Gorges du Verdon

Stunning scenery makes the Gorges du Verdon one of Provence’s main tourist attractions. Set within the Verdon Regional Natural Park since 1997, you can walk, bike, climb, fish, kayak and more.

It is one of the world’s largest gorges at 20km long and 300m deep. The distinctive turquoise Verdon River cuts through the limestone cliffs and then flows into the Sainte-Croix de Verdon Lake.

Many visitors tour the Gorges by car, stopping off at the pretty village of Moustieres-Ste- Marie well known both for its earthenware tiles and for its 227m long iron chain stretching between the cliff faces and on which is hooked a crusader knight star.

Griffon vultures have been re-introduced here – the best chance of viewing them is from either the Route des Cretes or the village of Rougon.

Massif des Maures

Coastal visitors can quickly access this peaceful hinterland reaching down to the sea in places as rocky cliffs. Behind the bustling resorts, the Massif des Maures stretches from Hyeres to Frejus, a place of fertile valleys and sunny hillsides full of the sights and scents traditionally associated with Provence - olives, vines for Cotes de Provence wines, fruit, flowers and honey.

Discover charming hilltop villages like Collobrieres where cork-making is said to have first begun in France and visit the traditional craft makers of Coglin. Huge forests of sweet chestnuts and cork oak hide truffles, mushrooms and even wild boar.

Central Var is the only place in France, apart from Corsica, where the protected Hermann’s tortoise makes its home. See this land turtle along with many other species at Turtle Village in Gonfaron.

Tough climbs by bicycle along the D14 from Pierre-du-Var to Coglin are rewarded with fabulous views. Chevauchee au pays de Maurin des Maures are horse riding circuits developed by local councils for beginners and experienced riders and two TopoGuides (published by the French hiking federation) with routes and maps cover walking in the area. Tourist Offices in Maures towns can provide more details. For Draguignan tel: (00 33) 4 94 50 55 50.

Iles d’Hyeres

The coastal islands of Iles d’Hyeres (also known as the Iles d’Or because of the golden colour of the rocks) give visitors a glimpse of the unspoilt beauty which once extended to the mainland.

No cars are allowed and bicycles can be hired on Porquerolles, the largest island, which can easily be explored in a day. Walk sandy trails through fragrant maquis, pine and eucalyptus forest to stunning rocky calanques to the north or swim from sandy beaches in the south.

Ruined forts dating from the sixteenth century are dotted about all the islands. At that time pirates preying on trade routes made these their base and the picturesque bays are still a favourite anchorage for visiting boats. Sample wine from local vineyards in the bars and restaurants of the quayside village of Porquerolles.

The whole of the tiny island of Port-Cros is a French National Park with protection extending out into its surrounding waters. Not even bicycles are allowed and, apart from a tiny village, there are only footpaths through dense vegetation of juniper and fragrant maquis full of birdsong and butterflies. Trails have names like Vale of Solitude and Path of the Golden Apples. From plage de la Palud divers can follow a colourful underwater trail amongst sponges and sea creatures.

The Ile de Levant is almost entirely a military reserve although it is also home to a nudist colony set up in the 1930s.  

Boats leave for these popular islands from several coastal ports but because of the protected status of this fragile environment numbers of daily visitors are limited.