|
The commune of Hyères includes the town, the seaside peninsula Presqu'ile de Giens and the islands Iles d'Hyères.
|
 |
|
Also: |
Hyères |
Hyères Islands |
Hyères Sea Travel |
Nearby: |
Aix-en-Provence 96 km |
Belgentier 24 km |
Bormes-les-Mimosas 22 km |
Brignoles 50 km |
Calanques |
Castellet 41 km |
Garde-Freinet 54 km |
Lavandou 22 km |
Marseille 86 km |
Pierrefeu-du-Var 16 km |
Toulon 18 km |
Hotels near Hyères: |
Hyères |
16 km Pierrefeu-du-Var |
18 km Toulon |
22 km Bormes-les-Mimosas |
22 km Lavandou |
50 km Brignoles |
86 km Marseille |
The Town of Hyères
Hyères is a fabulous town, and vastly different from the seaside resort area of the coast. Coming up from the beach, or turning in from the end of the autoroute, you'll drive up through a commercial-residential district on the Avenue Gambetta with its wide sidewalks lined by double rows of palm trees. If you come into town by train, you'll have a 10-15 minute walk from the station to the center. However you arrive, don't plan on leaving soon; if you have only one day you'll miss a lot of Hyères.
From the top of the avenue, much more town extends out to the right (east), including wide pedestrian shopping malls (the outside street variety). Straight north from the end of Ave Gambetta, continue on the Rue Rabaton to the Place Massillon and the start of the old town.
The Place Massillon is a large, open square, with the 12th-century Tower of Saint-Blaise and several good terrace cafè-restaurants. The daily market is held here, and the tiny streets leading to the square are packed with market stalls and shops. The well-restored old "tower" was a Knights Templar commandery.
Above the Place Massillon are a maze of interesting old streets on the hillside, meriting hours of wander and exploring; It's small enough, though, that you'll discover most in just an hour or two (not counting the park). On one level there's an observation table with a good view of the plains below and the coast. Behind the observation table, the medieval Porte Pensicola leads upwards tint even narrower streets, many of them paved with thick round cobble stones and bordered by stone walls, with shrubs and flowers everywhere. A lot of the streets of the upper vieille ville have the stone roots of the underlying rock joining streets and walls.
The old town has, in addition to its narrow streets and medieval arched portes, lovely old houses, many painted in the Provençal pastels with contrasting shutters and doors. Most are finely restored, many with the ancient stone door and window frames integrated into the facades. Even the vieille village school house is interesting with its red brick construction.
Park St Bernard
If you like flowers, or gardens, or quiet restful places, or great views, you'll love this park. In the old town go up the Rue Saint Esprit to where it turns and becomes Rue Barbacane. Facing the Porte Barruc archway, follow the steps to up to the right through a small gate, and into a lush other world. (It's open from 8h00 until evening.)
A myriad of walkways and steps leading to different levels or through small arches into adjacent plots take you through a lush, green and colorful environment. Olives, pines and other trees provide shade in extensive gardens full of Mediterranean plants.
The park is peaceful and quite, with benches or low walls for sitting and resting. There's a great view of the coast from here, and down across the roofs of the town, including the observation table below. High above and behind the park, you can see the lookout point at the Chateau ruins with an even further view.
At the top of the park is the Les Palmiers district, where the ramparts of the Villa de Noailles are being rebuilt. A road from here goes around the hill to the right, circling up to the Chateau ruins to the top, apparently a 45-minute walk.
The Seaside and Presqu'ile de Giens
The seaside and out onto the peninsula Presqu'ile de Giens is typically seaside resort, but perhaps more crowded than most. It's lined with campsites, hotels, tourist shops, traffic, restaurants and attractions, in a setting of salt marshes and umbrella pines. A popular attraction is the large Magic World fun park, on the D42 road just west of Hyères-Plage.
The Presqu'ile has the village of Giens, a little port, and the Tour-Fondue with an old fortress and the ferry to the islands of Porquerolles, Port-Cros and Levant. Just off the point are the little islands of Petit Ribaud and Grand Ribaud: pretty, but without access. The fortress is picturesque, sitting on a promotory jutting into the sea. You can clamber up the rocks (a bit dodgy) and walk around the base of the fort, but there's not much point. La Tour-Fondue itself has a pretty little inlet, with a few fishing boats anchored.
The ferry to the Porquerolles leaves roughly every hour, and many passengers take their bicycles for touring the island.
Office de Tourisme
Tel (CDT): 04 94 65 18 55; Fax: 04 94 35 85 05
Web: www.hyeres-tourisme.com
Email: info@ot-hyeres.fr
Dates
Sat, Sun - Market; at Magic World
Sun - Puces (flea markt), La Capte
Museums & Sites
Museum
Villa Noailles
Location:
Forum du casino - 3, av Ambroise Thomas; BP 721, 83400 Hyeres
Open: 7 July - 26 Sept, 14h-19h; Fridays open only 16h-22h
Closed: Tue, Holidays
Tel: 0498 080 198
Web: www.villanoailles-hyeres.com
Fenouillet Domaine - Domaine du Fenouillet
Denise Lacour
Location:
324 Route de Toulon, La Bayorre
Tel: 0494 651 326
Web: www.domaine-du-fenouillet.com
Olive oil and olives available.
Gardens (Jardins)
Park St Bernard
A large, terraced garden of lush plants and wildflowers, with a view down across the roofs of the old town to the sea.
Location:
In the old town go up the Rue Saint Esprit to where it turns and becomes Rue Barbacane. Facing the Porte Barruc archway, follow the steps to up to the right through the small gate.
Open: 08h00 - evening
Entry: Free
Wine
Bormes-les-Mimosas is in the region of the Côte de Provence wines.
Château des Anglades
Direction Le Lavandour via RN 98, after Pont du Gapeau
Open: Visit by rendez-vous
Tel: 0491 681 560; Fax: 04 91 68 20 57
Domaine de l' Artaude
M. Lemarchaud
Location:
Chemin de la Cibonne
Open: All year, Mon-Sat, 9h-12h, 14h-18h
Closed Sun, holidays; open 14 July
Tel: 0494 217 054
Château Le Bastidon
M. et Mme Rose
Location:
Route du Pansard
Open: Summer 7 days, 8h-12h, 15h30-19h30
Winter Mon-Sat 8h-12h, 14h-19h; Sun 10h-12h
Tel: 0494 668 015; Fax: 04 94 66 68 23
Château des Bormettes
M. Faré
Location:
Route de Brégançon
Open: Summer 8h-12h, 15h-19h30; Winter 8h-12, 14h-18h
Closed Sun, holidays
Tel: 0494 668 135; Fax: 04 94 05 28 50
Château du Carrubier
M. Jacques Axel
Location:
Route de Cabasson
Open: Summer, 7 days, 8h-19h
Winter, Mon-Sat, 9h-12h, 14h-17h
Tel: 0494 668 282; Fax: 04 94 35 00 01
Domaine du Cazal et Mas des Borrels
M. Michel Garnier
Location:
Les 3eme Borrels
Open: Summer 9h-12h; Winter Sat-Sun, 15h-19h
Tel: 0494 664 015; Fax: 04 94 66 40 15
Domaine du Château Vert
M. Marmottant
Location:
RD 559
Open: Summer, Mon-Sat, 9h-12h30, 15h30-19h30
Winter, Mon-Sat, 9h-12h, 14h30-18h, except Wed afternoon
Tel: 0494 668 059
Château de la Cheylane
Château closed to the public; no direct sales.
Location:
La Cheylane, Route du Lavandou
Tel: 0494 668 009; Fax: 04 94 05 20 88
Domaine Clos Cibonne Tibouren
Mme Roux Mourchou
Location:
Chemin de la Cibonne
Open: All year Mon-Sat
Tel: 0494 217 055
Domaine de la Coulerette
Mme Sylvette Brechet
Location:
La Coulerette
Open: Mon-Sat 9h-12h, 14h-17h; closed Sun, holidays
Tel: 0494 668 003; Fax: 04 94 15 92 31
Domaine de la Courtade
Open: Mon-Fri 10h-16h30; closed Sat-Sun
Tel: 0494 583 144
Domaine Desachy
M. Desachy (Gaec)
Location:
La Moserolle
Open: Summer, Mon-Sat 9h-12h, 15h-19h30; Sun 9h-12h
Winter, Mon-Sat 9h12h, 15h-19h30
Tel: 0494 668 446
Domaine de la Ferme
M. Mathieu-Ressuge
Location:
RN 98 route Hyères/La Londe
Open: Summer 14h-20h; Winter 14h-18h
Tel: 0494 664 015
Domaine Les Fouques
M. Yves Gros
Location:
Les Premiers Borrels - Vallées des Borrels
Open: Weekdays 8h-19h; Sat-Sun 10h-19h
Tel: 0494 656 819; Fax: 04 94 35 25 30
Ferm Auberge Vigneronne; Meals at the farm by reservation.
Château du Galoupet
M. Shivdasani
Location:
RD 559
Open: Summer 9h-19h except holidays; Sun 9h-12h
Winter 9h-18h except Sun, holidays
Tel: 0494 664 007; Fax: 04 94 66 42 410
Domaine de la Grande Bastide
Mme Josette Delpeuch
Location:
Route de Pierrefeu
Open: Mon-Sat 9h-12h, 14h-18h; Closed Sun April-Oct.
Tel: 0494 282 847
Domaine du Haut Pansard
M. Maurice Portal
Location:
Le Haut Pansard
Open: Mon-Sat, closed Sun, holidays
Tel: 0494 665 985
Domaine de l' Ile
M. Sébastien Leber
Open: Apr-Sept, 7 days, 8h-20h
Tel: 0494 583 160; Fax: 04 94 58 31 03
Rouge, Rosé, Blanc - at the boutique in the village.
Château de Jasson
M. et Mme Benjamin Defresne
Location:
Route de Collobrières
Open: Summer 9h-12h30, 15h-19h, closed Sun
Winter 9h45-12h, 15h-19h Sat-Mon; mornings only Sun, holidays
Tel: 0494 668 152; Fax: 04 94 05 24 84
Domaine de la Jeannette SCIR
Mister and Misses Hervé Limon
Location:
556 route des Borrels, Vallée des Borrels
Open: Weekdays 9h-12h, 14h-18h; Sat 9-12h, 14h-17h30
Closed Sun; open holidays
Tel: 0494 656 830; Fax: 04 94 12 76 07
Cave des Vignerons Londais
Mme Geneviève Gualtieri
Location:
RD 559, Le Pansard
Open: Summer 8h-12h, 15h-18h, closed Sun, holidays
Winter 8h-12h, 15h-18h, closed Sun-Mon, holidays
Tel: 0494 668 023; Fax: 04 94 05 20 10
Château Maravenne
Location:
Route de Valcros
Open: 7 days a week:
Sept - April: 9h - 12.30, 13.30 - 18h
May - June: 9h - 12.30, 13.30 - 19h
July - Aug: 9h - 13, 14 - 19h
Closed 1 Jan and 25 Dec
Tel: 0494 668 020; Fax: 04 94 66 97 79
Mas de la Colombine
M. Mario Colombo
Location:
Route de l'Appié
Open: Mon-Sat 8h-12h, 14h30-19h
Tel: 0494 668 072
Domaine de Mauvanne
Location:
Les Salins d'Hyères
Open: Open: 7 days a week:
Sept - April: 9h - 12.30, 13.30 - 18h
May - June: 9h - 12.30, 13.30 - 19h
July - Aug: 9h - 13, 14 - 20h
Closed: 1 Jan and 25 Dec
Tel: 0494 664 025; Fax: 04 94 66 46 29
Domaine des Myrtes
MM. Barbaroux (Gaec)
Location:
Lieu dit "Les Myrtes"
Open: Summer, Mon-Fri 9h-12h, 15h-19h; Sat 9h-12h, 16h-19h
Winter, Mon-Fri 9h-12h, 15h-18h; Sat 9h-12h
Tel: 0494 668 300; Fax: 04 94 66 65 73
Domaine de la Navicelle
Location:
Chemin de la Cibonne
Tel: 0494 217 999
Domaine OTT, Clos Mireille
M. OTT
Location:
Route de Brégançon
Open: Summer, Mon-Sat, 9h-12h30, 15h-19h30; Sun 10h30-12h, 17h-19h
Winter, Mon-Sat, 9h12h, 14h-18h. Always closed holidays.
Tel: 0494 015 350; Fax: 04 94 01 53 51
Domaine Perzinsky
M. Alexis et Cyril Perzinsky
Open: Apr-Oct, 7 days, 9h-19h; Nov-Mar, Sat-Sun, 9h-19h, weekend by rendez-vous.
Tel: 0494 583 432; Fax: 04 94 58 34 32
Domaine du Revaou
M. Bernard Scarone
Location:
3eme Borrels
Open: Sat, 8h30-12h
Tel: 0494 656 844
Domaine Saint André de Figuière
M. Alain Combard
Location:
Quartier Saint Honoré (near the Jardin d'Oiseaux Tropicaux); BP 47
Open: Summer Mon-Sat 9h-12h, 14h-18h30
Winter Mon-Sat 9h-12h, 14h-18h
Tel: 0494 669 210; Fax: 04 94 35 04 46
Château Sainte Marguerite
M. Jean-Pierre Fayard
Location:
Le Haut Pansard
Open: Summer 9h-12h, 14h-19h, except Sun, holidays
Winter 9h-12h, 14h-17h, except Sun, holidays
Tel: 0494 668 146; Fax: 04 94 66 51 05
Domaine de Sauvebonne
Location:
La Bergerie
Open: Apr-Sept Mon-Sat 9h-12h, 15h-19h
Oct-Mar Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat 9h-12h, 15h-18h30
Tel: 0494 667 870
Domaine du Tamary
M. Jacques Morel
Location:
EARL du Tamary, Route de Valcros
Open: Summer, Mon-Sat, 10h-12h, 16h-19h30
Winter, Mon-Fri 17h-19h; Sat 14h-19h
Tel: 0494 665 500; Fax: 04 94 66 55 00
Château de la Tour Saint Honoré
M. Serge Portal
Location:
RD 559, Quartier Saint Honoré
Open: Mon-Sat; closes Sun, holidays
Tel: 0494 669 822; Fax: 04 94 66 52 12
Cave Coopérative Viticole
Location:
3, allée de la Libération
Tel: 0494 217 224
Transportation Hyères
Air
Toulon-Hyères Airport
The Toulon-Hyères airport is located between the Hyères town center and the beach.
Bus
Department 83, Var Buses
See Beyond's Bus Schedules Page 16: Var Department for downloading Var bus-lines map [Plan du Reseau] and bus-line schedules [Horaires] (link for PDF files).
Driving
The autoroute A570 starts at the edge of Hyères town center. Nine km to the west it connects to the A5 that goes through Toulon to Marseille and points north and west, and to the A57 that goes northeast to joint the A8 autoroute between Aix-en-Provence and Nice.
Rail
Toulon is on the main Nice-Lyon-Paris line [rail map].
Hyères and Toulon are connected by a local train line and good bus service. This is the best way to get to or from Hyères by public transport.
Fun - Amusement - Kids
Amusement
Kiddy Parc - Parc d'Attractions pour Enfants
A 3-hectare amusement theme park for kiddies, 500 meters from the Port de Hyères. Rides, slides, animals, water slides and games, go-karts, and so on.
Location:
Port d'Hyères
Open: April - September
Entry: Kids over 2 years: 13.50€ Parc; 15.50€ Parc + Cirque; 17.00€ Parc + Cirque + Jeux d'Eau (Water Games)
Email: infos@kiddyparc.com
Web: www.kiddyparc.com
Mini Golf
Golf Mini Hyérois
Location:
810 chem Roubaud
Tel: 0494 572 500
Sports
Cycling
Holiday Bikes
VTT cycle and motorcycle rental
Location:
19 rue Jean D'Agrève
Tel: 0494 387 945
Holiday Bikes
VTT cycle and motorcycle rental
Location:
centre Nautisme 4 centre cial Ship Souk
Tel: 0494 387 945
L'Horizon
Location:
14 av Méditerranée
Tel: 0494 580 378; Fax: 04 94 58 03 78
L'Indien
Location:
av Mer l Ayguade
Tel: 0607 384 467; Fax: 04 94 58 35 27
Michel François
Location:
14 av Doct Robin
Tel: 0494 387 945
Diving
Destination Plongée
Location:
av Aéroport
Tel: 0494 383 585
Espace Mer Le Brigantin
Location:
che Bouvet, La Tour Fondue, Giens
Tel: 0494 589 494
Special NV BIO Nitrox and wrecks
Hiking
Maps:
IGN (1/25,000) #3446 OT "Hyères, Porquerolles"
Didier Richard (1/50,000) #25 "Maures Haut-Pays Varois"
East, south and west of town is very built up. Immediately to the north of town, however, are the forested hills of Les Maurettes. From the hilltop above the town, trails go out into these hills to the north; it's an area only about 5 km from east to west.
To the northeast of Hyères, only a few km away, is the start of the Maures: a vast area of beautiful forests and hills, and good hiking. For the Maures you'll need map Didier Richard (1/50,000) #25 "Maures Haut-Pays Varois".
Dining
There are plenty of restaurants in Hyères, that we haven't tried. Our one lunch on the Place Massillon included a very good Pates aux Pistou and an interesting Aïoli complet. The Aïoli was served as one deep dish with fresh codfish, green beans, boiled potato, cauliflower, carrots, a whole artichoke, shellfish and a boiled egg, with a dish of Aïoli sauce on the side.
La Crèche Provencale
Location:
15 rte de Toulon
Closed: Sat noon, Mon
Tel: 0494 653 028
La Fontaine d'Aristée
Location:
20 impasse Saint-Joseph
Tel: 0494 353 737
This is also a hotel, located in a residential area between the town center and the beaches. Cuisine refined and original, and they have a weight-watchers menu.
Le Jardin
Location:
19 av Joseph Clotis
Open: 7/7 days, midi-midnight
Tel: 0494 352 412
Close to the center; set in a relaxed tent-style soft-top. Friendly, English-speaking staff. Very popular so phone ahead.
Les Jardins de Bacchus
Location:
32 av Gambetta
Closed: Sat noon, Mon off-season; 1-15 June; 1 week Jan
Tel: 0494 657 763; Fax: 04 94 65 71 19
Fine cuisine (restaurant gastronomique), a couple of blocks below the old town.
Lodging - Hotels
|
Photo gallery of 10 photos for Hyères