With a thriving port on one side and a sandy beach backed with restaurants and bars on the other, this thin strip of land is a highlight near Toulon.

Sandwiched between Lazaret Bay and the Anse des Sablettes, Les Sablettes is a thin isthmus joining La Seyne-sur-Mer to the bulky Saint-Mandrier-sur-Mer. The quarter is alive with cocktail bars, restaurants and fun attractions for all the family. Bring your kids to the beach and enjoy the views of the water on both sides of this picturesque neighbourhood.

Let children run free in the Funnyland amusement park, which describes itself as a children’s paradise. In this hub of fun and entertainment, they’ll find trampolines, a tower, slides and a small train. Stroll along the piers of the harbour jutting out from the northern side of the district and pick out your favourite boats from the lines of yachts.

Marking the southern side of the neighbourhood is Sablettes Beach. Try the food at some of the restaurants that line its rear, providing spectacular views of the water while you eat. Have a picnic on the sand with the sound of crashing waves as a soothing complement to your meal.

In summer, go for a swim in the water and bring balls for fun games on the beach. At the southeastern side of the strand, look for the Yacht Club des Sablettes and its array of boats. Rent equipment and learn to scuba dive at the Manta Club St. Elme diving club.

You can also rent boats from one of the operators here. Take a sailboat out on the sea and watch the sun go down. Visit some of the bars and brasseries overlooking the water on the gorgeous Charcot Promenade. Consider staying overnight and sleeping beneath the stars at a campground.

Les Sablettes is a quarter in the commune of La Seyne-sur-Mer, a 20-minute drive southwest from the centre of Toulon on France’s southern coast. Travel along this narrow corridor that connects Saint-Mandrier-sur-Mer to the mainland.