The town of Hyères, in the Var department, is made up of two centres of attraction. On the one hand, the town centre with its historic district, and on the other hand the marina with its surrounding beaches, in particular those of Ayguade and Almanarre, to name but the best known. The beach of Almanarre is even a world-renowned kitesurfing and windsurfing spot.
Although the summer heat and the presence of the Mediterranean Sea are ideal for swimming, Hyères also offers holidaymakers other daytime and night-time activities. There is something for everyone.
Festivals
The Midi festival takes place every year in July. 2023 will be no exception to the rule. On 21, 22 and 23 July, three days of festivities and discoveries are planned with concerts in the archaeological site of Olbia, in front of the magnificent beach of Almanarre, as well as at the villa Noailles in Vieux-Hyères.
Speaking of music, at the Denis Theatre in the city centre, there are many concerts throughout the year. In particular, the Hyères International Music Festival usually takes place in September and lasts four days. It is intended for classical music lovers who can enjoy their favourite composers: Beethoven, Bach, Schubert, Chopin, Debussy, etc., but also sometimes film music, such as the tribute to Michel Legrand, on 18 September 2022. An important detail is that this event, associated with the Heritage Days, is open to all and totally free.
In October, the famous Villa Noailles, a contemporary art centre, hosts the international festival of fashion, photography and accessories. Three hundred designers compete against a jury of professionals. The finalists’ creations are presented in the form of fashion shows for the fashion competition, at La Capte, not far from the port of Hyères. As for the candidates for the photography competition and the accessories competition, their works are exhibited in the magnificent setting of the Villa Noailles, which will celebrate its centenary in 2023. Many other events are in prospect!
The international festival of the marine world, Galathéa, is held in November in Hyères at the forum of the casino des palmiers in the town centre. It is a cultural event, but above all an environmental one, which aims to raise public awareness of the need to protect the seabed through conferences, a photo and video competition, documentary screenings, etc.
In June, the international design parade festival shares contemporary design with the general public.
A five-day open-air jazz and blues festival has been held for over twenty years in July in the very heart of Porquerolles Island.
Other events
The commune of Hyères also includes the islands of Porquerolles, Port-Cros and Levant as well as the Giens peninsula. The area is therefore very extensive and there is no shortage of events, especially during the tourist season, but not only.
Let’s mention, in all directions, during the off-season: the ILCA European championship sailing event in the port; the chocolate, wine and gastronomy fair at the casino forum; the winter sailing challenge combining sports and leisure sailing during a regatta; the collection of aquatic waste at the Vieux Salins; plays and concerts at the Denis theatre; the European arts and crafts days with exhibitions, activities, workshops in the town centre and even musical walks.
When the fine weather arrives, go to the gardens, avenue Ambroise Thomas, for a series of activities and workshops on the theme of plants and flowers. In June, a large gathering of traditional boats, which brings together the most beautiful sailing ships of the Mediterranean, takes place in Porquerolles, the spectacle at sea is impressive.
On the island of Porquerolles, the Villa Carmignac stands out from the crowd, not only because of its sublime location, but also because of the surprising exhibition of more than eighty ultra-contemporary works by some fifty artists. The visitor finds himself on a fictitious, abstract island, confronted with floating worlds outside of known temporalities. Next to this, more down to earth, paintings created in Porquerolles more than a hundred years ago until today reveal the eternal beauty of this island.