Department
Museums, galleries and heritage in Var
135 places to discover across Var.
Including Abbaye du Thoronet, Musée National de la Marine and Basilique Sainte-Marie-Madeleine.
Towns to explore
Aups · Bandol · Bargemon · Barjols · Bormes-les-Mimosas · Brignoles · Callian · Carcès · Cavalaire-sur-Mer · Collobrières · Cotignac · Draguignan · Entrecasteaux · Évenos · Fayence · Fréjus · Grimaud · Hyères · La Cadière-d'Azur · La Celle
A department shaped by the sea and the land
Toulon, the departmental capital, concentrates a dense museum offering tied to its naval identity: the Musée National de la Marine occupies the historic arsenal gate at place Monsenergue, while the Musée d'histoire de Toulon et de sa région and the Musée des Arts Asiatiques share the former home of writer Jean Aicard, mixing local history with Asian art collections.
The department's industrial past surfaces inland and along the coast: the Musée de la Mine de Cap Garonne at Le Pradet retraces a century of copper mining in tunnels open to visitors, and the Musée des Gueules Rouges in Tourves documents the bauxite extraction that once shaped Provence's red-earth landscapes.
Natural sciences and archaeology also have their place, with the Muséum départemental du Var covering the fauna, flora and geology of the territory, and the Musée gallo-romain de Tauroentum
From the Riviera villages to the Dracénie
Hyères stands out for its concentration of art institutions: the Villa Noailles, a landmark of modernist architecture from the 1920s, hosts design and fashion exhibitions, while the Fondation Carmignac on the Île de Porquerolles presents a major contemporary art collection in a converted 19th-century farmhouse. Nearby, the Musée du Niel occupies a former salt warehouse on the Giens peninsula.
Saint-Tropez has built a reputation as a gallery hub, with addresses such as Bel-Air Fine Art Saint-Tropez, Galeries Orlinski and Sasha de Saint Tropez lining the streets around the port.
Inland, Draguignan anchors the department's exhibition network around the Hôtel départemental des expositions du Var and the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Draguignan
Frequently asked questions
How much time should I plan to visit the Musée National de la Marine in Toulon?
Count on about 1.5 to 2 hours to see the model ships, naval instruments and the historic arsenal gate building itself.
Is the Musée de la Mine de Cap Garonne suitable for children?
Yes, the guided tour through the former copper mine galleries (about one hour) is designed to be accessible and engaging for families.
When is the best time to visit Villa Noailles in Hyères?
Spring, during the Design Parade festival, is ideal to see the modernist villa alongside its temporary design and fashion exhibitions.
Do I need to book in advance to visit the Fondation Carmignac on Porquerolles?
Yes, since the foundation is only reachable by boat to the island, booking tickets and factoring in ferry schedules in advance is recommended.
Are the Var's smaller museums, like the Musée des Gueules Rouges, open year-round?
Many smaller sites operate on seasonal schedules with reduced hours in winter, so it's worth checking opening days before visiting outside summer.
