If you were unfamiliar with the name LE RAYOL-CANADEL up to now, we can guarantee you won't be forgetting it in the near future! If you have the choice, do try and arrive in the village by the hilltops - take the RD27 road next to the international airfield in La Mole and cross this wild and unspoiled area of the Maures Hills via Les Pradels, which separates the valley from the coast.

The road is about 12 km long, wild and little-frequented, except by the rare cyclists who are not afraid of tackling this steep incline. It alternates dense valleys, thick maquis and sheer khaki-coloured rocky spurs. The road winds round the Maures national forest, sometimes crossing old stone bridges - arched just enough to let the stream's trickle of water pass underneath. Don't be fooled by appearances though - in this area, the rare but very heavy and unexpected rainfall causes the local streams to swell into powerful rivers.

In the distance, the hill is bare and is constantly being replanted - on each side of the narrow road, the woods still bear the black wounds of terrible forest fires in recent years. At the foot of the cork oaks, little yellow flowers and soft, cottony purple rockrose peep out from the Winter moss.

Acacias from Australia and Linseed from New-Zealand!

Then suddenly, just when you were lulled into thinking the pretty broom and evergreen forests were going to stretch on forever, you will be amazed to come across one of the Var region's most spectacular coastal panoramas, as the immense Mediterranean Sea literally explodes into view. 180° of divine blue !

Blue blue everywhere! Heart-stopping blue! A blue silk gown on which a few jewels in the form of islands have been delicately sewn! To your left, Cape Lardier. Opposite, a group of lazy little islands basking in the sun, just waiting for you to disembark. To your right, the shores of Pramousquier peninsula and the steep cliffs of Cape Nègre.

In the far distance, two curious fingers of sand linking the town of Hyères to Giens peninsula... It's definitely time to stop the engine. After all, it's not every day you come across a setting like this. What did you say the director's name was? The narrow road leads you gently down nearly to sea level, but there's another surprise to come!... "le Domaine du Rayol, le Jardin des Méditerranées".

The story of these magnificent gardens kicks off in 1910, and involves a Parisian businessman, an Art Nouveau residence and garden, a famous aeronautics engineer called Henri Potez, and some pretty wild parties...

But the brochure will tell you more! Today, the gardens form a sort of natural outdoor exhibition. The "Conservatoire du Littoral" (Botanical Conservatory), which is now the owner, has put the landscape gardener Gilles Clément in charge of restoring and re-designing the site: 12 acres of flora from Mediterranean climates the world over! Mediterranean carob trees, Australian acacias, South African strelitzias, Mexican agaves, Asian bamboo, New-Zealand linseed and Chilean palm trees - all in a truly magnificent setting. A guided tour is a real must - and you can continue your insight into Mediterranean plant and animal life in the adjacent underwater garden in Summer!

Le Domaine du Rayol

Magnificent Mediterranean garden, standing witness to the village's sumptuous past, the "Domaine" offers a fascinating insight into this stretch of the Maures coast at the turn of the 20th century, when the rich built their fabulous houses and vast gardens here. In March 1989, the "Conservatoire du Littoral" (Coastal Preservation Society), whose mission is to buy up stretches of the coast with a view to their future protection, put the landscape gardener Gilles Clément in charge of rehabilitating the "Domaine du Rayol". Here, visitors can discover superb flora from Mediterranean climates the world over - a real round-theworld voyage! Free or guided visit, open all the year every day. Avenue des Belges. Tel: 04 98 04 44 00 - Fax: 04 98 04 44 01.

Walks and mountain-biking

On the green line leading to Cavalaire or Le Lavandou.

A Touch of History

Up to the turn of the century, the coastal areas of the Maures Hills were practically uninhabited, mainly due to their remoteness. However, when the Provençal railway network was set up in 1885, the coast became accessible and the area's current touristic vocation was born. The seaside resort of Rayol, covering around 750 acres, was created when La Mole was extended in 1925 by the "Compagnie d'Entreprise Immobilière ou Terre de France". It includes five quarters: Rayol, Canadel, Le Fenouillet, Le Dattier and Les Pierrugues. Major planning work was undertaken, with 35 km of roads, stairways, gardens, hotels and tennis courts, as well as the "Pergola du Patec", the jetty and an imitation Provençal village - plus a small marina. The Provençal Landings took place at midnight on August 14-15th, 1944 on Canadel beach. Major ceremonies are organized every year to commemorate this historic event. Initially forming part of La Mole, Le Rayol-Canadel became independent in 1949.

Monuments

"Stèle des Commandos d'Afrique" (1946)

Monument erected in memory of the African Commandos who disembarked on the night of August 14-15th to liberate Provence.

Plaque commemorating Sir Henry Royce

Who lived in the village from 1911 to 1931.

"Chapelle du Canadel"

Chapel built in memory of the Provençal landings.

"La Nécropole Nationale"

Where the African Commandos who died during the landings are buried.

The Pergola and "Escalier Monumental" (monumental stairway)

Classified as listed monuments in December, 1989. Initially, the stairway, built between 1925 et 1927, led to the "Rocher du Drapeau" where the French emblem was planted. Today, only the eastern and western sections, leading to the village centre and the sea, are still visible. Built from mica schist mined from the local quarries, the stairway allowed residents to reach the otherwise-inaccessible beach.

"Eglise du Rayol"

The church was completed in 1932.

"La Stèle"

Stele erected on the site where the first wave of Commandos landed.

Take a Walk!

Starting out from the tourist office, Place Michel Goy. Turn right after about 50 metres onto Avenue Mistral. Walk up to the church and the circular "Pergola du Patec", with its magnificent view over the sea and Golden Islands. Walk back down a few metres to your left to the narrow footpath behind the trees leading to the "escalier monumental" stairway. Walk down the stairway to the road, cross over, then continue descending the stairway. Go past the car park of the Residence "Les Parcs du Rayol" until you come to a mud track on your left (the old railway track). Follow the track under the metal bridge and continue to the crossroads, then turn right on to Avenue des Belges. Pass in front of "Le Domaine du Rayol, le Jardin des Méditerranées" gardens and continue to Avenue Capitaine Thorel. Follow the avenue to the crossroads, then turn left on to Avenue des Américains. When you reach the "Bailli de Suffren" hotel, walk up the stairs on the right, go past Jean Aicard square, then walk back up Avenue Capitaine Thorel to the tourist office. At the Tourism Office, you will find some ideas to take a walk.

Panorama

"La Pergola du Patec"

Facing "Eglise du Rayol" church.

"Le Col du Canadel"

Take the road to La Mole. When you arrive at the pass, turn left and take the "Route des Crêtes" hilltop road towards Bormes-les-Mimosas (see map at Tourist Office).

Beach, water sports, cycling on the green line, sea path and dancing.

Visits to the many museums throughout the Bay of Saint-Tropez and Maures Hills.