Silversea Luxury Cruises A Sanary

Sanary-sur-Mer, on the coast between Marseille and Toulon, is a lively and picturesque fishing port and perfect sea-side town. Bandol is a popular coastal town and wine growing region in the western part of the Cote d'Azur and to the west of Toulon. Get up close and personal with your guide on walking tours of each of these villages.

Sanary-sur-Mer

Together with your guide, walk from the pier to explore the narrow streets of Sanary and experience the atmosphere of the Provençal Market. Discover the port area and admire the tiny wooden boats.

After some free time for shopping or a stroll around the port, board your coach with your guide for a transfer along the coast to Bandol.

Bandol

Once in Bandol and after an orientation tour, disembark the coach and follow your guide for a stroll through downtown.

Free time will then be given for individual shopping or a stroll around the elegant palm tree alleys.

Re-board your coach for the short 30-minute return to Sanary.

Please note: This walking tour requires a moderate amount of walking for approximately 700m (.45 miles) over paved and unpaved surfaces with some inclines in the villages. This tour is not recommended for guests with limited mobility or those who utilise a wheelchair. We recommend wearing comfortable clothing, walking shoes and sun protection.

Discover this region's most picturesque villages, revel in the sweet scents of aromatique plants and savour a delicious gourmet lunch and sample some of the wines of Provence on this excursion. Travel to two different villages and step back in time and learn of their history.

From the pier, board your coach for a scenic ride past villages, vineyards, and olive groves to the charming hilltop village of Le Castellet.

Le Castellet

On arrival, enter the village through a fortified gate and embark on a walking tour that takes you past the 16th-century chateau, Romanesque church, and meticulously restored stone houses that line the village squares. You'll also have time to browse the local handicraft shops and art galleries. Enjoy a light snack accompanied by local wines.

La Cadiere

Re-board your coach for a short drive to La Cadiere, a medieval village perched on the edge of a cliff opposite the described village of Le Castellet. It benefits from a panorama that goes right to the shores of the Mediterranean, weather conditions permitting. The village is surrounded by pine forest and overlooks the renowned and famous Bandol vineyards.

After a short visit of La Cadiere and some free time for shopping or self-exploration, you will enjoy a gourmet lunch in the Hostellerie de Berard (Michelin 1-star rated).

After lunch, you will be returned to the pier via your motor coach on an approximate 30-minute ride.

Please note: This tour requires a moderate amount of walking for approximately 1000m (.62 miles) over paved and unpaved surfaces with some inclines in the villages. This tour is not recommended for guests with limited mobility or those who utilise a wheelchair. We recommend wearing comfortable clothing, walking shoes and sun protection.

Explore one of the region's most picturesque villages and sample some of the wines of Provence on this excursion to the medieval village of Le Castellet. The village retains its fortified look with sections of the ancient ramparts still intact and the streets are cobblestone with quaint little houses.

From the pier, board your coach for a scenic ride past villages, vineyards, and olive groves to the charming hilltop village of Le Castellet.

Le Castellet

On arrival, enter the village through a fortified gate and embark on a walking tour that takes you past the 16th-century chateau, Romanesque church, and meticulously restored stone houses that line the village squares.

Have time to browse the local handicraft shops and art galleries.

Domaine de Souviou Winery

Re-board your coach and drive to Domaine de Souviou Winery, whose history dates back 1,000 years. Nestled in a well-protected valley by the Sainte Baume Massif, the estate today encompasses roughly 126 acres (51 hectare), including the famous "caves," or cellars where the wine is stored.

Enjoy a tour culminating in the winery's special tasting room, where you can sample some gougasse (local bread made with olives, nuts, or rosemary) accompanied by local wines.

After the wine tasting, re-board your coach for the approximate 30-minute return to the pier.

Please note: This walking tour requires a moderate amount of walking for approximately 1000m (.62 miles) over paved and unpaved surfaces with some inclines in the village. This tour is not recommended for guests with limited mobility or those who utilise a wheelchair. We recommend wearing comfortable clothing, walking shoes and sun protection.

Learn the secrets of Provençal cuisine when you travel to the "Bastide des Saveurs" for a cooking class with the star-rated Chef René Bérard. René will issue you a chef's hat upon arrival and then make your way to an unforgettable experience, walk to the garden where you will discover and gather various herbs, medicinal plants, fruits and vegetables.

Depart the pier for an approximately 1-hour drive to the picturesque village of La Cadière d'Azur, located in the middle of the Bandol vineyards.

La Cadière d'Azur

Upon arrival you will visit a typical Provencal house that is surrounded by beautiful vegetable gardens and olive trees. Discover the house is tastefully decorated with antiques and mural paintings by local artist Pascal Cessou.

Meet the renowned Chef René Bérard, or his son Jean-Francois, who will greet you and escort you on a walking tour of the property and manicured grounds. This Maitre Cuisinier de France owns a small hotel/restaurant in the nearby village and has been awarded 1-star by Michelin for the quality of his cuisine. After donning a toque and apron, assist the chef in preparing several Provencal recipes and share in their knowledge and passion for cooking.

Following this unforgettable culinary experience, proceed to the outside terrace for an apéritif (a glass of rose) accompanied by tapenade and anchoïade, two specialties you have just helped prepare. Enjoy your lunch at a table under the shaded vine arbour (weather permitting) with the chef.

Re-board the coach for the approximately 1-hour return back to the ship.

Please note : This tour requires a moderate amount of walking for approximately 100m (110 yards) around the grounds of the venue and periods of standing in the kitchen. This tour is not recommended for guests with limited mobility or those who utilise a wheelchair. We recommend wearing comfortable clothing and shoes as well as sun protection.

Positioned on the Mediterranean coast, Sanary-sur-Mer is 13km (8 miles) from Toulon and 49km (31 miles) from Marseille with beautiful beaches and a lively atmosphere. Its climate is sublime and with approximately 280 days of sunshine, Sanary is possibly the sunniest place in France making it an attractive resort all year round. Explore Sanary on foot with your guide and discover all this beautiful port has to offer, including a stop for a local home-made ice cream.

Depart the pier area on foot with your guide and begin to explore the port area as you make your way into the city. This pretty harbour is lined with palm trees and pastel coloured houses and there is a square with a 13th century medieval watchtower.

Sanary-sur-Mer

See the tiny wooden fishing boats the local fisherman call "pointus" and watch the local fishermen as they sell their catch harbourside every morning, directly to the many nearby restaurants. Sanary is considered the birthplace of modern scuba diving and several underwater movie sequences have been filmed in the bay and beyond.

Discover the narrow streets of Sanary and feel the atmosphere of a Provençal Market (AM departure only). Open every morning under the plane trees outside the town hall with a wonderful display of flowers, fresh local fruit and vegetables, this is a true taste of France.

The beaches of Lido, Portissol and Bonnegrace are the most popular with families because they are sandy whereas La Cride, Beaucours and Roc Amour are smaller with a rocky coastline and have pebbles. The Esplanade beach is centrally located and it gets very busy due to its proximity to the town centre.

Enjoy some free time for shopping or stroll around the port where you will have the opportunity to taste a local home-made ice cream.

Free time is given again after your local degustation and you may return to the pier area and your ship at your leisure.

Please note: This tour requires a moderate amount of walking for approximately 700m (.45 miles) over cobblestones, some streets with inclines and a few steps. This tour takes place entirely on foot and therefore would not suitable for guests with limited mobility or guests confined to a wheelchair. We recommend wearing comfortable clothing, walking shoes and sun protection.