This calm Mediterranean town has ancient ramparts, a 13th-century abbey, and sandy beaches. The Iles d'Hyères archipelago lies just off its coast.
Hyères, the oldest resort town on the French Riviera, sits between hills covered with Aleppo pines and the Mediterranean Sea. You can walk through medieval streets to an 11th-century castle, swim at the white sand beaches of Giens Peninsula, or take a ferry to explore the three nearby islands. Visit Porquerolles to cycle through vineyards, snorkel in Port-Cros National Park, or relax on the beaches of Levant Island.
Exploring the Medieval Center
The old town of Hyères rises up Castéou hill to an elevation of 200 meters. Walking through the cobblestone streets, you'll pass houses with yellow and orange facades and blue or green wooden shutters. The 12th-century Tower of Saint-Blaise, built by the Knights Templar, stands at Place Massillon where vendors sell fresh produce and local crafts every morning from 8 AM to 1 PM. As you explore the medieval passages, you'll find small pottery workshops, bakeries, and sidewalk cafés.
The Giens Peninsula and Beaches
Two parallel sand bars connect the Giens Peninsula to the mainland, forming a double tombolo that extends 4 kilometers into the sea. You can swim or windsurf at Plage de l'Almanarre, a 5-kilometer stretch of beach with calm, shallow waters. The eastern shoreline includes protected salt marshes where pink flamingos gather in winter. At the peninsula's southern tip, Tour Fondue serves as the departure point for island ferries.
The Golden Islands
Each of Hyères' three islands has its own appeal. On Porquerolles, you can bike or hike along 30 kilometers of marked trails, stopping at Fort Sainte Agathe for views across the bay. Port-Cros National Park includes underwater trails where you can snorkel past labeled marine life stations. Île du Levant's eastern section welcomes naturists, while the French Navy occupies the western part.
Villa Noailles and Cultural Scene
Villa Noailles, with its white concrete walls and large glass windows, was built in 1923 by architect Robert Mallet-Stevens. Today, the building hosts art exhibitions throughout the year and the International Fashion and Photography Festival in April. You can tour the villa's geometric gardens and see how early modern architecture adapted to the Mediterranean climate.
Markets and Local Life
Place Clemenceau comes alive every Thursday from 8 AM to 1 PM with the main market. Additional markets run on Avenue Gambetta on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Local farmers sell seasonal fruits, vegetables, and olives, while craftspeople display handwoven baskets and lavender products. Around Place Massillon, restaurants serve Provençal dishes like bouillabaisse and fresh fish from the morning's catch.
Getting Around
Toulon-Hyères airport has daily flights to Paris and seasonal connections to other French cities. Trains run every hour to Toulon (20 minutes) and Marseille (1 hour). Local bus line 39 connects the town center with the beaches and Giens Peninsula. Ferries to the islands depart from Tour Fondue throughout the day, with increased frequency in summer. Bicycle rental shops in town and on Porquerolles make it easy to explore the flat coastal areas and island paths.
