Moving to the Var: discover an exceptional département

The Var: between sea and mountains

A département of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) region, the Var (83) offers an exceptional variety of landscapes: 432 km of Mediterranean coastline, forested hills and hilltop villages.

The main towns

Toulon

The prefecture and the third-largest city in the PACA region, with 180,000 inhabitants. A naval port and a magnificent natural harbour. More affordable than Nice, with real Provençal character.

Fréjus-Saint-Raphaël

A lively seaside resort in the east of the département. Roman heritage in Fréjus, beaches and water sports in Saint-Raphaël.

Hyères

The southernmost town in Provence. A mild climate, the Îles d'Hyères (Porquerolles) and an exceptional setting.

Draguignan

A sub-prefecture in the heart of inland “green Provence”. Quieter and more affordable than the coast.

Saint-Tropez and its gulf

Legendary but expensive! The gulf (Grimaud, Cogolin, Sainte-Maxime) offers more accessible alternatives.

The cost of living in the Var

The Var is gentler on the wallet than the neighbouring Alpes-Maritimes. A few indicative figures, which vary by neighbourhood and with the market:

Property

• Toulon: €2,500 to €4,000 per m²
• Fréjus: €3,500 to €5,500 per m²
• Hyères: €3,000 to €5,000 per m²
• Inland: €2,000 to €3,500 per m²

Renting

• One-bedroom flat (T2) in Toulon: €600 to €800
• One-bedroom flat (T2) on the coast: €700 to €1,000
• One-bedroom flat (T2) inland: €500 to €700

Why settle in the Var?

The strengths

• Some of the most generous sunshine in France
• Beaches and calanques within easy reach
• Lower prices than the Alpes-Maritimes
• Provençal authenticity intact
• Renowned vineyards (Bandol, Côtes de Provence)

Things to bear in mind

• Traffic jams on the coast in summer
• Little public transport outside Toulon
• A car is almost essential

Transport

The A8 motorway

Links the Var to Nice and Marseille. A toll road, but fast.

TER regional trains

The Marseille-Ventimiglia line runs along the coast. Handy for work travel.

Airports

Toulon-Hyères serves Paris and a few other destinations. Nice and Marseille for international connections.

Our tips for moving to the Var

1. Visit in low season to see the “real” face of the region
2. Test the commute in high season
3. Consider inland areas: cheaper and more authentic
4. Book early if you are moving between June and September

From our base in Antibes, AzurMove covers the eastern Var, in particular Saint-Raphaël and Fréjus.