THE 'BOATHOUSE', LES SALINS, HYERES
IN ADDITION TO STANSTED TWO NEW AIR ROUTES HAVE BEEN ADDED FOR 2011 - LONDON CITY & LIVERPOOL
****PLEASE REGISTER YOUR INTEREST AND I WILL ADVISE ONCE BOATHOUSE IS AGAIN AVAILABLE FOR RENTAL, NO OBLIGATION - THANKS, MARTIN
There's a lot of information and photographs on this website, this is to give you as much accurate, comprehensive and honest information on the 'Boathouse' as possible so as to enable you to have a pleasant time in this beautiful area of France. I've had another residence in the area gor 21 years and should be able to answer most questions regarding the area and the different ways to travel there -Fly, Drive, Train.
Let's start by saying it has a romantic sounding name but in fact 'The Boathouse' was originally built seven years ago as an east facing property for boat/yacht storage hence the high terracotta roof. Recently decorated to good standard with yellow painted 'crepie' walls, blue stained timberwork and terracotta floor tiles, with the high ceilings and natural sea-grass matting it has a light, airy and very provencal character that exudes the feel good factor. Being sealed off at the front by a secure electric roller shutter it displays the all glass frontage on raising. There are a group of other 'garages' on the plot which is bordered by the mouth of the river Gapeau as it enters the Mediterranean on the Cote d'Azur some 400 metres away (4 minutes by car), some 'garages' are used commercially and others are used as 'homes' for boat owners - either part or all year.
You may feel as though you are entering a boat yard but this soon passes when the shutter of the Boathouse is raised revealing the two storey accommodation of approx. 64sq. metres decorated in typical provencal colours. From the first floor there are views towards the hills and mountains of the 'Maures' forest with no other properties facing you, it's very light and airy with insulated walls for sound and heat, being east facing it remains fairly cool inside thanks mainly to the the terracotta roof - even when hot outside, there's also a good degree of privacy - it's 'quirky' but very individual - that's the attraction!
60 metres away there's a slipway to the Gapeau which from here you can launch the kayak or fish (without licence) or anywhere else along the river or perhaps you prefer sea fishing from the beach or harbour rocks.
The small sea-side village of Les Salins is 4 minutes by car and within easy walking distance of the Boathouse, first there is Port Pothuau, a port for small craft and with a small beach, although nearer to the Boathouse it's better to walk or drive the extra 100 metres to the main beach and car park, this beach has lifeguards and facilities depending on the season and is cleaned daily in the summer months, if you face the sea and look left to the east you will notice the coastline with a beach that probably extends for 2 miles, you can also swim from this eastward beach which is a nature reserve for sea grass and the sea-life it attracts or you can walk or cycle along the bordering sandy lane, this is a scenic route through the pine trees with the Maures to your north rising majestically and tempting you to take a drive through them sometime ( with picnic of course!). Most of the land surrounding the boathouse is protected by a preservation order , the 'village' has a well stocked convenience store, post office, bars/ restaurants.
The location is ideal for swimmers, beach lovers, yachting, nature, fishing, walking, roller bladers, cycling (situated 150 metres from the Toulon to St Tropez cycle path), touring Var and the Cote d'Azur, exploring nearby forests & mountains, bar & restaurant life, the centre of Hyeres town is extremely historic and interesting, and Hyeres port has hundreds of yachts and many bars/restaurants, Hyeres Commune contains 7,000 palm trees within it's boundary and many botanical awards have been won for street presentation - you are surrounded by countryside but close to both sea & town, it's also very easy to fly direct to Paris for a short visit during your stay!
Link for Les Salins local information & photos www.cil-des-salins.com
Link to the Hyeres tourist office website for more area details and monthly events http://www.ville-hyeres.fr/version_anglaise/english.html