The Giens peninsula, in Hyères, is a former island joined to the mainland by a double tombolo, two sand bars enclosing the Pesquiers lagoon. On its west side, L'Almanarre beach, 4 km long, is a renowned kitesurf and windsurf spot; to the east lie Hyères harbour and La Capte beach. To the south, the rocky coast shelters the small Niel harbour and, at the tip, La Tour Fondue harbour, where the boats to Porquerolles leave for a 15-minute crossing.
Key facts
- Double tombolo enclosing the Pesquiers lagoon; the salt road is closed in winter.
- L'Almanarre beach: 4 km of sand and small pebbles, kitesurfing and windsurfing.
- La Tour Fondue harbour: boats to Porquerolles, 15-minute crossing.
- Sunset trips towards Giens from Hyères: from €54 to €69 (November 2026).
Key facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Municipality | Hyères |
| Formation | double tombolo, about 3,000 years, around the Pesquiers lagoon |
| West coast | L’Almanarre beach, 4 km |
| East coast | Hyères harbour, La Capte beach |
| South coast | cliffs and woods, Niel harbour, La Tour Fondue harbour |
| Access | Giens road, or the salt road (closed in winter) |
Source: Wikipedia.
Beaches and wind
The peninsula always offers one beach sheltered and one facing the wind, whether it blows from the west or the east: this makes it a top spot for funboarding, kitesurfing and windsurfing, especially on L’Almanarre beach. To the east, La Capte beach is more sheltered in a westerly wind.
La Tour Fondue
At the south-eastern tip, the Pradeau fort, known as La Tour Fondue, built in the 17th century, gave its name to the harbour where boats leave for Porquerolles. The small Niel harbour to the south and the old Estérel and Escampobariou batteries recall the coast’s military past. Several scenes of Luc Besson’s The Big Blue (1988) were shot on the peninsula.
Seeing Giens from the sea
Sunset trips leave Hyères for the peninsula: from €69 (4.9 out of 5, 171 reviews) or €54 (4.8 out of 5, 11 reviews) in November 2026. See boat trips.
Book a trip
Sea trips around Giens
Hyères to Giens Peninsula: Sunset at Sea Cruise2 hours★ 4.9 (171 reviews)from €69Check availability
Boat trip to Giens for sunset2 hours★ 4.8 (11 reviews)from €54Check availability
Guided Sea Kayaking Tour of the Giens Peninsula3 - 7 hours★ 4.7 (2 reviews)from €76Check availability
"From" prices checked on 9 November 2026 and may have changed.
Affiliate links: Port-Cros.com earns a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. "Show live prices" loads the GetYourGuide module, which sets its own cookies (learn more (in French)).
Frequently asked questions
What is a double tombolo?
Two bars of sandy sediment joining a former island to the mainland. At Giens they formed over about three thousand years and enclose a lagoon, the Pesquiers pond.
Where can you kitesurf at Giens?
On L'Almanarre beach, on the west side. According to Wikipedia, the peninsula always has one beach sheltered and one facing the wind, which allows funboarding, kitesurfing and windsurfing in both westerly and easterly winds.
How do you get from Giens to Porquerolles?
On TLV-TVM's boat from La Tour Fondue harbour, at the south-eastern tip of the peninsula: a 15-minute crossing. See getting to Porquerolles.
Sources
Information checked against the sources below. Ferry times and prices change: confirm before you go.
- Wikipedia, Giens peninsula (in French), accessed 9 November 2026
- TLV-TVM, La Tour Fondue to Porquerolles (in French), accessed 9 November 2026
- GetYourGuide widget, trips towards Giens (prices, reviews), accessed 9 November 2026
