All the actors concerned by this file, the islanders, the Port-Cros national park, the boatmen and the TLV company in charge of shuttles between continent and island, and local authorities such as TPM or the town hall of Hyères, have drawn up a very positive of the experiment set up this summer. This experiment aimed to avoid the peaks in overcrowding experienced the previous year, in particular by regulating the number of passengers per day, and by focusing on reservations. Some days, nearly 12,000 passengers had been landed on Porquerolles causing the dissatisfaction of the inhabitants of the island but also of tourists.
This summer, 297,000 travelers were transported to Porquerolles, which is 20,000 less compared to the previous year. But they were finally better distributed, in particular on the week wings, that is to say outside Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday which concentrated the peaks in August. “This was extremely positive for the passengers, and for our staff because it avoided those famous peaks which are very tense“indicates Yves Arnal, the manager of the boatmen of the Côte d’Azur. And whether it is the boatmen or the TLV company in charge of the delegation of public service, the regulations have been respected. In summer, those responsible for transporting passengers only recorded two overruns of the fixed gauges – just a few hundred more passengers – a feat.
The metropolis TPM and the town hall of Hyères are obviously satisfied with this result and this change of mentality so fast. “It is a real cultural revolution. If we had been told that we would be able to ensure that the reservation became almost a majority for Porquerolles. If we had been told that the non-DSP boatmen agree to a charter and that the DSP can be carried out with 2,000 fewer passengers, it is a miracle. It is a truly remarkable development. Especially since the starting point is not towards a desert island, it is an inhabited island. It was also necessary to take into account the practices of individuals and companies. This mix of problems has been if not totally resolved, at least greatly improved.“, notes Jean-Pierre Giran, the mayor of Hyères.
Even better next year
Especially since everything was very fast. The first discussions were started in April for implementation in early July. A real tour de force for the TLV in particular, which had to set up a reservation system. “We would also like it to become compulsory because this would prevent people who cannot board from being unloaded towards the Giens peninsula. During peaks, for example on August 4, roughly 40,000 vehicles per day enter the peninsula“underlines Pierre Peytavin, president of the CIL for the defense of the peninsula of Giens
Reservation next season will not be compulsory, but it will always be strongly recommended. However, the possibility of free travel via land line 67 of the Mistral Network from downtown Hyères to the Tour Fondue (for holders of a boat ticket) will be maintained and should help reduce the number of vehicles. in the peninsula sector. This summer, 600 travelers used this line per day.
The gauges will therefore be maintained next summer and a reflection is even carried out so that these gauges are put in place all week for the private boatmen. Increased surveillance will be maintained on NUCs, commercial vessels, which represent unfair competition for official means of maritime transport. These boats in fact deposit passengers without authorization on the beaches. The town hall of Hyères had issued an order prohibiting docking on the beaches of Porquerolles this summer and intends to do the same next season. The circulation of bicycles in the city center of the island will also be prohibited.
Mooring areas
The Port-cros National Park is also working on setting up, in 2023, a mooring and light equipment area that would make it possible to limit the concentration of boats at anchor around the island. This summer, 1,600 boats could be counted in a single day on the north of Porquerolles, 600 at night were still at anchor. “This attempt at regulation is not against tourism. On the contrary, we wish that they are well received, and that they keep a good memory and that they do not think that it is hell.“indicates Isabelle Montfort, the president of the Park.
“The preliminary draft will be presented to residents and boaters, boat rental companies and the various socio-professional categories concerned before the end of this year. The idea being that the Posidonia is totally protected, either with the installation of mooring buoys. These will be buoys with a helical anchoring system. Sandy areas will be able to remain effectively open to free anchorages. Finally, we will develop landscaped view axes so that we can see the horizons from the beaches of Porquerolles. But that also from the sea, one can see the island, that there is not a continuous front of boats“explains Marc Duncombe, the director of the National Park.
Airbnb rentals in the sights
On the other hand, what is singled out on the island are Airbnb rentals on land and water. “Before, families settled down for a month, now it’s the festival. It changes every three days and sometimes there are six of them in a studio. And next to that, there are also those who rent their boat in Airbnb in the port“relates a president of CIL.
A problem that could easily be solved by simply complying with the law. “Renting a personal boat, when you have no authorization, it is strictly prohibited“recalls Alexis Villemin, the deputy general manager of TPM, in charge of the ports. Controls were carried out this season and they will be reinforced next season. Moreover, a yachtsman who had a place in the year at the Port of Porquerolles and who obviously did not hear the remonstrances addressed to him had his occupancy contract withdrawn. As for the apartments rented on Airbnb, “they belong to the Porquerollais, it’s up to you to tell them not to do it anymore. It is not illegal“reacts Jean-Pierre Giran.
In any case, the experiment seems to stir up theinterest of other communities. “We are told that the Breton islands and those in the Gulf of Morbihan would be inspired by this pilot operation. This proves that we are not mistaken in the way of implementing these provisions. Collective work assured and assumed“concludes Hubert Falco, president of the Toulon-Provence-Mediterranean metropolis.
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