Port-Cros National Park

Port-Cros was created in 1963 as the first national park in Europe to protect a marine area as well as land, covering the island and a belt of sea around it. The island is small, about seven square kilometres, hilly and densely wooded with holm oak and Aleppo pine, threaded by marked paths and old forts. The rules are strict: no cars, no bicycles, no dogs, no smoking, no picking anything, and no leaving the paths. An underwater trail at La Palud is followed with a mask and snorkel past marked stations over posidonia meadow and rock, with fish that are unafraid because nothing is taken here.

History

The park was founded in 1963 after the island of Port-Cros was bequeathed to the state, France's second national park after the Vanoise; the state owns all the land on the island, which is a protected natural area, and in 2012 the park's boundaries were extended to take in most of Porquerolles (Wikipedia, Port-Cros National Park).

Highlights

• The underwater trail - a marked snorkel route over seagrass and rock.
• The forested paths - marked walking routes through oak and pine.
• The old forts - coastal fortifications on the headlands.
• The tame fish - marine life unbothered by people in a no-take zone.

When to go

May to June and September; July and August bring visitor caps and full boats. The snorkel trail runs in summer with equipment hire. Winter service is minimal.

What to expect

Visitor numbers are capped and boats book out, so plan ahead. There is one small village with limited food and no shops to speak of. The rules are enforced by wardens, including staying on paths.

Nearby

Porquerolles is the neighbouring island; Hyeres is on the mainland.

Key facts