GOLDEN ISLAND AND CASSIS CALANQUES
THE ISLANDS OF GOLD, PORQUEROLLES AND PORT CROS
If you rent a Motoryacht, the Hyères Islands, or the Golden Islands, are within reach. From 45 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes, depending on the speed of your boat, you will follow the pretty coast of Île du Levant, the first of the Îles d'Or. This island is almost entirely military, in its South, navigation is prohibited, on its North coast visibility is low and brings little interest. If you are a naturist, then you can easily enjoy its west side.
A narrow arm of the sea separates the Levant Island from PortCros, you are immediately at the cove of Port-Man, a very sheltered wild anchorage where a bath will be welcome as well as a peaceful lunch surrounded by nature. Avoid in summer because it is very busy (July and August). Port-Cros has beautiful anchorages in the South, the most beautiful place remains the cove of its small Port. This island is not very touristy with landscapes consisting mainly of Mediterranean forests, guaranteed mystical atmosphere.
You can have lunch at the famous gourmet restaurant "Le Manoir", we can reserve your table there. When you disembark on the small stone quays, you will cross the sandbanks for if you wish, drink a refreshment in the greatest calm. You will be won over by the charm of the place, three terrace bars to choose from. Especially no apprehension for your boat remaining at anchor, the cove is 100% protected from any wind and any sea. Indeed, the island of Bagaud less than a mile to the West closes it completely. A small bath in Bagaud is also very pleasant, there is no one there, not at anchor there on this pretty desert island.
It's time to weigh anchor! Direction a small paradise, the best known of these islands, Porquerolles. 30 minutes of navigation later, we follow the gray cliffs of its east coast, at the top of which the pines seem very small. Impressive landscapes. After the first cap, the bay of Notre-Dame opens our arms to us.
Beautiful protection, four kilometers of white sand, its translucent waters and its umbrella pine forest borders the entire coast. Very few people on this beach, access, as everywhere on the island, is only by bike, it is the most distant beach from the village. You can decide to have your lunch at the “Langoustier”.
This delicious restaurant of fish, crustaceans and shellfish is on the other side of the island, at the bottom of the Bay of Langoustier. You can access it from your anchorage where a very original shuttle from this famous restaurant will pick you up at the port. At the end of the day, after reserving a docking place, you can then revel in the peaceful and Provencal atmosphere of this magnificent village.
Rent a bike for the time you have left to go and discover the silver beach after a short kilometer. A wonder ! To discover on the spot. It would have been a shame to have rented a boat for a single day and to have passed by this charming village. After a good night at the port, you will still have the next day. Many beautiful places to live in these Golden Islands. At an hour and a half of navigation, Les Calanques de Cassis…
THE WONDERFUL CALANQUES DE CASSIS
Departing from Saint-Tropez, plan three days and take the route in stages. You can also embark in Marseille or in the neighboring ports of Cassis, a day will then be good. As you approach La Ciotat, the high cliffs of the creeks look far away. You will first pass under the Cape of the eagle's beak, which bears its name very well, protecting the port of La Ciotat.
Its high steep slopes, its brown and dark green colors are impressive. Some pretty coves are in its extension. You are there! Admire this charming little Provencal village of Cassis, with cheerful colors, small traditional fishing boats and excellent restaurants with fresh fish on the harbor promenade.
Just after Cassis, the creeks begin. The entrance to the Cassis creeks is marked very close to the coast, by Maire Island. It follows the Jaïre and Riou islands. They protect the first creeks from the south winds. No other wind can bore you in these creeks. The former are surrounded by fairly tall, beige rocks with very little vegetation. Large, they shelter perfectly, the anchorage is peaceful and safe. Few people except July and August.
The baths in the turquoise and deep waters will be more invigorating than elsewhere, since the cliffs are full of underwater cold springs. After Sormiou and Morgiou, the calanques of Envaux and Port-miou are much deeper, long with their gray gray cliffs and denser vegetation. All these spots are pure marvels! The landscapes are impressive in beauty.