Promenade
Walk the palm-lined seafront between the beach and the port.
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Plage du Lavandou (Grande Plage)
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One of 178 Things to Do in France
In short
The Grande Plage is Le Lavandou's main town beach, a long stretch of sand beside the centre and port, looking toward the islands of Port-Cros and Le Levant. The tourist office calls it the family beach, and its gentle water suits young children. Access is free at any time, with lifeguards in summer only. Half a day here sits easily with lunch in town.
The Grande Plage du Lavandou is the main town beach of Le Lavandou, a resort on the Var coast between Hyères and Saint-Tropez. It lies right against the town centre and the port, faces south-east toward the islands of Le Levant and Port-Cros, and suits families with young children. The tourist office nicknames it "La Familiale".
Shallow water, palms and the first of twelve beaches
The beach is wide, with fine golden sand lined by palm trees. The water stays shallow a long way out, so small children can stand far from the shore. It is the first of the twelve named beaches the tourist office lists along the town's coast, a chain that runs east past Saint-Clair, Aiguebelle, Cavalière and Pramousquier. On days of east wind, windsurfers take over the bay.
Sailing school, kayaks and boat trips to Port-Cros
Beach businesses rent loungers and serve lunch, and a sailing school, canoes and kayaks are on offer. From the port next door, operators run catamaran and boat trips to Port-Cros and Porquerolles, whale-watching outings and fireworks cruises in summer. The palm-lined promenade behind the sand stays in use all year and is a popular walk even when the water is too cold for swimming.
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Le Lavandou Tourist Office, Town centre beach
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Key information
🏖️Beach: Largest town beach, golden sand, gentle slope
🏅Label: Blue Flag
🏝️View: Port-Cros and Le Levant
🎟️Entry: Free, open every day
💰Currency: Euro (€ EUR)
🕕Time Zone: CET (UTC+1) · CEST (UTC+2) in summer
Explore the area
Le Lavandou port 0.3 km
Plage de Saint-Clair 2 km
Plage de la Fossette 3 km
Bormes-les-Mimosas village 5 km
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Plan your visit to Plage du Lavandou (Grande Plage)
Dates, opening hours and how to get there are below. Booking ahead secures your preferred day.
Highlights Include:
Beach
- Gentle slope for young children
- Palm-lined promenade
- Island views
Activities
- Canoe and paddleboard hire
- Beach restaurants
- Boats to the islands from the port
What They Offer
Facilities
First-aid post in summer Mattress hire and food Car park nearby
Accessibility
Accessible with assistance; beach wheelchair available
Visit duration
Half a day
Timed entry required No
Island boats
Boats to Port-Cros, Porquerolles and Le Levant leave from the port in season.
Paddle
Hire a canoe or paddleboard on the beach.
Accessibility
Accessible to wheelchair users with assistance; a beach wheelchair is available. Blue Flag beaches. A disabled access point stands by the town-centre first-aid post; from mid-May to mid-September lifeguards lend a beach wheelchair to visitors with a helper (check with the tourist office).
Age limits
None
What to pack
Swimwear, sun cream
What to wear
Sandals
Not allowed
Littering
Amenities
First-aid post, rentals, restaurants, toilets nearby, car park
Tips for visiting Plage du Lavandou
- Swim in the supervised area in summer.
- Walk the palm lined promenade in the evening.
- Hire a paddleboard for calm morning water.
- Take a boat from the nearby port to Port-Cros for a day trip.
- Explore the smaller coves east of town for quieter swimming.
Driving
Le Lavandou is on the D559 between Hyères and Saint-Tropez. Roadside, port (by the ferry terminal) and Sun car parks are paid April to October; the market car park, about 600 m away, is free.
Public transportation
Coastal buses on the Hyères–Saint-Tropez route stop in Le Lavandou town centre.
Address
The Grande Plage is in the centre of Le Lavandou, next to the port. Bormes-les-Mimosas village is about 5 km inland.
Opening Hours
- MondayOpen 24 hours
- TuesdayOpen 24 hours
- WednesdayOpen 24 hours
- ThursdayOpen 24 hours
- FridayOpen 24 hours
- SaturdayOpen 24 hours
- SundayOpen 24 hours
Last entry: None (open access)
Open every day of the year.
Free access; supervision in summer only.
Special events
No special events on record for Plage du Lavandou (Grande Plage).
Best times to visit
Early morning or late afternoon in July and August; the best spots are taken by mid-morning.
Best days to visit
Weekdays.
Best months to visit
June and September.
Admission tickets
Entry is free.
Plage du Lavandou: free entry
The main town beach of Le Lavandou.
- Free access to the beach
- Rentals paid separately
Admission
Free entry: no ticket or booking is needed.
Visitor policy
Cancellation and prepayment
No booking is needed; access is free.
Children and admission
Gentle slope suits young children; supervised in summer.
Groups
No booking needed.
Pets
Dogs are allowed on the town's beaches only from November to March.
Photography
Personal photography is welcome. Drone flights must follow national drone rules and local restrictions.
Bags
No restrictions.
Smoking
Do not leave cigarette ends on the beach.
Accepted payment
Entry is free.
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Travelers are asking
Yes, boats to the islands leave from Le Lavandou port, next to the beach, in season.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What to know about Le Lavandou's main beach.
General
Yes. The only costs are optional: a hired lounger, a meal or a canoe or paddleboard.
Only from November to March. From April to October dogs are not allowed on the town's beaches.
Saint-Clair, just east of the centre, is calmer and more sheltered; Aiguebelle, further on, is good for snorkelling.
At the market car park, about 600 m from the beach. Spaces along the road, at the port and at the Sun car park are paid from April to October.
Yes. Boats to Port-Cros and Porquerolles leave from the port next to the beach in season.
Yes, the town holds the Blue Flag for its beaches.
Yes, entry to Plage du Lavandou (Grande Plage) is free.
Plage du Lavandou (Grande Plage) is in France. The street address and directions are under How to get there on this page.
Families & accessibility
Yes. The water stays shallow far from the shore, and lifeguards supervise swimming in summer.
Yes, with a helper. There is a disabled access point by the first-aid post, and the lifeguards lend a beach wheelchair from mid-May to mid-September.
The tourist office uses the nickname because the shallow water and services suit families with young children.
Timing & weather
June and September for warm water and fewer people. In July and August, come early in the morning.
Plage du Lavandou (Grande Plage) is open Monday–Sunday: Open 24 hours.
Most visitors spend Half a day at Plage du Lavandou (Grande Plage).
Getting there
You can reach Plage du Lavandou (Grande Plage) by public transport or by car. Both routes are described under How to get there on this page.