Sanary-sur-Mer

Sanary-sur-Mer is a commune in the Var department, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, 13 kilometres from Toulon and 49 from Marseille. With 18,538 inhabitants in 2025 and one of the highest sunshine rates in France — barely 61 rainy days per year — it is one of Provence's most picturesque Mediterranean ports, recognised since the 19th century as a reference destination for the European cultural elite. Its waters and streets inspired Aldous Huxley, who wrote Brave New World in the surrounding area; Bertolt Brecht, Thomas Mann, and Jean Cocteau, who took refuge here during the Second World War; and Jacques Cousteau, who co-invented modern diving equipment on the Sanary coastline.

In 2024, ACES Europe awarded Sanary-sur-Mer the title of European Town of Sport, crowning its earlier recognition as an 'Active and Sports City' with 4 laurels since 2021. The distinction rewards the richness and dynamism of its associative network, the quality and proximity of its sports facilities, and the use of its extraordinary natural spaces for physical activity. With 5 EWoS events registered in the ACES Activa system, Sanary represents the French Mediterranean commitment to citizen sport.