Originally a district of the municipality of Bormes-les-Mimosas in the Var department, Le Lavandou claimed its autonomy in 1909. The government, therefore, selected an area of 7,351 acres (2,975 ha) between Pointe de Gouron in the west, the ravine of Fontalde at Pramousquier in the east, and the Môle river in the north. Le Lavandou was established as an autonomous municipality on May 25, 1913, by the President of the Republic, Raymond Poincaré.