, the pumpkin festival in Rians, the honey festival in Les Arcs-Sur-Argens, the world mussel festival in September…
Provençal Gastronomy
Var’s cuisine reflects its terroir: colorful, flavorful, and generous. Tomatoes, olives, cheeses, and seafood products are spread out on the markets to the delight of residents and restaurateurs, who are increasingly establishing themselves in the region. Provençal tomatoes, ratatouille, fig jam, Tarte Tropézienne, or even the famous chichis, iconic products from the beaches of the French Riviera, will delight enthusiasts of French gastronomy!
Rich Nature and Varied Landscapes
From sandy beaches to wild coves, from mountain ranges to lavender fields, the department offers a multitude of breathtaking landscapes, which can be discovered by kayak or hiking.
Water sports enthusiasts can enjoy the Mediterranean Sea and the Verdon Gorges, while hikers and cyclists can explore the trails of the hills and forests.
Var is also the capital of golf! The numerous courses, increasingly environmentally friendly, offer courses for all levels.
Buying in Var: From Second Home to Retirement
Second Homes in Var
Var is the most sought-after department in France for buying vacation homes. In fact, in some municipalities, such as Saint-Raphaël, nearly half of the dwellings are second homes! After the sea and the sun, it’s the real estate offer that makes buyers dream: villas with pools in the heights, apartments with sea views in seaside resorts, colorful terraced houses in the ports...
But it’s more than just a second home that buyers are looking for: Var is also the promise of retirement by the sea, in the sunniest region of France!
Spending Retirement in Var
It’s therefore not surprising that many retirees, both French and foreign, choose to settle here. However, the stakes are different when you settle down permanently: as in any seaside region, some towns are lively only in summer. For future retirees who are unsure where to live in Var, we recommend dynamic cities like Toulon, Bandol, or Saint-Tropez. Inland villages, cheaper and less touristy, will be better suited for those seeking a quiet life close to nature!
Large International Communities
Var also attracts many foreigners in search of an ideal living environment! The presence of a dynamic international community makes integration easier for those who choose to settle in the sun.
The English form the largest community of foreigners in Var, especially in the towns of Fayence, Lorgues, and Cotignac. They are followed by Belgians, who favor Bandol, Sainte-Raphaël, and Hyères, then by Germans and Dutch, settled in Sainte-Maxime, Grimaud, and Fréjus.
A Wide Range of Real Estate
Var offers a wide range of real estate, from seaside apartments to Provencal villas in the villages of Haut-Var. Prices vary depending on the location, type of property, and its amenities. Be aware, the price per square meter can triple from one locality to another! Don’t hesitate to check real estate listing websites to find the house of your dreams!
Living in Var
Whether it’s to enjoy the sunny climate, Mediterranean culture, local cuisine, or varied landscapes, Var offers an incomparable living environment. It’s the department of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, sometimes to retire, start a new life, or buy a second home!
