The 8 May 2026 long weekend lands perfectly in the Var. Friday off, Saturday and Sunday, three days to enjoy the Provençal spring as temperatures already flirt with summer.
The département rolls out its finest cultural cards. Between the Toulon bay, the port of Sanary-sur-Mer and the Cœur du Var countryside, here are three very different outings to build your weekend around.
Just'Rosé Festival — Sanary-sur-Mer goes pink, 8 to 10 May
This is the flagship wine event of the Provençal spring. The Just'Rosé Festival returns to Sanary-sur-Mer from Friday 8 to Sunday 10 May 2026 for a 10th anniversary edition. For three days, the port turns entirely pink and welcomes dozens of estates from the Côtes de Provence and neighbouring appellations.
Tasting pass, Gourmet Village and free concerts
The format is simple. A tasting pass grants access to the wine stands, with an official glass and tokens to spend freely between estates. The Gourmet Village, expanded for this anniversary edition, serves food-and-rosé pairings curated by regional chefs such as Sébastien Sanjou and L'Eau à la Bouche.
Alongside, the Rose en Scène programme lines up free concerts — jazz, pop, world music — to set the rhythm of afternoons and evenings by the water. The main stage sits right in front of the pointus, the traditional fishing boats that give the port its visual signature.
Why bring the family? Kids are taken care of through the Just'Kids area, with workshops and entertainment while parents browse the stands. The festival follows a clear responsible-drinking policy: free shuttles to and from the centre, breathalysers on hand.
Booking recommended, tasting slots fill up quickly. See the festival page.
Cœur du Var Literary Festival — Gonfaron in signing mode, 9 and 10 May
About an hour inland from Sanary, in the Var hinterland, Gonfaron hosts its annual book event on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 May. The Cœur du Var Literary Festival brings together around forty authors of general fiction, children's literature, manga and comics for a fully free weekend.
A book fair that is family-friendly and easy to dip into
On the programme: signing sessions, themed round tables with the guest authors, manga and creative writing workshops for children, plus the « Donne de la voix » read-aloud contest open to everyone. A literary fortnight in the schools, colleges and libraries across the territory precedes the weekend and warms up the atmosphere.
Who is this for? The spirit of the event stays deliberately easy-going. Free entry, no booking for the main activities, just a free sign-up for some workshops.
It is the classic outing for families with young readers and for anyone who enjoys leafing through books, chatting with authors and leaving with a stack of signed copies. See the festival page.
