The Golden Islands : the untamed French Riviera

You are based in the quaint Riviera town of Le Lavandou, in the charming Espadon hotel for 5 nights. The town is active with quaint cafés and great seafood restaurants, little boutique shops and one of the best beaches along the Côte d’Azur. And unlike the glitz and glamour of the towns to the east, Le Lavandou remains authentic in its feel and its people, blissfully devoid of high-end shops and all things for the super-wealthy. With Le Lavandou as a base, you will explore some of the best kept secrets of the Riviera: its pristine and untamed coastline paths, not a building in sight, and two of the “Golden islands” just off the coast, absolute paradises of nature and walking paths. This is unmistakably the Riviera at its best. As an option, you can choose an extra day to walk along the coastal path and straight into the heart of St. Tropez, where suddenly, the untamed coastal path gives way to decadence in all its forms.

Day 1 : Le Lavandou
Arrive in your hotel Espadon, in the heart of Le Lavandou, where you settle in for your five-night stay. Stroll long the quayside or sit in one of its cafés and watch the world go by. Centre-stage is the pétanque grounds where the locals come to play every afternoon: pastis is had and the competition is fierce. Dinner and night in Le Lavandou.

Day 2 : Bormes les Mimosas and its perched chapel
Le Lavandou>Bormes les Mimosas>Le Lavandou
- Walking time about 3 hours and 15min.-11km - +300m/-300m or
Walking time about 2 hours - 8km - +150m/-150m
Leaving the hotel by foot, you find a stunningly unusual path wedged between the magnificent villas that dot the hillside. Steadily you climb to Bormes les Mimosas, a veritable garden of a village, laden in a rainbow of Bougainvillea, mimosa, and the thousands of exotic plants and flowers that thrive in this temperate paradise. Stroll through the hidden cobbled streets of town before resuming your climb to the chapel of Notre Dame de Constance, perched 300m above the sea (optional), from where the breathtaking panorama includes the coastline and all three of the Golden Islands, your playground for the next week. Dinner on your own. Night in Le Lavandou.

Day 3 : Port Cros National Park Circular Walk on Port Cros Island
- Walking time about 3 hours - 9km - +250m/-250m or
Walking time about 2hours and 15min.- 5.5km - +150m/-150m
A ferry ride (30mins., return trip included) takes you to Port Cros National Park, where heather grows as thick as trees, and the massive cork oaks line the majestic walking paths. This is the most rugged and preserved of the three islands, where strict environmental protection has played a key part in keeping the island lush and untamed. The island’s coastline benefits from the same protection, and nearing the waters you can see scores of colourful fish and aquatic plants. Your walk takes you along a shaded and lush valley to the island’s summit, overlooking the sheer cliffs where circling peregrine falcons await their prey (not you!!). Dinner on your own and night in Le Lavandou.

Day 4 : The untamed coastline and the Presidential fortress
Argentière beach>Cabasson beach
- Walking time about 3 hours and 45min.– 10km - limited climbing along the coastal path
The coastline path heads through untamed inlets of turquoise waters, and along some stretches you won’t see a soul. Could this be the Côte d’Azur? The protected coastline is magical, a perfect postcard with each new scene revealed. Halfway through your walk a timely beach appears, an opportunity for a swim and, as an option, one of the best restaurants along the coast, specializing in seafood and in wood-fire meats and pizzas. You continue your journey along the coastal path to reach the centuries-old Brégançon fort, now used as a summer retreat for the French President. Dinner on your own. Night in Le Lavandou.

Day 5 : The island of Porquerolles
Circular Walk Porquerolles
- Walking time about 4 ½ hours - 12km - +150m/-150m
A ferry crossing from Le Lavandou (45 mins., return trip included) takes you to the island of Porquerolles, the biggest of the three Golden islands. You reach the port and walk through its quaint hamlet, which carries the same name as the island. The rest of the island is a highly-protected jewel of nature, crossed in every direction by walking paths through the 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 in the horizon. Return to the port and ferry ride back to Le Lavandou. Dinner on your own. Night in Le Lavandou.

Day 6 : End of trip
End of trip in the morning after breakfast.

- 5 nights double occupancy with private facilities
- 5 breakfasts, 1 dinner
- Transfer on by taxi from/to Le Lavandou for the coastal walk
- Ferry ride to/from Porquerolles Island
- Ferry ride to/from Port Cros Island
- Our Road Book with detailed walking itineraries and a map.

Not included
-All lunches & dinners not noted on itinerary, entrance fees into museums, insurance, drinks, items of personal nature.

IMPORTANT:Optional walk & night in Saint-Tropez, please contact us!
For winter departures: Porquerolles walk is with a return taxi transfer at la Tour fondue to cross to/from Porquerolles (Le Lavandou/La tour Fondue, 35km/40mn)

Important: The Golden islands have a high level of protection from forest fire, including restriction of access to its paths. From June 21st to September 30th the paths on the islands' interior may be closed, but their coastline paths always remain open. In the case of closures you will be given a map at the islands' information centres indicating the paths you may take.

Just steps from the golden beaches of the Mediterranean, the hotel Espadon is nestled in the heart of the village of Le Lavandou, surrounded by quaint cafés and restaurants. Rooms have all been recently renovated and modernized, yet the hotel has kept its authentic charm. Breakfast is served in a delightful dining area overlooking the sea. Walk Inn guests are given rooms with a sea view.

WALK INN SARL - 30 Bd PAUL FLORET - 84000 AVIGNON - PROVENCE - FRANCE
Provence Hiking and Biking Tour Operator - N° licence : IM084100007 - A.P.S Member- info@walkinnprovence.com