A 130-hectare nature area, trails through the forest and along boardwalks, and a museum in a former family residence offer different ways to discover La Garde. During your stay, you can focus on nature, walks or heritage. The different trail lengths and approximate durations can help you choose according to the activity you have in mind.
Nature and birdlife at Plan
The Espace nature départemental du Plan covers 130 hectares and is one of the Espaces Naturels Sensibles. It includes a large reed bed, an arboretum and gardens, as well as an observation tower and play and fitness areas. The ponds are home to more than 200 recorded bird species. Together with the observation tower, this variety of birdlife makes the area a natural focus for anyone interested in birds. The arboretum, gardens and other areas offer additional ways to explore the site.
Trails for different timeframes
The Espace nature départemental du Plan has 16 kilometres of trails and a 2.5-kilometre bridleway. Some trails cross open land, while others follow boardwalks over the water. They are accessible to people with reduced mobility. The bridleway is a separate route; together, these details show that the area is not limited to just one way of getting around.
The Chemin des paysages includes marked walking trails through the Forêt du Thouars, offering views of the panoramas around La Garde’s cité du Rocher. Two of the listed routes can be compared by length and time: the Chemin des oliviers vue sur mer is 4.3 kilometres long and takes about one hour. The Chemin du pin parasol sur le toit de La Garde is 5.2 kilometres long, with an estimated duration of around one hour and 15 minutes. If you are choosing between these two walks, you can take both distance and approximate time into account without confusing their different names and destinations.
By the water and exploring heritage
The Sentier sous-marin de l’Anse Magaud lets you discover the seabed in La Garde. To reach it on foot, go from the Magaud roundabout along the Chemin de la Mer to the beaches, then follow the beach to the end of the cove. Check local conditions before setting out. This offers a distinct, sea-focused way to explore, alongside the trails at Plan and in the Forêt du Thouars.
The Musée Jean Aicard-Paulin Bertrand is housed in Les Lauriers roses, a former family residence in La Garde. It holds the designations “Musée de France” and “Maison d’écrivain”. This cultural attraction offers a different focus from the nature areas and walking trails: here, the centrepiece is a museum in a former residence, not another trail or scenic route.
Practical information
The Maison du tourisme in La Garde provides practical information and helps visitors discover the town’s heritage, activities and leisure offerings. If you need specific information for your stay, it is a place to turn to. Visitor services may change, so check the practical information you need to plan your trip. This can help you choose between the nature area, walking trails, seabed and museum according to your interests, without combining the different offerings into a set itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Fayence, Solliès-Pont, Carnoules, Collobrieres, Rians, Ginasservis, Ollioules, Le Lavandou.
Go to the regional travel overview: Var.
