Camping in Hyères

The popular seaside resort of Hyères in the south of Provence has a lot to offer camping enthusiasts. The harbour town in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region impresses with its fantastic location directly on the Mediterranean, extensive sandy beaches and the offshore archipelago of the Hyeric Gold Islands. Add to this a mild climate, wonderful landscapes and lively cities such as Marseille or Saint-Tropez: camping in Hyères is a real dream, especially in summer, and fortunately still an insider tip.

Camping in Hyères: a dream destination between pine forests and the Mediterranean coast

Hyères in the Var department is one of the oldest holiday resorts on the Côte d'Azur, but today it is far less well-known than Nice or Cannes. For many travellers, Hyères is just a stopover on the way to the archipelago of the Hyeric Islands. However, this also has an advantage: the campsites in Hyères are much less crowded.

The southern headland of Hyères is located on the Gien peninsula and extends far into the Mediterranean. This is also where most of the harbour town's campsites are located. The camping facilities in Hyères are almost all located directly by the sea or close to the beach and are a particularly popular destination for holidaymakers who enjoy camping on the beach.

Especially in the summer months, the campsites at the edge of the sea are very popular, even if Hyères does not attract as many tourists as the better-known seaside resorts on the Côte d'Azur. The white sandy beaches and clear water are particularly popular with families with children and beach holidaymakers. In addition to swimming, water sports enthusiasts also get their money's worth. The bay of Almanarre on the western coast of the headland is a popular windsurfing and kitesurfing spot in France. The town also offers sailing, stand-up paddling and kayaking.

The campsites Camping La Presqu'île de Giens or Castel Camping Domaine de la Bergerie are ideal starting points for exploring the municipality of Hyères. The latter is the perfect starting point for families thanks to its children's pool, water slides and outdoor pool. For campers without a motorhome or tent, rental accommodation is available at almost all campsites. Mobile homes, holiday flats and bungalows are modernly equipped and offer every conceivable comfort.

There are no campsites on the offshore archipelago of the Hyerian Islands (Porquerolles, Port-Cros and Levant). However, the islands are easily accessible by boat from Hyères and are ideal for day trips. The most scenic island is Port-Cros, which is completely protected. The Île du Levant is particularly popular with nudists, as most of the beaches on the island are designated as naturist beaches.

Camping in Hyères with a dog: tips and advice

France has very strict laws regarding the importation of dogs and other pets. A number of dog breeds (mainly large dogs) may not be taken on holiday at all. You should therefore familiarise yourself with the relevant regulations before entering the country.

Dogs are generally permitted on the campsites in Hyères. Here too, however, campers should find out exactly what the rules are on the campsite (compulsory lead, etc.) in order to avoid problems. It is advisable to keep your dog on a lead when out walking.

Dog beaches are unfortunately in short supply in Hyères, as on the entire Côte d'Azur. Officially, dogs are usually not allowed on the beaches at all. However, if you are travelling outside the main season and look around a little away from the popular tourist beaches, with a little patience you should be able to find a nice spot where your four-legged friend can enjoy a refreshing dip in the cool water.

How to get to Hyères

The journey to Hyères takes between 1000 and 1500 kilometres, depending on where you start in Germany. Campers travelling from western Germany are best advised to take the shortest route via Luxembourg. In France, the route passes through cities such as Nancy, Lyon and Avignon. Due to the distance, a few stopovers are recommended. The Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park near Mulhouse is particularly suitable thanks to its proximity to the motorway.

From Hamburg, holidaymakers can reach the destination of Hyères in just under 1,500 km. The best way to get there by caravan is via Frankfurt am Main, Mulhouse, Lyon and Avignon. On this route, campers should first take the A7 motorway via Hanover. After Kirchheim, they change to the A5, then to the A67 at Darmstadt, followed by the A6 until they reach the A5 again.

After Freiburg im Breisgau, they follow the A36 motorway, which takes them across the French border. At Dole, travellers take the A39, then the A40, A42 and, from Lyon, the A7. Shortly before Marseille, the A8, A52, A50, A57 and A570 form the final stretch to Hyères.

From southern Germany, the route leads through Liechtenstein and Switzerland via Italy to southern France. There are just under 1,000 kilometres to cover. Holidaymakers from eastern Germany travel via Nuremberg. At Lake Constance, they cross the border into Switzerland.

The most beautiful holiday destinations around Hyères

Long sandy beaches, picturesque islands and secluded bays where the mistral wind blows through pine forests and eucalyptus trees. Plus lively cities such as Nice and Saint-Tropez in the surrounding area. A camping holiday in Hyères is the perfect opportunity to get to know one of the lesser-known regions of Provence.

Hyeric Islands

The Hyeric Islands are located directly opposite Hyères and are also known as the Golden Islands (Îles d'Or) because of their shimmering cliffs. The archipelago consists of the three main islands of Porquerolles, Port-Cros and Île du Levant and is one of the most scenic areas on the Côte d'Azur.

Porquerolles has particularly beautiful sandy beaches, Port-Cros is a paradise for hikers and an excellent diving spot, while Île du Levant enjoys a good reputation, especially among naturists. All the islands can be reached by ferry from Hyères. The crossing takes a good 30 minutes.

Marseille

The historic harbour city of Marseille is the oldest city in France and, with its countless monuments and cultural treasures, is the perfect destination for culture lovers. The main attraction and crowd-puller is the Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde basilica on the 154 metre high La Garde hill.

However, the old harbour, countless palaces, cathedrals and museums offer enough variety that you could easily spend several weeks here without getting bored. If you don't have that much time, it's best to take part in a city tour.

Saint-Tropez

The sophisticated harbour town of Saint-Tropez was long regarded as a retreat for the rich and famous and the cradle of the international jet set. Even if that was a while ago, Saint-Tropez still retains some of this flair. The "Pearl of the Côte d'Azur" offers great beaches, a charming old town and plenty of opportunities to soak up the southern French way of life while strolling through the streets and alleyways.

Top sights in Hyères

• Archaeological site of Olbia: The remains of a Greek trading post dating back to 350 BC are the only surviving legacy of a Greek city in France.
• La Route du Sel: The salt road runs through a nature reserve along the west coast of the Giens peninsula and offers many opportunities for swimming and flamingo watching.
• Port Cros National Park: The second oldest national park in France is a nature lover's dream - even underwater. In the summer months, you can explore the underwater nature trail in a submarine.
• Almanarre beach: One of the most beautiful and popular beaches in Hyères and well suited for families with children thanks to its gently sloping waters.
• Pesquiers pond: This beautiful bird sanctuary is located not far from Almanarre beach.

Activities and excursions in Hyères

The proximity to the beautiful sandy beaches, the wide range of leisure activities and the cultural wealth of the region are good reasons for a camping holiday in Hyères. From the campsites in Hyères, you can take a boat trip to the island resorts of Porquerolles, Port-Cros or Le Levant.

The harbour town also has plenty to offer those interested in culture. For example, cultural excursions in the municipality or to the neighbouring towns are exciting. The medieval old town is bursting with historical sights, such as the fortifications from the 13th and 14th centuries, while towns such as Toulon and Sanary-sur-Mer are also well worth a visit. The Knights Templar have also left their mark on the region.

Boat trip to the island of Porquerolles

The Port de la Tour Fondue offers ferry connections to the Ile de Porquerolles. At a good 7 kilometres long and 3 kilometres wide, it is the largest of the Hyerian Islands. Travellers can hire a bike at the port of Porquerolles and explore the area. In addition to fantastic viewpoints that guarantee a sweeping view of the sea, holidaymakers appreciate the idyllic beaches. Plage Notre Dame, for example, is one of the most beautiful in Europe. Especially in the low season, Porquerolles impresses with its deserted coastline.

Culture on the doorstep in Hyères

Those interested in culture don't necessarily have to travel to other cities, as Hyères itself promises equally interesting sights. The castle ruins of the Chateâu d'Hyères and the archaeological site of Olbia from the 4th century BC will delight campers. The Tour des Templiers (Templar Tower) from the 12th century is also worth a visit. With this building, the Knights Templar have left an interesting testimony to their eventful history on the peninsula.

Relaxing and water sports on Almanarre beach

Plage de l'Almanarre is one of the longest and most popular beaches in Hyères. The sandy beach on the western side of the Giens peninsula is a great place to relax and enjoy water sports such as surfing, kitesurfing or funboarding. The southern end of the beach is rather shallow and therefore very family-friendly. At the other points, the sea quickly becomes deep, making the beach a hotspot for windsurfers.

Gastronomy

The famous fish soup bouillabaisse from Marseille is of course a must on a camping holiday in Hyères. Due to its proximity to Nice, the Pissaladiere - a type of onion tart - is also on the menu. Another culinary delight is the Nice salad with anchovies, tuna, fresh tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs and olives. The world-famous ratatouille also has its origins in Nice. This traditional stew consists of colourful vegetables and is seasoned with herbs from the region. Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur is known for its varied and flavourful herbal cuisine. The dishes are typically accompanied by a suitable white, rosé or red wine from Provence to round off the flavour experience.

Best time for a camping holiday in Hyères

The best time for a camping holiday in Hyères is between May and September. If you mainly want to relax on the beach, you should come in July and August. These are the warmest months in Hyères with temperatures of up to 29° Celsius and water temperatures of a pleasant 22° Celsius.

July and August are the high season on the Côte d'Azur. As a result, the campsites in less well-known Hyères are also very busy. These months also see the most hours of sunshine. In July, travellers can also expect the least rainfall of the year.

Bathing fans can also visit the region in June and until September. These months are ideal for hiking, cycling and walking, as the sun is not quite as strong. Another characteristic of the region is the constantly blowing mistral wind. On the one hand, the mistral moderates the heat in the summer months, while on the other, windsurfers and kitesurfers also benefit considerably from the wind.

At around 5 degrees Celsius, December, January and February are the coldest months in Hyères. By German standards, of course, this is still quite warm. The mild winters make the harbour town attractive for campers all year round. There are also pitches for permanent campers on some sites.