We will be in Fontvielle for 5 days & would love dip our toes in the Mediterranean..would love small town suggestions too! Info re: La Ciotat, Le Lavandou, Bandol or Cassis appreciated-are they too far? The Calanques sound too complicated to access as day trip. Nontouristy (as much as is possible in August in Provence!) very appreciated-
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10633 posts
If you want non-touristy in August at the seaside while the rest of France is gray and cloudy....pretty tough call. La Ciotat, which is a ship building town, might be the least touristy. The other three charming towns will be more crowded. Could you dip a toe in the Mediterranean Sea in Aigues Mortes or Saintes Maries de la Mer though you said not Carmargue, different from Provence but interesting? By the way, the Calanques are easy to see via a boat ride out of Cassis.
Posted by
Ann Arbor, Mi
3696 posts
One of my favorite places is St. Maxime's on the Med. Although there are tourists there, it is not as bad as some. Wonderful restaurants, shops, and a nice beach. Also, they have a market, but I do not remember what day. I can't remember how far the drive is. Fontvielle is great, I stayed there a few times...very small and quaint, however, don't forget to go to St. Remy for additional choices on restaurants and shopping.
If you do venture further the beach town in the Carmague is very fun...but the drive is long. You might even see the flamingos!