Giens begins with a striking landform: the peninsula is connected to the mainland by two alluvial sandbars, each four kilometres long. Together, they form a double tombolo. This geography shapes the landscape.

Salt Marshes and Birdwatching

Between the two sandy arms of Giens’ double tombolo lie the Pesquiers salt marshes. They provide a refuge for migratory birds. Depending on the season, more than 80 bird species can be observed from the double tombolo. Plan your birdwatching accordingly: the species you may see can vary with the season.

Coastal Paths and Seasonal Planning

The Sentier du littoral runs around the Giens peninsula. Along the way, it passes cliffs, Mediterranean woodland and small coves. The Route du Sel on the western tombolo is suitable for walks and bike rides. The two routes therefore offer different options: the Sentier is a route around the peninsula through several types of landscape, while the Route du Sel is for walks and bike rides along the western tombolo.

In winter, the Route du Sel is closed to cars to protect the environment. Check local conditions before your visit if you plan to take this route.

The History of Salt Production on Giens

The Salin des Pesquiers was established in 1848 and has the geometric layout typical of Mediterranean saltworks. The Tympan building now houses a museum area that explains the salt-related heritage of this site. The saltworks’ layout and its interpretation in the museum thus offer two ways to explore this heritage.

Church, Fort and Sanctuary

The Église Saint-Pierre in Giens was built in 1880 to replace an earlier chapel. Its nave is decorated with trompe-l’œil paintings created by Philippe Métaireau in 1997. Trompe-l’œil uses optical illusion to create an illusory sense of space; in Giens, this decoration is specifically found in the nave. The building’s history and its later decoration thus mark two distinct periods.

The Fort du Pradeau was built in 1634 under the authority of Cardinal Richelieu. A chronological comparison with the saltworks, the church and the paintings spans 1634, 1848, 1880 and 1997. These traces are not tied to a single date, but reflect different chapters in the area’s architectural and cultural history.

Another point of interest is the Greek sanctuary of Aristée at La Badine on the Giens peninsula. The Olbia team offers the opportunity to discover it; visit formats may change. If you plan to visit the sanctuary, check in advance which format is available for your visit date.

Discover more destinations: Fox-Amphoux, Gonfaron, Saint-Antonin-Du-Var, Aups, La Croix-Valmer, La Motte, Flayosc, Camps-La-Source.

For the overview of the wider region: Var.