NEW – Bungalow rental near Port-Issol beach
Larger View of Sanary-sur-Mer and Ollioules Area
Sanary-sur-Mer
- Frederic Dumas Historical Diving Museum – Video
- Map of residences of German and Austrian artists and intellectual exiled (1933-1945)
A unique place in Provence coast is the little fishing town of Sanary-sur-mer. Its climate, location, history, culture, and lifestyle make it an ideal choice to start discovering the coast of Provence.
Sanary – Facts of interest
- Greeks and Romans had trading posts in the gulfs around Sanary-sur-mer. The surrounding beaches are rich in archeological vestiges and ruins (iex::Port Issol)
- Intellectual and artists took refuge in Sanary-sur-mer between 1st and 2nd world wars – B. Brecht, T. Mann… lived in still existing houses in Sanary-sur-mer. Other famous english writers have spent time in Sanary. Among them, Aldous Huxley who wrote Brave New World (1932) in 4 months in La Gorguette area in Sanary-sur-mer
- Sanary is considered as the birthplace of modern scuba diving and underwater movies. F. Dumas, P. Tailliez and J.Y Cousteau, also known as ‘Mousquemers‘, experimented modern scuba diving equipment and made famous underwater movies in the sea around Sanary-sur-mer (Port Issol, Bandol bay).
- Sanary-sur-mer is known for its unique wooden fishing boats “Les Pointus”. From May to September many events allow visitors to sail these boats for free.
- The Sanary Wednesday open market has been elected as the 2018 most beautiful market in France. It is one of the largest in the region. Products include fresh local fruits, vegetable, crafts, clothes, households utensils, furniture…
- Some of the eldest vineyards (dating from Roman empire) can be found in Bandol, Le Beausset, … few miles west of Sanary-sur-mer.
Sanary-sur-mer Resources
Official site of the city of Sanary-sur-mer (French)
Tourist and general information (French)
Sanary-sur-mer local information (French)
Sanary-sur-mer accommodations
Sanary-sur-mer restaurants and cafes
