Unique suites in the Var
More than a guest house or a hotel room: stay in an intimate suite, set in a botanical park, right by the water.
WHAT YOU FEEL THE MOMENT YOU ARRIVE
… CUT OFF FROM THE REST OF THE WORLD …
Absolute peace to the song of the cicadas. You will stay in a Mediterranean botanical park filled with exotic, tropical vegetation, where palm trees, cacti and aromatic plants follow one another in an atmosphere our guests often describe with the same words.
Soothing. Exotic. Rare.
… RIGHT BY THE WATER, SANARY BAY …
A discreet gate opens directly onto the bay of Sanary, just a few steps from your suite. Sanary’s authentic harbour is a 2 km walk along the beach.
Private access to the sea
… END YOUR DAY IN A PARADISE SETTING
The philosophy of Villa Hippocampe rests on a simple conviction: the quality of a stay is measured by how you feel when you wake up in the morning, and by what you take home with you on the day you leave.
Your private space, your own pace
YOUR SUITE AWAITS YOU
At Villa Hippocampe
on Hippocampe's Tender
Jacques, your skipper, will show you the harbours of Sanary and Bandol, wild coves, the Embiez archipelago and the calanques of Cassis. Swimming, water-skiing, towed tubing, wakeboarding. The Hippocampe's Tender RIB will be reserved exclusively for your family.
at Palmetto
The highlight of summer at Villa Hippocampe: aperitif dinners served on our private beach at sunset. Facing the sea and the last golden glow of the day, an unforgettable Mediterranean experience.
at Nuku Hiva
A gym nestled in nature for your workouts. The wellness area also offers relaxing massages by appointment, combining exercise with complete relaxation.
the Hippocampe cuvée
From the vineyards of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, available in rosé and red, you can enjoy it on our beaches, in our rooms and even after your stay: direct sales by the case, with delivery available.
Jacques, the owner, will welcome you and share addresses, insider tips and advice that will make your stay unique and memorable.
Passionate about art, nature and the sea
SANARY-SUR-MER
Colourful traditional 'pointu' boats moored in an authentic harbour. Professional fishermen working here for generations. Lively terraces. A preserved Provençal atmosphere, two km from Villa Hippocampe.
The entire town centre is now pedestrian-only. Shady cobbled lanes, ochre façades with colourful shutters. Shops, art galleries, Provençal architecture. Mediterranean authenticity.
The big Wednesday market was voted the most beautiful market in France.
Daily market, local produce, fish market, flower market.
Night-time craft market in summer.
The festival of Provence rosé wines, when buildings and shops are draped in pink. Tastings of wines from the surrounding estates, A.O.C. Bandol. A highlight of the season not to be missed.
Spectacular fireworks launched from the sea. Free concerts all summer long with a varied programme. Jazz and classical music festivals are held regularly. Theatres with an appealing programme.
The harbour's Christmas lights have won awards. The Christmas village brings together chalets of artisans and designers offering regional products and Provençal specialities. The enchanting decorations add to the magic of Christmas.
PLACES TO VISIT AROUND VILLA HIPPOCAMPE
MORE ACTIVITIES
Taking off from the harbours of Sanary or Le Brusc, soar above the waves like a bird. An unforgettable moment, with only the sound of the wind and a postcard landscape.
Beginners or experienced divers, explore the Mediterranean seabed: the Embiez archipelago awaits you, departing from Sanary or from La Coudoulière, 200 m from Villa Hippocampe.
Aboard a semi-submersible with large portholes, explore the seabed of Sanary bay without getting wet.
Bonne Grâce beach, a renowned windsurfing spot nicknamed 'Brutal Beach' by windsurfers, lies between Villa Hippocampe and Sanary town centre. The waters of La Coudoulière are best for kitesurfing.
Discover the Zoa animal and botanical park, a true change of scenery with wild and domestic animals and Mediterranean and exotic plants.
Shuttle boats from the nearby harbours of Sanary and Le Brusc serve the islands of Porquerolles, Le Levant and Port-Cros. For a fully private outing, Jacques takes his guests aboard Hippocampe's Tender to the Embiez archipelago, with wild coves and swimming on the programme.
Set off from Sanary harbour for a day at sea of big-game sport fishing.
Villa Hippocampe offers its own cuvée in rosé and red, served in your room, at the Palmetto aperitifs, or to take away by the case. Located in the heart of the Bandol appellation, you can also visit the great wine estates.
A unique experience observing the marine mammals of the Mediterranean up close: dolphins and whales.
Sanary's pedestrian centre is home to many shops and art galleries. The Wednesday market, voted the most beautiful market in France, brings the harbour to life all year round.
The cycle path runs alongside Villa Hippocampe and lets you explore both the coast (Cap Sicié) and the forest (Janas). Bike rental station 100 m away and specialist shops at Bonne Grâce beach, 500 m away.
A private gate at the far end of the villa's tropical park opens directly onto the coastal path: a twenty-minute walk to Sanary, thirty to Le Brusc. For a wider panorama, the Gros Cerveau, between Ollioules and Sanary, rises to 436 metres, twenty minutes away by car.
Frequently asked questions
Is breakfast included and what time is it served?
Yes, breakfast is included with every stay.
The breads and croissants come out of the oven at 9 am (freshly squeezed orange juice, fresh fruit, homemade jam, eggs and cheeses), which is when breakfast is served on the sea-view terraces. It is one of the highlights of your stay rather than a mere formality.
- “Breakfast, prepared and served with care to the sound of the cicadas, is simply wonderful.”
- — Guillaume L.
Is parking available on site?
Yes, secure parking is available within the property itself, with charging for electric vehicles.
- “Parking inside the property.”
- — Annie N.
Is there a restaurant on site?
During the summer season, we serve aperitifs and aperitif dinners on our beaches facing the sea, a magical moment at sunset. Many restaurants are within walking distance of the Villa.
- “Secure parking inside the property.”
- — Joanna & Joël N.
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in from 3 pm and check-out before 11 am. To best prepare for your arrival, we will send you a text message on the day you arrive to confirm your arrival time. Late arrivals are also possible with an access code.
Does Villa Hippocampe offer a shuttle from the train station?
A transfer from Sanary train station is available on request.
Is the pool open to all guests?
Yes, the heated indoor pool (29 to 30°C) with bubble area and counter-current swimming is available by reservation: it is then reserved for one room for an hour, for your privacy.
- “The indoor pool is heated, and the bubbles and counter-current swimming are a real plus.”
- — Brigitte J.
Is there a wellness area or massage service?
Yes. By appointment, our masseuse Fiona is at your disposal in the Nuku-Hiva wellness area.
- “I recommend booking a massage with Fiona, pure relaxation!”
- — Nicolas C.
Is Wi-Fi available free of charge?
Yes, free fibre Wi-Fi is available.
Which restaurants, beaches and activities are nearby?
Villa Hippocampe is ideally located between Sanary-sur-Mer and Six-Fours-les-Plages, a few minutes on foot or by car from restaurants, shops and public beaches. The coastal path, the Embiez islands, Le Brusc and Bandol are 10 to 15 minutes away; Porquerolles and the calanques of Cassis, 40 minutes.
- “We felt cut off from the world, yet we were only a 10-minute walk from the town centre.”
- — Mikael S.
Do I need a car to get to Villa Hippocampe and get around?
A car is not essential to stay at Villa Hippocampe, which can also be reached by bike (cycle path in front of the property) or by bus (stops in front of the gate).
Can the beach be reached directly from the property?
Yes, it is one of Villa Hippocampe’s signatures: direct, private access to the sea from a property right on the water’s edge.
- “Private beaches set up on the property, great, with a shower and 1-minute access to two public beaches.”
- — Damien C.
How do I book a stay at Villa Hippocampe?
Bookings are made directly online on this website, using the “Book” button.
Are pets allowed?
As a general rule, our four-legged friends are not accepted because of the many animals living on the property: dogs, cats, birds, horses, not to mention the property’s mascot, Honorine, a donkey who roams free. However, small dogs kept on a lead are welcome.
- “As animal lovers, we enjoyed the company of Honorine the donkey, the little dachshunds and the cat. There are also two horses.”
- — Anthony V.
Is Villa Hippocampe suitable for a family stay with young children?
Some suites are well suited: Fakarava has an adjoining children’s room and Barbuda a sofa bed in its lounge. Other, more intimate suites are designed more for couples. Let us know your family’s make-up when booking so we can guide you to the most suitable suite. A baby cot can be provided.
- “We spent two nights in this little corner of paradise with our two children.”
- — Katia R.
What extra activities can be arranged on site?
In addition to wellness massages, Jacques is happy to offer tailor-made boat trips on the property’s RIB, “Hippocampe’s Tender”, reserved exclusively for you.
- “Private boat trips available.”
- — Véronique L.
What do guests at Villa Hippocampe appreciate most?
The peace and quiet, the remarkable botanical park, direct private access to the sea, breakfast served facing the bay of Sanary and Jacques’ availability come up in most of the reviews collected to date (overall rating: 9.5/10 “Exceptional”).
- “An exceptional property! […] You can book with your eyes closed if you are looking for peace and quiet, nature and a friendly atmosphere in the middle of a tourist town.”
- — André B.