Things to Do in Hyeres

An amusement park that opens only at night – fun! The park is 40 years old and still going strong. With over 50 attractions for adults and kids alike, this is an unexpectedly fun way to spend your time in Hyeres. Every Friday, the park restaurants serves up a free show of fire dancing – definitely the best day to go visit. The atmosphere at the park is always lively, and energetic and upbeat thanks to the sheer delight of the children who come!

Hyeres’ vibe is a lot more different than the other seaside resorts in the area – its old town has much more history. A collection of squares and tiny streets, the Old Town has its centre at the Place Massillon, a big square with a 12th century tower (Tower of Saint-Blaise). A market is held here in the mornings… but the shopping never stops, because all the little alleyways leading to the square are filled with stalls and shops. Around the square, there are some lovely cafe terraces. Moving above the square and onto the hill, the collection of streets becomes denser – making for hours and hours of wonderful strolling. You’ll see a great number of beautiful old medieval houses, as you climb all the way to the top of the hills, to the castle ruins.

Running along Almanarre Beach, this is Hyeres’ most exotic road, a favourite with bird watchers. The road, which is more of a boarded walkway, cuts through a marshy land, where flamingos, egrets, herons reside. There are about 286 species of birds found here throughout the year, of which 48 actually nest here. Naturally, it’s now a protected area (though it was used for salt production as recently as 1995), open to pedestrians only (and cyclists)… and that makes it a family favourite too! On any given day you’ll find the locals picnicking happily. On the beach, you’ll see kite-surfers freaking out! Try catching the place during sunset – the pictures are usually enchanting.

This triangular art deco garden was built in the 1920s. It surrounds the Villa Noailles, and is so beautiful that it gets more attention than the building does. A series of flower decorated terraces; it’s a lovely spot for a stroll, especially with a sandwich in hand. It’s cooler than the rest of the city; many come here to escape the heat. The garden has wonderful views over the Hyeres townscape, the salt flats and the sea. In June and July, the butterflies come out for the summer, transforming the park for brief periods into a picture out of a fairy tale.

Though more famous for it’s triangular garden, the villa itself is also an important landmark – it is one of the early mordernist examples of home architecture. From here, Charles de Noailles and his wife Marie-Laure patronised modern art, particularly surrealism. During world war two though, the villa was occupied by the Italian Army and turned into a hospital. Today, it serves as an arts centre, and hosts special exhibitions on architecture and photography throughout the year. Two must-catch exhibitions include:

• April: International Festival of Fashion and Photography
• July: The Design Parade

Only this tower remains of the chapel that the Knights Templars built here in the 12th century. Over it’s life, it has also granary hall and the city town hall. After restorations in the 20th century, it now serves as an exhibition space. The tower has two floors. A staircase built into the walls themselves lead up to the terrace, from where you can enjoy a nice view of Hyeres and the square below!

This 12th century Romanesque building (with a square tower) was given a Gothic extension in the 14th century – a nave. There is also a Renaissance Portal now. Currently it’s famous for a large collection of ex-votives related to some intense religious wars. They say there is Templar treasure buried underneath the church, but you probably don’t want to go digging!

The Castle, in the grounds of which this garden is located, was once the residence of novelist Edith Wharton - she’s the one who planted these wonderful terraced gardens. Now classified as a Notable Garden of France, it contains cacti and subtropical plants such as cycads, musas, coral trees, aloes, yuccas, lantana and salvia. The gardens are beautifully terraced, and have wonderful views of the city, the beach and the ocean. At the top of the gardens, close the watchtower, you can find the gravesite of another person who once stayed at the villa – a French officer called Olivier Voutier.

PlongeeO offers superb sea excursions in the Var area! Their specialty is diving, snorkelling, and also training and certification in various diving courses. Fun wise though, the company will do everything from take you down to underwater shipwrecks to through marine flora and fauna. An instructor will be with you every step of the way. The PlongeeO team will keep you pampered with endless fussing and great humor througout your trip.

You can even sail out on their cataraman for a number of nights around the Iles d’Or. These excursions naturally include diving.

Adults and children alike can freakout at the five driving/racing circuits and in the over a 100 vehicles to choose from in the park. Only two minutes from Hyeres’ center, Speedkart’s fit for everybody from total beginners to racing experts. Races come in the form of challenge Grand Prix: Formula 1, Speed, Endurance, Speedcup and Anim’ados. There are also several non-racing highlights, such as a motorsport themed amusement park for children called Speedooland. Adults can organise group and team-building excursions to this place.

There is also a large club house, a great terraced dining room, a meeting room, and a changing room.

This municipal park is one of France’s most remarkable gardens. Seven hectares in area, it is a botanical garden that consists of palm fees, bamboo, a greenhouse with tropical winds and bird, a small zoo and a lake. The path around the park is well shaded. The park is a special favourite with children: they get to enjoy pony rides, train rides and a carousel.

The very first settlement in Hyeres was founded in 4th century BC, by the Phocaean Greeks. At that time, they called it ‘Olbia’… and today, Olbia is the only site of its kind on the Mediterranean coast to have survived nearly in its entirety. Houses, sanctuaries, paths and public baths have all been uncovered here, showing a city sub-divided into neighbourhoods. The excavations have given a great insight into the ways of lives of the very first inhabitants of this region, be they soldier, or fisherman, or ceramist. Also discovered on site are the remains of a medieval abbey called St. Peter Almarre.