Port-Cros National Park: harmony between land and sea

Celebrating the harmony between land and sea, the Port-Cros National Park lies at the southernmost tip of Provence, straddling the Îles d’Hyères and the mainland coast. This Mediterranean jewel abounds with wonders to discover: animals, intriguing plants and secret places... so many tantalising reasons to explore that it seems hard to resist.

In the Port-Cros National Park, harmony between land and sea is complete: detached from the crystalline Maures massif, its islands are carved out of dark rock from the mainland coast. A multitude of coves, inlets, cliffs and islets create the richness of this national park and form the maritime mirror of the Giens peninsula, with its natural harbours and bays. The paths that wind under arches of vegetation reveal unique, ancestral species: the Tyrrhenian Painted Frog, the delphinium Staphisagria requienii, and even the famous Jupiter's Beard, Anthyllis barba-jovis ... 

A land of contemplation

The former fishing village of Port-Cros and the natural areas of the island of Porquerolles share a peacefulness and isolation conducive to contemplation and exploration. The natural landscapes merge with human presence and can be observed in complete tranquillity. It's the ideal atmosphere in which to discover, in silence, the traces left by humankind on this territory: the vineyards and olive groves, the châteaux of Cap Bénat, La Croix-Valmer and Cap Camarat, the hanging gardens overlooking the open sea and the Giant Cane plantations in Hyères, La Garde or Le Pradet...

Watching shearwaters from the ridge path on Port-Cros

On the south coast of the island of Port-Cros, the Les Crêtes ridge trail is tinged with a luminous, arid atmosphere. There are numerous viewpoints overlooking the open sea, the cliffs and the islet of La Gabinière. During your walk, you may catch a glimpse of Scopoli’s Shearwaters: a rare and protected species that nests in burrows dug into the rock. The arrival of cats and rats on the islands has jeopardised the survival of the shearwaters, which are now regularly monitored to ensure their protection.

Walk to Cap des Mèdes on Porquerolles           

On the north coast of Porquerolles, a path leads along the long sandy beaches to Cap des Mèdes, from where you can admire Notre-Dame beach, before arriving at the Batteries des Mèdes fortress, also known as the "end of the world". This plateau, lying on superb rocks with menacing serrated ridges that cascade down to the sea, offers a breathtaking view of the Rochers des deux Frères rocks, the Gros Mur du Nord cliffs and the Grande Passe channel.

Contemplate Jupiter’s Beard at Cap Lardier

Cap Lardier is one of the natural lungs of the Var coastline, on the edge of the Saint-Tropez peninsula. From Gigaro beach, the coastal path leads to the Jovat cove, where you can spot the splendid Jupiter's Beard, a species of flower typical of “Crocodile Islet”. Look out for Jupiter's Beard on the earthy cliffs and sand: its leaves are divided into silvery leaflets, with creamy-white petals appearing at the tips in spring.