Hyères

Day 1: Medieval Hyères, hill to sea

Ease into Hyères with a slow wander of the historic old town, climbing from the lively square to quiet lanes and panoramic viewpoints. Wear sturdy shoes: the cobbles are uneven and the gradients real, but the rewards are storybook streets, artists’ workshops and a sunset castle.

• Morning: Enter via Porte Massillon to Place Massillon for coffee and a look inside the Tour des Templiers (check what’s on; exhibitions rotate). If it’s Saturday, browse the market early before it gets busy. Tip: don’t drive up—park at Parking Clemenceau or Parking Denis and walk.
• Midday: Drift the Parcours des Arts (Rue des Porches, Rue de la Bourgade, side alleys); greet makers as you pop into ateliers. Note that many shops close 12:30–14:30—use that window for a leisurely Provençal lunch in the square.
• Afternoon: Climb to the collégiale Saint‑Paul to see the ex‑votos and the terrace view; detour to the lavoir below the church and a quiet stretch along Rue Barbacane by the ramparts. Continue into Parc Saint‑Bernard for Villa Noailles (free entry; check hours), where the architecture is as compelling as the contemporary shows—pick up the current programme.
• Evening: Push on to the castle ruins for golden‑hour vistas over the tiled roofs to the Îles d’Or, then descend for an apéro on Place Massillon. In summer, plan the uphill segments after 17:00 for shade; in cooler months, the old town feels wonderfully local after dusk.

Day 2: Art in the city and sea air on the peninsula

Today mixes museum‑hopping with a change of scenery on the Giens peninsula. You’ll sample Hyères’ design and photography pedigree in town, then follow the coast to a new museum set amid pine and sea.

• Morning: Start at La Banque, Musée des Cultures et du Paysage (central; check day-by-day hours—often 14:00–18:00, with morning openings mid‑week and Saturday). The old bank vault is a memorable gallery; combine with any exhibition inside the Tour des Templiers if scheduled.
• Midday: Lunch in the vieille ville, then loop back through the Parcours des Arts to catch open studios (check the cultural agenda for vernissages). If steep walks aren’t your thing, bus or taxi up to Villa Noailles for a guided visit instead.
• Afternoon: Drive or bus to Giens for the Musée du Niel (seasonal, typically May–Nov; pre‑book in peak months). Its collection focuses on abstraction in a 1960s villa with views towards Porquerolles; if visiting off‑season, swap in the Olbia archaeological site for a guided stroll through Greek‑Roman ruins.
• Evening: Linger on the peninsula for sunset over Port du Niel before heading back to town for dinner. Summer tip: sea breezes make Giens cooler than the old town—handy on hot days.

Day 3: Porquerolles—art, nature and islands

Set aside a full day for Porquerolles, where contemporary art meets a protected Mediterranean landscape. Travel light, bring water and sun protection, and expect gentle sandy tracks best explored by bike or on foot.

• Morning: Catch an early ferry from La Tour Fondue (Giens) and hire bikes on arrival. Time your entry slot at Fondation Carmignac (advance booking essential in summer; typically closed Nov–Apr) and ride in via shaded pine paths.
• Midday: Explore the foundation’s subterranean galleries and sculpture garden (shoes off inside adds to the experience). Picnic in designated areas or eat at the café; the island is a national park—follow signage and stay on marked trails.
• Afternoon: Swap art for coast: cycle to a nearby beach for a swim or explore village lanes and coastal viewpoints before your return ferry (allow buffer time—queues build in July–August). If you’re island‑averse or visiting in winter, stay mainland for a slow castle‑to‑gardens loop and extra time at La Banque.
• Evening: Back in Hyères, join the apéro crowd on Place Massillon or check the town’s agenda for evening openings in the Parcours des Arts. Festival note: in late spring and early summer, Villa Noailles’ fashion and design exhibitions often run late; in July, the Olbia site hosts the MIDI music festival.

By Air

• Toulon–Hyères Airport (TLN): 10–15 minutes by taxi/car to central Hyères; 20–30 minutes by local bus to the train/bus station. Small airport with mainly domestic and seasonal European routes.
• Marseille Provence Airport (MRS): about 1 hr 15–1 hr 30 by car (approx. 100 km). By public transport, expect roughly 2–2 hr 30 via shuttle/train to Marseille Saint-Charles, then TER/TGV to Toulon/Hyères.
• Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE): about 1 hr 30–2 hr by car (approx. 150 km). By train, 2–3 hr via Nice-Ville and Toulon to Hyères.

By Train

• Gare d’Hyères (Hyères station) is the terminus for local TER services.
• Frequent TER trains to Toulon (approx. 20–25 minutes) and Marseille Saint-Charles (about 1 hr 20–1 hr 40, often with a change at Toulon).
• Paris connections: TGV from Paris–Gare de Lyon to Toulon (around 3 hr 45), then TER to Hyères (about 20 minutes). In summer, limited direct TGVs may run to Hyères (around 4 hr 40–5 hr).
• Nice connections: TER via Toulon; typically 2–3 hr total depending on changes.

By Bus/Coach

• Hyères Gare Routière (bus station) sits by the railway station; main hub for local and regional services.
• Local network (Réseau Mistral) links Hyères with Toulon, the airport, Giens peninsula, and nearby towns.
• Regional ZOU! coaches connect to larger centres (e.g., Toulon, Marseille, Saint-Raphaël/Saint-Tropez area); frequencies increase in summer.

By Car

• From Toulon: A57 eastbound to Hyères (around 20–25 minutes).
• From Marseille: A50 then A57 (about 1 hr 10–1 hr 30, traffic dependent).
• From Nice/Cannes: A8 then A57 via Le Luc, or A8 to Toulon then A57 (about 1 hr 30–1 hr 45).
• Motorways are tolled. Summer and weekend traffic can be heavy, especially towards the Giens peninsula (ferry access to the islands).
• Old town streets are narrow/pedestrianised; use central car parks such as Parking Clemenceau or Parking Denis and continue on foot.