commune in Var, France
Bandol is a small town of 8,400 people (2017) west of Toulon in the province of Var. It is a popular resort also known for its wine.
Bandol was founded in 1595 and built around a small military fort.
The Bandol wine region, near the coast east of Marseille and Cassis, is one of Provence's most internationally recognized wine regions. Built around the village of Bandol, the Bandol AOC covers the production of 8 communes with silicon & limestone soils. Those soils and the warm, coastal climate are ideally suited for the late ripening Mourvèdre grape which is the major variety of the region. For both the red and rosé wines, Mourvèdre must account for at least 50% of the blend, though most producers will use significantly more, with Grenache & Cinsaut usually filling out the rest of the wine's composition.
Perhaps the major attraction in Bandol besides its beaches is Bendor Island. The island is privately owned, but visitors are welcomed.