VILLAGE OF GIENS and Beaches:
Giens, close to the holiday villa, is one of the most beautiful and untouched villages of the French Riviera: truly French, simple and authentic. There is a wide selection of shops, a little co-op called Cadi with welcoming proprietors, a boulangerie, newspaper shops, butcher, chemist, doctors, restaurants, hotels, cafés, art galleries and many more, not forgetting its charming church.
The Tuesday Market (8am till 1pm) is a high point of the week. Do not miss it for fresh fish, cheaper than at the Niel harbour, all local goodies and Provencal souvenirs…. Similar markets are on Friday at La Capte village and on Sunday on the harbour of Hyeres.
The Giens Peninsula is linked to the main land by a 'double peninsula', which has two long and beautiful beaches - the Almanarre Beach on the west side and the Bergerie/Capte beach on the east side. In between there is a vast area of previously salt marshes, now a nature reserve for migrating birds such as flamingos, egrets, teals, cormorants.
HYERES HARBOUR:
With its four marinas and 1,300 spaces, Hyeres harbour is one of the largest of the French Riviera. Just next to the Airport and not far from the TGV train station, it is an excellent base for lots of French yachtsmen. Many restaurants welcome you along the quay. A large selection of boat hire shops can offer you anything from a windsurfer up to a 50 ft yacht.
Direct acces from Toulon/Hyeres/St Tropez airport
PORQUEROLLES ISLAND:
The largest of the three islands, Porquerolles is a true jewel of the French Riviera.
It is a no car paradise.
Its long sandy beaches, welcoming pine trees, and warm turquoise water are a delight for visitors. When docking/arriving in the harbour of Porquerolles, hire a bicycle and choose either the West coast towards the Hotel du Langoustier (a sporting ride) or the East coast (an easier ride).
Take plenty of drinking water and a light snack, as the village is the only place where you can buy groceries. On the east side, the long beaches of Courtade and Notre Dame have white sand and are shaded by the pine trees. Towards the west point, La plage d'Argent (Silver Beach) is wonderful for a first swim but carry on until you reach the other beaches: Langoustier and Noire.
marks the location of the property in Hyeres region
