The short version
- Take the TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon to Toulon, 3 hours 47 minutes at the fastest, from €19, or to Hyères, 4 hours 30.
- Boats to Porquerolles leave La Tour Fondue, at the tip of the Giens peninsula, every day of the year, and the crossing takes 15 minutes. An adult return is €22 in October, €17.70 from November to March and €24 from May to September.
- Visitors can’t bring cars. You walk or cycle, on more than 60 kilometers of marked routes. Carry water; there is none outside the village.
- From November 2, the last boat back from Porquerolles leaves at 17:15.
- The Villa Carmignac closes for the season on November 1, 2026.
- Until November 1, one boat a day runs to Port-Cros and Le Levant, and through February none run on Tuesday or Thursday.
What to see
Land at the harbor in the village, the only one on the island, and rent a bike. Porquerolles is about 7 kilometers long and 3 wide.
Ride to the long sandy beaches on the north side, like Plage Notre-Dame, a bay backed by pines. Dogs must be on a leash on the paths and are not allowed on the beaches.
Visit the Villa Carmignac, a contemporary art foundation in a villa and garden. Its 2026 show runs until November 1; tickets are €16, it is closed on Monday, and booking is recommended. Fort Sainte-Agathe, built in the 16th century under François I, has a view over the whole island and opens from May. One listing says it closes at the end of September and another at the end of November, so ask at the Maison du Parc.
Take a day for Port-Cros, the heart of the Port-Cros National Park, which you visit only on foot. The boats leave from Port Saint-Pierre in Hyères, 35 minutes to an hour, €29 return.
Both islands are protected parkland: no smoking or fires outside the village, no picking plants and no drones. From June to September, on days of high fire risk the woods close, so check before you board.
Getting there and around
From Hyères station, a coach runs to the port, and a shuttle goes to La Tour Fondue. Local buses cost €1.40.
Transavia flies from Paris Orly to Toulon-Hyères, about 1 hour 25 minutes, two to four times a day. Bus 63 takes about 10 minutes from the airport to Hyères, €1.40.
If you drive, the public car park at La Tour Fondue costs about €11 to €13.50 a day, according to local press, and fills on busy days.
Taking a bike on the boat costs €17 return. A package of the crossing and a mountain bike costs €33 for an adult from October 17.
Boats also sail to Porquerolles from Le Lavandou, about 50 minutes, and from Toulon.
When to go
July and August are hot and dry, with highs around 29°C, and the park itself advises avoiding them.
Spring and early autumn miss the summer crowds. October and November are the wettest months, and January averages a high of about 14°C.
The Porquerolles boats run every day all year but are canceled in bad weather; on October 19, 2026 the Port-Cros and Le Levant boats did not sail.
In winter, the last boat back is at 17:15, and the Villa Carmignac and Fort Sainte-Agathe are closed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get to Porquerolles from Paris?
Take the TGV to Toulon or Hyères, get to La Tour Fondue on the Giens peninsula, and take the 15-minute boat. Or fly from Orly to Toulon-Hyères.
Can you take a car to Porquerolles?
No. Visitors leave their cars on the mainland and get around the island by bike or on foot.
Can you visit Porquerolles in winter?
Yes. The boats run every day, the adult return is €17.70 from November to March, and the last boat back is at 17:15. The Villa Carmignac and the fort are closed, and crossings can be canceled in bad weather.
What should I eat on Porquerolles?
Drink Côtes de Provence wine from the island’s estates, poured in the village. On the coast, order bouillabaisse, the Provençal fish stew, and in winter, raw sea urchins. In Toulon, try cade, a thin chickpea flatbread sold by the slice.
Is there a tour I can add?
Yes, in Provence. Our Three Days in Provence meets at Avignon TGV station: the Popes’ Palace on the first day, Gordes, Roussillon, the Pont du Gard and Les Baux on the second, and a morning of wine tasting in Châteauneuf-du-Pape on the third.
Our Most Popular Day Trips From Paris
Louvre, Montmartre and Notre Dame in eight hours with a private driver-guide.
