Giens peninsula's tour
hikingA unique hike
At Giens, nature is unspoiled and the quality of life preserved. To discover all the wonders of the peninsula, you need to walk, swim, cycle and dive! When hiking, the coastal path takes you through breathtaking panoramas of vibrant colors, rugged features and sheltered coves, amid dense, fragrant Mediterranean vegetation. The village of Giens, the epitome of Provence, embraces the panorama from the top of its promontory.
5 good reasons to visit the Giens peninsula
- Choose from a number of hiking loops through breathtaking scenery
- Admire the cliffs of Pointe des Chevaliers
- Walking in the Mediterranean scrubland of La Badine
- Enjoy the calm of a secret cove sheltered from the wind
- Visit the Pradeau and Niel museums
The Giens peninsula offers sublime landscapes overlooking the Mediterranean, accessible via coastal paths. Whether you’re an experienced hiker or just an amateur looking for a stroll, you’ll find itineraries to suit your level. Here are two of them, to explore the peninsula from the west or the east.
Circuit de la pointe des Chevaliers: hike on a piece of the world
This 6-kilometer coastal path (itinerary 1 on the map linked below) offers sublime views over the Bay of Almanarre, Toulon harbor and the open sea. The walk winds between the seafront and typical Mediterranean scrubland. Quite strenuous, and sometimes vertiginous (the path is often on a cliff face), this 3-hour loop on the tip of the peninsula takes you through a succession of exceptional viewpoints from the port of La Madrague to Escampobarriou, via the Pointe des Chevaliers and the Calanque du Blé.
From La Badine, a loop of beaches and creeks
For an easier route, hike from Badine beach(itinerary 3 on the map). Less athletic hikers can choose to go to Cap de l’Estérel and back. However, the loop continues beyond the south-eastern end of Giens in a 7-kilometre hike. Crystal-clear Calanques, anemomorphosed umbrella pines (whose shape has been altered by the wind), spectacular views towards the Isles d’Or, and the Pradeau museum at the Tour Fondue: this seaside outing is a delight for the whole family.
Secret treasures of the Giens peninsula
Take a stroll around the various loops of the Giens peninsula and you’ll discover a wealth of little treasures. Around the port of Niel, in the coves of the Belambra vacation residence or towards the Pointe des Salis, the transparency of the water, the small, intimate beaches, the panoramic views over the open sea and the coast, the scents of Mediterranean flora, all soothe and inspire contemplation.
Hiking along the coastal path, you’ll reach heavenly spots you’d like to keep to yourself: the Pradeau cove and its eponymous restaurant, Port Auguier, Bauma beach and Pontillon beach.
Fire hazard
Warning! In the event of strong winds, forest areas in the Var, including the Giens peninsula, may be closed by prefectoral decree due to the risk of fire.
In summer, before any walk or hike, consult the Var forest closure map, updated every evening.
What impact has the closure of the massifs had on the Giens peninsula?
- The Darboussières beach is not accessible, as you have to cross part of the massif (a sign is posted at the parking lot on chemin de la Table Ronde, reminding you that access to the area is forbidden in the event of fire risk).
- Access via the Haut Niel ascent from the village of Giens or the Port du Niel is also forbidden (sign posted at the entrance gate to the massif).
- Parc des Chevaliers is not accessible due to severe fire hazard. The western loop of the coastal path is therefore closed in strong winds in summer.
- The eastern loop of the peninsula (St-John Perse > La Badine) is not accessible under severe or very severe risk conditions.
How to get here ?
By bus: To reach the west loop (Pointe des Chevaliers section), take Mistral line 67, then at the Badine stop, take line 68 (AB68) to the Madrague or Four à chaux stop.
To reach the eastern loop (La Badine section), take line 67 to the Badine stop. By car: Reach Giens via route départementale 197.
For the Badine loop, park on boulevard Alsace-Lorraine or chemin Denis Papin.
For the Pointe des Chevaliers circuit, you can park on avenue René de Knyff.
Please note: spaces are limited, so use public transport.