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Walking Porquerolles Island: beaches and petanque !
    • France - French Riviera
    • 6 days
    • Walking
    • Self-guided
      • From March to November
    • 2 - 10 travellers
      • Simple
      • Comfort
      • Charming
      • Superior
      • Trip code : B1116
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About the Walking Porquerolles Island: beaches and petanque ! trip

Your self guided walking holiday: Based in the quaint Riviera town of Le Lavandou  right on the Med sea, you can explore some of the best kept secrets of the Riviera. Enjoy walks along the pristine and untamed coastline paths and hop on a boat for a trip out to the “Golden islands” Porquerolles and Port Cros, an absolute paradise for nature and walking trails and famous for their wild coasts, sandy beaches and crystal clear blue waters. It is also an ideal place to go snorkeling thanks to its exceptionnal "Marine Reserve". End your trip by exploring the hidden gem: the Mediterranean gardens of Le Rayol.

This is unmistakably hidden Riviera at its best !

Highlights of the trip

  • The wilderness of the islands of Porquerolles and Port Cros
  • The hidden gem of the Mediterranean gardens of Le Rayol
  • Plenty of swimming opportunities every day !
  • Majestic coastline paths and hidden inlets






    Go Private or go guided ! Customize your holidays with a local specialist here 

From the blog

Walking Porquerolles Island, beaches and pétanque: day by day

Day 1 - Le Lavandou, by the Med sea

golden island coast

  • Arriving in the quaint little town of Le Lavandou, settle in for your 5 nights stay in the heart of Le Lavandou. Stroll along the quayside and beautiful beaches, or sit in one of the numerous cafés and watch the world go by. Centre-stage is the pétanque grounds where the locals come to play every afternoon: pastis is had and the competition is fierce.
  • Night in Le Lavandou

  • Access:
    . Regular train lines from Paris & Marseille & Toulon & Nice > Hyeres, and then bus to Le Lavandou
    . Private transfer from Marseille, Toulon, Hyeres : please contact us

Day 2 - The island of Porquerolles

porquerolles cristaline sea

  • Walk - Le Lavandou > Loop walk on Porquerolles island > Le Lavandou 
    3 hours 15 - 12km / 7.5 miles - Ascent: +150 m / Descent: -150 m
  • A ferry crossing from Le Lavandou (45 min - return trip included) takes you to the island of Porquerolles the biggest of the three Golden islands. You reach the port and walk through its quaint hamlet. You can visit the Villa Carmignac, an old farm house that has been beautifully renovated and turned into a comtemporary art museum that opened its doors to the public just last year. The rest of the island is given over to nature with walking paths criss crossing in every direction through pine forests and arbutus trees. A short climb leads to a view point where the entire island is at your feet and the infinite expanse of the Mediterranean on the horizon. A winding path through the heather descends in gentle zigzags back to the coast. Return to the port and ferry ride back to Le Lavandou.
  • Night in Le Lavandou
  • MEALS included: Breakfast

Day 3 - Walking day in the Pellegrin beach by the Bregancon fortress

costal walk cabasson beach

  • Walk - Pellegrin beach > Cabasson beach > Bregançon Fort 
    2 hours 50 - 9 km / 6 miles - Ascent: +30 m / Descent: -30 m
  • Morning taxi transfer to the Pellegrin beach, along the protected coasline path. The path leads you to untamed inlets of turquoise waters lined with wild lavender and cistus flower. The picture postcard protected coastline is simply magical ! Halfway through your walk you will come across a stunning beach, an opportunity for a swim and the place to lunch in one of the best restaurants along the coast specializing in seafood and pizzas cooked over a wood fire. You continue your journey along the coastal path to reach the centuries-old Brégançon fort now used as a summer retreat for the French President. Transfer back to Le Lavandou
  • Night in Le Lavandou
  • MEALS included: Breakfast

Day 4 - Emerald waters on Port Cros island

port cros fish port

  • Walk - Le Lavandou > Circular Walk on Port Cros Island > Le Lavandou
    . 3 hours - 9km / 5.6 miles - Ascent: +250 m / Descent: -250 m 
    . Extra additionnal LOOP : 1h45 - 5.5km / 3.1 miles - Ascent:+150m/ Descent: -150m
  • A ferry ride (30mn - return trip included) takes you to Port Cros National Park, where heather grows as thick as trees and the massive oak trees line the majestic walking paths. This is the most rugged and preserved of the Golden islands. The island sees few visitors, especially during the offseason, where you feel like you have the island to yourself. The island’s coastline also benefits from minimal tourism and nearing the waters you can see scores of colourful fish and aquatic plants : a paradise for snorkelling! Your walk takes you along a shaded and lush valley to the island’s summit overlooking the sheer cliffs where circling peregrine falcons await their prey. The paths glitter with golden mica and then lead you back to the port.
  • Night in Le Lavandou
  • MEALS included: Breakfast

Day 5 - A hidden jewel: the Mediterranean gardens of Le Rayol

domaine du rayol botanical garden porquerolles

  • Today, you have a free day to discover the exceptionnal botanical gardens of the "Domaine de Rayol". Short transfer by bus to Le Rayol Canadel village ( 20/30 mn ride. Bus ticket 3€ not included)
    Le Rayol is a tiny village nestled in lush and peaceful nature: cork oaks, heather, eucalyptus and arbutus trees. The "Domaine du Rayol" is a garden paradise by the sea with wild & rocky cliffs, sandy beaches with crystal clear water and an exceptionally rich marine life. The suggested trails through the landscaped botanical gardens can last from 90 minutes to 3 hours ... depending how fascinated you are by the botonical gardens ! There's  a restaurant in the gardens or you can try out one of the restaurants of the village.  Then enjoy a great swim in the Med sea before your bus ride back to Le Lavandou
  • Night in Le Lavandou
  • MEALS included: Breakfast

Day 6 - Bye Bye the Golden Islands ...

lavandou porquerolles village

  • End of your trip after breakfast in Le Lavandou.

  • Return :
    . Bus Le Lavandou > Hyeres, and then regular train lines from Hyeres > Paris & Marseille & Toulon & Nice 
    . Private transfer to Marseille, Toulon, Hyeres : please contact us

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    Trip details
    Walking Porquerolles Island: beaches and petanque !
        • France - French Riviera
        • 2 adults (2x690€)
        • 0 children (0x690€)
      • 6 days
      • Simple
    Total 1380€
    Deposit 500€
    Book now !