France › Île de Porquerolles
Île de Porquerolles is part of the Hyères Islands, located in the Var department of southeastern France, near the city of Hyères. It is the largest of the three main Hyères Islands.
In the Middle Ages, the island was part of the domain of the Counts of Provence. It was frequently attacked by pirates and raiders during this time. In the 16th century, the island was fortified by the French to defend against attacks. A citadel and other military structures were built on the island.
In the 19th century, the island was purchased by a wealthy private citizen François Joseph Fournier, who turned it into a private resort and planted numerous trees and gardens.
In 1971, the island was acquired by the French state and designated as a national park. It is now a popular tourist destination known for its scenic beaches, walking trails, and preserved natural environment.
Île de Porquerolles has a permanent population of around 200 people, but the number of visitors can swell to over 10,000 per day during the peak summer season.
Porquerolles Island is only reachable by boat and you cannot drive on it as a tourist. The closest port is located in Hyères, from which it takes just 20 minutes to cross over.
You can reach the island from ferries and boat taxis that depart from several ports:
Getting around the island is easiest with a bicycle, though I was able to explore about a quarter of it on foot with no problem. I noticed the bicycles had to weave in between those on foot, as there isn’t a clear bike path for you to use. I would say about half were on a bike, and half were walking.
While there are a few restaurants located near the port, it is best to bring food with you from the mainland and eat on the beach. This is what most of the people I went with via ferry did!
If you wish to eat in town, Le Pelagos is the most often recommended restaurant I’ve seen.
You won’t find any beachside cafes, as the land outside of the small downtown area is mostly natural.
