Tourist Attractions & Monuments Var

Located in the heart of the Mediterranean River off Hyères in the Var department (83), the National Park of Port Cros is dedicated to protecting the land and marine heritage of its territory. As a pioneer in marine parks, it is part of the Natura 2000 European network. The heart of the park covers 1 700 hectares of land and 2 900 marine hectares from the namesake island via Bagaud, Gabinière, the rock of Du, part of Porquerolles Island (1 000 hectares) and surrounding waters. A membership area consisting of 5 municipalities from La Garde to Ramatuelle with a second maritime area of 123 000 hectares defines the limits of the protected area. Under the authority of the Ministry responsible for ecology, the Port Cros National Park was established in December 1963. However, it was necessary to wait until 2012 for a large part of Porquerolles Island to be integrated into its perimeter. In particular, this park manages the National Botanical Conservatory of Porquerolles since 1979, whose mission is to identify, identify and protect the entire wild flora of the island. Port Cros National Park receives nearly 1,25 million visitors per year, making it one of the most frequented parks in French territory. This high rate of attendance (mainly between April and September) also involves some major imperatives: In fact, the park teams must sensitize all visitors to this fragile environment while making arrangements for the protection and discovery of local heritage.

It owes its name to the visit of the Russian imperial fleet in 1898. Completely demolished in 1944, it was replaced by massive buildings typical of the 1950s. The famous Atlantes by Pierre Puget support the balcony of the town hall of honor and the statue of the Genius of Navigation, nicknamed the Admiral of Cuverville, is enthroned there, looking towards the horizon. You will find a modern maritime station (renovated in 2013) as well as a multitude of restaurants, bars and stores facing the sea.

The square and crenellated tower (of Saracen inspiration) which surmounts this rocky islet was built between 1910 and 1913 (in red stone from Estérel), at the request of its owner, Doctor Auguste Lutaud, self-proclaimed Auguste^1st. Private property, it cannot be visited. According to a local legend, the Golden Island would have inspired Hergé for his album "The Black Island". But "Tintinophiles" are unanimous in refuting this idea: the illustrator, who never came to Saint-Raphaël, was inspired by Scottish castles for the castle of Ben More.

This cannon tower was built in 1634 and reinforced by Vauban, and served as protection in Toulon harbour crossing its fire with those of the Royal tower. Since 1970, the fort became a naval museum with local maritime history, with permanent exhibitions dedicated to the history of the prison in Toulon and overseas, life convicts, plus temporary exhibitions to discover (inquire by phone).

At an altitude of 443 meters, the massive Gros Cerveau offers numerous walking trails and spectacular views. A botanical trail leads to the edge of the Gros Cerveau and its panoramic heights that stretches from the islands of Hyères, in the creeks of Cassis-Marseille and the entire chain of Sainte-Baume. You can visit the cave of Garou. Follow the signs of GR 51 in red, white, blue and green. The walking routes are available at the reception of the Tourism Office of Ollioules and it will tell you the difficult circuits.