Hyères has more coastline than most people expect.
The commune stretches from the mainland beaches north of the Giens peninsula all the way out to three islands - Porquerolles, Port-Cros and the Île du Levant - each with its own distinct character. The result is one of the most varied coastal landscapes in the Var: long sandy stretches suited to families, wild coves accessible only on foot, water sports beaches that draw professionals from across Europe, and island beaches that feel entirely removed from the mainland summer. Here is a guide to the main beaches, organised by location.
Plage de l'Ayguade
L'Ayguade is a different kind of beach entirely - and a better one for families. It is one of the longest beaches on the Hyères mainland, a broad sweep of sand and pebble that sits right at the heart of the l'Ayguade village. That proximity to the village is what sets it apart. Step off the sand and you are immediately on the Place Daviddi, a small square lined with restaurants where pétanque players gather in the evenings. It makes for a beach day that flows naturally into dinner without anyone needing to get in a car.
The beach itself is well set up. There are showers, public toilets and parking nearby. It holds a Blue Flag award and is fully accessible, with facilities in place for visitors with hearing, mental and motor disabilities - something that is genuinely rare on beaches in the Var. Lifeguards are on duty during the supervised season. The water is clean and the beach is wide enough that it rarely feels crowded even at the height of summer.
Sport plays a big part in the character of l'Ayguade. Beach volleyball is a fixture in summer, and the flat promenade running alongside the beach is a popular route for runners and cyclists in the mornings and evenings. If you prefer to simply sit and watch the world go by, the Place Daviddi is one of the more pleasant squares in the area - shaded, relaxed, and with a good view of the sea. The beach is open every day of the year and is free to access.
Facilities: Blue Flag, lifeguards (supervised season), showers, public toilets, parking, beach volleyball, fully accessible (hearing, motor, mental). Free access year-round.
Best for: families, accessible swimming, beach sport, staying for dinner in the village.
Plage du Ceinturon
Ceinturon is the most low-key of the three, and for some visitors that will make it the best. Situated near the port at Le Port, it is a beach of sand and pebble that is easy to reach and easy to spend a day on. There are large car parks close by, which makes it a practical first choice if you are arriving with young children, a lot of kit, or simply do not want to plan very far ahead. The beach is quieter than l'Ayguade and more sheltered than l'Almanarre. The sea bottom is sandy and shallow, which makes it well suited to children and less confident swimmers. In the evenings, local fishermen come to cast lines from the shore - a reminder that this is still a working coastal town as much as it is a tourist one. There is something unhurried about Ceinturon, a sense that it has not been over-curated. It is supervised during the summer season, but outside those months it remains open and free.
Facilities: lifeguards (supervised season), large parking nearby. Free access year-round.
Best for: easy access, families, a relaxed pace, evening walks along the shore.
Plage de l'Almanarre
There is no beach in Hyères quite like l'Almanarre. Stretching for nearly five kilometres along the western tombolo of the Giens peninsula - the Route du Sel - it is one of the longest continuous stretches of sand in the Var. The beach faces west, which means calm water when the wind blows from the east, and serious chop when the Mistral arrives from the north-west. That combination is precisely what makes it one of the premier windsurfing and kitesurfing spots in Europe. On any given day in summer, the water is full of boards and kites, and the beach itself draws professionals from across the continent who come specifically for the conditions.
For everyone else, l'Almanarre is simply a very good beach. The sand is pale and fine, the sea shelves gradually, and the sheer length of it means you can almost always find a quieter stretch away from the water sports area. The setting adds something too: on one side you have open sea, and on the other, the Pesquiers salt marshes, where flamingos feed year-round. It is an unusual and quietly memorable backdrop for a day on the beach.
The beach holds a Blue Flag award, meaning water quality is regularly tested and meets European standards. There are lifeguards on duty from mid-June to mid-September. Parking runs along the Route du Sel and is free, though it fills early in peak season - arrive before nine in the morning in July and August if you want a spot close to the beach.
What to bring: shade. There are no beach clubs or parasol hire at l'Almanarre. It is a natural beach, so come prepared with your own umbrella, food and water, especially if you are heading to the quieter southern end.
Facilities: Blue Flag, lifeguards (mid-June to mid-September), free parking along Route du Sel, open access year-round. No beach clubs or hire facilities.
Best for: water sports, long walks, wide open space, flamingo spotting across the marshes.
Hyères is one of the few places on the Côte d'Azur where the beaches still feel like they belong to the people who live there as much as the people who visit. L'Almanarre draws the world's best windsurfers and still has room for a family with a windbreak. L'Ayguade has a Blue Flag and a pétanque court in the same postcode. Ceinturon has no particular ambitions beyond being a good beach, and that is exactly what it is. Wherever you end up, the water is clean, the access is free, and the Var coastline will do the rest.
À bientôt
