Ön Porquerolles i Frankrike - Guldöar på franska rivieran

The island of Porquerolles in France is one of the golden islands on the French Riviera, in the south of France. Many consider the Plage Notre Dame, located here, to be the most beautiful beach in the world. Although Porquerolles is the most touristy of the three islands, there are real gems here that we can't find anywhere else just off the south coast of France. The New York Times has listed these three French islands as real gems, and it's not hard to see why.

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Boat trip to the island of Porquerolles in France

We had decided that we wanted to visit all three of the so-called golden islands of the Côte d'Azur, so after the visits to the naturist island of Ile du Levant and the second largest "Caribbean" island. Port-Cros, it was time to visit the most touristy of the three islands, Porquerolles.

You can go by boat from several different places and we went from Le Lavandou. From here we paid almost 800 crowns for two, but there are cheaper tickets from other resorts, where the boat journey is shorter. Our journey took one hour from Lavadou.

Freedom of the Seas — Do you see what it says on the cap?

The legend of the Golden Islands on the French Riviera

The island of Porquerolles is the largest of the three 'golden islands' (Iles d'Or) of the Côte d'Azur, or the Hyères Islands, as they are also known. According to legend, Prince Olbanius had four daughters, all of whom were known for their beauty, and were also exceptional swimmers. One day, while swimming in the sea, their father saw pirate sails on the horizon.

He shouted for the daughters to come back as soon as possible, but they were already too far away. Desperate, the father blamed the gods and asked them to prevent the abduction of his daughters.

Heaven heard his prayers, and just as the young women were about to fall victim to the pirates, their bodies solidified and they turned into islands. The daughters who were furthest away formed three golden islands, and the daughter who was closest to the shore turned into Giens Peninsula. It is said that the islands have since retained the beauty of their daughters ...

Karta guldöarna — Here you see the Giens peninsula and the three golden islands (the one called Iles d'Hyeres is Porquerolles).

Porquerolles hamn — The harbour on the island of Porquerolles in France

READ MORE: 3 things to do in Marseille, France
READ MORE: Île Saint-Marguerite off Cannes - Lerin Islands

The island of Porquerolles in France

The island of Porquerolles is the largest of the three golden islands in the Bay of Hyères; it is 7 km long and 3 km wide. It is the most populated island and in the 19th century a village, church and lighthouse were built here. In 1912, the island was bought by Mr Fournier who had found gold in Mexico and gave the island as a morning gift to his wife, not bad.

The island includes two hundred hectares of vines around three vineyards and produces its own wine. This is where one of the first wines to be classified as 'vins des Côtes de Provence' came from, so it's a classy wine...

Later, the state bought 4/5 of the island to protect it from development and keep it as a natural area. The island is now protected as an environmental and cultural heritage site by the Conservatoire Botanique National de Porquerolles.

The island where everyone cycles

When you come ashore on the island of Porquerolles, it quickly becomes clear that this is an island for cycling and there are plenty of them. There are bike hire companies in every street corner. The price for renting a bike for a day is 16 euros (summer 2018) and the price is the same for all rental companies. If you wish, you can also bring your own bike on the boat.

You can of course rent a bike to explore the island! There are several beautiful sandy beaches, several viewpoints and, among other things, seven old castle ruins. You cycle along the kilometre-long sandy path around the island, and there are colour-coded signs showing you how to get around.

If the temperature had been lower, we would probably have cycled longer and discovered more of the island. In the heat, we settled for cycling to Notre Dame beach, which is the most famous and considered one of the most beautiful beaches in France.

Notre Dames - France's most beautiful beach?

According to the brochure we received at the tourist information centre, it takes 45 minutes to walk and 25 minutes to cycle to Notre Dame beach, and that's about right! The beach Notre Dame is considered by many to be the most beautiful beach in France, and in a ranking of European Best Destinations it was once named Europe's most beautiful beach with turquoise crystal clear waters.

Stranden Notre Dame på Porquerolles i Frankrike

READ MORE: A day in Nice and Villefranche
READ MORE: Campsite at Le Lavandou - Côte d'Azur in France

Beaches on the island of Porquerolles

There are more beautiful beaches on Porquerolles, of course, and many are framed by pine and eucalyptus trees. Much of the island is protected and there are no cars here except for those working in maintenance. The south side is more rocky with streams, and on the north side you'll find stunningly beautiful beaches.

There are beaches at the Alycastre promontory with its fort (Fort de l'Alycastre), just before Notre-Dame. Other beaches are Plage d'Argent and Plage de la Courtade with its vineyard and olive groves. On the south side you'll find the Calanque de l'Oustaou de Diou, with red sand.

The village of Porquerolles

There is only one village on the island of Porquerolles and it is located at the harbour where the boats dock. According to English-language Wikipedia, about 400 people live here, and there are also plenty of restaurants and ice cream parlours. And ice cream, yes it was perfect after our bike ride to Notre Dame beach, which is perhaps France's most beautiful beach. The island of Porquerolles also has about 300 days of sunshine per year.

All three of these French golden islands have pleasantly surprised us in different ways. The nature on all three is magical, even if the atmosphere is slightly different. One thing that is common on all three islands is that everyone greets each other politely, in all contexts. It's "Bonjour" during the day and "Bonsoir" in the evening. Very nice! These islands are highly recommended!

Glass i Frankrike — Peter found his favourite flavours: rum raisin and lemon.

Video from the island of Porquerolles

More golden islands in France

Read also about the other two golden islands in France. Port-Cros is an exotic and wild island reminiscent of the Caribbean, while Île du Levant is something as different as an island where everyone goes naked.

READ MORE: Port-Cros Island - France's exotic national park
READ MORE: Île du Levant in France - Europe's only naturist island

There are also three small islands in the archipelago of Iles d'Hyères, located in the south of France between Nice and Marseille, which are Saint Honorat, Bendor and Embiez.

Ön Port-Cros i Frankrike — Port-Cros, one of France's golden islands

Facts about Porquerolles

Country: France
Language: French (many also speak English)

Restaurants

Plenty of restaurants, most of them in the village/harbour, and quite expensive. There's a restaurant on the Plage d'Argent beach and one at the luxury hotel Le mas du Langoustier, but make sure you book ahead.

Accommodation

There are a whole bunch of hotels and they are all quite expensive. All are located in the village except for the luxury hotel Le mas du Langoustier.

Travelling here

Ferry from Giens: Take the TLV ferry from the port of Giens in Hyères called La Tour Fondue, which is a 20-minute boat ride from the mainland.
Ferry from Toulon: Take the Toulon ferry with Les Bateliers de la Cote d'Azyr from the ports of La Seyne sur Mer and La Londe.
Ferry from Le Lavandou: You can also go from Le Lavandou where we left from, but it takes over an hour.

19 Comments

Add yours →

Deciree says:

It looks super lovely. Will have to add it to our travel wish list... The beach looked super lovely.

07 August 2018 - 7:42

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Amazing island and beach! Highly recommended! Maybe even better a little before or after the worst high season, so that it is slightly cooler 😉.
  
  07 August 2018 - 10:21
  
Travelsis says:

This was something new for me, it looks very nice ut☀️./ Pernilla

07 August 2018 - 8:01

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  It seems that many people have not heard of these islands. Amazingly beautiful!
  
  07 August 2018 - 10:22
  
Ama de casa says:

Looked really nice there! But I missed one thing... Where are the pictures of the old castle ruins? That was the one I was most interested in... 😉.

Very expensive crossing, I think. It also seemed to be the closest of the "sisters"? But, but. It is "supply and demand" that governs.

Keep up the good work on your wonderful trip!

07 August 2018 - 9:08

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Haha, we were at the small castle but it was not so impressive, so it did not come in the picture 😉 We went the longest trip I think, from Le Lavandou at the top right of the map image. It is certainly cheaper from the Giens peninsula!
  
  07 August 2018 - 10:24
  
Britt-Marie Lundgren says:

What lovely islands and what a beach. We had never heard of these islands.
Have a great time when you get back on the road!

07 August 2018 - 9:56

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  It seems that these islands are not very well known, at least not in Sweden. But they are very nice! 🙂
  
  07 August 2018 - 12:18
  
Mr Steve says:

So nice to have a place with only bicycle traffic. Lovely story about how the islands were formed.
Thanks for another great film. Great ending to the film.

07 August 2018 - 10:41

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Yes, cycling is the norm on the island 🙂 Glad you liked the film!
  
  07 August 2018 - 12:21
  
Ditte says:

So lovely! Was in the neighbourhood many years ago when I studied French in the area, but there was no luck then. And now it is doubtful because I can imagine that there is not much shade. Lovely pictures ! Will have to make do with them.

07 August 2018 - 17:43

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  I can agree that there was little shade. In the city it goes reasonably well, but during the bike ride there was a lot of sun.
  
  07 August 2018 - 23:58
  
Emma, sun like sun? says:

What an incredibly beautiful beach but I must say that the legend of the islands was a bit sad. Poor father who had to keep his daughters this way.

Romrussin is also a favourite here (though better pistachio if it's made with real pistachios). Romrussin can also be called Malaga ice cream, which is what it's called here and also in Serbia. So Peter can keep his eyes open for that if he doesn't quite find what he's looking for.

07 August 2018 - 19:28

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  But how interesting that it could be called Malaga ice cream! Great to know, thanks! 🙂
  
  07 August 2018 - 23:59
  
BP says:

Really a nice beach! Also liked the story of how the islands came to be. You always learn something new!
See that it's Freedom all over the island, your cap and Peter's bracelet. Very funny! I also like all the colourful bikes.

07 August 2018 - 21:21

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Haha, yes, this is Freedom all the way 🙂 .
  
  08 August 2018 - 0:13
  
Maria / Magnolia Magis says:

So beautiful! All the islands! How hot is it now? And Peter gets a plus for ice cream, lemon sorbet and rum raisins are just the best! Have a nice evening!

07 August 2018 - 22:19

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  I do not know exactly how hot it is, but just over 30 I think. Way too hot I think 😉
  
  08 August 2018 - 0:14
  
  - Maria/Magnoliamagis says:
    
    Agreed!!!
    
    09 August 2018 - 12:11

Porquerolles Island in France - Golden Islands on the French Riviera

Boat trip to the island of Porquerolles in France

The legend of the Golden Islands on the French Riviera

The island of Porquerolles in France

The island where everyone cycles

Notre Dames - France's most beautiful beach?

Beaches on the island of Porquerolles

The village of Porquerolles

Video from the island of Porquerolles

More golden islands in France

Facts about Porquerolles

Restaurants

Accommodation

Travelling here

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19 Comments

Deciree says:

Helena says:

Travelsis says:

Helena says:

Ama de casa says:

Helena says:

Britt-Marie Lundgren says:

Helena says:

Mr Steve says:

Helena says:

Ditte says:

Helena says:

Emma, sun like sun? says:

Helena says:

BP says:

Helena says:

Maria / Magnolia Magis says:

Helena says:

Maria/Magnoliamagis says:

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