The Perfect Getaway: A long weekend in the South of France
The timeless French Riviera remains a classic long-weekend destination thanks to beautiful beaches, gourmet food, and artisan shopping.
By Joanna Tweedy | May 29, 2025 (Updated October 20, 2025)
Considered one of the world’s most glamorous destinations, the South of France, known locally as Côte d'Azur (the Azure Coast), offers a string of sophisticated beach resorts where people-watching is a favorite sport. Away from the sun-drenched Riviera coastline, find sweeping fields of lavender and medieval towns to spend long afternoons exploring. Shopping ranges from couture boutiques to rustic local markets, while the restaurants serve the region’s most delicious specialties. Here’s a long weekend itinerary to experience the best of it.
Friday
Morning
Once you’ve touched down, head straight for Grand Hotel des Sablettes Plage, Curio Collection by Hilton, which sits on a slim coastal peninsula in the small town of La Seyne-sur-Mer, around 6 miles (9 kilometers) from Toulon, the biggest city nearby and one of the Riviera’s main hubs. The fine, sandy Les Sablettes beach has been wooing tourists since Victorian times. Spend some time enjoying the tranquil garden and waterfront setting of your hotel, which dates to the 19th century.
Afternoon
Next to your hotel, explore Promenade Jean Charcot, a scenic waterfront stretch filled with places to eat or enjoy an afternoon apéritif. Grab your swimsuit and take a dip in the sparkling sea before getting a table on the terrace at beach restaurant La Vague d'Or. Dine on freshly caught seafood and soak up the bay views. This nature-filled coastline is a hotspot for water sports and is always full of life but never too busy.
Evening
Toulon is France’s second-largest naval port and worth a visit for its cable car alone. Take the last ride — around 7:45 pm in summer — and board one of the 1950s-style red cabins to the summit of Mont Faron. There are breathtaking panoramas of the French Riviera, particularly as sunset approaches. Return to the harbor for a table at Michelin-recommended Le Saint Gabriel, which serves up modern takes on Provençal classics.
Saturday
Morning
For a truly relaxing start to your weekend, retreat to the hotel’s Spa NUXE. Across this spacious oasis, you’ll find an inside-outside pool, sauna, hot tub, fitness room, and three treatment rooms. Therapists use products from the Parisian brand Laboratoire NUXE, and they offer a wide range of wellness and beauty treatments to choose from. Enjoy everything from nature-inspired body wraps to invigorating deep tissue massages, then head to the spa’s terrace, where a sun lounger awaits.
Afternoon
Have your concierge book a taxi and take the 25-minute journey inland to spend an afternoon discovering the historical Var region village of Le Castellet. Lose yourself in the traditional Provençal architecture and quaint squares found in this medieval hilltop commune, which has picture-perfect views of the surrounding countryside. Don’t forget your Euros either because there are plenty of shopping opportunities, with boutiques and stalls selling leather goods, ceramics, jewelry, and art.
Evening
Plan for a laid-back evening in Les Sablettes by joining a beach volleyball game or wandering the shoreline barefoot as the sun sets. In the summer, a night market attracts visitors from across the Var region, with stalls set up from 7:30 pm until midnight. It’s a chance to sample French street food, with grab-and-go dishes you can eat on the beach, including savory crepes, bouillabaisse (fish soup), and delicious cheeses and charcuterie.
Sunday
Morning
Venture into La Seyne-sur-Mer, the nearby walled town with a rich shipbuilding heritage. Enjoy harbor views from the top of Pont Levant, a former drawbridge with a 131-foot-high (40-meter-high) viewing platform, then wander the area admiring the colorful street art. A beautiful morning market can be found at Cours Louis Blanc and Place Laïk. Pick up a picnic from the stalls — there are regional breads, cured meats, olives, and cade, a chickpea flour cake that’s a local specialty.
Afternoon
Now that you’ve fueled up with a picnic, why not go for a hike with picturesque seaside views? From your hotel, it’s possible to take both short and longer walks, with Les Sablettes beach leading to the bays, harbor, and pine forests of the Saint-Mandrier-sur-Mer peninsula. Or you can follow the easy coastal path to the soft sands at Saint-Asile beach. Along the way are spectacular views of Toulon harbor and the Cap Sicié massif nature reserve.
Evening
Head back to your hotel for an evening of authentic Southern French seafood at the maritime brasserie of Le Navigateur. Serving up dishes inspired by the ocean in a stylish setting, indulge in oysters, mussels, and the catch of the day from local fishing boats. As the sun goes down, retreat to the restaurant’s terrace for a nightcap and take in views of Rocher des Deux Frères, two sugarloaf-shaped rocks out to sea that are a local landmark.
Monday
Morning
The island of Porquerolles is accessible by private boat year-round, but if you’re visiting between April and October, there’s a daily return cruise from Les Sablettes. Take breakfast with beach views at the hotel’s La Galerie restaurant, then board the 9:30 a.m. crossing. Reaching the island takes one hour and 15 minutes, and the journey is part of the fun. Look back on incredible views of the mainland as you cross the Mediterranean Sea.
Afternoon
Stretching just over 4 miles (7 kilometers) long and about 2 miles (3 kilometers) wide, the hilly island of Porquerolles offers a castaway experience with exceptional beaches and crystal-clear waters. Families and couples will love the chance to explore by bicycle, which can be easily rented, or by hiking any of the island’s 32 miles (51 kilometers) of trails. Come lunchtime, head to Porquerolles harbor for both casual and fine dining options before hopping on the boat back to Les Sablettes.
Until next time
It was famously said that “Paris is always a good idea,” but after a long weekend in Les Sablettes, you’ll see that the South of France is just as magical. With gorgeous hiking trails, picturesque beaches, and fresh seafood, you’ll be itching to return, and there will be plenty more to explore on your next trip.
Joanna Tweedy
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