When eating out you are spoilt for choice, there are a few bars/ restaurants in Les Salins including 'Le Pothuau' which has a high reputation in the area for its traditional bouillabaisse or drive five minutes to l'Ayquade which has a small market square with restaurants bordered by the beach, there is an excellent bakers selling pastries, pies, cakes, hot & cold drinks and of course freshly baked bread, cycle hire and beach equipment is also available in l'Ayquade - market day is Wednesday.
Travel past the airport entrance and on your left is the port of Hyeres, easy free parking and berths for 2,000 boats plus! three beaches, international world class yacht racing and many waterside cafes/ restaurants, Tocco's restaurant is generally good and like most French restaurants has mid-day lunch specials at reduced prices, Le Pavillon offers a wide range of Crepes and a few 'unusual' dishes - not expensive and they try very hard to please. If you want a 'take-away' then the young couple that own Le Gourmand are always helpful and speak a little English, they sell panini's, pizza, kebabs, galettes etc. keen prices with generous portions. For a good coffee, beer or cocktail then Cafe du Port is where the locals meet, the decor isn't great but the atmosphere is very French and they are renowned for their variety of large salads, always good background music!. The port is busiest Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights and during the day on Sundays (market day), in the high season there are stalls selling arts & crafts in the evening dotted around the harbourside also the port tourist office is open with publicity leaflets and local events itinerary, the whole area is very safe to walk whatever the time of day or night and is always very relaxing. The 'Sax' bar is probably the most lively bar in the port, always plenty of good background music and atmosphere, they often have live music on a Wednesday and Friday - sometimes with a free buffet.
Where do you begin a list of things to do? These are just a few suggestions of fairly local activities, but it depends on your taste! Most directions are based on turning left out from Boathouse and connecting with the Toulon/ St Tropez road (A570)
LES SALINS NATURE RESERVE situated opposite the Boathouse, you can walk through the old salt workings that are now a nature reserved, opening times subject to season, entrance is on the road exiting beach car park.
FLEA MARKET at Magic World car park every Saturday/Sunday morning - well worth browsing around as large and interesting with many unusual collectables/antiques.
MAGIC WORLD Large fun-fair open in the high season to late at night, cafes, lots of colourful lights on quality rides.
THE GRAND VAR SHOPPING CENTRE on your left driving towards Toulon, come off at the first junction after when you see the green triangular 'Leroy Merlin' sign, this is an enormous area of superstores the centre piece is the indoor air conditioned shopping centre in two parts which also houses 'Printemps' the very 'up-market' department store - good if you are into perfume or designer goods and a 'Carrefour' supermarket selling everything under the sun especially low priced clothes & shoes, parking for 4,000 vehicles.
COTE d'AZUR SHOPPING CENTRE on route to Toulon near the hospital, you can see it on your left, small centre with nice selection of shops and a 'Geant Casino' supermarket which sells a wide range of food, household items, clothes - good fresh fish stall.
HYERES TOWN CENTRE drive towards Toulon and turn off right just past the Mercure hotel (on your right), talke a right at first roundabout and there is a free car park, keep walking uphill past the Casino and Tourist Office and you will see fantastic palm lined avenues, typical French building facades, many steep cobbled alleyways leading to the original market square, then Villa Noailles terraced gardens (free) and if you have the energy walk further uphill to the castle (also free) from which you will get splendid panoramic views from the higher points of the ruins.
JARDIN OLBIUS-RIQUER botanical gardens and small zoo, driving towards Toulon look for 'Piscine' and 'O.Riquer' signs on your left as approaching Hyeres town, turn left at junction and park outside main entrance to gardens or if busy park in 'Piscine'' car park opposite - all free.
MOUNT FARRON there is no easy way to describe the route to Mt Farron, drive into Toulon but do not take the tunnel under the city instead keep to the right following alternative directions to Marseille, you are heading for the mountain range to the north of Toulon, look for a sign saying Farron or Teleferique, this will take you onto the mountain road to the peak of Mt Farron, the road is one way but not for the feint hearted!. At the top there is a car park with cafes, war museum, forest walks, zoo, cable car and of course specatacular panoramic views over Toulon and it's large bay.
TOULON PORT quite pleasant promenade with beaches, a trip around the bay viewing the French Naval fleet with their aircraft carriers is a must, there are restaurants dotted along the port area or take a short walk into the main town with it's boulevards and markets.
SANARY very nice 'up-market' resort between Toulon and Marseille, large promenade with various activities depending on season.
CARQUEIRANNE just a short distance from the port of Hyeres, quaint port with large improvements recently to the beach area.
THE PORQUEROLLES ISLAND ferry details obtainable in Hyeres port, tourist offices or airport tourist information (always a good place to collect brochures on arrival to plan your itinerary), cycle hire on the island, depart from Hyeres port or Giens peninsula - Giens is better as a more frequent timetable, if you get the clear bottomed catamaran (seasonal) then it will normally stop midway to island for viewing of sea life.
GIENS PENINSULA on the east side you have the long Le Bergerie beach which is generally a calm sea and very safe swimming as shallow for some distance on the opposite west side is L'Almanarre - another long beach which by contrast is normally windy and a haven for windsurfers of a high standard, between the two lies the old salt workings which is now preserved land and home to pink flamingoes.From the end of the peninsula are good views to the islands and assorted villages to be visited.
CABASSON BAY pay to park in the forest at this picturesqe bay with an excellent beach overlooking Foert Bregancon - the French presidents summer island residence.
BORMES le MIMOSAS attractive hillside village with 'flower trail' walks around village, behind village you can access the hinterland for picnic, cycling, walking etc.
LE LAVENDOU large promenade bordering a large pleasant beach, many restaurants, cafes and seasonal entertainment on the promenade.
COLLOBRIERES various ways to access this pretty village known for it's chestnuts, for a very scenic drive take the Col de Babaou which is to the rear of Bormes - take your travel sickness pills! For a pleasant forest drive go from Collobrieres to Grimaud, then visit St Tropez or return via Cogolin (known for it's tobacco pipe manufactures) and Le Mole.
CAVALAIRE-sur-MER large promenade/beach with port and shopping area, the journey along the coast gives stunning views of the Med.
ST TROPEZ follow directions into St Tropez, once in the one way system keep left, you will eventually turn sharp left and the port car park will be facing you - pay on exit.
OK CORAL Wild West Town on N8 Cuges- les -Pins, north west of Toulon, seasonal opening - normally open Wednesdays and weekends, themed fun fair with live gunfights, shops etc.You will pass the Paul Ricard motor racing cicuit on the way which often has events on.
GRAND CANYON du VERDON second in the world to the Grand Canyon in USA, start east and follow the canyon west to Lac de Sainte-Croix, this will keep the gorge to your right and give better views, this can be a long day as many hills,mountains and lavender fields to view and of course the Lake - a picnic is a must have!
CARCES large man made lake set in forest region with many provencal villages dotted around.
SILLANS la CASCADE & VILLECROZE follow directions along footpath from Sillans to view the high waterfall, at nearby Villecroze see the caves in the rocks which were once inhabited.
CYCLING/ROLLER BLADING there's a designated cycle path that runs from Toulon to St Tropez and is accessed 150 metres from Boathouse. There are 2 cycles available which are kept at the Boathouse or more 'robust' cycles are available for hire at l'Ayquade - just follow cycle path towards airport and you will pass shop on your right.
TRAIN RIDE take a trip from Gare Hyeres - just 5 kms away (04 94 38 22 97)
EXPLORE MASSIF des MAURES
HIRE A SCOOTER or MOTORCYCLE there are some of the best roads you will ever ride are in this area, riding in the UK will never be the same again! - an open face helmet is a must to smell the aroma of the forest and lavender fields, I can give directions and advice on some stunning journeys.
LOCAL MARKETS DAILY
VISIT PARIS! regular daily scheduled flights to Paris from the local airport - five minutes drive from the Boathouse.
For more information visit the official Hyeres tourist office site for views of the area and a monthly 'events' guide - MANY ARE FREE TO ENTER www.ville-hyeres.fr
For excellent information and photos of all the surrounding area visit www.provenceweb.fr