The islands of southern France offer Mediterranean landscapes with turquoise water, pine- and maquis-scented trails, and seaside villages. From the Côte d'Azur to Occitanie, each island has a very different character.
These islands are easy to reach and work equally well for a day trip or a long weekend. Most of them are also car-free, which makes them ideal for a nature-focused getaway.
Here are my picks for the most beautiful islands in the south of France to visit for a Mediterranean getaway.
The most beautiful islands in the south of France
- The Golden Islands (Hyères Islands) (Porquerolles, Port-Cros, Levant Island) are ideal for a car-free nature escape.
- The Lérins Islands offer a peaceful escape from the bustle of the Côte d'Azur, with easy access from Cannes or Nice.
- Frioul and Sainte-Lucie Island, further west, stand out for their rugged landscapes and quieter atmosphere.
- In Corsica, the Lavezzi Islands and the Sanguinaires Islands offer spectacular scenery, with a mix of wild coves and sunlit red granite.
Most can be visited as a day trip from nearby coastal towns and are explored on foot or by bike once you arrive.
Les îles d'Or (Hyères): wild Mediterranean escape
Les îles d'Or, off the coast of Hyères, live up to their name: at sunset, the limestone rocks glow golden against the blue Mediterranean. The archipelago has four islands: Porquerolles, Port-Cros, Levant Island, and Bagaud, the latter being uninhabited and completely closed to the public.
Hyères is the ideal starting point for reaching the islands. Staying in Hyères puts you close to the ferry terminals, so you can catch the first ferries in the morning and make the most of your day on the islands.
Porquerolles: beaches and biking from La Tour Fondue
Porquerolles is the largest and easiest of the Golden Islands (Hyères Islands) to visit. People come here for Notre-Dame Beach, regularly listed among the most beautiful in Europe, as well as for the island's shaded bike paths and coves, best explored on foot or by bike, as the island is car-free.
It is the island with the most visitor facilities. You will find hotels, guesthouses, and restaurants—everything you need to stay there comfortably.
Once there, you can head up to Fort Sainte-Agathe for the view near the port, rent a bike to ride to Notre-Dame Beach or Plage d'Argent, or hike to the Cap d'Arme lighthouse (mainly for the surrounding coastal views rather than the lighthouse itself).
You can also visit the Carmignac Villa, which houses a notable collection of contemporary art and a sculpture garden. Experienced divers can also explore the wreck of the Donator (the cargo ship, sunk by a mine in 1945, lies at a depth of 50 m / about 165 ft).
Getting to Porquerolles: boats depart from La Tour Fondue or Fort du Pradeau on the Giens Peninsula, about 12 km (about 7.5 miles) from Hyères (TLV-TVM company). You can reach the ferry terminal by bus 67.
Crossing time: about 15 minutes.
Round-trip fare: €18 to €24 (about 19–25 USD / 16–21 GBP) per adult depending on the season, with reduced fares available for children, young people, large families, seniors, and people with reduced mobility.
Port-Cros and Île du Levant: unspoiled nature and a change of scenery from the port of Hyères
Both islands are served from the same departure point, the Saint-Pierre port in Hyères, which is convenient if you are staying nearby. The boat first stops at Port-Cros before continuing on to Le Levant. Even though the two islands lie along the same boat route, they feel very different from one another!
In Port-Cros, nature dominates. There are few shops, a few seasonal restaurants, and the atmosphere feels much wilder than in Porquerolles. Most visitors come for hiking and snorkeling in the Port-Cros National Park (you can join outings led by certified instructors, who guide you to the best spots to observe marine life). The underwater trail of La Palud features submerged information panels that help you identify marine life as you snorkel. You can also visit Fort de l'Estissac during the high season (June–September).
Île du Levant is unlike the other islands in the archipelago: it helps to know what to expect before you go. It is home to the naturist village of Héliopolis and is designed as a haven of peace for naturists. Nudity is mandatory on the beaches as well as on the coastal path (one of the main attractions of the island!), prohibited in the port area, and optional elsewhere (clifftop paths, etc.). Visitors come for the beauty of its waters, its coastal trails, and the chance to swim in the many rocky coves that fringe the island.
Getting to Port-Cros and Île du Levant: departures from the Saint-Pierre port in Hyères (quay behind the harbor master's office). Free parking nearby, free shuttles in summer from the hippodrome parking lots. Round-trip fare: €29 (about $31 / £25) per adult for one island, €30 (about $32 / £26) for the "2-island circuit," making it possible to visit both islands in one day (TLV-TVM company).
Practical tips for visiting the Hyères Islands
Here are answers to some common questions about visiting the Golden Islands (Hyères Islands): access, what to do there, when to go...
The Lérins Islands, a natural getaway on the Côte d'Azur
Just 15 minutes by boat from Cannes and about 40 minutes from Nice, the Lérins Islands offer an easy escape into nature on the Côte d'Azur. In one day, you can visit Sainte-Marguerite in the morning and Saint-Honorat in the afternoon.
Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat, two very different islands
On Sainte-Marguerite, the larger of the two, you can visit a royal fort that now houses a museum partly devoted to the Man in the Iron Mask. This is where one of the most famous prisoners in French history was held for 11 years at the end of the 17th century, in a cell built especially for him. Sainte-Marguerite also has lovely coves backed by pine forest and many paths, both along the coastline and through the heart of the island.
Sainte-Marguerite is a bit more touristy than its neighbor Saint-Honorat; you will find restaurants there (La Guérite, La Differnnce...) and small places where you can grab a quick bite. You can also easily have a picnic in the shade. Just remember to take your trash back to the mainland because there are no trash cans on the island anymore; the ferry crews will usually remind passengers before arrival.
But my favorite is Saint-Honorat: the island is smaller and much quieter, with a monastic community that is still active. The monks grow vines and sell their wine on site, the paths are particularly pleasant, and there is a peaceful atmosphere that really helps you recharge. You can have lunch at the restaurant called La Tonnelle, not far from the port, which serves bistronomic cuisine and where you can also try the wines produced by the monks.
I visited both islands with my son in a stroller; it was more of a workout on Sainte-Marguerite because it had rained a lot shortly before our trip, so some paths were very muddy. Even if the paths can be rocky, it is still a very enjoyable family outing, and the lack of cars makes getting around much easier.
On top of that, the Lérins Islands are very easy to include in a Côte d'Azur itinerary, whether you are spending a weekend in Cannes or a week split between Menton, Nice, Grasse, Monaco, and all the surrounding villages such as Èze.
Getting to the Lérins Islands: departure from the Old Port of Cannes. Crossing time: about 15 minutes. Expect to pay around twenty euros (about $22 / £19) round trip per adult, depending on the season.
Practical information about the Lérins Islands
Here are quick answers to common questions about the Lérins Islands: their location, where the boat departs, and accommodation options on the islands.
The Marseille coastline and Occitanie: quieter, less well-known islands
Farther west, the islands feel very different: less well known, less busy, but often more surprising. The Frioul archipelago, just off Marseille, is the perfect example. And if you continue down towards Occitanie, Sainte-Lucie Island in the Aude is also well worth exploring if you take the time to venture there.
The Frioul archipelago off the coast of Marseille
The Frioul archipelago is ideal for a nature-focused day trip from Marseille.
After a 20-minute boat ride from the Vieux-Port in Marseille, it is hard to believe you are still in the city's 7th arrondissement because the atmosphere feels so different. Frioul is made up of four islands (Pomègues, Ratonneau, Île d'If, and Tiboulen du Frioul). Only Ratonneau and Pomègues are open to visitors; the island of If can be visited via the château, while Tiboulen is off-limits. The boat usually stops at If first (20-minute crossing) and then at the Frioul port, on the island of Ratonneau (about 20 minutes farther on).
Ratonneau is a lively island, easy to access with children, with a small marina lined with restaurants and shops that gets quite busy in high season. You can have a meal on a terrace (L'Effet Mer, La Grillade...) or just stop for ice cream. As soon as you leave the port, the landscape becomes stark and rocky, with beautiful views of the Mediterranean and the coast. You can visit on foot or by bike. A small tourist train also runs in season.
You can walk up to the Fort de Ratonneau (19th century) or the Fort de Brégantin for a wonderful panoramic view, or visit Hôpital Caroline, built during the same period, with its neoclassical architecture: the interior is not open to visitors, but you can see it from the outside. It is a former lazaretto that was built as a quarantine station for foreign ships to prevent the spread of disease on the mainland (particularly yellow fever). You can then go swimming in the beautiful calanque de Saint-Estève.
Continuing on from Ratonneau, you reach Pomègues via a breakwater. The island is even wilder and dotted with former military structures (Fort de Caveaux, Batterie du Sémaphore, Fort de Pomègues), but its main appeal is its beautiful calanques, among the finest in the Frioul archipelago (such as La Crine, nicknamed "Tahiti Beach"). It is ideal for hiking and taking photos.
For water activities, you can rent kayaks, paddleboards, and license-free boats on site (at Calanques Evasion, near the port).
I would also recommend stopping at If, which offers sweeping views of Marseille. The château is best known for its link with The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, but the island has a fascinating history. I would recommend taking a guided tour to hear the stories behind the site.
If you would like to spend the night on the Frioul archipelago, the Léo Lagrange center is the only accommodation available. Otherwise, Marseille remains the most practical base!
Access to Frioul: shuttles from the Vieux-Port in Marseille (quai des Belges), 7 days a week. Crossing: about 20 minutes. Round-trip fare: around €11 (about $12 / £9) for Frioul only, €17 (about $18 / £15) with a stopover at Château d'If. Crossings are offered by Croisières Marseille Calanques or Le Bateau Frioul-If; booking is recommended in high season. Connections may be suspended in case of strong mistral winds.
The Frioul archipelago in brief:
Sainte-Lucie Island (Aude): lagoons and flamingos
Sainte-Lucie is a fairly little-known island in the south of France, which is part of its appeal. It is ideal for an easy walk between lagoons and pine forests.
After leaving the A9, you park your car near the lock keeper's house in Port-la-Nouvelle, hop on a bike or put on your sneakers, and follow the Canal de la Robine as far as the footbridge that leads to the island. In just a few minutes, the industrial port disappears, replaced by the quiet of the lagoons, cicadas, Aleppo pines and, if you are lucky, a colony of flamingos in the distance.
Two marked loops cross the regional nature reserve: 3 km (about 1.9 miles) for the short version (1 hr), 7 km (about 4.3 miles) for the full circuit (2 hr 30). You walk through varied Mediterranean vegetation, pass several historic remains (Roman quarries from the 1st century BC, ruins of a 12th-century chapel...) and, nearby, reach the very beautiful Vieille Nouvelle beach, 4 km (about 2.5 miles) long, popular with kitesurfers.
You can eat and/or stay at the Refuge Littoral du Domaine de Sainte-Lucie, which feels a little like a mountain refuge transplanted to the Mediterranean coast. Dormitory-style accommodation, a shared kitchen, and a table d'hôtes serving Mediterranean-style meals.
Access to Sainte-Lucie Island: from Port-la-Nouvelle, park near the lock keeper's house and follow the left bank of the Canal de la Robine on foot or by bike (3 km / about 1.9 miles to the refuge). No motor vehicles are allowed on site. You can rent bikes and electric mountain bikes in Port-la-Nouvelle (Languedoc VTT Évasion) or Gruissan (Cycle Aventure). The Domaine de Sainte-Lucie can also be explored by boat. Refuge generally open from the end of April to November. The site may close in summer during periods of high wildfire risk, so remember to check in advance.
Corsica and its offshore islands
No list of southern France's most beautiful islands would be complete without Corsica... but beyond Corsica itself, some smaller archipelagos around its coast are well worth a visit: the Lavezzi Islands in the south... and the Sanguinaires Islands, to the west of Ajaccio.
The Lavezzi Islands, a remote Mediterranean escape
Off the coast of Bonifacio, about thirty minutes away by boat, the Lavezzi Islands feel surprisingly remote. Between coves with turquoise water and granite boulders shaped by erosion, the archipelago is striking. They are ideal for a nature-focused day trip of half a day to a full day from Bonifacio.
You land on the main island, Lavezzu, and follow the paths that wind between the rocks. Along the way, you pass two cemeteries, the remains of a medieval chapel, an old sheepfold, and a lighthouse. One of the cemeteries is that of the shipwreck victims of the Sémillante, a French frigate that ran aground on these rocks in 1855 with 773 men on board, one of the deadliest disasters in 19th-century French naval history. Alphonse Daudet later wrote about the disaster in one of his stories. You can go snorkeling here and spot the island's wildlife, which will delight bird enthusiasts (Audouin's gulls, European shags, and more).
The Lavezzi Islands are part of a protected nature reserve. They are uninhabited and have no infrastructure: no toilets, no beach umbrellas for rent, no restaurant, no accommodation. Plan to bring a picnic, plenty of water, and sun protection.
Getting to the Lavezzi Islands: shuttles depart from the port of Bonifacio, operated by SPMB. Regular departures in the summer season, generally every 30 to 60 minutes. Online booking is not always available; tickets are usually purchased at the ticket office in the port. Round-trip fare: €35 per adult (about $38 / £30), half-price for children. For a more private experience (and often cheaper for a group), renting a boat with a skipper is an excellent alternative. You can also travel from Porto Vecchio (longer, more expensive). Be aware of cancellations when the wind is strong; sailing in the Strait of Bonifacio can be unpredictable.
The îles Sanguinaires, a spectacular archipelago off Ajaccio
The îles Sanguinaires are one of the best boat trips from Ajaccio. Fifteen kilometers (about 9 miles) west of Ajaccio, the archipelago is made up of four islets: Mezzu Mare, l'Arghja, l'Oca and the îlot di Porri. You can admire them from the Route des Sanguinaires or board a cruise to see the archipelago up close.
On the main island, Mezzu Mare, you can walk up to the lighthouse and the former semaphore, and walk along the ruins of the lazaret (a quarantine facility built in the 19th century). The view from the top, 80 meters (about 260 ft) above sea level, stretches all the way to the Parata peninsula. The last resident of the island left in 1985, the year the lighthouse was automated. Since then, the seagulls and shearwaters have reclaimed the place.
The sunset cruise is the most popular experience. The boat docks at Mezzu Mare for two hours of exploration, then heads back out to sea to watch the sun slip below the horizon, often accompanied by a Corsican apéritif, with cured meats and local wine served on board.
You will not find any restaurant or hotel on the islands themselves. The closest places are along the Route des Sanguinaires: the brasserie I Sanguinari has a panoramic terrace overlooking the Tour de la Parata, and the restaurant Dolce Vita offers a fine view of the archipelago. For a hotel with views toward the islands, the hotel Cala di Sole is located right by the sea on the Route des Sanguinaires.
Access to the îles Sanguinaires: several companies offer excursions from the Tino Rossi port in Ajaccio or from Porticcio. The crossing takes about 30 minutes. Prices range from 15 € to 60 € (about $16–$65 / £13–£52) depending on the type of cruise, onboard services, and the time of year. Sunset cruises are very popular in high season, so it is a good idea to book online in advance.
The traveler's memo for visiting the islands of southern France
Still deciding which island to visit? Here are answers to a few common questions that might help you plan your next Mediterranean getaway.
The most beautiful islands in the south of France each offer a very different experience. Some feel wonderfully remote without leaving France, others offer a peaceful contrast to the busy mainland coast, historic sites, great swimming spots, and plenty of opportunities to spot local wildlife and Mediterranean flora. There is an island for every kind of traveler, and photographers will have no shortage of subjects.
