MEET Port Cros National Park The Undiscovered French Riviera

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Barbara Ross
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MEET Port Cros National Park The Undiscovered French Riviera 5 days of slow-travelling through the Port Cros National Park area to experience the culture and nature of South of France.

1 MEET Port Cros National Park The Undiscovered French Riviera 5 days of slow-travelling through the Port Cros National Park area to experience the culture and nature of South of France. Forget everything you know about the French Riviera. Reach for adventure and discover rich biodiversity each day as you cycle, hike, and kayak your way through Port Cros National Park. Chat with locals over fresh tapenade and a glass of rosé and learn about the region s culinary traditions. This 5-day trip through the Mediterranean s oldest marine park in Europe will refresh all your senses. 1

Walk through charming villages. Discover changing landscapes while cycling along the Mediterranean coast.

Learn about the Park s Mediterranean plants and wildlife and visit historic monuments and archeological sites.

Spend some time with local fishermen and traditional winemakers. Try the unique food of Provence in family-owned restaurants.

2 Walk through charming villages. Discover changing landscapes while cycling along the Mediterranean coast. Let your local guide lead you to the fantastic island of Porquerolles by sea-kayaks crossing crystal-clear waters, returning on a vintage wooden sailboat. Learn about the Park s Mediterranean plants and wildlife and visit historic monuments and archeological sites. Become a local: play pétanque, a traditional local ball game, prepare your own tapenade (a spread made from olives) while enjoying a glass of rosé wine. Spend some time with local fishermen and traditional winemakers. Try the unique food of Provence in family-owned restaurants. Stay in small, local hotels with lovely flowered terraces. By participating in this tour you will be part of the development of a new sustainable travel concept, a small group, supporting the National Park and benefiting the local communities away from mass-tourism destinations. 2

3 Sunday 4 / Toulon train station - Le Pradet This tour respects true eco-mobility, picking up from the local train station (direct connections with Paris and Marseille) rather than the local airport PM Meeting and journey from Toulon train station to Garonne beach at Le Pradet village First contact with your Port-Cros national Park partner-guide at you arrival at Toulon TGV train station. By local city bus, lovely view to the coastline, the Mediterranean, Le Pradet and its surroundings PM Stroll from Garonne bus stop to L Escapade hotel by the coastal pathway. Beautiful view over the Toulon harbor and the Oursinières port at Le Pradet. Many informations about fauna and flora will be given along the stroll. 30 minutes walking. Distance: 1.3 km. Ascent: 50m. Descent: 38m PM Check-in at L Escapade hotel Take part to a pétanque game in this comfortable, charming hotel and be introduced to one of the most popular and favorite activity in Provence PM Dinner at the gourmet restaurant La Chanterelle, next to your hotel You will enjoy meals made with fresh and local products, in a lovely flowered terrace, or in the carved wooden dining room. Introduction to the next day s program. 3

4 Monday 5 / Le Pradet 9.00 AM Stroll from 'L'escapade' hotel to the Cape Garonne Mine by the Coastal Pathway and the southern slope of the "Discovery Path" Discovery of the local fauna and flora and the coastal landscapes keeping an eye on the amazing panoramic view to the sea AM Visit of the Cape Garonne copper mine Discover the unique old copper mine museum in Europe, among the 5 most remarkable mineralogical sites in the world AM Lunch at Apiary Shelter A sophisticated picnic made with fresh products and prepared by a local chef PM Walking tour from the Apiary Shelter to the famous winery of La Navicelle 2 Hours from the copper mine. Distance: 3 km. Ascent: 77 m. Descent: 91 m 3.45 PM Visit of La Navicelle vineyard at the foot of the Colle Noire mountain Introduction to the bio dynamic vineyard by a passionate winegrower and owner of the property. Wine tasting. Transfert to you hotel PM L Escapade hotel / Cuisine workshop to cook your own dishes You will learn with a local chef, how to prepare yourself some typical Provencal dishes such as tapenade or anchovies paste that you will enjoy with some local pastis during the aperitif PM Diner and night at L Escapade hotel Introduction to the next day's program. 4

5 Tuesday 6 / Le Pradet - Giens Peninsula (Hyères) 9.00 AM Transfert by bus from L Escapade hotel to the archaeological site of Olbia Located in the city of Hyères Les Palmiers, the cradle of the Côte d Azur AM Visit of the remains of the archaeological site of Olbia Founded by the Greeks during 4 th century BC, Olbia is the only one conserved site of this kind on the Mediterranean coastline (Last 1 hour) AM Bike riding from the archaeological site of Olbia to La Madrague Biking by the Salt Route along the double tombolo of the Giens Peninsula (only five of these geographical reliefs can be seen around the world). Birds watching (Pink flamingos, ducks, herons and many kind of other wader birds) and nice view over the salt ponds and the Almanarre Bay. Discover with your guide the protected area under the European label Natura 2000 gathering 250 species of birds all year round. You will learn everything about the history of the salt harvest in Provence and how the French government decided to make it an ornithological sanctuary. Distance: 6.6 km. Ascent: 30 m. Descent: 32 m 12h30 Lunch at La Bouillabaisse fish restaurant High quality dishes made with fresh and local products in the cute and tiny fishing port of La Madrague, lovely view to the sea PM Short walk to reach the center of Giens village 2.30 PM Giens village and check-in at Le Provençal hotel This charming and traditional hotel offers an amazing panoramic view to the golden islands of Hyères and lovely rooms decorated and furnished in a Provencal style. During that relaxing afternoon, you will stroll by yourself through the narrow streets of the village and walk along the coastal path towards the cute fishermen and leisure port of Niel or simply doing nothing PM Dinner at the restaurant Brasserie du Provençal A friendly restaurant in the heart of the typical village of Giens, attached to your hotel. Dinner and introduction to the next day's program 5

6 Wednesday 7 / Giens Peninsula-Porquerolles Island 8.20 AM Take the bus from the Giens Village bus stop to the Tour Fondue The ride is only for few minutes by bus. It will take you to the Tour fondue site from where you will start your journey to Porquerolles Island AM Kayaking from the Tour Fondue to the Porquerolles Island This is the perfect way to discover and enjoy the Mediterranean Sea. You will arrive to the beautiful silver beach and join the port of Porquerolles within a walking distance. The visit of the Ste Agathe tower will send you back to centuries under François the 1 st reign. You will learn everything about the Island s history, the involvement and the assignments of the national park thanks to the exhibits and informations given by your partner guide AM Check-in at Auberge (Inn) Les Glycines A charming and friendly inn renovated in a Provençal style in a warm and cozy environment located in the center of the village PM Lunch at Auberge (Inn) Les Glycines Restaurant You will be served a sophisticated cuisine which honors the flavors of the most delicate dishes of the area PM Cycling through Porquerolles Island An interesting stopover at the National Park information office in Porquerolles will also be planned to get further information and find a sales area. Only a few cars are allowed in the village of Porquerolles, the rest of the island belongs to bikes and walkers. You will then discover the local fauna and flora and enjoy the amazing landscapes, the cliffs and the beautiful views over the Mediterranean Sea PM Back to the 'Auberge (Inn) Les Glycines Take part to a pétanque game while you will take an aperitif on the lovely square of the village in front of the inn. You will taste some local wines and Pastis. This is a perfect way to relax in a Mediterranean style PM Dinner at 'Auberge (Inn) Les Glycines' Dinner based on a local cuisine made of fresh fishes. Introduction to the next day's program. 6

7 Thursday 8 / Porquerolles Island - Hyères 9.00 AM Free time on your own in the village (1 hour) AM Meet together at the Port of Porquerolles You will meet a passionate fisherman who will introduce you different kind of local species of fishes freshly caught in the morning. This will take place on a dock called the Fishermen dock AM Boat-crossing from Porquerolles towards the port of Hyères Saint Pierre You will enjoy your time on the Brigantin boat during a lovely cruise from the island towards the port of Hyères. That 70 years old wooden schooner will take you around the bay and you will love the beautiful view to the coastline. Lunch in a picnic style will be served on the boat during your trip. Alternative option in case of bad weather conditions 8:30 AM Travel from Porquerolles Harbour to La Tour Fondue A 20 minutes boat trip by T.L.V.-T.V.M. Company from where our guests will appreciate the view on the Gold Islands and the Coastline. Transfert by public transports to Hyères city center 2.00 PM Arrival at the Port Saint Pierre and walk to Jean d Agrève bus stop Short description of the recreational port St Pierre rewarded as Pavillon bleu. The Blue Flag is an eco-label with a strong tourist connotation, symbol of an exemplary environmental quality PM Bus from Jean d Agrève bus stop to Hyères city center bus stop 3.00 PM Guided tour through the old city of Hyères Your local guide will take you around the city center to point out the highlights of the medieval town and help you to immerse yourself with the local population. You will also have some free time to discover by yourself and do some shopping to bring back a few Provencal gifts to your near relatives and friends PM Meet your guide at the Gambetta bus stop to head back to the Toulon train station After your luggage will be delivered at the bus stop you will board the local city bus to head back to the Toulon train station. The transfer lasts about 30 minutes from Hyères to Toulon. End of your adventure. 7

8 Comments: In the context of the ecotourism stay, the train station is prefered. However, we can also drop guests off from the nearest airport of TOULON-HYERES after the visit of the city of Hyères. Possibility to catch a direct flight to Orly airport in Paris, Rotterdam, London, Brussels etc Possibility to take the train between the train stations of Hyères and Toulon. It is also possible to get off the bus n 67 at Hyères train station (before arriving downtown) and then catch a direct TGV (French high-speed train) to Saint-Charles train station in Marseille, avoiding one stop in Toulon. 8

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