7 Fun Things To Do In Hyeres, France - The Complete Guide
Hyeres France
Hyeres, located in the French Rivera, serves as an idyllic escape from the glitz and glamour of Cannes and St. Tropez. This little gem is no secret among the Frenchs, as locals flock to the beach town for a relaxing holiday every year- if you want to experience the French bon vivant, Hyeres is the place.
The hilly peninsula of Gien in the south, the medieval town, and the small islands just off the coast, made Hyeres the perfect place to call home - at least for a few days on our road trip through Provence. We stayed at an apartment rental by the beach and our days were filled with sun-bathing fun, breath-taking hikes, and fruit and pastry feasts. What makes Hyeres such a great place is that despite its many visitors, you can relax and enjoy everything that the South of France has to offer. Come without an itinerary and enjoy your day care-free.
Related Posts:
Provence Road Trip 10-Day Itinerary
7 Fun Things to do in Hyeres, France
If you can’t stay still, fear not! There is a plethora of things to do in Hyeres - from hiking the Sentier du Littoral to taking a stroll to the past in the old village, Vieille Ville.
1. Hike the Sentier du Littoral
Hiking is a must when in Hyeres. Sentier du Littoral de la Presqu'ile de Giens, their famous hiking trail, runs along the coast of Giens. As you walk along the path, you will see the rocky shore, turquoise water, and the wild flora. The view is spectacular even on cloudy days. The hike is not very challenging but, I recommend hiking in the early morning or later afternoon to avoid the scorching sun in the summer. Don't forget to bring water, appropriate shoes, and a swimsuit. For a complete guide on hiking outfit, check out my beginner’s guide to hiking outfit for women.
2. Visit Hyeres Old Town - Vieille Ville
The old town of Hyeres is a very charming medieval town with its narrow streets, old churches, and old facades. But be ready to work for the view as you will have to climb a bit. You will also find in town, quaint shops as well as charming cafes and restaurants.
3. Sunbathing at the beach
With miles of white sandy beaches, there’s no shortage of places to bask in the sun and splash in the water. For a more private experience, head to the Giens peninsula for small hidden beaches.
Beaches in Hyeres
Plage de l'Almanarre - One of the most popular beach in Hyeres, and for good reasons! It offers a wide sandy beach, turquoise water, and vibrant ambiance. It’s also a very popular beach to do kite surfing. There’s also nearby parking, but make sure to arrive early. To find this beach, click here.
Anse du four a Chaux - Located northwest of the peninsula. This sandy beach is narrow but it’s a bit quieter and surrounded by trees. There’s also a nearby parking lot. To find this beach, click here.
La Madrague - Right below Anse du four a Chaux, you will find this beach. La Madrague is a bit more popular especially among families as they tend to have games for kids. You will also find a parking lot behind it. To find this beach, click here.
Pradeau - It’s a small but beautiful that’s a bit secluded located in the south. It offers protection from the wind and it’s only accessible by a small path accessible only on foot. To find this beach, click here.
Darboussières - looking for a secluded hidden gem? check out this beach! Perfect to enjoy nature and the turquoise water. To find this beach, click here.
Badine - This beach offers a wide sandy beach, where you can go on a nice stroll. This beach is also one of the busiest as it’s the easiest to access. From here you can also reach the beach Lou Plantie and Le Vieux Chene via Kayak. You can easily rent a kayak on the beach. To find Badine beach, click here.
4. Scuba diving, snorkeling, or kayaking
We rented a Kayak and paddled our way around the east coast of Giens. We found a small cave and abundant marine life in the shallow water. If you love diving and snorkeling, you will find plenty to see as well.
5. Enjoy an apéro in the city
As the sun set, head out to the center of the city for a customary apéro. You will find visitors and locals alike gathering for an apéro all along the Gambetta Avenue enjoying with a fresh glass of local rosé.
6. Explore the farmer's market
One of my favorite things to do while traveling is exploring the farmer's market. Even when I don't have a full kitchen, I love shopping for fresh fruits and local bites - you also get to learn about the local's cuisine and culture. When in Provence, make sure to try the local fruits that are in season. They are exceptionally flavorful and sweet.
Hyeres Farmer’s Market Schedule
Monday: Les Salins – Place des Pecheurs
Tuesday: Avenue Gambetta, Marche Paysan
Wednesday: L’Ayguade – Place Daviddi
Thursday: Place Clemenceau, Marche Paysan (May – September)
Friday: La Capte – Avenue de la Pinede
Saturday: Centre-Ville, Avenue Gambetta
Sunday: Port-Saint-Pierre – Parking de L’Hippodrome
7. Day Trip To Ile de Porquerolles
Porquerolles was one of my favorite places we visited in the South of France. The small island off the coast of Hyeres is as charming as it gets. The main square is surrounded by pastel colors buildings and vibrant flowers everywhere. Not to mention, the stunning views and crystal clear water. Luckily, the island is just a 10-minutes boat ride away from the coast. You can learn more about Ile de Porquerolles here.
Where to stay in Hyeres
There is no shortage of hotels in Hyeres but, the majority are apartment-like rentals. We stayed at Pierre & Vacances La Pineda, located in the Giens Peninsula right in front of the beach. The holiday residence features comfortable and fully equipped apartments. This is especially great if you want to cook - the convenience of a kitchen makes all the difference. I love staying in apartments when traveling for more than a week as we enjoy cooking and shopping at the farmer's market.
Tip: What you can't find at the Farmer's Market, you can get it at the nearby supermarket, Casino Supermarche - not to be confused with the actual casino in town. If you need more than groceries, check out Casino Drive Hyères - inside the shopping mall. They have everything you need from home goods, groceries, to drugstore makeup. Every time we visited, I couldn't resist picking up a few skincare products and sweets.
Where to eat in Hyeres
Maison Sarroche
Sweet tooth? Maison Sarroche have mouthwatering baked goods and the most delicious strawberry shortcakes! We came a few times during our stay in Hyeres for freshly baked bread - croissants and pain aux chocolat included, of course - and strawberry shortcakes. Surprisingly, they also roast delicious provencal chicken and potatoes - which we got as well.
La Fabrique
Conveniently located right next to Maison Sarroche, the Pizza place is a big hit among locals and visitors. You can eat-in or order to go. In addition to delicious pizza, you can pick up a few snacks and wine. Also, keep an eye on their menu du jour, sometimes they have delicious Provençal rotisserie chicken - yes, I love them rotisserie chickens.
Le Provençal "Le barbecue”
Nothing like fresh seafood with a view! Make sure to order a Mediterranean grilled fish, paired with a refreshing summer salad, and a glass of white wine. The restaurant is located on a hilltop inside the Provencal hotel - a must!
How to get to Hyeres
By Plane
There’s a small airport in Hyeres, Toulon Hyeres Airport and you can fly from Paris. Once at the airport, you can pick up a car rental, or take the bus line 63 Aéroport Toulon Hyères - Hyères Centre (Denis) to the peninsula.
By train
If you are already in the South of France, your best option is to take the train. You can take the train from Toulon, Cannes, or Nice to Gare de Hyères. If you are not planning to rent a car, you can take the bus line 67 Hyères Centre (Joffre) - Tour Fondue (Giens) which runs from the train station all the way to the port where you take the ferry to Porquerolles. For more information, check out their site - yellow line.
By car
If you are in the South of France on a road trip, driving will be the most convenient way to get to Hyeres. I wouldn’t recommend driving directly there from Paris - unless of course, it’s a road trip and you plan to end at the beach town. It’s very convenient to have a car in Hyeres since many vacation rentals provide parking. It also made it super easy to go to the big grocery store.
More France Posts
Liked this post? Pin it!
