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Nature
Of all the beautiful islands which dot the Mediterranean coastline, Porquerolles Island is one of the most popular - because of its native beauty, but also for the simple pleasures that it offers to those who take the time to discover them.
By Jean-Dominique Dalloz - Photos José Nicolas - October 5, 2011
The boat leaves from the Tour Fendu tower and glides forward into a fantastically blue sea. The island is at arm’s reach, like a mirage that never faded into the azure. A few minutes later, we’ve arrived at on one of the most beautiful sites in the world. This natural environment has been protected since 971, and the island has outlawed the automobile, which is an excellent thing.
The tracks and trails that cross the island from one end to the other are all ours. Bikes are available for rental at a number of stores on the island, but in the end we decide to navigate the island on foot instead. With our picnic lunch wedged into our backpacks, we can access spots where even a bike can’t make it… First stop, the Sainte Agatha Fort.
Overlooking the village where 200 inhabitants live throughout the year, this 16th-century fort houses an exhibition about the island and its rich marine environment. Just behind us lies the Bonheur windmill, whose blades have turned to the rhythm of the sea breeze for many years. It’s time to tighten our shoelaces and set out for the Notre-Dame beach, the most beautiful on the island. It’s almost a five hour trek to get there! A real effort, but we are rewarded by the discovery of incredibly beautiful landscapes the length of the route: cliffs and sandy beaches surround forests and vineyards. And when you arrive, you feel like you’re the first person to walk on this sandy beach, so much
quieter than the others.
We unwrap our lunch, supplemented with a bottle of rosé from the Domaine de la Courtade (and consumed with the greatest moderation!) Each of us secretly makes the oath to never break the spell that’s has been cast over us. Porquerolles has made an everlasting impression upon us, and we will never forget our time here.
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