Hyeres tourist information
The commune of Hyères includes the town, its seaside peninsula and the Hyères Islands. As of the third century, the Phocaeans founded the town of Olbia after having landed on the Almanarre beach. Under Roman rule, Pomponiana soon became an important stop for coastal trade. After the fall of the empire, the area became infested with bandits and Saracens forcing the local population to move to the nearby coastline. Sea trade was redeveloped during the 9th century. In 1254, Saint Louis returned from his seventh trip to Hyères. In 1620, Louis XIII destroyed the castle that defended the town and then went into hiding in Toulon.
As history would like it, Hyères-les-palmiers, as it was called then, was one of the first seaside resorts on the Côte d’Azur. During the 18th century, some important families already frequented this area. In 1564, Catherine de Médicis spent a few days here. During the 19th century its winter tourism took off with many prestigious visitors such as Talleyrand, Lamartine, the Queen of Spain, Queen Victoria, R.L Stevenson and Tolstoï. Not to mention the many English Lords and their families. What would have become of the Côte d’Azur without them?
Around about 1930, more and more holidaymakers came to Hyères and the tourism industry grew. But with the number of new resorts popping up along the coast, Hyères was no longer that unique.
Hyères owes it success to its location. Protected from the Mistral by the Castéou Hill on its south and the presqu’île of Giens and Cape Bénat ... A true paradise for tropical plants of which many can be found in the gardens of its numerous villas.
The old town is quickly visited but all its streets have a special charm. The 12th century tower of Saint Blaise, which used to be the commandery of the Templar Knights, is found on the Place Massillon. The Collégiale Church can be found on the Place Saint Paul. A narrow stepped street leads to the entrance of a medieval portal. At the top, a Roman tower is found with lots to see on the inside. The "Roche à Cupule", rue du puits Saint Pierre, is worth having a look at. It is a 14 meter schist rock with 200 cavities.
Surrounding the old town, the new quarter with its beautiful dwellings in ancient, empire and art deco styles can be found.
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