Established in 2002 by the Syndicat des Communes du Littoral Varois, under the presidency of Gil Bernardi, Mayor of Lavandou, the “Etoiles de Mer” label is exclusively associated with the results of analyzes of the quality of bathing water. This initiative, supported by the National Association of Coastal Elected Officials, received approval from the State Secretariat for the Sea in March 2003. Featuring three stars on a blue and yellow background, this flag flies proudly over all the beaches of the town. The flag bears the inscription: “VAROIS COAST – QUALITY OF BATHING WATER”. The “Starfish” operation is joint with the “QUALIMER” voice server (0.825.83.8000), which broadcasts the results of bathing water analyzes every week.
Each labeled municipality undertakes to lower its “Starfish” flag in the event of a weekly or bimonthly analysis revealing temporary average quality or non-compliance with bacteriological standards, and this, in the event of any accidental pollution.
The flag can be raised again as soon as the results of the following analysis respect the thresholds established by the 1975 European Directive on bathing water. Each labeled municipality assumes responsibility for the management of its “Etoiles de Mer” flag.
