Treasures of the Var coasts, nestled off the coast of the Hyères bay, on the calm waters of the Mediterranean, the Golden Islands are, with their idyllic landscapes, part of the jewels of the Côte d'Azur coastline. Loaded with history and vestiges of a rich and tumultuous past, Porquerolles, Port-Cros and the Ile du Levant invite you in all seasons for a most pleasant escape, far from the hustle and bustle of the big cities of the Var. Zoom on the largest of them, Porquerolles.
A short distance from the coast, the largest of the Hyères islands with its 7 km long and 2,5 km wide from north to south - 1 250 hectares -, a real little local paradise, is still as attractive as ever. However, it is better to come outside the summer period to appreciate all its beauty. The north coast is the most welcoming, with numerous sandy beaches bordered by pine forests and garrigues planted with broom, heather, myrtle and strawberry trees. The south coast is steeper, more indented. The interior is sparsely inhabited. You can easily travel by bicycle and on foot throughout the island. To spoil nothing, Porquerolles enjoys a preserved nature. With such a setting, you can also take advantage of the multitude of activities available on site, which will allow the whole family to discover this exceptional natural heritage. From mountain bike outings to scuba diving, from beautiful bike rides to a range of divine nautical pleasures, the possibilities are endless.
A seaside paradise
With its pleasant wild and preserved setting nestling between two cliffs, the Oustaou de Diou cove invites you to swim... But beware of the many sea urchins that populate the waters of this cove! Rather narrow cove, we advise you to arrive there early in the morning to hope to spread your towel there. If the place is already full, you can always find a place in the sun on the side of the few flat rocks around. Oustaou de Diou means the house of God and bears witness to the past existence of the old chapel that stood here.
Not far from the Port of Porquerolles, the beach of La Courtade is the most accessible of the island and therefore the most frequented. On about 1 kilometre of fine sand, it is bordered by a forest of pines and eucalyptus trees that let soft scents float in the air. A nice introduction before discovering Notre-Dame beach. Voted the most beautiful beach in Europe in 2015, this beach - the largest on the island - bordered by a magnificent pine forest is simply splendid! Located north of Porquerolles, its golden sand which extends over 800 m and its shallow waters make this place a fairy-tale and exotic place. The magic also works underwater: with an astonishing clarity, you will be fascinated to see wriggling shoals of sars, soles and red mullets just a few metres away from you. To take full advantage of this show, don't forget your mask, flippers and snorkel! Offshore, many boats drop anchor. At the very end, don't forget to take a look at Pierrot le Fou's now abandoned house: this film directed by Jean-Luc Godard in 1965 tells the story of the odyssey through France of Ferdinand (nicknamed Pierrot le Fou played by Jean-Paul Belmondo) and his friend Marianne (Anna Karina) pursued by gangsters.
Vestiges full of history
Listed in the Supplementary Inventory of Historic Monuments, the fort of Grand Langoustier was restored in 1998 with the support of Doctor Paul Vuillard and became the property of the Conservatoire du Littoral. This military structure with its astonishing architecture overlooks the Anse de Port Fay from the Pointe du Grand Langoustier on which it is located. Built in the 17th century following a decision by Cardinal de Richelieu who wanted to create a line of defence on the Golden Islands, the building is square in shape and has a parapet walk pierced with firing battlements. Its pyramidal shape is reminiscent of Inca constructions. The fort du Grand Langoustier played a key strategic role in controlling the entrance to the pass leading to the bay of Toulon. Decommissioned in 1874 and facing the Tour Fondue landing stage, large-calibre cannons were installed there in 1793, adapted for use in close combat. Commanding the entrance to the small pass, it played, like its neighbour the fort of Petit Langoustier located on the nearby islet, an essential strategic role. At the same time, he built the fort of Grand Langoustier, with its north-facing cannons, to protect the pass. Unlike the Grand Langoustier fort, which faces it, there is no square tower: the Petit Langoustier fort has a large cannon tower with an open-air battery. It is also surrounded by a crenellated enclosure housing buildings and a cistern.
Fort Sainte-Agathe was built in the 16th century under Francis I on the site of the former castle. The fort is strategically located. Dominating the port, and offering a 360 ° C view of the island and the roadstead of Hyères, it played a defensive role for centuries: its purpose was to protect the coast from enemy attacks. In 1991, it was assigned to the Port-Cros National Park. Since then, it has regularly hosted temporary exhibitions. Its permanent collection consists of a collection of objects relating to the land and underwater heritage of the Hyères islands. An interesting visit.
Finally, the defensive fort of the Repentance was built at the end of the 19th century in a buried way and was mainly intended to protect the pass from possible enemy intrusions. Decommissioned in 1887 and disarmed during the First World War, one of the casemates was then completely destroyed by the German army during the confrontation in August 1944, destroying the life of the fort and that of its occupants. Since 1995, the site has been home to an Orthodox monastic community, a dependency of the Saint-Antoine-Le-Grand monastery in the Drôme: led by Father Séraphin, the community has been restoring and rehabilitating the fort, which has been renamed "Monastère Sainte-Marie du Désert" (Monastery of Saint Mary of the Desert). With his long white beard, Father Séraphin settled on the island of Porquerolles in 1995 with the permission of Emmanuel Lopez, former director of the Port-Cros National Park.
An unmistakable ride
Welcome centre and information point of the Port-Cros sur Porquerolles National Park, the park house is adjacent to the Emmanuel Lopez Garden. A true invitation to travel and stroll, in this peaceful haven of 1 hectare, you will discover a variety of Mediterranean species: yuccas, laurels, wisteria, dwarf palm, lavender, Canary palm, apricot palm, olive trees, jasmine and various cacti. Species from South Africa, Australia, South-East Asia, Florida and South America complete the picture, perfectly integrated into the climate and the favourable environment of this poetic universe. Managed by the Port-Cros National Park, this place is a moment of relaxation, far from the hustle and bustle of the crowds and the heat. Sit on a public bench and enjoy the moment.
Smart Info
When to come? As soon as the fine weather arrives. In July and August, the crowds are great, so prefer the months of June and September.
Get there. Once in Hyères in the Var, you have to take the boat. For Porquerolles, if the departure and the return are generally made from the peninsula of Giens at the level of the Fondue Tower (crossing of about twenty minutes), we can only advise you (if the weather allows you) to leave from Hyères and return by Toulon with a longer trip (about 1 hour) which will allow you to discover the coast from another angle.
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