Hiking retreats in the Var
la mer à pied, le silence en plus
We’ve already had the chance to host several hiking groups, and the same comments come back every time on their return: the diversity and beauty of the trails, the pleasure of walking by the sea or with the Mediterranean as a backdrop, and the pleasure of gathering together over a meal or a drink to relive the day’s walk.
This is the experience we invite you to share.
A Provençal Mas
15/20 Guests
Accès
TGV 12km, Airport 15min
Peaceful Surroundings
No noise disturbance
Base Camp
Coastal paths, hills and islands
Sea & Hills
Numerous trails nearby
On Site
Comfort & Wellbeing
More than a group gîte: a family home for your hiking retreats
Between forested hills and the Mediterranean, Le Mas de la Gavaresse has been our family home for five generations. Once a wine estate, this carefully restored Provençal mas, surrounded by a large Mediterranean garden, combines authentic charm, comfort and serenity, in complete privacy. We know how much a comfortable base matters after a day’s walking: the House, its terraces and its garden give your group a place to gather on return, put down their packs, and enjoy real rest before setting off again the next day.
Easy access for groups travelling from afar
Toulon station, with TGV and regional connections from Paris and other major French cities, is just twelve kilometres away.
Toulon-Hyères airport, a quarter of an hour from the Mas, runs a seasonal direct flight to London — handy for our British guests — alongside domestic connections to Paris, Nantes, Brest and Lille.
For international groups, Nice and Marseille airports open up further options, with numerous direct European connections.
A peaceful estate, ideal for unwinding after the effort
We’ve chosen a place free of noise disturbance — no amplified music, no loud entertainment — a choice that makes full sense after a day of walking: quiet mornings to calmly prepare the day’s route, evenings to unwind, talk and enjoy a shared meal, before setting off to explore other trails the next day.
A base camp for the finest trails in the Var
The Mas is ideally located between Toulon and Hyères, within the buffer zone of the Port-Cros National Park, in an area that offers a great diversity of terrain for hikers: coastal paths accessible on foot from Le Pradet, wooded hills of the Colle Noire, the iconic peaks above Toulon, and the Giens peninsula just a few kilometres away.
And just a short boat ride away, the Golden Isles — Porquerolles and Port-Cros — offer a rare hiking experience so close to the mainland: the crossing from La Tour Fondue is all it takes to reach trails unlike anywhere else in the Mediterranean.
Over several days, this makes it possible to combine gentle family walks by the sea with more demanding routes in the surrounding hills — without ever straying far from the Mas.
Sea, hills and heritage: your trails from the Mas
Groups who have stayed at the Mas have each put together their own route, between coastline, hills and hinterland, from easy to more challenging:
The Pradet coastal path (Oursinières – La Garonne, extendable to Les Bonnettes and Monaco): 3 to 8.7 km, easy, overlooking coves and Toulon’s bay.
The Colle Noire loop: around 12 km, moderate difficulty, through vineyards, the former Cap Garonne mine, and the historic forts of la Gavaresse and la Colle Noire.
The Giens peninsula coastal path: 6 to 18 km depending on the loop, moderate, wild coves and views of Porquerolles.
The Cap Sicié massif and Notre-Dame du Mai: from an easy 1h30 family outing to the full 12 km loop with 968m of elevation gain, for experienced hikers seeking 360° views over the bay.
Mont Faron, above Toulon: 6 to 13 km, past 17th-century forts, with an exceptional view over one of Europe’s finest natural harbours.
Mont Coudon and the Gaoutabry dolmen: 7 to 11 km, easy to moderate, through garrigue scrubland to a prehistoric megalith with views of the Golden Isles.
The coastal path from L’Argentière to Fort de Brégançon: 9 to 18 km round trip, moderate, past AOC Côtes de Provence vineyards, fine sandy beaches, and views of Port-Cros.
There’s plenty of choice: every retreat can build its own route, between sea, hills and heritage.
Equipment available on site
We don’t currently have technical hiking equipment on hand, but we’re happy to discuss it. What we can guarantee is comfort on your return: quality bedding, comfortable seating in the House, and outdoor hammocks for a proper break before or after your walk. We remain available for any logistical question or specific need to plan ahead of your stay.
Rates
from €28 /person/night
Full privatisation of the mas, 15 to 20 people, mid-season.
Tailored to your group
Every group has its own constraints — timings built around the cool of the morning or the evening light, trail choices depending on weather, group level or the mood of the day, mixed fitness levels to manage on the same route, specific dietary needs for shared meals on your return… Let’s talk directly: we’ll do everything we can so that logistics are never a limit on your programme, offering the best possible arrangements for your shared meals, whether catered or with a private chef able to adapt to specific dietary requirements.
Solo hiker or group leader
Whether you’re looking for a stopover to build into your route, or a place to privatise for a whole group
