| COASTAL VAROIS: Hyeres and the Iles d'Or |
| HYERES ET LES ILES DOR |
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COASTAL VAROIS: Hyeres and the Iles d'Or - Port-Cros
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COASTAL VAROIS: Hyeres and the Iles d'Or - Porquerolles
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| Hyeres is the birthplace of the "Cote d'Azure" and
the capital of palms which give the town a tropical feeling. |
Around the middle of the 19th century, the Hyerois gardeners were very successful in
climatically adapting the palms from the Canaries islands and the colonies and Hyeres became the winter escape for the rich Anglophone.
Today, with 20 kilometers of beaches, Giens - almost an island - and its larger sister, the
Iles d'Or, Hyeres attracts many summer tourists.
TO SEE
The Olbius Riquier Zoological Gardens created in 1872.
The Villa Noailles was built in 1923 by the Belgium architect, |
Mallet Stevens, for two
philanthropists and patrons of the arts, Charles and Marie-Laure de
Noailles. The villa became a favourite rendezvous for the avant-garde
artists such as Picasso, Dali, and Cocteau. In 1973 it was given to the
town and now shows temporary exhibitions. Don't overlook the curious small
Cubist Garden.
The Municipal Museum exhibits Prehistoric, Greek and Roman
objects, excavated from the Olbia site.
GIENS has a mountainous and woody landscape where green oaks caress the
branches of Alep pine. The coastline is wild and jagged with small beaches
and isolated coves. No wonder that Giens is a small health resort. Visit
the leaning tower constructed in 1634 on a rocky peak and the Pesquier Pool
where one can observe a magnificent gathering of flamingos.
THE ILES D'OR, so named during the Renaissance due to the mica schist - a
composition of mica and quartz - contained in the rock that gives of golden
reflects. Detached from the Maures Mountains, each one of these three
islands is a true paradise.
PORQUEROLLES is the largest of the Hyeres islands and features numerous
sandy beaches and coves, which although isolated, are accessible. The
island is covered with pines, green oaks and scented vegetation. The best
way to explore the island is on a bike. The village was constructed in the
middle of the 19th century by the military so you can imagine it does not
really have that Provencal village charm. However, from the terrace of the
Saint-Agathe Fort you will have a magnificent sweeping view from the beaches
in the east, the forested mountains of the island in the west, to the
lighthouse which casts its beam for 54 km.
The National Park of Port-Cros
which has managed most the island since 1985, presents the history and the
underwater formation of the islands. From the esplanade, you will have a
superb panoramic view over the Hyeres bay, the Maures and almost the whole
island.
PORT-CROS is a paradisiacal landscape of steep mountains, beautiful
vegetation, and deep clear water which alternates between emerald green and
turquoise blue. The small church and the quaint fishermen's houses dotting
the bay are picturesque. If you want to see an exhibition of the National
Park, then visit the Estissace Fort built under Richelieu. Apart from the
usual ground level promenades there is a truly fascinating underwater walk
that goes between Rascas Islet and Palud Beach. From 10 meters down you
will see a large variety of Mediterranean sealife.
LE LEVANT
This long rocky 'fishbone' surrounded by sharp cliffs is 90%
occupied by the National Marine. The village of Heliopolis was the first
place where nudism was allowed . There are, however, two places for those
who do not wish to be naked - the beaches of Grottes and the Ayguade port. |
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