Plan a CruiseThe Iles d'Hyeres, often called the jewel of French Mediterranean cruising, are located about ten miles south of Hyeres town, which itself is just east of Toulon. This archipelago boasts an almost subtropical climate, sheltered from the strong Mistral winds, and its development has been carefully managed to preserve its unique character. Your cruise ship will anchor offshore, and you will tender to the center of Ile de Porquerolles, the largest and westernmost of the three islands. Porquerolles stretches approximately 7 km (4.3 miles) long by 3 km (1.9 miles) wide, characterized by five small ranges of hills. Its south coast features dramatic cliffs, while the north coast offers the main port area and sandy beaches such as Notre Dame, La Courtade, and Plage d'Argent.
Getting Around from the Port
From the tender landing on Ile de Porquerolles, the primary mode of exploration is on foot, as the island is designed for walkers. For those wishing to explore beyond Porquerolles, ferry services are available:
- To Hyeres (mainland): Ferries depart Porquerolles year-round, with a journey time of 25 minutes.
- To Toulon or Le Lavandou (mainland): Ferries from Porquerolles are available only during July and August.
- To Ile de Port Cros: While not explicitly stated as a direct ferry from Porquerolles, visitors often travel between the islands. From Port Cros, ferries run to Le Lavandou (20 minutes, all year) and to Hyeres (one hour, all year).
Attractions and Activities
The Iles d'Hyeres offer a wealth of natural beauty best explored on foot. Consider these independent options for your visit:
On Ile de Porquerolles:
- Fort St Agathe Walk: Take a walk up to Fort St Agathe, a 16th-century fortress offering spectacular views of the bay.
- Southern Coast & Lighthouse Trail: Continue from the fort over the ridges to the island's south coast. This area features a dramatic, steep, and rocky coastline with stunning pine-fringed inlets. You can walk as far as the lighthouse at the southernmost tip, returning through a shaded valley filled with olive trees and apricot orchards.
- Northeastern Beaches & Fortress: Explore a second walking path leading to the northeast side of the island. This route takes you past two beautiful sandy bays, Baie de la Courtade and Baie de Notre Dame. The path then ascends through pines and holm oaks to another fortress, continuing along rocky ridges to a semaphore station at the far eastern end of the island.
On Ile de Port Cros (requires ferry travel):
- Walking Trails: Ile de Port Cros is a pedestrian-only island, with all forms of traffic forbidden. It boasts nearly 35 km of walking trails amidst subtropical vegetation alive with the sound of cicadas.
- Mont de Vinaigre Hike: From the port, a popular walk takes you around the west side of the island. While initially busy near the beach, it becomes much quieter further along. The south coast here is even more dramatic, with clearer water than Porquerolles. You can continue via the "Les Crêtes" path to climb Mont de Vinaigre, the island's highest peak, which offers breathtaking views over the entire archipelago.
- Snorkeling: The waters around Ile de Port Cros are excellent for snorkeling, as a marine conservation zone extends 600 meters around the entire coastline.
To the Mainland (requires ferry travel from Porquerolles):
- Visit Hyeres: Take a 25-minute ferry from Porquerolles to the mainland town of Hyeres, available year-round.
- Visit Le Lavandou or Toulon: During July and August, you can take a ferry from Porquerolles to Le Lavandou or Toulon for a mainland excursion.