guide
Hyères is the oldest seaside resort on the Côte d’Azur – a city of Provence in the Var that concentrates by itself exceptional wealth: the Golden Islands (Porquerolles Island, Port-Cros Island and Levant Island), the Giens Peninsula and its unique double tombolo in France, the Villa Noailles masterpiece of modern architecture, the Olbius Riquier Park and its tropical garden, and the wild creeks of the coastal trail of the Var coast. Doing things in Hyères means enjoying unique tourism combining avant-garde culture, preserved nature and dream beaches in the sunny setting of Mediterranean Provence. This guide reveals the best activities and visits – prices, hours and local secrets – for an unforgettable day or stay in Hyères in the Var.
Porquerolles Island is the largest and most accessible of the Golden Islands of Hyères – this 1,253 ha island in the Port-Cros National Park is often ranked among the most beautiful islands of the Mediterranean and Europe for its white sand beaches, turquoise waters and continuous vineyards. A day on Porquerolles Island is booked from La Tour Fondue port at the Giens Peninsula (20 min crossing, 22 € round-trip adult, 12 € child) – the first ferry departs at 7:30 am in high season. On Porquerolles Island, bicycles rent at landing (12-15 €/day) – essential to connect Notre-Dame beach (the most beautiful beach on Porquerolles) and Silver beach from the village, 3-4 km each.
What other articles don’t mention: Langoustier beach, at the western end of Porquerolles Island (7 km from village), is the most isolated and most beautiful of all – its intensely turquoise blue water and near-white sand are preserved because most visitors don’t do the 7 km bike ride. Take the first ferry and bike straight to Langoustier before 9am – you’ll be almost alone for 2 hours.
Claire’s advice: The ideal day on Porquerolles Island starts with the first ferry from Giens (7:30 am in July-August), bike to Langoustier for morning swimming, return through Perzinsky Domain vineyards (free wine tasting on weekdays), lunch at the village (l’Arche de Noé restaurant, grilled fish 18-24 €), Notre-Dame beach in the afternoon. Last ferry at 7:30 pm. This day is one of the most incomparable experiences on the Côte d’Azur in the Var.
Port-Cros Island (7 km² entirely protected) is Europe’s oldest marine national park – this Port-Cros National Park created in 1963 protects both terrestrial forest and the submarine environment around the island. Activities on Port-Cros Island boil down to hiking in the national park and diving/snorkeling in protected waters – the Crêtes Trail walk (7 km, 3h, 250 m elevation) circles the island with views of the sea and neighboring islands. The Marine Trail snorkeling route (departure Palud beach, underwater marking, 1h) allows observation of gorgonians, groupers and barracudas in exceptionally transparent water. The crossing to Port-Cros departs from Hyères port or Cavalaire (30-45 min, 30-35 € round-trip adult).
The Villa Noailles is one of Europe’s most important modern architecture works – this cubist villa built from 1923 to 1933 by architect Robert Mallet-Stevens for the viscount and viscountess of Noailles dominates the old city of Hyères from its terraced gardens. The Villa Noailles was the setting for avant-garde films by Man Ray (Mysteries of the Château de Dé, 1929) and Luis Buñuel (The Golden Age, 1930) – exceptional artistic heritage in Var. The contemporary art center of the Villa Noailles (free admission) hosts each year the International Festival of Fashion and Photography in Hyères (HYÈRES Festival, April) – one of France‘s most important fashion events. The permanent exhibition and temporary exhibitions of the Villa Noailles are open Wednesday to Sunday (free admission, 10am-7pm in summer).
What guides overlook: the Villa Noailles gardens offer the most spectacular panorama over Hyères, the Giens Peninsula, the Golden Islands and Hyères bay – one of the most beautiful viewpoints on the Côte d’Azur. The visit to the gardens is free and accessible on foot from Hyères old city in 15 min by the Coast Path.
Olbius Riquier Park (in city, free admission, open 7:30 am-6pm) is the Côte d’Azur‘s richest botanical garden – its 6 ha of tropical vegetation, cacti greenhouses and exotic plants, its animal park (parrots, pink flamingos, ostriches) and its boat lake make it an ideal activity for families during a day in Hyères. Olbius Riquier Park is also an exceptionally rich bird-observation place in city – more than 80 species observed from the shaded alleys of the park, notably during migration period. The city center Olbius Riquier Park is accessible on foot from Hyères port (15 min) or from the old city (20 min).
The Olbia archaeological site (2 km from the park, on the coastal trail of Almanarre) is a Greek city founded in the 4th century B.C. whose excavations reveal house plans, temples and ramparts – 6 € adult admission, guided visit possible on reservation. Olbia is one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the Var and Provence.
The Giens Peninsula is the most remarkable geographical curiosity of Hyères – this peninsula is connected to the mainland by two parallel tombolos unique in France, framing a brackish lagoon (Pesquiers Pond) which is one of the most important bird-observation places in Provence and the Var. More than 200 species of migratory birds (pink flamingos, avocets, terns, sandpipers) are observed there from September to March from the dikes of the pond – bird-observation at Lieurette (ornithological observatory, free access) is one of the best naturalist experiences on the Côte d’Azur outside the Islands.
The Giens Peninsula coastal trail (GR51, 15 km complete loop, 4h) lines the rocky wild creeks of Cap d’Hyères point and Almanarre and La Bergerie beaches – one of the most beautiful coastal hikes in the Var. La Tour Fondue landing at the point of the Giens Peninsula is the port departure for ferries to Porquerolles Island (20 min).
The Pic des Fées Observatory (160 m altitude above Hyères old city) offers one of the most complete panoramas on the Côte d’Azur: view of the Golden Islands, the Giens Peninsula, Maures and Var Alps in clear weather. Pic des Fées Observatory is accessible on foot from Hyères old city (30 min) or by car. Nocturnal astronomy shows (constellations, Milky Way, sky) are organized by the Var Astronomical Society some Friday evenings.
Hyères old city (free access) is one of the most beautiful medieval cities of the Var – its paved streets, medieval gates (Massillon gate, Barcelona Princes gate), hanging gardens and Saint-Paul collegiate church testify to a prosperous past. The Provençal market on Massillon place (Tuesday and Saturday morning, 8am-1pm) is one of the most colorful markets of Provence – olives, cheeses and Var region produce.
The campgrounds in Hyères and the Var offer aquatic parks with heated pools in a setting of parasol pines and Provençal scrubland – minutes from the Côte d’Azur beaches and less than 30 min from ferries to the Golden Islands. A campground stay in Hyères allows you to enjoy the best activities of the Var: day on Porquerolles Island (22 € round-trip from Giens), Port-Cros Island hiking (national park), Villa Noailles and contemporary art center, Olbius Riquier Park, Giens Peninsula and bird-observation at Lieurette. The Var campgrounds around Hyères are ideally located for coastal and cultural tourism vacations on the Côte d’Azur.
The best activities in Hyères are: a day trip to Porquerolles island (ferries from the Giens peninsula, €22 return, cycling on the island), the Villa Noailles (modern architecture, contemporary art centre, free entry), Parc Olbius Riquier (tropical garden, birdwatching, free entry), Hyères's old town (Place Massillon market, medieval gates) and the coastal path of the Giens peninsula (wild coves, GR51). Port-Cros island (national park) is the wildest excursion from Hyères in the Var.
Ferries to Porquerolles island depart from the port of La Tour Fondue at the tip of the Giens peninsula (20-minute crossing, €22 return for adults, €12 for children). La Tour Fondue is 12 km from the centre of Hyères (a 20-minute drive). In peak season, the first ferry leaves at 7.30am and the last return is at 7.30pm - book your day trip to Porquerolles island online to guarantee a spot on the first boat and enjoy the island before the crowds arrive in the Var.
The Villa Noailles is a cubist villa of modern architecture built by Robert Mallet-Stevens (1923-1933) for the Viscount de Noailles - a filming location for Man Ray and Buñuel, now Hyères's contemporary art centre (free entry, temporary and permanent exhibitions). The Villa Noailles hosts the HYÈRES fashion and photography festival every year (April). Its gardens offer the most spectacular panorama of the Îles d'Or islands and the Giens peninsula as seen from the town.
The Giens peninsula is a headland connected to Hyères by two tombolos (sand spits) unique in France, enclosing the Pesquiers lagoon - an exceptional birdwatching site in the Var (pink flamingos, avocets, 200 species). The coastal path of the Giens peninsula (GR51, 15 km) runs along the coast's wild coves. La Tour Fondue, at the tip of the Giens peninsula, is the departure point for ferries to Porquerolles island in the Var.
Yes, Hyères and the Var offer 3- to 5-star campsites with water parks and heated pools - set in the Var's Provençal countryside, just minutes from the Côte d'Azur's beaches and the ferries to the Îles d'Or. These Hyères campsites let you enjoy the best activities: day trip to Porquerolles island, Villa Noailles, Parc Olbius Riquier and the Giens peninsula - a complete tourism stay in the Var combining nature and culture.
