Sentier du littoral – Balade « Cap sur le Grand Langoustier » sur l’île de Porquerolles

Check out the guide to the Coastal Trail published by the Toulon Provence Méditerranée Metropolitan Area.
Route 15: Head for Grand Langoustier (pp. 66–67)

Starting and ending point: the port of Porquerolles

1) From the harbor, head toward the village until you reach Sainte-Anne Church and its Mexican-style square.

2) Turn right onto the path leading to Mas du Grand Langoustier, passing near the National Park hamlet.

3) One kilometer further on, after a fork in the road to the right, you’ll reach the beautiful Argent Beach, which owes its name to the color of its white quartz sand. It’s lined with tree heaths that turn a beautiful mauve color in the fall. Several other tree species are present, including the majestic umbrella pines and stone pines, with their distinctive shape and large edible seeds—a staple of the Mediterranean landscape that has been widely cultivated since ancient times.

4) Continue through the holm oaks along a wide trail dotted with beautiful views of the small coves.

5) You’ll come within sight of the Petit Langoustier Fort as you pass through tall, fragrant scrubland—typical of acidic soils and consisting of rockroses, arbutus, mastic trees, rosemary, and more…

6) From the Port Fay isthmus, you can continue through a beautiful meadow of tree heath to the Grand Langoustier Fort, which overlooks the sea. Near the isthmus, you’ll be amazed by the contrast between a black-sand beach and a white-sand beach.

There’s a stunning view of Cap Sicié, Petit Langoustier Island, and the Giens Peninsula. At the tip, you’ll notice the Fort du Grand Langoustier, part of a series of fortifications built on the island beginning in 1633 following a decision by Cardinal Richelieu to establish a network for the defense and protection of the Hyères Islands and the straits. The Fort du Grand Langoustier stands out as something of a maverick—“its pyramidal shape makes it resemble an Inca structure.”
Indeed, its broad, lower section is topped by a truncated pyramid-shaped cap that gives way to a platform, originally surrounded by a guard walk—"an architectural marvel."

Return via the same route.