Notre Dame Beach, Porquerolles (Our Lady beach)

Set on the sheltered north coast of the island of Porquerolles is the stunning Plage Notre Dame (beach of Our Lady). Fringed with eucalyptus and pine forest the beach here is reminiscent of a Caribbean bay with the yachts bobbing in the clear turquoise waters of the French Riviera.

The Île de Porquerolles is just over a mile from the French mainland and is a mix of woodland and vineyards. It was once privately owned by a Belgian adventurer and entrepreneur who bought it as a gift for his wife. These days the island is mostly national park and a conservation area thus protecting it from future development. The island is home to a pretty little village with a church. The only other structures of note on the island are a lighthouse and a fort.

There are other beautiful beaches on Porquerolles but Notre Dame is special as it a little further off the beaten track. Of course you need to take a boat from Hyères (between Marseille and Cannes) to get to any of the beaches on Porquerolles but you’ll need to make just a little more effort to get here. Unless of course you own your own yacht, in which case there is very convenient parking close at hand.