What to see and what to do by going to visit Saint-Laurent-du-Var? Mini-guide of visits to the gates of Nice!
Nice border town, visit Saint-Laurent-du-Var and its splendors will give you a full view of it. With 29.067 inhabitants spread over an area of 10,11 km2, Saint-Laurent-du-Var is a small strip of land in charge of history: founded in the 11th century, the commune endures through the centuries the heights of its geographical, political and social situation (floods, invasions, epidemics and wars).
Visiting Saint-Laurent-du-Var is to explore a section of the History of France: the city is a border of France until 1860, when the County of Nice is attached to the country. Saint-Laurent-du-Var offers its visitors the charm of an authentic village of Provence, the possibility to escape easily to the mountain or to soak its feet in the water, and to enjoy the animation of a seaside resort open to the great blue.
So here's our list of essential things to do in Saint-Laurent-du-Var.
1. Old town
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Margarita Hintukainen
A must-see in the old city to visit Saint-Laurent-du-Var: the Romanesque church of the 11th century, a small jewel of lombard Romanesque art.
A walk in the old city will impregnate you with the history and local traditions of Laurentines. For through the centuries, Saint-Laurent-du-Var lived with citrus culture and horticulture. Join the Laurentine fauna in the three markets of the city: that of the Hôtel-de-Ville, that in front of the nautical centre and Cap 3000, and that of the station.
A true tradition of social institution in Provence, open-air markets mix colours, scents and local fresh products. We find in the city charms, scents and bright colors of Provence: fruits, vegetables, meats and local cheeses, orchards of lemongrass, oranges and olive trees!
As you continue your walk, go up the heights to the Pugets forest to enjoy a splendid view of the bay of the Angels.
2. The Pugets Forest
Photo credit: Saint-Laurent-du-Var
If you love nature corners, this green setting on the heights of the city will be wonderful. The opportunity to offer a refreshing walk in the shade of pines, and under the scarcely of the cicadas in the summer. Follow the banks of the Var along the boulevard Georges Pompidou, then follow avenue Jean Aicard to the Pugets forest. Many hiking trails to enter the forest are scattered along the road.
3. The ornithological zone
By going to visit Saint-Laurent-du-Var, do not miss the Petite Camargue, between Cap 3000 and the estuary of Var (and Nice airport). Did you say little Camargue? But no, the Camargue is between the Gard and the Bouches-du-Rhône... Well there, it is a wet area made of small marshes where 270 species of wild birds recorded live freely. This site is a meeting place for migratory and aquatic birds, and for this reason, the Var estuary has been classified as a "hunting and wildlife reserve". Free, the park is open all year round.
4. The beaches of Saint-Laurent-du-Var
Photo credit: Flickr – blink+
Saint-Laurent-du-Var doesn’t have much coastline, but still has four beaches:
- La plage Cousteau, along the eponymous promenade of Jean-Yves Cousteau (1910-1997),
- Landsberg beach, next to the nautical centre,
- But also the beach of Blue Flots, a guarded beach,
- The ex Maona beach.
Along the coastline of the laurentines, including the Blue Flots promenade and the Goelands esplanade, you will find many places of exit and restoration. Ideal for a meal or a drink on the seafront. Restaurants, pubs, clubs open their doors both day and night.
5. A coastal trip
Photo credit: Shutterstock – elinaxx1v
Visiting Saint-Laurent-du-Var is also enjoying the coastline. Indeed, the Azurean coast offers very nice boat excursions, like the Lérins Islands , the Gulf of Napoule or the Cape of Antibes .
It would be a shame not to rent a boat , and so do not enjoy the idyllic setting of the Riviera.
How to get to Saint-Laurent-du-Var?
Saint-Laurent-du-Var is only separated from Nice by the Var. So you can easily go from Nice by bike for example. To find cheap flights to Nice, you can search our partner's website Skyscanner .
Where to stay in Saint-Laurent-du-Var?
You can find a cheap hotel in Saint-Laurent-du-Var by doing a search on this Compare hotels .
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