Hyères, with 55,384 inhabitants in 2022, 16 km east of Toulon, is the municipality that includes Porquerolles, Port-Cros, Le Levant and the Giens peninsula. Nicknamed Hyères-les-Palmiers for its 7,000 palm trees, it has three public parks labelled Outstanding Garden, including Villa Noailles' garden and the Sainte-Claire park, home of the Port-Cros National Park headquarters. Its harbours are the starting points for the islands: Port Saint-Pierre for Port-Cros and Le Levant, La Tour Fondue for Porquerolles.
Key facts
- 55,384 inhabitants (2022), 16 km east of Toulon; municipality of the four islands and Giens.
- Outstanding Gardens: Olbius Riquier park, Saint-Bernard park (Villa Noailles), Sainte-Claire park.
- Port Saint-Pierre: boats to Port-Cros and Le Levant; La Tour Fondue: boats to Porquerolles.
- Port-Cros National Park headquarters at Castel Sainte-Claire, at the top of the old town.
Key facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Population | 55,384 (2022) |
| Location | 16 km east of Toulon, at the mouth of the Gapeau |
| Territory | includes Giens, Porquerolles, Port-Cros and Le Levant |
| Palm trees | about 7,000, hence the name Hyères-les-Palmiers |
| National park headquarters | Castel Sainte-Claire, at the top of the old town |
Sources: Wikipedia, Port-Cros National Park.
The gardens
Hyères has five public parks, three of them labelled Outstanding Garden: Olbius Riquier park and its palm collection, Saint-Bernard park, the garden of Villa Noailles, with its Cubist garden, and Sainte-Claire park, home of the Port-Cros National Park headquarters. Square Stalingrad, the former palm garden, dates from 1882.
The harbours and the islands
Port Saint-Pierre (Hyères harbour) is where TLV-TVM boats leave for Port-Cros and Le Levant; La Tour Fondue, at the tip of the Giens peninsula, is where boats leave for Porquerolles. Guided cruises also leave from the harbour: see boat trips.
Book a trip
Trips from Hyères
Hyères: Morning Discovery or Relaxing Afternoon cruise3 - 4 hours★ 4.7 (225 reviews)from €70Check availability
Hyères to Giens Peninsula: Sunset at Sea Cruise2 hours★ 4.9 (171 reviews)from €69Check availability
Hyères: Dinner Cruise | Fort of Brégançon3.5 hours★ 4.5 (31 reviews)from €114Check 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 can you see in Hyères in a day?
The old town and Sainte-Claire park, Villa Noailles and its garden, then the Giens peninsula and its beaches. The next day, an island: Porquerolles or Port-Cros.
Why Hyères-les-Palmiers?
It is the name used by the town council and the tourist office because of the roughly 7,000 palm trees planted in the municipality. From 1850, Hyères was a place where exotic plants were acclimatised on the Côte d'Azur.
Sources
Information checked against the sources below. Ferry times and prices change: confirm before you go.
- Wikipedia, Hyères (in French), accessed 9 November 2026
- Port-Cros National Park, practical information: headquarters, access (in French), accessed 9 November 2026
- GetYourGuide widget, Hyères listings (prices, reviews), accessed 9 November 2026
