Walking the Côte d'Azur & Golden Isles

Make your own way to your hotel in Le Lavandou, a small seaside resort, once a fishing village, bordered by beautiful sandy beaches and small rocky coves. Its market (every Thursday), packed with products and flavours from Provence, is not to be missed. You will spend five nights in a pleasant 3* property in an 1890s building. There is a tropical garden with sun loungers and shaded tables and it's close to the sandy beach.

A shuttle boat crossing from Le Lavandou (45 mins, return trip included) takes you to the island of Porquerolles, the biggest of the three Golden Isles. You reach the port and walk through its quaint village. The rest of the island is highly protected, crossed in every direction by walking paths through pine forests and strawberry trees. A short climb leads to a lookout where the entire island is at your feet, and the infinite expanse of the Mediterranean on the horizon. A winding path through the heather descends on soft zigzags back to the coastline. Return to the port and boat ride back to Le Lavandou.

A ferry takes you from the port of Le Lavandou to the island of Port Cros, set 8km off the coast. The island, the wildest of the Golden Isles, gives its name to France’s smallest national park. Its dense forests of tree heather, strawberry trees and cork oaks, all untamed, makes for a veritable walking paradise. A return ferry is included to Le Lavandou. *You can extend today's walk by 5.5km/3.4 mi.

Short taxi transfer (incl) to the start of your walk. Today’s walk is a mix of peaceful beach walking and steep but short climbs and descents along the coastline trail. You follow the “Sentier Littoral”, the coastline path that passes along pristine beaches and hidden coves on paths adorned with lavender and lone pine trees. The protected coastline is unspoilt and offers magnificent landscapes of jagged coast and turquoise waters. Halfway through the walk, the Estagnol beach is the perfect lunch break with is beachfront restaurant serving grilled seafood. The walk ends on the outskirts of the rocky islet from which emerges the severe silhouette of the Fort de Bregançon. In the summer, a special guest spends his holidays behind its thick walls: since Charles de Gaulle, the fortress is the residence of the French President. Transfer back to your hotel after the walk (incl).

This is the only day where your bathing suits aren’t needed as it's the only walk that goes inland. You’ll walk through the heart of the village of Le Lavandou before finding a pleasant and unusual footpath wedged tightly in between impressive homes and gardens that climbs steadily up to the village of Bormes-les-Mimosas. Built on the side of a mountain in Medieval times, it is one big flower show. In fact, the bright yellow flowers of the shrub Mimosa are used by famous French perfume houses such as Givenchy and Yves Saint-Laurent. You’ll have ample time to visit the quaint village before deciding whether to take the detour up to the chapel of Notre Dame de Constance. Beautiful vistas await at the chapel, including an “orientation table” that points out the significant landmarks on the horizon, including the Golden Isles where you've walked on previous days. Return to Bormes-les-Mimosas and retrace your steps to Le Lavandou.

Tour ends after breakfast.