The golden islands: Porquerolles, Port-Cros and Levant- Le Var

The golden islands

Porquerolles, Port-Cros and Le Levant offer idyllic landscapes. Fine sandy beaches and small coves with turquoise waters, cliffs and pine forests punctuate the landscape, dotted with numerous forts and vestiges of a rich past. A national park on land and in the sea, it boasts a wealth of flora and fauna. There are plenty of walks and discovery trails, on foot or by bike, and even with flippers, mask and snorkel!

Legend has it that the four daughters of Prince Olbianus, Lord of Olbia (Hyères), were incomparably beautiful. One day, as they were bathing in the open sea, pirate sails appeared on the horizon. In despair, their father begged the gods to prevent their abduction. The four princesses felt their limbs freeze, and were turned into islands. The three furthest princesses formed the Isles of Gold, while the one closest to the shore, already stretching out her arms towards her father, became the Presqu'île de Giens. It is said that these islands have retained the breathtaking beauty of the princesses..

©S Campoy

Porquerolles

A dream island... a little piece of paradise 7.5 km long and 3 km wide.

You disembark on a quay fringed with imposing Canary palm trees. A Mexican-style church stands in the village square, hemmed in by giant eucalyptus trees, around which café terraces and simple, flower-filled houses wrap themselves happily. Perched on a promontory, the stocky silhouette of Fort Sainte-Agathe stands guard. Next to it is the pretty, fully restored Moulin du Bonheur.

Walk or cycle along the paths lined with pine, myrtle and heather... Wild cliffs and coves, long golden beaches languishing on the edge of pine forests, valleys fringed with vineyards, the gurgling and chirping of migratory birds await you.

Porquerolles is now part of the heart of the Port-Cros National Park. All its flora and fauna are protected. To our delight, car traffic is banned (only a few professionals are allowed to have a vehicle - hotels, wineries, etc.).

Find out more about Porquerolles

Plage de Notre Dame - île de Porquerolles

©Toulon Provence Méditérranée

Port-Cros

An island of forests, intimate beaches and steep cliffs.

The smallest of the 3 islands in the archipelago, but also the most mountainous. It has been protected for over fifty years as a National Park on land and in the sea.

Undeniably the wildest, it has an air of the beginning of the world. Magnificently wooded with Aleppo pines and holm oaks, the island is home to exceptional marine wildlife. To appreciate this biodiversity, you absolutely must go snorkelling along the underwater path on La Palud beach!

A rugged and wild island, Port-Cros offers small beaches and, above all, coves.

As for divers, they'll find their paradise on the islet of La Gabinière, classified as an integral reserve. It's like diving into an aquarium with all those fish.

Find out more about Port-Cros

Vue panoramique de l'île de Port Cros - plage de la Palud

©Port Cros – plage – sentier de randonnée

Le Levant

IIe du Levant is located to the east of the archipelago. It is covered in abundant vegetation, with some of the finest arbutus trees in Mediterranean Europe. Signposted footpaths allow you to follow sporting trails and learn about the flora and fauna.

A large part of the island is inaccessible (military zone). Only the west coast can be visited. This area is occupied by Héliopolis, a world-famous naturist resort covering 80 hectares. Naturism is free everywhere except in public places, the harbour and the Place du Village. Naturism is compulsory at the Grottes beach and on the seafront.

Find out more about Le Levant

©Toulon Provence Méditérranée

Port-Cros National Park

The second oldest national park in France, it was created over fifty years ago (1963). It is Europe's first marine park. Initially focused solely on Port-Cros, the heart of the park has included Porquerolles for some years now. It offers a protected natural area, on land and at sea, a veritable marine and ornithological reserve.

The park has several missions: to protect, but also to explain, educate and pass on information. It presents the natural heritage through its fauna, flora and landscapes, as well as its history and architectural heritage. It has a considerable historical heritage, with Roman remains, around thirty underwater wrecks and twenty or so forts and military batteries. It also offers a range of walking routes and events. On Porquerolles, the Maison du Parc and its garden welcome visitors. Not far away is the Conservatoire Botanique National Méditerranéen de Porquerolles, responsible for safeguarding wild flora.

The Park also looks after a number of natural areas acquired by the Conservatoire du Littoral, including the Giens peninsula, the Salins d'Hyères and Cap Lardier. Finally, it is the coordinator of the PELAGOS Sanctuary for marine mammals in the Mediterranean.

See all that the Port-Cros National Park has to offer

©Parc national de Port Cros

An exceptional natural heritage

The three islands offer an exceptional natural heritage, as does the Giens peninsula, their little sister. Its double tombolo with its salt pans is a haven of peace for migratory birds, including pink flamingos. Discover it with the islands!

All the information and activities on the islands - Hyères Tourist Office

The Nav&Co mobile application has arrived in the Mediterranean!

It allows yachtsmen to navigate while having access to essential information on maritime regulations, buoyage and the surrounding biodiversity.

All the info on the Nav&Co application