Situated almost halfway between Marseille and Toulon on the Mediterranean coast, the town of Hyeres les Palmiers is rightly proud of its warm climate, popular beaches and stunning natural scenery. While visitors to the area could easily spend their entire two weeks relaxing on the beach, they would be missing out on many of the charms of this town, also celebrated for its sailing competitions and wide range of water sports.
However, many visitors to Hyeres les Palmiers are in the South of France for one reason only; sun, sea and sand. Those with a sense of adventure might like to venture to the Almanarre beach, located on a strip of sand stretching out into the Mediterranean. A popular spot with water sports enthusiasts, you can also enjoy swimming in amongst the huge waves, depending on the weather conditions. The beach is very closely monitored, for that reason, with swimmers kept inside one smaller area. More sheltered is La Capte, on the other side of the tombolo, while L'Ayguade is not only the largest but also the most popular beach in the Hyeres area. Always busy on weekends, the beach is backed by a good selection of bars and restaurants.
Visitors should take at least a short break from their sunbathing to explore the picturesque old town in Hyeres, complete with ruined fortress, medieval church and 19th century casino. You can still follow the route of the city walls, thanks to a map from the tourist office, viewing the remaining towers and stretches of wall still standing. The 13th century church features religious artworks from throughout the centuries, and is used to host musical and cultural events during the summer months. Finally, the “fin de siecle” town casino, which is still open to gamblers today, is just one of the many 19th century buildings in Hyeres, constructed when the rich and famous used to take their holidays here.
If you want to explore somewhere even more peaceful than the charming winding streets of the Hyeres old town, then head out to one of the three islands that can be seen in the bay. All three can be reached by boat trips from Hyeres port throughout the year, with the most popular probably Porquerolles. Home to archaeological digs, vineyards and several kilometres of white sandy beaches, the island really does have something for everyone. The other two, Port-Cros and Le Levant, are smaller but no less charming. Port-Cros is the wildest of the three and has few beaches that are easy to reach! Crossed by a network of hiking trails, this is an ideal day trip for those who enjoy getting back to nature. Finally, Le Levant is the furthest from the shore and therefore usually the quietest. Many of the beaches here are for nudists only, and some of the island is a military base and therefore out of bounds to the public.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Hyeres? Then below is a selection of gites in Hyeres and villas in Hyeres that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
