What to do in Rayol Canadel
Located on the Mediterranean coast some 26 km from La Rouillère campsite in the Var, Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer is a small seaside resort of just a few hundred inhabitants, nestled at the foot of the Maures massif. Surrounded by unspoilt nature and breathtaking scenery, it offers plenty to keep nature lovers entertained. Here are our top 5 things to do in Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer during your vacation in the Var.
Visit the Domaine du Rayol
The main reason to visit Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer is to see the sublime Domaine du Rayol. Also known as the Garden of the Mediterranean, the Domaine du Rayol is a 20-hectare protected area where an incredible garden inspired by the most beautiful plants from around the world has been created. These include the Australian garden, the marine garden and the Mediterranean garden. In addition to guided and self-guided tours, workshops are organized on a regular basis. Admission is €14 for adults. Children under 6 enter free of charge, and young people aged 6 to 17 benefit from a reduced rate of €10, as do students and jobseekers.
Walking on the beaches of Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer
What would a vacation in Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer be without long hours spent strolling along the sandy beaches, sunbathing and swimming in the Mediterranean Sea? Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer has 3 beaches: Plage du Canadel, Plage du Rayol and Plage de Pramousquier. The beaches are well-equipped, with nearby restaurants, public toilets, sports fields and children’s play areas. The Rayol and Canadel beaches are supervised in season. The commune was awarded a Blue Flag for the quality of its beaches in 2012.
Climb the monumental staircase
The monumental staircases were built in the 1920s for housing developments of the time. Made of schist from the Maures massif, themonumental staircase at Le Rayol is bordered by low walls containing enormous flower jars. Climbing the Rayol monumental staircase is one of those simple things you have to do on a camping vacation in Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer. At the top, the courageous will be rewarded with a view of the coast and the Golden Isles.
Hike to the Col du Canadel
At an altitude of 269 m, the Col du Canadel offers a panoramic view of the Golden Isles. Several hikes start from Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer and climb up to the Col du Canadel. A beautiful 11 km hike takes you around the commune, starting from the tourist office. The path climbs to the pass, then descends south-west to the Pointe de l’Écuelle and follows the coast to the village. Another hike of the same distance also departs from the tourist office, climbs to the Col de l’Étoile, passes along the Route des Crêtes to the summit of Malabar and then descends via the Col du Canadel. Alternatively, you can climb directly to the pass and then to the summit of the commune, where a flag flies.
Remembering D-Day
August 14 to 15, 1944. This was a key moment in the region’s history, and at Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer 3 sites commemorate this date: a necropolis where the 13 soldiers who died during the military operation are buried, and 2 imposing steles, one of which is located just above the Canadel beach.
