Jean-Marc and I stole away to Porquerolles island recently. Because it was play and not work, I didn't pay a lot of attention to detail or think about what could be shared in another France city guide.
This is where you come in. If you have been to Porquerolles, or have researched it while planning a future trip on the southern French island, please share with us here some of the activities and tips that come to mind:
- hotels
- restaurants
- ferry info
- what to pack
- how to get around on Porquerolles
- activities for kids
- favorite beaches
- what not to miss
- nearby islands and towns to visit
- etc…
Meantime, I'll share a host of photos and add some interesting facts beneath them, in hopes that you'll be inspired to visit this little pedestrian island only a hop, skip, and ferry ride from the coat of Giens.
Jean-Marc and Mr Sacks on the main square in the village of Porquerolles. Eucalyptus trees frame la place which is lined by boutiques and café-restaurants.
- The size of the island = 12,54 square kilometers (or 4,84 square miles)
- It's one of the 3 Hyères islands a.k.a. "the golden islands"
Island dog and laundromat.
- Though you'll see plenty of island dogs, the village of Porquerolles gets its name after the wild boar that once roamed the island
You cannot bring your car onto the island, but you can appreciate some of these local classics-on-wheels. The one of the right is a Méhari. You see lots of these off-roaders threading through all the foot traffic.
Save a few euros by ordering a sandwich and eating it on one of the many benches that overlooks the gravel square or the port or, better yet, take a picnic and hike inland a few kilometers for a view of the vineyards and vergers, or orchards or for this view:
- Not pictured here… but among the many points of interest is the botanical garden or la conservatoire botanique national méditerranéen de Porquerolles
Off the main square there is a long alley of what seem to be bungalows. This narrow had one story habitations on either side and one had the urge to jump up and down like a pogo stick… to see what sort of bucolic scene was on the other side of these walls….
- It is said that in 1912 the island was purchased as a wedding present for a lucky bride-to-be. Buyer François Joseph Fournier then planted 500 acres of vines. (No wonder Jean-Marc loves this island!)
- In 1971 the state purchased most of the island in an attempt to preserve it from development.
Out in front of the artist's house… or one of the artist's homes. There must be plenty of them living on this begs-to-be painted island.
Walking towards Domaine Perzinsky, on our way back to the village.
Porquerolles vineyards were among the very first to be classified Côtes de Provence. There are three vineyards on the island:
- Le Domaine de l’île
- Le Domaine de la Courtade
- Le Domaine Perzinsky
There are nine forts on the island of Porquerolles, including Le fort du Grand Langoustier (pictured) and Le fort Sainte-Agathe.
From the port of arrival, this is the first beach on the left. Pass in front of all the cafés, go around the corner and you're there! Off season you'll see this peaceful scene.
- Porquerolles was the inspiration for Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
The laid back islanders on Porquerolles are known as les porquerollais (see exhibit A, above… and if you love teddy bears, see exhibit B here!)
To respond to this post, thanks for leaving a message here in the comments box.
For help creating this edition, I looked up facts in these guide books/sites. Click on the titles to view them:
Has this post tickled your fancy for Porquerolles? Will you be adding it to your bucket list? I'd love to know, here in the comments box.
Check out some of the excellent reader-submitted tips or What to do in France guides:
- What to Do in Paris?
- What to Do in Aix-en-Provence?
- What to Do in the Loire Valley?
- Where to Rent a Car in France?
- What to do in Lyon?
After lunch I borrowed Mr. Sacks for a pillow and took a nap while Jean-Marc went hiking and photographing.
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Near the end of his life, Robert Louis Stevenson said, “I was only happy once. That was in Hyeres.” He lived there, in a tiny house, for sixteen months with his new American wife, Fanny. The air was good for his health,he was emotionally happy, and he loved the area, including, surely, the Ile de Porquerolles.
Near the end of his life, Robert Louis Stevenson said, “I was only happy once. That was in Hyeres.” He lived there, in a tiny house, for sixteen months with his new American wife, Fanny. The air was good for his health,he was emotionally happy, and he loved the area, including, surely, the Ile de Porquerolles.
We went to Porquerolles on a day trip from Hyeres in July 2009. Absolutely beautiful island. We thoroughly enjoyed renting bikes, which allowed us to explore the island with our 2 children ages 6 and 9 months at the time. Plage Notre Dame was beautiful and wonderfully relaxing.
We went to Porquerolles on a day trip from Hyeres in July 2009. Absolutely beautiful island. We thoroughly enjoyed renting bikes, which allowed us to explore the island with our 2 children ages 6 and 9 months at the time. Plage Notre Dame was beautiful and wonderfully relaxing.
Hi Kristin,
Really for Jean-Marc but I hope he sampled the wine. Last year I shared a bottle of 1987 red La Courtade wine with a friend. It was beautiful especially as I expected it to be well beyond its best but it was still drinking beautifully. There is a story to the wine and how it ended up in my cupboards in Canada for all those years. The wine was presented by Henri Vidal for a conference banquet on Reinforced Soil in Glasgow. One or two bottles were left at the end of the banquet and this was one of them that I kept until my buddy from Glasgow and I could get together and drink it. Finally last summer both friends and the wine ended up in the same place and enjoyed the well aged wine.
Best wishes,
Peter Jarrett
Hi Kristin,
Really for Jean-Marc but I hope he sampled the wine. Last year I shared a bottle of 1987 red La Courtade wine with a friend. It was beautiful especially as I expected it to be well beyond its best but it was still drinking beautifully. There is a story to the wine and how it ended up in my cupboards in Canada for all those years. The wine was presented by Henri Vidal for a conference banquet on Reinforced Soil in Glasgow. One or two bottles were left at the end of the banquet and this was one of them that I kept until my buddy from Glasgow and I could get together and drink it. Finally last summer both friends and the wine ended up in the same place and enjoyed the well aged wine.
Best wishes,
Peter Jarrett
Thank you for giving us a little slice of paradise. Oh the trees…gorgeous trees! I hope when you return with Jules that she takes her paint brushes. How fortunate you are to have such beautiful serenity so close by…….
Thank you for giving us a little slice of paradise. Oh the trees…gorgeous trees! I hope when you return with Jules that she takes her paint brushes. How fortunate you are to have such beautiful serenity so close by…….
I’d never heard of Porquerolles, and learned some interesting facts. I’d definitely like to visit it if I ever get back to France. What a lovely place! Thanks for sharing the photos. I’m especially partial to beaches.
Kristin, I hope you were wearing sunscreen during your nap by the water.
I’d never heard of Porquerolles, and learned some interesting facts. I’d definitely like to visit it if I ever get back to France. What a lovely place! Thanks for sharing the photos. I’m especially partial to beaches.
Kristin, I hope you were wearing sunscreen during your nap by the water.
Having visited Hyeres many times on business I had the opportunity to visit Porquerolles several times.
Tip#1 Parking near the ferry port at La Tour Fondue can become very crowded in the high season, so start your journey early in the day.
Tip#2 Across from the parking there is a path which leads behind the houses along the coast. There are some beautiful vantage points for sunrises over Porquerolles.
Tip#3 Instead of turning left to La Tour Fondue just past the Hippodrome, turn right toward Giens and follow the road all the way to the end where the military has is blocked. There is a beautiful sunset beach.
Tip#4 As you found, the best way to see the island is by rented bicycle. There are shops just outside the port.
Tip#5 My favorite beach is Plage de Notre Dame. Photos taken under the trees of the sailboats near the beach on the bright blue water are amazing.
Tip#6 The view from the Phare on the sea side of the island is great.
I have photos of most of these sights if you are interested.
Thank you for highlighting such a beautiful place in the South.
Stan in Tennessee
Having visited Hyeres many times on business I had the opportunity to visit Porquerolles several times.
Tip#1 Parking near the ferry port at La Tour Fondue can become very crowded in the high season, so start your journey early in the day.
Tip#2 Across from the parking there is a path which leads behind the houses along the coast. There are some beautiful vantage points for sunrises over Porquerolles.
Tip#3 Instead of turning left to La Tour Fondue just past the Hippodrome, turn right toward Giens and follow the road all the way to the end where the military has is blocked. There is a beautiful sunset beach.
Tip#4 As you found, the best way to see the island is by rented bicycle. There are shops just outside the port.
Tip#5 My favorite beach is Plage de Notre Dame. Photos taken under the trees of the sailboats near the beach on the bright blue water are amazing.
Tip#6 The view from the Phare on the sea side of the island is great.
I have photos of most of these sights if you are interested.
Thank you for highlighting such a beautiful place in the South.
Stan in Tennessee
Youtube video:
“Escale sur l’ile de Porquerolles”… Olives anyone! 🙂
Youtube video:
“Escale sur l’ile de Porquerolles”… Olives anyone! 🙂
I love this post! In the 70’s, I worked at the VVF at Giens and got to visit the islands and gaze at them almost daily. Good memories!
I love this post! In the 70’s, I worked at the VVF at Giens and got to visit the islands and gaze at them almost daily. Good memories!
L’isle du Porquerolles is one of three islands of the Hyeres archipelago. L’isle du Levant is a short sail to the east of Porquerolles and features the ville de Heliopolis, with its domaine naturiste, ou en anglais, its well-known nudist colony. It is worth the trip, for no other reason than to get the bare facts on Levant Island. We sail over from Lavandou, just 5 clicks up the road from Bormes-les-Mimosas. This is really a beautiful region of France, although quite crowded during the summer vacation season. The town of Hyeres on the Giens peninsula is fantastic, with its hidden fishing ports, colorful sailing vessels and breathtaking views of the Med. St. Topez is less than an hour away (depending on traffic) and Port Grimaud, although a relatively new city, is a boater’s (and diner’s) paradise.
L’isle du Porquerolles is one of three islands of the Hyeres archipelago. L’isle du Levant is a short sail to the east of Porquerolles and features the ville de Heliopolis, with its domaine naturiste, ou en anglais, its well-known nudist colony. It is worth the trip, for no other reason than to get the bare facts on Levant Island. We sail over from Lavandou, just 5 clicks up the road from Bormes-les-Mimosas. This is really a beautiful region of France, although quite crowded during the summer vacation season. The town of Hyeres on the Giens peninsula is fantastic, with its hidden fishing ports, colorful sailing vessels and breathtaking views of the Med. St. Topez is less than an hour away (depending on traffic) and Port Grimaud, although a relatively new city, is a boater’s (and diner’s) paradise.
I like this sit throw I am only nine
I like this sit throw I am only nine