La Bastide Saint Bernard is in Le Thoronet, a charming little village in the heart of the Var.  It is a haven of peace, attached to its past and traditions, cultivating olive trees and vines - the twin symbols of Provence. Its forests of pines and oaks hide countless paths, ideally suited for superb walks.

But Le Thoronet world-wide reputation is especially based on its 12th-century abbey, which is a veritable Cistercian treasure.
La Bastide Saint Bernard is a few minutes from the A8 motorway, and the railway station at Les Arcs.  It’s an hour away from the airports at Nice and Marseille, and within easy distance of St Tropez, Ste Maxime, the Gorges du Verdon and two local lakes (Sainte Croix, Saint-Cassien).

LOCAL ACTIVITIES

A few minutes away:
La Réserve: an equestrian centre offering carriage rides through local vineyards  (www.lareserve83.com);
New Evasion: offering canoes, kayak and cycles for hire, also interesting     walks (www.provence-canoe.fr.

A few kilometers away:
Aoubré at Flassans-sur-Issole, a regional adventure park with «accrobranche» (high-rope activities) (www.aoubre.fr);
And, for those who love tortoises: Le village des tortues in Gonfaron (www.villagetortues.com).