After enjoying your guided crossing on a hybrid boat, you're wondering what to do on Porquerolles to make the most of your stopover? Discover the must-sees on this island paradise. Between fine sandy beaches, shady paths and exploring the village, a multitude of activities await you. Whether you're a hiker, cyclist or simply looking to relax in the turquoise waters, your day on Porquerolles will be unforgettable.
Porquerolles is the largest and most inhabited of the 3 Hyères islands. Porquerolles has been definitively protected by National Park status since 2012.
Commonly known as the Pearl of the Golden Isles, this island, measuring 7 km long by 3 km wide, has many faces:
- To the south, a rugged coastline dominated by cliffs and hidden coves.
- To the north, a Caribbean atmosphere with fine sandy beaches and turquoise waters.
- In the center, the cultivated plains are home to wineries and the plant collections of the national botanical conservatory.
The Village of Porquerolles
At the end of the landing stage, you arrive directly at the island's village. Take advantage of your stopover in Porquerolles to discover this small village: it's the center of the island, with around 300 year-round inhabitants. The village of Porquerolles is built around a large Place d'Armes, and its "Sainte-Anne" church. Stroll through the narrow streets and colorful houses, and enjoy the many restaurants, cafés and boutiques. At the entrance to the village, just past the port, you'll also find the Tourist Office.
Then set off to explore the island!
There are several hiking trails across the island, offering spectacular views of nature and the Mediterranean Sea. To make the most of your stopover in Porquerolles, we recommend that you get around on foot or by bike. The island is easily accessible on foot from the harbor, and there are numerous bike rental stores close to the landing stage. As cars are not allowed on the island, it's an ideal place to get around by bike and discover the many hiking trails.
Are you lucky enough to be calling at Porquerolles ?
Discover all that this island paradise has to offer during a busy day! So what to do on Porquerolles ? Whether you're a lover of nature, culture or scenery, there's plenty to do on the island of Porquerolles during a day's stopover. Here are just a few suggestions:
Les Forts
Today, Porquerolles is a beautiful island for nature lovers and relaxation enthusiasts, but it wasn't always so. Indeed, the island has had a turbulent history, the traces of which are still visible today. To combat the various invaders, several forts were built:
- Fort Saint Agathe
- Lequin and Alycastre Forts
- The Fort of Repentance
- Les Forts du Langoustiers
Le Phare
The Porquerolles lighthouse is one of the most powerful lighthouses in the Mediterranean!
Built in 1830, it stands 84 metres high and its white light has a range of 54 km. The lighthouse is also the only inhabited lighthouse in the Mediterranean. It takes 45 minutes on foot and 15 minutes by bike to get there.
You'll enjoy a view of the steep south coast of the island!
Le Moulin du Bonheur
Just 200 meters from Fort Sainte Agathe, you'll also find the Moulin du Bonheur, a typical Provencal windmill built in the early 18th century and recently restored.
Erected above a magnificent olive grove, you'll enjoy a panoramic view of the village of Porquerolles and the harbor of Hyères!
Make the most of your day in Porquerolles to visit:
Other Porquerolles sites are open to the public or can be booked in advance. Choose between nature, culture or history!
Fort Sainte Agathe
Fort Saint-Agathe is an ancient military fortification built in the 17th century to protect the village of Porquerolles from invasion by Barbary pirates.
After half an hour's walk, you'll be blown away by the panoramic views of the island and the Mediterranean Sea from Fort Sainte Agathe!
Emmanuel Lopez Garden
Open all year round and open to the public, it features plants typical of the Mediterranean basin, as well as exotic flora (cacti, agaves and aloes) adapted to the island's climate.
Before your visit, don't hesitate to enter the National Park House at the entrance to the Garden, where, depending on the season, you can admire the bat nesting box installed above and displayed on a screen.
The Carmignac Foundation
Located in the heart of the Domaine de la Courtade, the Villa Carmignac is a museum of contemporary art. It's a place of discovery and contemplation that harmoniously combines art and nature.
Visitors can admire works of art inside the villa, as well as in the gardens and outdoor spaces, which offer breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea.
Website: www.fondationcarmignac.com/
The Botanical Conservatory
Created in 1979, the Conservatoire Botanique National Méditerranéen de Porquerolles was approved as a "conservatoire botanique national" in 1990.
Located on the plain of Porquerolles, with free access to seeds and crops of endangered wild plants from the Mediterranean basin, it helps to combat the impoverishment of our genetic heritage.
Wine Estates
The island of Porquerolles is home to two wineries, Domaine de la Courtade and Domaine de l'île, where visitors can taste local wines and learn more about wine production.
Domaine de la Courtade
Located behind the beach at La Courtade, this 35-hectare estate produces Côtes de Provence AOC in all three colors using organic farming methods.
Website: lacourtade.com/
Domaine de l'Île
Historic Porquerolles estate, now owned by CHANEL. The estate produces rosé and white wines certified organic. It is committed to preserving biodiversity.
Website: www.domainedelile.com/
The Beaches
Porquerolles is famous for its beautiful sandy beaches and turquoise waters. Among the most popular are:
La plage d'Argent
Located just under 2 km west of the village, it's a beautiful white-sand beach with turquoise waters, well sheltered from the Mistral wind. Allow 45 minutes on foot or 15 by bike.
With a beautiful pine forest in the background, it's the only beach on the island with a bar-restaurant and lifeguard station open in summer. Which also makes it one of the busiest!
Notre Dame Beach
Voted Europe's most beautiful beach in 2015 (European Best Destinations), it's a beautiful beach of fine sand, lined with pine and oak trees, which create an intimate backdrop.
It's one of the largest beaches on the island, but also one of the furthest from the village. Allow 1 hour on foot or 25 minutes by bike to cover the 3 km from the village.
La Plage de la Courtade
It's the nearest beach, about 800 meters east of the village of Porquerolles. But it's also the biggest beach on the island. It takes 15 minutes on foot and 5 minutes by bike to get there.
Its sand isn't the finest, but its shallow waters and the shade of pine and eucalyptus trees make it the most family-friendly.
Les Plages du Langoustier
Located at the extreme west of the island, on either side of the isthmus, these two small beaches are very different.
- The white sandy beach to the north is sheltered by an easterly wind, but offers no shade.
- The black beach, to the south, whose red/black sand adds a touch of originality around a beautiful pine forest and offers a little shade.
Both are 4.4 km away, after a more difficult 1.5-hour walk or 45-minute bike ride, not recommended for children.
These sites are just a few of the many treasures Porquerolles has to offer. Don't hesitate to ask our crew what to do on Porquerolles, and explore the island at your leisure to discover all its hidden wonders! There's plenty to see and do during your day's stopover on the island of Porquerolles. Enough to satisfy the interests of all visitors!
Regulations
- No camping or bivouac.
- No motorized vehicles except service or authorized vehicles.
(including electric scooters, hoverboards, gyropods and single-wheelers). - Please collect your garbage: containers are available along the beach access paths.
- Animals are not allowed on the beach, even on a leash.
- Picking and sampling prohibited
- Water is scarce on the island. No water outside the village. Be prepared.
- Fires and cigarettes banned outside the village
In addition, the forests on the island of Porquerolles may be closed to the public. Traffic, whether on foot or by bike, is then only authorized on beach access paths. The information map for access to forest areas at risk of forest fires is published every day at 7 p.m. for the following day on the https://www.risque-prevention-incendie.fr/var/ website .