Hyeres, a historical town
In Roman times, Hyeres was a major trading port, and you only have to visit the archaeological site of Olbia where you can see the remains of this port city, to get an idea of the history and life in the Roman era
Go into Hyeres and make your way up the narrow streets of the old town. The feeling of Provencal life is everywhere, among the fruit and vegetable stalls, but also with the cheese maker who is next to the bookseller, and the olive seller who greets you at the door of his shop. Take a coffee or a pastis on the place des Templiers. There’s the coloured linen drying on the windows among the bougainvillea and then there’s that lovely smell of fresh traditional bread or biscuits. What’s so surprising is that among all the hustle and bustle of village life, you can find craftsmen, artists painters, fashion designers, and decorative shops. Along your way, you'll see the tower of the Templars, the rue des Porches, the vaulted passageway under the old ramparts, the Saint-Paul collegiate church, the narrow streets, paved with history, as they climb up toward the castle from where there’s a breath-taking and quite unique view over the town, the Presqu'ile and the Islands.
For a more modern and contemporary architecture look no further than the villa Noailles which was built in 1923 and which hosts exhibitions all year round including the International Festival of Fashion and Photography as well as the Design Parade.
Hyeres, its parks and gardens
Hyères-les-Palmiers is a town all about nature as we think you’ll agree when you take a relaxing stroll through the town’s parks.
The Castel Sainte Claire, which you can reach by the narrow streets of the old town of Hyeres, is where you can explore a subtropical garden with its plants from South America and Australia.
The Parc Saint Bernard, above the Villa Noailles, has a terraced garden with all the colours and scents of the Mediterranean, rosemary, almond, myrtle...
The Olbius Riquier Garden, with its play area, small train and sweet shop for your children. Take a stroll in this park with its bamboo, cactus, palm trees and many other types of exotic vegetation along with its many peacocks.
Hyeres, activities and leisure
The town of Hyeres offers a wide range of holiday activities.
There’s a craft market every day of the week in Hyeres and its surroundings which is a great way of trying out the local produce. On the Peninsula why not pay a visit to the Giens market which is open on Tuesday mornings and the marché de la Capte which is on Fridays (4km from Giens).
If it’s thrills and spills you’re after, then head down to water sports complex in Audemar (l’Ayguade 7km) where you can jet ski, or to the Speed kart for some kart racing (direction Hyeres 6km).
The children might like the day out at Kiddy Park, where there are water games, mini quads, inflatable games and accro-branches (tree climbing with ropes) and everything else you could want for a great time! Then in the evening there’s the Magic World funfair with its dodgem cars, its haunted house, roller coaster and other fun rides all guaranteed to provide a thrilling experience.