Chartering a yacht on the French Riviera? Don’t forget Porquerolles!

There are a number of must-see places on the French Riviera. You can discover the marvellous beaches of Nice, or explore the hinterland and take in the dreamy scenery at Èze, for example. If you’re staying in Hyères, you can also leave the land behind to discover a major tourist attraction: Porquerolles. One of the three Golden Islands, Porquerolles is also accessible by yacht. It’s an unrivalled opportunity to discover these exceptional sites on your own.

Discovering Porquerolles

Once you’ve chartered your yacht, you’ll no doubt be wondering what to do next. Well, we’ve got a destination for you to include in your discovering programme: the island of Porquerolles. This little gem is located in the Var department, opposite Hyères. It’s very easy to get to (around 35 minutes), and is a popular destination for lovers of peace and quiet and beautiful scenery. The island is part of the Port-Cros National Park, and as such boasts a wild and unspoilt natural environment. It’s a place that promotes biodiversity, and car access is prohibited.

On site, you can find sumptuous places to moor. You can also go hiking, diving or simply soak up the sun on one of Porquerolles’ superb beaches.

What to see in Porquerolles

Now it’s time to look at what you can do in Porquerolles. First of all, you’ll need to head inland. The first site not to be missed is undoubtedly the lighthouse. You’ll be able to see it from a distance, as it stands 84 metres high. It was built in 1830 and has guarded the island ever since. You won’t be able to go inside, but its massive appearance will fascinate you and the scenery at its foot will dazzle you.

The church of Sainte-Anne is also a major tourist attraction. Originally a military chapel, the building became a parish church in 1929. As well as its sober, elegant appearance, it houses a Way of the Cross engraved on wood by a soldier. A few years ago, the site was listed as a Historic Monument.

Now it’s time to move on to the Moulin du bonheur. This too can be admired from the open sea. It is the very image of Provençal mills. It is also the starting point for a visit to one of the island’s forts: the Sainte-Agathe fort. Built under the reign of François 1st, this massive structure faces out to sea.

Porquerolles is home to other military buildings. Such as Fort Alycastre, built in the 17th century to defend the coastline. The Grand Langoustier fort is also worth a visit. Also dating from the 17th century, it still offers an impressive space. Fort de la Repentance dates back to the 19th century. It is now occupied by a hermit. It cannot be visited. But its austere appearance is captivating, set against a dreamy backdrop. Other forts can also be explored: Bon Renaud, Lequin and the high and low batteries of the Mèdes.

The island is also home to vast wine-growing areas. Several estates are well known the world over, including La Courtade, Perzinsky and L’Île. You can learn more about grape growing and the production of great vintages, as well as tasting the local nectars.

Porquerolles by the sea

The island is surrounded by superb beaches where you can moor your yacht.

In fact, the island has more than 20 beaches, each more sumptuous than the last. The biggest is La Courtade. This pretty stretch of sand and pebbles is surrounded by a superb eucalyptus forest that perfumes the air. Plage Notre-Dame has been voted one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe. And not for nothing. Water with a thousand shades of blue and an exceptional wooded bay make this jewel case a tourist mecca. Less easily accessible from land, Plage du Langoustier offers a beautiful stretch of golden sand, sheltered from the wind. Much less well known than the Plage d’Argent, the Plage Noire du Langoustier is ideal for those who like peace and quiet. It’s the perfect place for sailing, as the site is particularly sheltered from the wind.

The quality of the waters around Porquerolles means that they are populated by rare flora and fauna. You can observe the seabed from your yacht, as the water is so transparent. Of course, diving is also possible.

From your yacht, you can also try your hand at kitesurfing or go fishing. Don’t hesitate to ask your Arthaud Yachting crew to organise these activities. Watching the sun set over the island’s coastline is also a not-to-be-missed moment for those discovering Porquerolles by private boat.

Coming to Porquerolles by sea gives you the opportunity to see the island in a different way. With a yacht charter, you can tour the island at your own pace. It’s easy to find a mooring on the island. The easiest place to moor is in the harbour, but be aware that in high season there isn’t always space available. This area is ideally protected from the wind (especially the Mistral).

It is also possible to anchor off the main beaches. You will need to check the conditions imposed by the Port-Cros National Park authorities. The island is part of the Pelagos sanctuary, a vast area that promotes the protection of marine inhabitants.