Vineyards and olive groves in autumn

Autumn .

Let us help you discover the best of the Var during autumn. After the summer heat, the gentle autumn weather means you can make the most of the outdoors, the countryside and the region. It's the time for chestnuts, walks, diving, family outings, as well as various events!
Automne dans le var : Les Châtaignes

Chestnuts and the Maures Massif .

This is one of the wildest and oldest lands in Provence. Covered in cork oak and chestnut trees, the Maures mountains offer lovely walks and varied countryside. Discover real gems, such as the magnificent Chartreuse de la Verne.

In places, the chestnut trees cover the mountains in stunning shades of orange.

For a long time, chestnut farming has governed the lives of the mountains and their villages.

Collobrières, a ‘Village de Caractère’, is the chestnut capital. Every autumn, the chestnut is proudly celebrated, just as in other villages in the mountains, such as Gonfaron, La Garde-Freinet, Les Mayons and Pignans.

Further information on chestnuts and the chestnut festivals

More information on the Maures and mountains in the Var

Vacances de la Toussaint dans le Var : randonnée familiale aux Salins à hyères

Outdoor activities .

In the Var, autumn is spent outside, on foot, on horseback, by bike, or even underwater! With sunny days and mild temperatures, you will want to get out and enjoy what nature has to offer. Whether it’s a hiking trail, a mountain bike ride, or even a pony trek, you can get outdoors before winter arrives. For lovers of autumn colours, we recommend walks further inland, through vineyards or in the mountains of Saint-Baume. The Maures Massif also offer stunning colours with their chestnut trees.

Autumn is also the perfect time for scuba-diving. The water temperature is still pleasant, the summer crowds have left, and you will have the sea floor all to yourself! Whether you want to go for a single dive, explore the wrecks, perfect your skills, do a Trimix dive, the possibilities are endless for you to make your dreams come true in the open ocean.

See outdoor activities

See all diving activities

Vacances d’automne dans le Var : le vélorail de Sainte Baume

Amusement and amazement with the family .

During the October half-term holiday, or on a week-end, come and relax with your family. To clear your head, simply get a change of scene. What about staying in the hobbit hole of Bilbo Baggins or Frodo, or even in a treehouse, all in the middle of a miniature donkey sanctuary? In a similar (unexpected) vein, become a train driver with Vélorail de la Sainte-Baume for a great moment together.

Fun and educational, The Museum of the ‘Gueules Rouges’ traces the history of the bauxite mines and the lives of the miners. It will delight the whole family, with its replica mine, built by former miners.
Finally, in terms of outdoor activities, the whole family will love the numerous adventure courses in the trees and zoos, educational farms and other exotic gardens.

See parks

View our selection of family activities.

To filter your search to show only family activities, click on the ‘family’ profile.

Préparation de la fête de l'olivier

Festivals and events .

Traditional festivals and big sporting events, here is our list of autumn activities:

October

  • Chestnut Festivals in Collobrières, Gonfaron, La Garde-Freinet, Les Mayons, Pignans, and in Toulon, Tanneron, Camps-la-Source (some years only).
  • Olive Festival in Ollioules,
  • Gondwana Autumn Festival in the superb Rayol Estate, Mediterranean Garden in Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer,
  • Transhumance Festival in Vinon-sur-Verdon
  • Le Roc d’Azur in Fréjus, the biggest mountain bike festival in Europe!
  • Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, a regatta for modern and traditional yachts 
  • Var Diving Festival
  • Natureman du Verdon in Salles-sur-Verdon – a breath-taking triathlon.

November

  • International Air Festival in Fréjus, aerial kite displays
  • Rallye du Var

December

Winter is coming, but until the 21st December, it’s technically still autumn!

  • ‘Fête du Millèsime’ in Bandol, to try the new Bandol vintages from the end of the summer (1st December)
  • At the beginning of the December are the traditional Provençal Advent festivals, especially the open-air nativity plays (‘pastorales’) in La Cadière d’Azur.
  • Beginning of the Festival of Light in Saint Raphaël.

See calendar