Porquerolles, the largest of the Hyères islands: beaches, bikes, village

Porquerolles is the largest and westernmost of the Hyères islands: 12.54 km², 7.5 km long and 3 km wide, 2.6 km from La Tour Fondue at the tip of the Giens peninsula. Owned by the State since 1971, it is largely managed by Port-Cros National Park and has been part of it since 2012. The boat from La Tour Fondue takes 15 minutes, and you explore the island on foot or by bike on tracks: from 1 July to 31 August, bikes must carry a special tag. The village, its harbour and Fort Sainte-Agathe are on the north coast.

The island at a glance

Source: Wikipedia, Port-Cros National Park, TLV-TVM.

The village and Fort Sainte-Agathe

The village, at the head of the harbour, is laid out around the Place d’Armes and its church. Fort Sainte-Agathe overlooks it. In 1971, the State entrusted Port-Cros National Park with the 1,000 hectares of the former Fournier estate, 80% of the island. The park also runs the Porquerolles Mediterranean National Botanical Conservatory.

By bike: the summer rules

The island is mostly explored by bike, but with rules since the park’s order of 28 July 2021: bikes are banned off the tracks, on beaches and on some signposted paths; 20 km/h limit, pedestrians have priority; park only in the designated areas. From 1 July to 31 August, every bike must carry a tag on the front: green or orange for bikes hired from one of the village’s 9 shops, blue for bikes you bring (given out by the ferry company when you board). Without a tag, the fixed fine is €68. E-scooters and gyropods are banned.

A very busy island

According to Wikipedia, visitor flows have been regulated since 2020. Coming early in the morning, or outside July and August, lets you enjoy the beaches. Getting there: getting to Porquerolles. To combine with Port-Cros: both islands.