Tamaris
A timeless bayThe 1001 lives of Tamaris
The Tamaris district, located between the sea and the hills in La Seyne-sur-Mer, was born from the imagination of Michel Pacha, a French naval captain who fell in love with the bay of the same name. At the end of the 19th century, on his return from a trip to Turkey, he set about transforming this marshy area into an upscale seaside resort, complete with luxurious mansions with an oriental flair. Every sunrise on its cornice is a spectacle, a source of inspiration for many artists. In the background, the fishermen’s cottages of the Tamaris shellfish producers give this place a timeless character.
5 good reasons to fall under the spell of Tamaris
- Start the day with an enchanting sunrise over the bay
- Taste the Tamaris shellfish
- Explore the photographic exhibitions at Villa Tamaris
- Soak up the maritime history of Metropolitan France at the Balaguier Museum
- Take part in an informative guided tour of the bay’s history
Un air d’ailleurs
The Tamaris district of La Seyne-sur-Mer is imbued with the oriental influence of its builder, Michel Pacha, through emblematic buildings and the presence of numerous palm trees. Majestic buildings with Moorish accents, such as the current marine biology institute and the former casino, imbue the Tamaris landscape with an exoticism uncommon to Provence.
Tamaris shellfish and fish
Are you intrigued by the small, colorful cabins on stilts in the Tamaris and Balaguier bays? They are those of the few enthusiasts who raise mussels and oysters in Tamaris Bay, open to the open sea, by mechanically reproducing the ocean tide. Seafood lovers, enjoy these subtle-tasting shellfish directly from the producers or on the tables of Provence Méditerranée restaurateurs.
Guided tour Tamaris, the oriental dream
Set against the splendid backdrop of the Bay of Tamaris, you listen to our guide Martin recount the history of this district, a former posh seaside and spa resort built in the late 1800s by Michel Pacha, an orientalist. From original villas to Swiss chalets and Moorish casinos, you’ll discover the facilities created by this genius creator.
Our advice
The small huts on stilts in Tamaris Bay, which provide shelter for fishermen, are not open to the public, except on Heritage Days. You can see them up close when you’re on board the Mistral network’s 18M maritime shuttle, which runs between Les Sablettes and Toulon.
How do I get there?
Getting to the Tamaris district from Toulon couldn’t be easier: from the port of Toulon, board the
line 18M of the Mistral
then get off at the “Ponton Tamaris” stop. This crossing of the Toulon harbor already reveals part of your exotic voyage to Tamaris.
By car, parking spaces are available near the Balaguier museum, along the seafront near the Port du Manteau or in the Parc Braudel parking lot in Les Sablettes.