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| Paris In Sites Newsletter Direct From France Edited by Linda Thalman Travel & Leisure Articles |
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Hyères les Palmiers France - June 2004
My partner, Pierre, went sailing around Porquerolles, Port-Cros and le Levant islands,
which are idyllic.
You can go biking and hiking at Porquerolles, but only on foot at Port-Cros and
the le Levant is 'le paradis des naturistes' - for nudists.
I played tourist and enjoyed the fresh sea breezes on the balcony facing the
Bay of Gien at our delightful two-star hotel, Port Hélène.
Both the town of Hyères les Palmiers and the Presqu'île de Giens offer
a lovely visit, especially in June - before the summer crowds arrive.
The cobble stone streets rise high above the main square. Have good walking shoes
and if it is hot, a big bottle of water.
Then up and up stopping at La collégiale Saint-Paul and the Saint-Bernard Park.
Even further up the hill is the Villa Noailles. The guide books gave different opening times;
the sign said it was open all day long - but it was closed.
Luckily for me, a city tour arrived and I was able to join them for a private
tour of this villa built by Mallet-Stevens between 1924 and 1933. The huge indoor
swimming pool and oh so modern architecture was stunning.
The tourist office for Hyères aptly describes this lovely location:
"Appreciated for its temperate climate, Hyères-les-Palmiers is an average-sized town, [with] 53,000
"Original and unforgettable, the Giens Peninsula is linked to the mainland by a double isthmus:
two thin strips of land of 4km in length comprising one of the Mediterranean's most remarkable natural
curiosities. The vast stretches of salt marshes between these two sandy arms are a refuge for
beautiful migrating birds."
At the port, we enjoyed the Mojito tapas bar and even watched a Euro2004 soccer match.
And in Hyères I had an ever so good light lunch at Le Jardin.
Both get my recommendation.
Olbia was founded by the Greeks in the fourth century BC.
Researchers have also found Roman and mediaeval remains in their excavations.
It is more the atmosphere and the location than the ruins - of which very
little remains - that makes this modest site worth the visit if you've time.
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In mid-June we took a trip to the lovely town and port city, Hyères way down south in
the Var department.
I wandered along the old town with no particular plan. Yet, I easily came across
the main square with the Tour des Templiers at place Massillon.
inhabitants. Nestling at the foot of the Maures Hills, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea between
Provence and the French Riviera, Hyères is situated right at the heart of the Provence d'Azur area."
Just down the road from our hotel was the archaeological site of Olbia.
General Information
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Linda Thalman
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Email – Linda@wfi.fr
Web Address – http://www.parisinsites.com/
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