882 stone steps, a beach cove divided into two sections and a guided snorkeling activity give Rayol-Canadel-Sur-Mer a distinctive coastal character. The places and activities also differ considerably in their form and focus.

Beaches and the Underwater World

Plage du Rayol is a cove with two beaches, white sand and crystal-clear water in an unspoiled, protected setting. Posidonia seagrass meadows stretch across the seabed at Plage du Canadel, where fish can be found. Both the beach landscape and the underwater world are coastal attractions to consider when planning your trip.

The Sentier sous-marin is a guided snorkeling activity in Baie du Figuier that starts from the beach. It passes through Posidonia seagrass meadows, over sandy seabeds and alongside rocky seabeds. Various marine animals can be found in the rocky areas, but specific sightings are not guaranteed. The activity is seasonal. If you would like to include it in your stay, check the available dates before your trip.

Natural Surroundings, Trails and Views

The Domaine du Rayol is a protected natural area owned by the Conservatoire du littoral. It comprises 13 hectares of maquis and 7 hectares of landscaped areas. The Domaine offers guided tours every day; the seasonal program may vary. If a tour is important to your plans, check the program before your visit.

The Voie Verte was created along the route of an abandoned railway line. Walkers can discover the coastline, rocks and plant life there, as well as the Îles d’Or and some beautiful early-20th-century houses. The orientation table at Col du Canadel offers a different perspective: it can be reached via the ridge trails from Le Drapeau and provides views of the Îles d’Or and the Massif des Maures. The trails described also differ in what they highlight along the way: the Voie Verte features, among other things, the coastline and plant life, while Col du Canadel offers views of the islands and mountains.

Stairs, Buildings and Remembrance

The Escalier monumental descends from Le Drapeau to the beach and consists of 882 stone steps made from local slate. Along the way, there are numerous panoramic viewpoints and balconies overlooking the Mediterranean and the Îles d’Or. Halfway down the stairs is Patec, a round pergola made of reinforced concrete and slate. Original stone slabs are still visible in some places. Along with its destination at the beach, the stairs, viewpoints and pergola give this route its own architectural character.

The memorial sites also tell different aspects of the story. Chapelle Notre Dame du Rosaire au Canadel was built in 1962 on the site of the former Canadel railway station. It commemorates the landing of the African Commandos on the night of August 14–15, 1944. The nearby Nécropole contains the graves of 13 French soldiers from the Texier Commando who died during the 1944 landings in Provence. The chapel and the Nécropole therefore relate to the same historic landing, while each has its own memorial significance.

Another perspective on the history of architecture can be found at Villa Rayolet. The historic building was listed as a historic monument in 1994 and is considered a rare example of bourgeois seaside and holiday architecture from the 1940s. Together with the monumental staircase and Patec, it adds an architectural theme to the historic memorial sites: the development of seaside and holiday architecture.

Discover more destinations: Bras, Flassans-Sur-Issole, Taradeau, Montfort-Sur-Argens, Cabasse, Le Cannet-Des-Maures, Regusse, Le Beausset.

See the overview of destinations in the wider area: Var.