Bonjour! Welcome to Sanary-sur-Mer, a picture-perfect gem tucked away on the French Riviera. This charming coastal town blends stunning scenery, rich history, and a taste of authentic southern France. With pastel-colored facades, traditional wooden fishing boats in the port, peaceful beaches, and relaxed seaside vibes, there’s something for every traveler to enjoy in Sanary. It’s the perfect place to slow down, unwind, and savor the moment. We spent a few hours exploring this town, and now we’re excited to show you the best things to do in Sanary sur Mer that captured our hearts. Let’s go!
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Sanary sur Mer, France FAQ
Sanary sur Mer is located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region in the Var department in southern France. It lies between Toulon and Bandol and is close to nearby popular towns like Marseille, La Ciotat, Cassis, and Hyeres.
Absolutely! Sanary-sur-Mer is one of the prettiest coastal towns in the region, with a colorful harbor, relaxed atmosphere, and Provençal charm. It’s perfect for a relaxing escape from the more tourist-heavy towns in the French Riviera.
Sanary sur Mer is best known for its picturesque port filled with traditional wooden fishing boats (pointus), award-winning market (voted the most beautiful market in France in 2018), and being the “birthplace of modern diving” where Jacques Cousteau developed early scuba equipment. The town also has an interesting literary history as it became a haven for German intellectuals fleeing Nazi Germany in the 1930s.
One day is enough to explore the main highlights of Sanary, making it a great day trip destination from nearby towns. But to fully appreciate the town’s charm, we recommend staying at least 2-3 days. Sanary also makes a great base for exploring the region and is also the perfect place for relaxed beach holidays on French Riviera.
Things to do in Sanary sur Mer, France
Colorful port & traditional boats
One of the best things to do in Sanary sur Mer is exploring its picturesque port, whish is considered one of the most authentic and beautiful ports on the French Mediterranean coast. Lined with pastel-colored buildings, palm trees, and dozens of traditional wooden fishing boats known as pointus (the oldest dating from 1895) it’s a postcard-perfect place ready to steal your heart.
In Sanary port you’ll also find many cafes and restaurants, great for relaxing with a drink or meal while watching the world go by. Among notable landmarks along the waterfront you can see the Church of Saint Nazaire, and 13th century Sanary Tower. And if you visit in the morning, don’t miss the chance to buy fresh fish directly from local fishermen.
The port is the perfect starting point for exploring Sanary sur Mer and get a feel for the town’s relaxed, seaside vibe. It’s a refreshing contrast to the flashy superyachts of other French Riviera destinations!
The Sanary Tourist Office is also located in the port. You’ll find it on Quai du Levant, right next to a small garden and Parking de l’Esplanade.
Church of Saint Nazaire
The Church of Saint Nazaire is one of Sanary-sur-Mer’s most beautiful landmarks, located right in the port. It was built in the 19th century on the site of the old 16th-century church and features Neo-Byzantine architecture and interesting frescoes added in the early 2000s. If open, be sure to step inside to admire the beautiful interior, artworks, organ, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Entrance is free during opening hours.
Oratories & Chapel of Notre-Dame de Pitié
For one of the best panoramic views of Sanary-sur-Mer, take a scenic 20 minute walk from the Church of Saint Nazaire to the Chapel of Notre-Dame de Pitié. This uphill walk follows the “Rise of the Oratories”, a historic pilgrimage route marked by 8 stations of the cross and 4 ancient oratories. While the path includes some stairs, it’s a fairly easy and rewarding walk.
At the top, you’ll find the small 16th-century Chapel of Notre-Dame de Pitié, once a place of prayer for local fishermen, who would look to it for protection against storms and dangers at sea.
But let’s be honest – the spectacular views over the town, port, and coastline are the true reward! Sit on the bench and soak in the peaceful vibe and spectacular coastal views. Taking an oratories walk is definitely one of the best things to do in Sanary sur Mer!
Tower of Sanary
Tower of Sanary is a 13th-century stone watchtower that once defended the town against pirate attacks and later served as a prison and guardhouse. It’s located right by the port, but actually hidden among the surrounding buildings, not very visible at first glance.
Climb to the terrace for scenic views over the town, and don’t miss the chance to explore the small museum with underwater archaeological artifacts.
Entrance to the Tower of Sanary is free. To check the opening hours visit sanary-tourisme.com website. Keep in mind that access to the terrace depends on weather conditions. You’ll find the entrance doors in the back street.
Sanary old town streets
Sanary sur Mer old town is located just behind the port. It’s a maze of charming streets filled with quaint pastel-hued townhouses with typical Provencal facades, cobblestone streets, cozy little squares, and fountains. The area is also home to boutique shops, art galleries, cafes and restaurants.
The entire area is pedestrian-only, compact, and easy to navigate. Simply wander without a map and you’ll quickly discover every corner and friendly vibe. Exploring the old town is a pure pleasure and without a doubt one of the top things to do in Sanary sur Mer that will leave you enchanted.
Among the streets you’ll also find Frédéric Dumas Diving Museum, a small but interesting museum dedicated to the world of underwater exploration. It honors Frédéric Dumas and Jacques Cousteau, pioneers of scuba diving who lived in Sanary, and showcases the evolution of diving equipment and many interesting historical artifacts. Entrance is free during opening hours.
Town’s gardens
Just a stone’s throw from the port and main parking, you’ll find Sanary‑sur‑Mer’s small but charming town’s gardens. It’s a peaceful green space, perfect for a relaxing break. There you’ll find many benches in the shade of trees, a beautifully restored 19th‑century washhouse, Katyn Memorial monument, and a children’s playground. Entrance is free.
Beaches in Sanary sur Mer
Sanary-sur-Mer is home to several beaches, perfect for a relaxing day by the sea. Known for their calm waters and scenic coastal views, the town’s beaches are ideal for sunbathing, snorkeling, or simply soaking up the southern France sunshine. Whether you prefer a lively, family-friendly beach with full amenities or a quieter, more secluded spot, there’s something for everyone in Sanary.
Plage de Portissol is the most popular beach in Sanary sur Mer, located only about 15 minutes walk from the old town. It’s an arc-shaped, 200 metres long sandy beach with calm, crystal-clear waters and many amenities like lifeguards, toilets, showers, parking, children’s playground, and some restaurants nearby.
Other popular beaches in Sanary include Plage de la Gorguette, Plage de Bonnegrâce, Plage de Beaucours, Plage du Lido, and Plage la Cride.
Spending time on the beaches is one of the top things to do in Sanary sur Mer, especially on a warm, sunny day. But you’re welcome any time of the year!
Markets of Sanary sur Mer
Sanary sur Mer is famous for its open-air markets (yes, there are several of them!) that are taking place in the heart of the village, around the fishing port. Depending on the day, you can visit the daily market (every morning from 8 am to 1 pm), the fish market (Tuesday to Sunday), the lively Wednesday weekly market, and even an artisanal night market during the summer months.
The Wednesday market is the most spectacular of them all, and was even voted the most beautiful market in France in 2018! It spreads throughout the town center and along the waterfront, offering everything from fresh local fruits and vegetables to artisanal cheeses, olives, wines, seafood, clothing, crafts, and souvenirs.
If you enjoy strolling through markets, this is one of the most authentic and fun things to do in Sanary sur Mer, especially if you’re on the hunt for tasty treats or one-of-a-kind souvenirs.
How to get to Sanary sur Mer, France?
Sanary sur Mer is located about 10km from Toulon, 7km from Bandol, 55km from Marseille, 35km from Cassis, and 30km from Hyeres. The most convenient way to get to Sanary is by car, train, or bus.
Where to park in Sanary sur Mer?
In Sanary sur Mer we recommend leaving a car in the town’s main parking lot – Parking de l’esplanade, located just a few steps from the port and the old town.
To Sanary sur Mer by train
You can easily get by train to Sanary sur Mer from many nearby places like Toulon, Marseille, Hyères, Saint Raphael, Avignon, Nice, or Montpellier. To learn more about train connections that interest you visit sncf-connect.com or rome2rio.com website.
Sanary sur Mer train station is located about 3 kilometres from the old town, with regular bus connections or about a 30 minute walk.
To Sanary sur Mer by bus
From some nearby places you can also reach Sanary sur Mer by bus. For example, a trip from Toulon will take about 40 minutes, 10 minutes from Bandol, and 2 hours from Marseille. To learn more about bus connections that might interest you visit rome2rio.com website.
Campings in Sanary sur Mer
If you’re traveling by camper, places like Parc Mogador, Camping des Playes, or Camping Le Rayolet might interest you. They are located in or close to Sanary-sur-Mer.
Things to do in Sanary sur Mer, France – Summing up
Sanary-sur-Mer might not be the most famous place on the French Riviera, but that’s exactly what makes it so special. From exploring the colorful port and old town streets to relaxing on the beaches, this charming town offers a wide range of activities to suit every traveler.
If you’re looking for beauty, authenticity, and a slower pace, Sanary will absolutely deliver. Whether you visit for a few hours or stay for the weekend, it’s the kind of place that invites you to slow down and truly enjoy life.
We hope this guide has helped you discover things to do in Sanary sur Mer, and fall in love with this peaceful French seaside town just as we did. Enjoy your time and don’t be surprised if you find yourself wanting to come back!
Our opinion about Sanary sur Mer
For us, a visit to Sanary sur Mer was a day trip from nearby Bandol, where we lived for a few weeks. We visited it in early November, and during that time, the town was quite lively but mostly with locals going on with their lives and just a handful of other tourists around. Exploring everything we wanted took us about 4 hours.
To be honest, Sanary took us by surprise. Judging by the photos, we expected a beautiful coastal town on the French Riviera, but what we experienced exceeded our expectations. We loved how authentic and peaceful Sanary felt. This town isn’t about rushing from one attraction to another but about savoring the simple pleasures.
We really enjoyed strolling around the port full of colorful boats, admiring the views from the oratories walk, and discovering charming streets of the old town. It doesn’t happen often, but we really felt a connection with Sanary and would love to come back one day for longer.
What we didn’t particularly like was the surprising change of the weather as we wanted to finish our visit with dinner on the beach, but it started to rain! But nothing is lost, next time!
Restaurants, accommodations, and map
Check out various recommended places below.
Where to eat in Sanary-sur-Mer?
Here are your best, high-rated options in Sanary-sur-Mer:
