Hyères - Ile de Porquerolles

The Island of Porquerolles, almost 8km/5mi long and about 2km/1.5mi wide, is the largest of the Hyères archipelago. It has beautiful beaches with clear water which are especially popular with visitors. The beaches on the north coast are predominantly flat; the entire southern and eastern part falls steeply into the sea.

The principal place is Porquerolles on the main bay of the north coast. From here there is a rewarding walk (about 45 minutes) through beautiful Mediterranean vegetation south to Phare de l'Ousteau, the southernmost tip of the island (96m/315ft above sea-level; lighthouse).

Going northeast from Porquerolles through the woods along the Plage Notre-Dame the Cap des Mèdes is reached in just over an hour. About half-way a path branches off on the right which leads past the Fort de la Repentance to the Sémaphore (signal station; 142m/466ft; view).