Mixed results for the first May bank holiday which kicks off the season in the Var

After a gloomy first quarter and unpredictable weather for the Easter weekend, the month of May truly launches the tourist season in the Var.

The smell of sardines and sunscreen. The first sandcastles and the queues stretching out in front of the churro and ice cream stalls.

A hint of summer filled the beaches of Mourillon this Thursday, May 1st. It was necessary to be patient to find a space in the coastal parking lot.

And a square meter to plant your parasol in the warm sand or spread your towel on the lush grass of the park.

"A taste of summer"

The seafront terraces were packed all day long. From the Lido de Toulon to L'Anse des Pins, restaurant owners were smiling. "This morning we had a good storm until 1 p.m.," commented Serge, the owner of the La Réserve bar on the Frédéric-Mistral coast. This attendance bodes well for the launch of the tourist season in the capital of the Var region.

A local clientele, of course, and also vacationers from Zone A. However, tourists are still slow to arrive at hotels. "We're seeing a 40% occupancy rate, compared to 70% last year," reports the Best Western Plus La Corniche.

A finding confirmed by Jean-Pierre Ghiribelli, president of the Union of Trades and Industries of the Hotel Industry of Var (Umih 83): "We expected an exceptional occupancy rate for the first bank holiday in May, but people are very fickle depending on the weather."

After this exceptional May 1st, where the thermometer showed between 26 and 28 degrees, or 4 to 5 degrees above seasonal norms, the trend will be rather downward in the coming days in the Var.

"We've had a taste of summer, but it won't last. Temperatures will drop below 20 degrees this week," announced Christophe Yohia, a meteorologist at Météo France.