Half-day bike ride to discover the forts of Porquerolles Island

Present on the island since 1974, the Cycle Porquerollais offers you this bike ride of about 2h30 which will make you discover the most beautiful examples of forts, an inseparable cultural heritage of Porquerolles that the National Park of Port-Cros protects in the same way as the natural areas.

In Porquerolles, even more than on the mainland, the need to defend oneself from the dangers of the sea, both from pirates and regular marines, led to the construction of many forts, of which a dozen are still visible. Each period of history has its own style of fortification, thus responding to the evolution of the armament.

Thus, at the end of the Courtade plain and its eucalyptus alley, you will reach the Fort du Lequin, dating from the middle of the 19th century and hidden in the scrub.

A little further on, you will admire the superb square tower of Alycastre surrounded by a star-shaped enclosure built under the authority of Richelieu. This place, surrounded by a legend, will also offer you a clear view on the bay of Notre-Dame and its famous beach.

The most athletic will climb up to the Fort of La Repentance, a formidable battery from the end of the 19th century dominating the northern coast of the island but invisible from the sea. It is currently transformed into a peaceful Orthodox monastery.

Finally comes the visit of the one that by its imposing form dominates the village: the Fort Saint Agatha. You will discover the secrets of the oldest of the fortifications, and enjoy the terrace of its tower offering a panoramic view of the island and the harbor of Hyères.

Back to the village at the end of this walk, you can take a break at the Maison du Parc, in the Jardin Emmanuel Lopez. You will keep the bikes until the end of the day to continue walking and discover at your own pace other places of the pearl of the Golden Islands.

These routes have a minimum distance to cover and some steep passages. They therefore require prior cycling experience (mastery of gear shifting). Please bring with you clothes adapted to cycling, sun cream and a water bottle.