Porquerolles, island of dream(s)
Arriving for the first time in Porquerolles, by sea (of course!), is always a unique moment, engraved forever in the memory! With its evocative name, the largest and most prestigious of the three Golden Islands is a pure jewel, a precious piece of land gracefully placed on the Mediterranean.
If it is especially famous for its fine sandy beaches with crystal clear turquoise waters, Porquerolles offers many other treasures and surprises for those who take the time to discover it, to get to know it and tame it. After the fifteen-minute crossing from the Giens peninsula and the Tour Fondue, the first contact is most often with the elegant village that gave its name to the island. The charm is immediate and the change of scenery is guaranteed: behind the numerous boats moored in the port, the first typical houses appear, in their exotic and generous vegetal setting, of the most beautiful effect. Strolling along the church square and in the small adjacent streets allows you to immerse yourself in this particular, unique atmosphere, which sometimes reminds you of the Caribbean.
The best way to discover its majesty for the first time is by bicycle, although it is also possible to walk. Numerous wide and affordable paths crisscross the island (but beware of the relief: the highest point, the Semaphore, is 142 meters high). Let's go ! On the north coast, near the village, it is impossible to miss the superb beaches, including Notre-Dame, la plage d'Argent and la Courtade. Not to be missed! To the west, the superb Langoustier peninsula unfolds its tongues of land and its typical landscapes. To the south, facing the open sea and near the lighthouse, the landscapes become wilder, with a number of steep cliffs and creeks whose access must be earned. In the extreme west, the Mèdes seem to emerge from the depths of the sea, near the battery of the same name. In the center, the relief is softer, and the small cultivated plains remind us that the island is home to three famous "Côtes de Provence" wine estates, as well as the botanical collections of the domain and the Carmignac Foundation, which is clearly worth a visit.
But the richness of Porquerolles cannot be apprehended in one day. The ideal is to let the flow of tourists leaving for the mainland go by at the end of the day, and enjoy the calm of the evening and a night on the island. This is the best way to really soak up its atmosphere: take your time! And, while enjoying its gentle way of life, dive into its history and cultural richness. Located on the same parallel as the Cap Corse, Porquerolles enjoys a unique climate, with more than 300 days of sunshine per year, mild winters and hot summers, tempered by cool sea breezes. A true paradise, we tell you, pleasant to live in all year round! It is not for nothing that Celts, Phoceans, Ligurians and then Romans occupied it during antiquity, before it passed from owner to owner until it was bought by the State in 1971 and became part of the first national marine park in France, the Parc National de Port Cros. The story goes that Mr. Fournier, a former owner of the island, bought it in 1912 to give it to his wife at their wedding. And, between us, honestly, is there a better gift?
