Hyères reveals itself through many different facets: archaeological sites, the heritage of salt production, a historic walking tour and nature experiences on the islands. When planning your trip, it helps to first decide what matters most to you. Here, culture and landscape are not just themes placed side by side; they come to life through specific places, routes and activities.
Archaeology, the Old Town and Art
The Olbia archaeological site is the only surviving example, with its full ground plan intact, of a network of Greek colonial fortifications founded by Marseille from the 4th century BC onwards. A self-guided tour of the site takes 45 to 60 minutes. Before your trip, check the tour format and duration if you are including the visit in your plans.
The signposted Parcours des Arts et du Patrimoine takes you through the historic centre of Hyères. Along the way, you’ll encounter the city’s architectural, botanical and urban heritage. The route also offers the chance to discover traditional crafts and artistic talent. It therefore provides a way to explore the city’s history in its own right, rather than simply taking in a series of historic buildings.
Two institutions also offer different perspectives: after several restoration campaigns, Villa Noailles became an arts centre. La Banque, the Hyères museum, displays almost 200 works in its permanent exhibition, charting the evolution of the landscape. As the exhibition may change over time, it’s a good idea to check what’s currently on view before your visit.
At the end of the Giens Peninsula stands Fort du Pradeau, an interpretation centre for Port-Cros National Park. The restored Batterie du Pradeau, also known as Fort du Pradeau, has been open to the public since late 2022 and houses the permanent exhibition “Rendre visible l'invisible”. Check access and the exhibition programme before your visit; the title of the permanent exhibition may also change in the future.
Salt flats: coastal landscape and industrial history
The Salins d'Hyères comprise a wetland complex made up of the Salin des Pesquiers and the Vieux Salins. Their biological and landscape significance on the Mediterranean coast is exceptional. Within the complex, the two areas offer different perspectives: at the Vieux Salins, the expansive coastal landscape and its scale make a strong impression. They cover 350 hectares and stretch for almost three kilometres along the coast east of Hyères.
The Salin des Pesquiers also tells the story of the industrial past of salt production. Established in 1848, its almost perfect grid layout and surviving saltworks buildings recall that history. Anyone interested in both landscape and human activity will find two interconnected perspectives here: the importance of the wetland and the visible layout of a former industrial site.
Nature experiences on land and at sea
Porquerolles has 54 kilometres of hiking trails. At sea, the underwater trail at La Palud on Port-Cros offers a different kind of exploration: the 40-minute snorkelling route runs through a protected marine area and features six explanatory buoys. The trail is freely accessible to people who can swim independently and have fins, a mask and a snorkel. Check the access rules and sea conditions in advance.
Regular ferries and water taxis run year-round from the port of Hyères or Tour Fondue to the offshore islands. If you’re planning a visit to one of the islands, the departure point and timetable are part of the day’s itinerary; check the latest schedules and operators. For a quieter nature-watching experience, visitors can watch birds from the terrace at Espace Nature with a nature guide from LPO PACA. Guided-tour details may change, so it’s worth checking the current programme.
Choosing your focus in Hyères
These areas of interest lead to different day plans. Island activities also depend on departure points and travel times; for the other themes, the walking tour, museums and salt flats each offer their own starting points.
Discover more destinations: Montfort-Sur-Argens, Flassans-Sur-Issole, Auribeau-Sur-Siagne, Flayosc, Besse-Sur-Issole, Puget-Sur-Argens, Châteauvert, Montferrat
For the broader travel overview: Var.
