Bonjour! Welcome to Hyeres, one of the most charming and underrated towns on the French Riviera, often overshadowed by its more famous neighbors. Set between the Mediterranean Sea and the rolling hills, Hyères blends history, nature, and coastal beauty in the best possible way. Think medieval streets, scenic sea and mountain views, peaceful gardens, and easy access to beautiful islands just offshore. If you’re looking for a destination that feels authentic, relaxed, and diverse, Hyères might just steal your heart. In this post, we’ll focus on things to do in Hyeres village. Let’s go & explore!
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Hyeres, France FAQ
Hyeres is located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region in the Var department in southern France. It sits along the Mediterranean coast, roughly halfway between Marseille and Saint-Tropez. The historic village is perched on a hillside about 4km inland, while the coastal areas stretch along the Giens Peninsula.
Of course! Hyères is well worth visiting for its charming medieval old town, beautiful beaches, impressive botanical gardens, and relaxed atmosphere. In our opinion, it’s one of the most underrated destinations on the French Riviera. Hyeres is perfect for travelers who want the beauty of the Côte d’Azur without the overwhelming crowds and sky-high prices.
Hyeres is best known for its picturesque medieval village, wonderful views over the surrounding hills and coastline, the Golden Islands located just offshore, and its long stretch of beautiful beaches. It’s also one of the oldest resort towns on the French Riviera, with a tourism history dating back to the 18th century.
It all depends on what you want to see and do. One day in Hyères is enough to explore the historic old town and stroll through its gardens. If you’d like to also visit the Îles d’Hyères or spend some time on the beaches, plan to add at least one more day. But if you’re short on time, a day trip to Hyères village is absolutely worthwhile.
Things to do in Hyeres village
The beating heart of Hyères is its enchanting medieval old town. As you pass through ancient gateways into the labyrinth of narrow, cobbled streets, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Hyères old town is full of pastel-colored buildings with wooden shutters, cozy little squares, and hidden corners waiting to be discovered. Here, you’ll also find small boutique shops, art galleries, restaurants, and cafes – perfect spots to pause, unwind, and enjoy the local vibe. Thanks to its compact size, Hyères village is easy to explore on foot.
As you wander through Hyeres village, keep an eye out for these highlights:
- Porte Massillon – a stone gateway marking the entrance to the historic center, adorned with a distinctive clock. It was part of the fortified walls from the 14th century.
- Place Massillon – the main square surrounded by colorful buildings and home to the impressive 12th-century Templar Tower (fr. Tour des Templiers), listed as a historic monument.
- Ancient wash house on Rue du Repos – well-preserved wash house with a wooden structure and a small garden, perfect for a quiet break with scenic views.
- Place Saint-Paul – a small, peaceful square offering wonderful views over the town and the sea. Here, you’ll also find a church and La Peñiscola – a unique building with turrets.
- Collegiate Church of Saint Paul – a beautiful church dating back to the 12th century with a mix of Romanesque and Gothic elements.
- Villa Noailles – a striking Cubist-style villa built in the 1920s by architect Robert Mallet-Stevens. It was a legendary meeting place for avant-garde artists such as Picasso, Giacometti, Jean Cocteau, and Salvador Dalí. Today, the villa hosts contemporary art and design exhibitions and offers beautiful terraces and gardens. To learn more, visit the villanoailles.com website.
- Hyeres Castle – located nearly 200 meters above sea level, the ruins of this medieval fortress offer some of the best panoramic views on the French Riviera. Wander among stone walls, towers, and arches, and enjoy breathtaking 360-degree views over the town, sea, islands, mountains, and countryside. The castle is free to visit and accessible year-round. The walk up from the old town takes about 20–30 minutes and is quite steep.
With so many picturesque spots packed into a small, walkable area, strolling through the historic center is definitely one of the best things to do in Hyères, France.
Hyères Tourist Office is located on Avenue de Belgique, just a few steps from the Porte Massillon. It’s a great place to pick up maps and get helpful sightseeing tips.
Travel tip. To fully experience the charm of the Hyeres village, follow the Parcours des Arts. It’s a signposted route created by the municipality, connecting the most important historical and architectural sights.
Hyères Gardens
In and around Hyères village, you’ll find several spectacular gardens. After all, the town isn’t called the “City of Palm Trees” for nothing! So if you love lush vegetation and peaceful green spaces, you’re in for a treat.
We recommend visiting at least one of these beautiful gardens: Parc Saint-Bernard, Parc Sainte-Claire, and Parc Olbius Riquier. Each offers a slightly different atmosphere, from elegant hillside terraces to expansive botanical landscapes. Wandering through the gardens is definitely one of the most peaceful and relaxing things to do in Hyeres village.
Things to do outside Hyeres village
As mentioned earlier, Hyères is made up of two main areas: the historic village and the coastal zone. Once you’ve explored the old town and its medieval streets, it’s time to head toward the sea.
First, make your way to one of Hyeres beaches. The most famous is Plage de l’Almanarre, often considered one of the best beaches on the French Riviera, very popular with windsurfers and kitesurfers. Just across the Route du Sel that runs behind the beach, you’ll find the former salt marshes, now a protected nature reserve and bird sanctuary. Other lovely beaches worth visiting include Plage de la Madrague, Plage de la Badine, Plage de la Capte, and Plage de la Bergerie.
For active travelers and nature lovers, the Sentier du Littoral (Coastal Path) on the Giens Peninsula is an absolute must-do. It’s a marked hiking trail that stretches for about 6 kilometers (2-3 hours to walk at a leisurely pace) along the rugged eastern coast, offering spectacular coastal scenery. Dramatic rocky coves, secluded beaches, windswept cliffs, and crystal-clear turquoise waters await!
History lovers shouldn’t miss the archaeological site of Olbia. Those are the fascinating ruins of a fortified Greek settlement dating back to the 4th century BC. This is actually the only preserved site of its kind on the Mediterranean coast, making it exceptionally rare and valuable.
Finally, one of the absolute highlights of visiting Hyères is taking a ferry to Île de Porquerolles, the largest and most popular of the Îles d’Hyères. This paradise is located just 15 minutes by boat from the Giens Peninsula, and feels like a Mediterranean dream. The island has a network of well-marked cycling and walking trails that take you through eucalyptus and pine forests, past vineyards, and to the island’s famous beaches.
Hyeres village surroundings
Hyeres village also makes a great base for exploring nearby gems on Cote d’Azur. Whether you’re into history, nature, charming villages, or a glass of fine wine, there are many wonderful places to visit near the village that are perfect for day trips.
Just a short drive away, you’ll find many picturesque towns and villages like Cassis, La Ciotat, Toulon, Bandol, Bormes-les-Mimosas, or Sanary-sur-Mer. Vibrant big cities like Marseille and Aix-en-Provence are also about a 1-hour drive away.
Explore local attractions
How to get to Hyeres, France?
Hyères is located about 20km from Toulon, 35km from Bandol, 50km from Saint Tropez, 60km from Cassis, 80km from Marseille. The most convenient way to get to Hyeres is by car or by train.
Airports near Hyères
The closest airport to Hyères is located in Toulon/Hyères, only about 7km away. Alternatively, Marseille Airport is about 100km away and offers many more international connections. From each airport, you can get to the Hyeres by public transport. You can check connections that might interest you on rome2rio.com website. At each airport, you can also rent a car for a faster and more comfortable journey.
Where to park in Hyeres?
In Hyeres, we recommend leaving a car in one of the city’s paid parking lots located right next to the centre, like Parking Indigo Gambetta or Parking Indigo Casino. There’s also a nice free parking lot located about 10 minutes on foot from the centre, Parking Louis Versin.
To Hyeres by train
You can get by train to Hyeres from many nearby places like Marseille, Toulon, Bandol, or Saint Raphael. To learn more about train connections that interest you visit sncf-connect.com or rome2rio.com website. Hyères train station is located about 2km from the village’s historic centre and 6km from the coastal areas.
To Hyères by bus
You can also easily get to Hyères by bus. For example, the trip from Toulon will take around 25 minutes, 1.5 hours from Marseille, and 30 minutes from Bandol. To learn more about bus connections that might interest you visit rome2rio.com website.
Camping Hyères
If you’re traveling by camper, places like Camping des Loubes or Camping Hyères Port Pothuau might interest you. They are located close to Hyères.
Things to do in Hyeres village – Summing up
Hyères truly is one of the French Riviera’s hidden gems, where medieval history, exotic gardens, beautiful beaches, and pristine islands come together in perfect harmony. While the nearby towns tend to steal the spotlight, Hyeres quietly offers a more authentic and relaxed experience, free from overwhelming crowds. It’s the kind of place that feels effortlessly charming and easy to fall in love with. If you’re planning a trip along the French Riviera, Hyères definitely deserves a spot on your itinerary. Enjoy!
Our opinion about Hyères
For us, a visit to Hyères was a day trip from nearby Bandol where we lived for a few weeks. We visited in early November, and during that time there were just a few other tourists around. Exploring everything we wanted to see at a relaxed pace took us around 4 hours. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to visit the coastal areas on this trip, but that’s definitely on our list for next time.
We genuinely enjoyed our time in Hyeres village. We loved how unspoiled, authentic and incredibly calm it felt. Wandering around the historic centre was a pure pleasure. And the panoramic views from the castle were an absolute highlight! One of the best we’ve seen on the Cote d’Azur! We also enjoyed slowing down and spending peaceful moments in one of the Hyeres beautiful gardens. Without a doubt, Hyères is one of those places we’d happily return to.
Restaurants, accommodations, and map
Check out various recommended places below.
Where to eat in Hyeres?
Here are your best, high-rated options in Hyeres:
