The three golden islands
Off the charming town of Hyères, three islands welcome lovers of idleness, snorkelling and walking for a few hours or several days.
Porquerolles, the largest (12 km²), preserved by the National Botanical Conservatory of the Mediterranean, spreads its clear waters as far as the eye can see. First inhabited by the Celts, it later hosted the Ligurians, the Focei, the Greeks and the Romans.
Stopping places: the lighthouse built in 1830, the various forts (Sainte-Agathe, Alycastre, Petit and Grand Langoustier, Repentance, Lequin, etc.) through the dedicated circuit, the mill, the Sainte-Anne church, the Emmanuel garden Lopez, the Carmignac foundation (works by Botticelli and Warhol), wineries (AOP Côte-de-Provence).
Without forgetting, of course, the beaches with infinite shades of turquoise: the Courtade and its eucalyptus forest, Notre-Dame, voted the most beautiful beach in Europe, Langoustier, with its black sand, well sheltered from the wind, and the Argent, shallow and therefore ideal with children.
Port-Crosthe wildest (7 km²), is part of one of the first French national parks since 1963. Here you will find large forests, dominated by imposing medieval fortresses, where almost 30 km of hiking trails wind, as well as some of the most famous dive sites in the world…
Herbariums, rare birds, schools of fish and even dolphins are saved here.
Occupied by the French Navy, the island of Levant it cannot be fully visited. However, Heliopolis, its central village, proves to be an ode to the sun and contemplation. You must venture into the Domaine des Arbousiers, a protected nature reserve that offers the nose sweet scents of rosemary, myrtle and cistus.
Special features of the coast: naturism is a must!
More info (shuttles, catering, accommodation, etc.) on the sites https://www.hyeres-tourisme.com/les-iles-dor/ et https://www.hyeres.fr/les-iles-dor/
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The islands of Lérins
Facing the Estérel, two Edens extend an almost inevitable natural and cultural heritage, to be discovered especially on foot …
Santa Margherita it is appreciated for its isolated and quiet coves, but also for its 20 km of marked trails in the heart of the famous Aleppo pines, holm oaks and giant eucalyptus, lulled by the song of cicadas.
It is also advisable to stop at Fort Royal (which kept the “iron mask” imprisoned for a decade, now a museum of the sea) and at Fort de la Convention, to look for the old “ball ovens”, to observe migratory birds, dive with mask and tuba and stroll in the alleys of the main village.
The neighboring island, Saint Honoredcalm and spiritual, it notably hosts a fortified monastery (25 Cistercian monks still live there all year round and organize retreats there), an abbey and a myriad of pretty chapels (Trinité, Saint-Sauveur, Sainte-Justine, Saint-Michel , Saint -Pierre …) where to gather and splendid vineyards where to stroll.
More info (shuttles, catering, accommodation, etc.) on the sites https://www.cannes-destination.fr/visites-incontournables/iles-lerins-cannes/ et https://provence-alpes-cotedazur.com/decouvrir/espaces-naturels/iles-lerins/
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