The South of France you probably haven’t heard of.
When people think of islands off the coast of France , they tend to look west to Île de Ré and the fistful of position strewn around Brittany ’s jagged shores . But at the very southern edge of Provence , before cut into thestar - studded spots line the French Riviera , there ’s a trio of islands dubbed “ les îles d’Or , ” or “ the Golden Isles , ” that are frequented more by sailors than the party - centric crowd you ’d determine in nearby Saint - Tropez . Beyond being remote , since no road touch base to them , a couple of the islands are also completely car - free . For all those multitude who ’d rather not learn the rules of the route for another land but still require to go beyond subway system - serviced , crowded city when traveling , this one ’s for you .
Each of the island is more rugged than the next . Porquerolles ’s powdery beaches require hikes through pine woods — and there ’s ( blissfully ) not a beach bar in great deal . The unspoilt Port - Cros , a national park , was ransacked by sea robber up until the 20th one C and is now a hiker ’s nirvana , with nothing but marked trails crisscross preserved forests . And only a small sliver of neighboring , electricity - liberal Le Levant ( 90 % of which belong to to the Gallic army ) is unresolved to the world — and it ’s mostly a naturist resort hotel .
The ideal way of hopping around these coasts is by boat — either on your own or with the help of a captain who can sail the waters . If you ’re hire a sauceboat for a few days , even better . larboard - Cros , the smallest of the islands , does n’t even have accommodation , and options are limit on the biggest island of Porquerolles ( which boasts a whopping population of 200 ) . That ’s why most people send up on the shoring of mainland France in the town of Hyères , the “ original French Riviera , ” one of the lesser - visited name and address on the coast between Nice and Marseille . The absolute majority of the holidaymaker here are French ( if that severalize you anything ) , and it was the wintertime hideaway of alternative for the like of Tolstoy and Queen Victoria .
The closest to the Caribbean you can get in the South of France.|renan gicquel/Moment/Getty Images
If you take a drive along the Giens peninsula — once an island itself that ’s now tailor to the mainland by a double flight strip of backbone dunes on either side of the salt marshes — you’ll attain one of Hyères ’s traditional sportfishing harbors , Tour Fondue , which is where the ferry consider off for the Golden Isles . Sure , you may inflict all three , but you ’ll want to make the car - free island of Porquerolles , just a15 - minute drive off the slide , your base . Here ’s what to do once you get there .
Bike to Caribbean-worthy beaches
With only a handful of studio and little hotels on the island , the best billet to put up up for the nighttime is on one of the boats docked in the harbor ( which can well be book via Airbnb ) . Since the only mode of transportation on the island is by wheel , this is the first thing you ’ll need to check out off the leaning once you arrive . Luckily , most boats number with a pair of wheels ; if not , there arebike rental standsnear the chief square ( which doubles as the main village ) .
The croissant - shaped island stretches four mile retentive and two mi wide , and it ’s divided into two persona : the steep cliffs on the southern side , where tramp can trek down to tough - to - spot creek , and long , sandy shores in the north , good reach by bike . Take your pick of coastal loop trail that start at the port and branch out to the beach lining the northeasterly shore , like the popular Plage Notre Dame ( named one of Europe ’s most beautiful ) , which is shielded by Aleppo pine tree .
On the paired side , you ’ll find one of the lesser - frequented beaches , the shoal Le Langoustier , about a 45 - minute bicycle ride from town . Nearby , the secluded , Tiffany - downhearted - shutteredLe Mas du Langoustier , a former country - home - turn - hotel that once belonged to the island ’s owner , is everything you figure when you think of Provence — namely , Gallic nation - trend antique furnishings and a pool case by eucalyptus and pine tree . You ’ll find oneself lounge chairwoman and umbrellas on the sand below ( the close to a beach cabaret on the island ) , and a bistro , La Pinède , on the terrace overlook the ocean . The restaurant ’s special ? La langouste ( lobster ) , of row .
Port-Cros is a dream for hiking and diving.|Bildagentur Zoonar GmbH/Shutterstock
Walk barefoot past Andy Warhol paintings
When Godard take his classicPierrot le Fouin the 1960s , the land whereVilla Carmignacsits was a farm . Architect Henri Vidal subsequently turned the farmhouse into a villa and surrounded it with vine , creatingDomaine La Courtadein the summons . More of late , it ’s opened up as a present-day art museum — which you stroll through sans shoe — with galleries illuminated by a ceiling of water and permanent works by creative person from Andy Warhol to masters like Botticelli .
Outside , in the national nature reserve , you ’ll observe 15 sculpture by the ilk of Jeppe Hein and Olaf Breuning localise in the skirt gardens , where an open - air movie theatre is held in the summer calendar month . If you happen to be visiting on a full moon , you may take a guided circuit of the sculptures direct by the ( enter ) voices of Charlotte Gainsbourg and Patti Smith .
“ Hyères in particular has a strong front on the innovative and contemporary art front , due in large part to the famedVilla Noailles , which hosts exhibitions , festivals , and contemporary art and pattern atelier all twelvemonth long , ” says Alexandra Weinress , founder of Paris - basedThe Seen , which offers bespoken private prowess tours around France . “ The Villa Carmignac is a beautiful continuation of the region ’s ethnic inheritance , since it features a wide range of artists who are propel young estimate forward . ”
You don’t have to cycle far to find rosé.|Walter Zerla/Image Source/Getty Images
Sip rosé, play pétanque, and bask in boat life
Despite being such a small island , Porquerolles is home to two vino estates : the organicDomaine La Courtade , which offer tastings and tours of the vine , and the Chanel - ownedDomine de l’Ilein the heart of the island , not far from Plage Notre Dame . Pick up a few bottles of rosé and pedal back to township for a DIY apéro in the main square , where topical anaesthetic play pétanque ( or boulle ) until the sun sets .
The island ’s handful of restaurants mostly line the townspeople square ( Place d’Armes ) , so if you ’re visiting in the busy summer months , you ’ll want to reserve ahead . This is also one of the reason it ’s full to come in the shoulder season ( May and September are really the best months , since there are fewer holidaymaker and it ’s not sweltering ) . Two enceinte picks in the square arePélagos , where you could dine on catch of the day à la plancha or impudently shucked oysters , andL’étal du Boucher , a combination fuckup shop , wine-coloured cellar , and restaurant with a Thai twinge .
The island clears out when the last ferryboat leaves , so most place wind down early . End the eventide with a cocktail on the terrace ofL’escale , which looks out at the haven , before heading back to your sauceboat for a nightcap on pack of cards — which you ’ll quickly pull in everyone else in port is doing .
Cycle over to one of the best beaches, Plage Notre Dame.|Vincent Pommeyrol/Moment/Getty Images
12 Totally Underrated Beauty Spots on the French Riviera
This former farmhouse features some of France’s top contemporary art exhibitions.|Domaine la Courtade
Good food and great wine await.|L’étal du Boucher
