Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, France

Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer is a French commune located at the western limit of the department of Var in the region Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. It is part of the urban community of Sud Sainte-Baume. Its inhabitants are called the Saint-Cyriens. It neighbours La Ciotat to the west, Bandol to the east and La Cadière-d’Azur to the north. In addition to Saint-Cyr itself, the commune includes the villages of Les Lecques, a port and beach resort, and La Madrague, a small port.

Agriculture and tourism are important industries in the area. Fruit, vegetables, olives and wine are produced in the commune and both Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer and Les Lecques have markets. Tourist attractions include the sandy beach at Les Lecques, the coastal footpaths and the Musée de Tauroentum, a museum which displays artifacts from the Roman site of Tauroentum.

The town square of Saint-Cyr contains a replica of the Statue of Liberty donated by Frédéric Bartholdi, sculptor of the original. It was also the Team Base Camp for the Turkish national football team for the UEFA Euro 2016

History
The hills to the south of the Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer valley have been populated since prehistoric times, as evidenced by the stone flints discovered on the site of the Tauroentum museum and the spaces occupied in the Neolithic era on Gache hill. Excavations reveal intense activity in Roman times. These excavations were conducted at the xvii th century. Witness to the past and guardian of heritage, the Tauroentum museum is one of the jewels of Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer. Built on the remains of a villa Maritima, it houses three black and white mosaics in the i st century and a house floor Tombwhich attest to the richness of this ancient Roman residence. Excavations have unearthed glassware, funeral lamps, coins and rare objects like twisted columns of white marble of the i st and ii th century. It is thanks to the association of the Friends of Tauroentum created in 1927 that the site will be saved. Listed museum, controlled since 1969, this site bears witness to the long history of Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer.

The museum bears the name of Tauroentum insofar as the Villa Maritima has long been taken for the Massaliote counter of Tauroentum. Archeology has shown that Tauroentum is actually located in Brusc.

The town of Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer broke away from the town of La Cadière-d’Azur in 1825.

The town of Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer has on its Place Portalis one of the four exact replicas of the Statue of Liberty in France, in reduced model, whose signature of Bartholdi on the base attests to the authenticity. Inaugurated in Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer in 1913, it is offered by Anatole Ducros, a great owner of Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer. It measures 2.50 m, the length of the index finger of that of New York, entirely in cast iron and covered with a thin golden layer.

The June 21, 2015took place the elevation of the relics of Saint Cyr and Saint Julitte, patron saints of the parish. The relics of these two holy martyrs have returned to their respective reliquaries.

Agriculture
Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer is an agricultural commune. They grow early fruits and vegetables, olive trees and especially vines, the town is part of the Côtes de Provence AOC Bandol appellation.

Tourism
The Domaine de la Castille, hotels and restaurants. It is also a seaside and tourist resort. With its beaches (large Lecques and Madrague beach), its creeks (Port d’Alon cove) where scuba diving is practiced.

Culture heritage
Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer is packed with cultural delights for discover.

Villa Maritima
Take a trip back in time by discovering the ruins of one of the last examples of a Villa Maritima (maritime villa). Simply stroll through the gardens of Tauroentum Museum, close your eyes, and let your imagination do the rest. The magnificent “seaside estate” of the Villa Maritima is a rare site in the region, more accustomed to inland “villae” (villa rustica). In summer, come along as a family, a couple or by yourself and play at being Romans on night-time visits.

Sébastien Art Centre
The Sébastien Art Centre is located in a former caper factory converted into an art gallery, where you can admire the work of Gabriel Sébastien Simonet, known as “Sébastien” and visit temporary exhibitions of contemporary art all year round. A highly anticipated event: the prestigious International Biennale of Watercolours, featuring international artists.

The Statue of Liberty
One of the three replicas of the American statue. Donated to the town by Anatole Ducros, a wealthy Saint-Cyr landowner, it surmounts the fountain erected to commemorate the completion of work introducing a water supply to the locality. It was sculpted by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and bears his signature.

Religious heritage
Saint-Cyr-Sainte-Julitte church and its bell from 1784. The church also has relics of the young saint and his mother.
Memorial: war memorial, pedestal and bust.

Provencal village
Recognised as one of the Most Beautiful Localities in France, Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer, is the ideal place to enjoy a wonderful holiday and experience the Provencal lifestyle. Life is good here, and you’ll be charmed by the village spirit. Drinking an apéritif under the plane trees on Place Portalis, then dining with friends as the sun goes down over Les Lecques bay…Heading out to sea, going on a hike to discover creeks and inlets, or pushing your boundaries with an introduction to wakeboarding or diving…Treating the whole family to an ice cream by the seaside, or enjoying an outdoor concert on a warm summer evening together as a couple…

Markets
Pay a visit to the Sunday market, producers market or summer market at La Madrague port, browse the fruit and vegetable stalls where Provence truly comes to life, and come home with everything you need for the day.

Other heritages
Archaeological site.
The Gallo-Roman Museum Tauroentum is built on the remains of the villa Maritima, dating from Roman times, the i st century AD.
The little cousin of the Statue of Liberty of New York: a golden mini-replica installed in 1903, Place Portalis.
Sébastien Art Center, rehabilitated industrial wasteland, now invested in Contemporary Art.
The Dolphin Fountain.

The Surroundings
There is so much to discover around Saint-Cyr.

The creeks of Cassis
Saint-Cyr benefits from a privileged location, just 2o kilometers from the famous Calanques of Cassis: Breathtaking views, hiking and swimming in the crystal clear water. Depart from Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer for a discovery tour of the creeks of CASSIS and MARSEILLE, a site classified as French natural heritage with the boat Atlantis.

Hilltop villages:
Art of living and nature rub shoulders in the hilltop villages of the hinterland.
La Cadière d’Azur: small Provençal village 8 km from Saint Cyr sur Mer, exceptional viewpoint over the region.
Le Castellet medieval village, its privileged location offers breathtaking views of the region, alleys and artisans will charm you.
Le Beausset small village, typical of the hinterland, big market on Friday morning, alleys and old buildings to discover.
Evenos: Evenos la Belle reveals itself through its old stones and its majestic landscapes (evenos.fr website).

Natural heritage
Rich in natural spaces, Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer promises beautiful moments of discovery. Hidden beauties, exceptional sites, colorful trails or a plated wind turbine. By bike, by car or on foot you can admire the richness and variety of the natural spaces of Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer, but also take advantage of this light so particular to our beautiful region.

The avenue of plane trees in Lecques famous for the bacchanalia which were organized there in the 1970s.
The vineyard trail.
The Frégate estate, home to the Frégate golf course, a wine estate and an old private palm grove where six hundred-year-old Chilean coconut palms are still cultivated.
The development of Les Lucquets includes many masterpieces of modern architecture. Aisles: Vines, Plane trees, etc.
Endemic animal of the Var cited by Buffon, the Badger of the sands, the last specimen of which was seen in the town of Saint-Cyr in 1949.

The tackled wind dune
A unique landscape phenomenon in the region. Formed for centuries, by the action of the mistral, which came to lay down on the side of the hill grains of sand from Lecques beach, the visible sand flow at Nartette is in fact the spillway of the primary flow which located on the other side of the hill. On this dune, there is a particular vegetation, adapted to the environment, and unfortunately in danger, the dune not being any more fed with sand, and undergoing a strong natural and anthropic erosion. So that future generations can always benefit from this sensitive landscape, awareness-raising and channeling actions are put in place that we obviously invite you to respect with civility.

The Natura 2000 site
The objective of this network is to promote the maintenance of European biodiversity, while taking account of local socio-economic and cultural activities. In Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer, the Natura 2000 Pointe Fauconnière site covers 764 hectares (including 232 hectares at sea)

Nartette estate
The 17 hectares of vineyards of the Domaine de Nartette are exploited by a viticulturalist approved by the Conservatoire du littoral and the City of Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer. The harvest vinified in a wine cooperative, produces wines certified AB (from organic farming) and PDO Bandol, in the three colors (red, rosé and white). About 450 olive trees are maintained and exploited under management by agents of the City of Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer. The oil extracted in an olive-growing cooperative is offered for tasting during events on the site.

The posidonia herbarium
An endemic species in the Mediterranean, posidonia is a flowering marine plant. As a key species, fundamental to the food chain, this aquatic plant plays several key roles in underwater biodiversity, including providing protective shelter for various plant and animal species, producing oxygen, and helping to prevent coastal erosion.

Running continuously along the coast at Pointe Fauconnière, the herbarium begins at the edge of the coastal cliffs and rocks and continues down to a depth of around 30 metres. Having its primary habitat within this site and being particularly sensitive to mooring, a significant awareness-raising campaign has been conducted on its behalf among recreational sailors and professional seafarers, to encourage everyone to help ensure its preservation.

The vineyards
Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer is one of the 8 Var municipalities of the AOP Bandol. A human-sized appellation of 1600 hectares of vineyards. Sixty wineries and estates produce unique wines in limited quantities around an extraordinary grape variety, Mourvèdre, with a strong temperament and sublimated by exceptional natural conditions.

At the bend of a country road, in the Saint-Cyrien hinterland, you will certainly be driven by the curiosity to know more about this demanding grape variety requiring careful care. Come and meet our passionate winegrowers, knowing the vine, of the soil, the demand for quality, and listen to them talk about this know-how.

Domains, cellars and castles streak along the Bandol wine route and will give you the best welcome. The expression of the terroir and the “Bandol know-how” come in three colors: reds, a reference, rosés, the charm of conviviality and whites of rare refinement.

The vineyard walk
A walk exploring land and sea, inviting you to discover traditional human activities. You will adore the varied landscapes of this two-kilometre themed circuit. A delightful walk will take you from La Madrague to Port d’Alon, discovering the rich local heritage and traditional cultures. Learn all about the Nartette Estate, vineyards and olive trees, the Aeolian dune or “sandy hill”, wild orchids or Mediterranean fauna: six information panels are dotted along this themed path. From exploring agricultural, built and natural heritage to discovering the incredible Mediterranean scenery, you will be amazed by the splendours of this unusual path, certified in 2013 as a “High Quality Var Route” by Var General Council.

The beaches
Feet in a wave on a stretch of fine sand or isolated in an intimate cove, swings between activity or idleness. Family, secret or wild beaches, you will be seduced by the diversity of the beaches of Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer. In addition to the leisure and rest area, the beach is also a great playground for the multitude of nautical and sports activities offered in Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer.

Furnished and lively, the Lecques beach and the Madrague beach offer all the comfort in the immediate vicinity. Children can dream of being pirates on the playgrounds or slide on the waves, the older ones, can learn Surfing or discover the Stand-up paddle, while you work on your tan.

Lecques beach
With its sublime stretch of sand of almost 2 km and its postcard view, this beach invites you all year round to share the mildness of its Mediterranean climate. An exceptional natural heritage, the Bay of Lecques is surrounded by wooded hills and remarkable landscapes. Shallow waters, a wide sandy beach, restaurants and beach attendants and leisure areas: Lecques beach is ideal for the whole family. Sports facilities and games for children promise lots of fun for young and old. As for lovers of the sea, you will be spoiled for choice. Sailing, diving, sea kayaking, surfing, paddle boarding, wake boarding, jet skiing, parasailing, water skiing or towed buoys: Les Lecques beach offers many nautical activities.

Madrague Beach
More intimate than the Lecques, this small sandy beach located next to the port of Madrague also offers a remarkable view of the bay. A true haven of peace, it offers a wooden pedestrian walkway that allows you to reach the Brameou cove sheltered from the wind. Madrague beach is undoubtedly a paradise for children: with its children’s play area, the site is the ideal place to play captains on board! And for those who prefer the little mermaid, go to the belvedere which offers an exceptional panorama of the gulf. Supervised in season, the Madrague beach has no shortage of nautical activities.

Alan harbor cove
Located between Saint-Cyr and Bandol, this wild cove is a stopover of greenery and freshness ideal for nature lovers. It is one of the starting points for the coastal path. Its banks shaded by pines welcome walkers on rocks heated by the sun. With its sixty meters of sandy and pebble beach, this cove promises lovely moments of swimming. For the more adventurous, an underwater path allows you to discover the underwater flora and fauna accompanied by an eco-guide of the sea.

Reinette beach
Accessible from the port of La Madrague, this beach invites you to rest and relax. Rocks and cliffs plunging into the sea, facing the bay and Sainte Baume, this wild site will appeal to lovers of beautiful panoramas.

The ports
Contemplate the shades of blue, hear the rattling of the masts, the lapping of the water on the hulls, three ports line the Saint-Cyrien coastline.
You can admire the beauty of the new port, greet the boaters of the old port and stroll along the Lecques beach to finally discover the small traditional port of Madrague…

The new port of Lecques
A picturesque stopover on a human scale, this 200-seat port has places for visitors. It is managed by the New Port des Lecques company.

The old port of Lecques
Just a few meters from Lecques beach, next to the new port, the old Lecques port is a real picturesque stopover on a human scale: 200 places are reserved there to welcome visitors.

The port of Madrague
Make no mistake, you will not be able to see Brigitte there, however, this small intimate port, with its small colorful boats is a real invitation to serenity. You can come across some professional fishermen or admire some species from the region thanks to the small aquarium installed on site.

The coastal path
From the cliffs, the path offers unbeatable views over Cap Sicié and Riou archipelago. In the footsteps of customs men of years gone by. Follow the shoreline and take the time to walk this path which connects the little port of La Madrague with Bandol. Discover the preserved natural environment and savour the aromas of iodine and pine. Follow in the footsteps of customs men of years gone by and enjoy unbeatable views from the cliffs over Cap Sicié and Riou archipelago. Along the steep-sided paths you will discover the typical seaside scenery of the region, amid Aleppo pines, holly oaks, agaves and Barbary fig trees.

The Golden Islands
A few minutes from Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer, discover the golden islands: Porquerolles and its paradisiacal beaches, the Levant, naturist paradise or Port Cros, the first national marine park.