Porquerolles
The Riviera’s Thailand island.
The Riviera’s Thailand island.
A Thai-style paradise sits a 20km cruise from St Tropez. Porquerolles is a supermodel island - tanned, comely and incredibly skinny - that appears imported from South East Asia. The 7km island was purchased in 1912 by Belgian industrialist François Fournier as a wedding present for his wife. Fournier safeguarded only-found-here orchids and Mediterranean strawberry trees alongside eucalyptus and orange blossom. The hottest news? The last ferry returns to mainland France at 7pm, leaving this National Park island for a maritime elite.
Yachts For Charter
Yacht Charter Itineraries
Your Guide to Porquerolles
Wait until you see the beaches from your yacht deck. Notre Dame Plage is a Bahamian banana of yellow sand. It was once voted ‘the best beach in Europe’. Argent Plage is silverine and backed by Aleppo pine. The only shadows are those cast by bobbing yachts on the sandy seabed. Langoustier Plage is a wild blonde affair. It’s topped by a fort built to keep foreign sailors out - which is so enticingly pretty it now entices them in. Paddleboard to shore. Or grab a glass-bottomed kayak to see more.
Porquerolles is home the world’s most unlikely contemporary art space. The Fondation Carmignac is constructed completely underground, like a Bond villain's lair. 60 world class canvases include Mao Tse-tung by Andy Warhol. Step aside for shocking art. Because millions of dollars worth of sculptures are hidden in dense forest. The Foundation experience is so intense that visitors are encouraged to remove their shoes and take a swim before entering, to heighten their senses for an art assault. You don’t get that at the MoMA.
Porquerolles is just as alluring inland. Sunrise brings the call of nightjars, falcons and 250 avian species. 55km of hike and bike trails weave through pine and thyme. Crew can guide you on foot, or organise wheels and picnic meals. A yacht charter in Porquerolles even offers a vast vineyard to stroll around: Domaine de l’Ile. This organic winery grows only-in-Provence grapes like Tibouren and Rolle. The estate is so bucolic that it was recently sold to fashion house Chanel. Say no more.
Yacht Charter Destinations
LET'S CHAT.
Get in touch with one of our teams around the world.
Where you'll find us
Monaco — MC
+377 93 50 12 12London — UK
+44 20 7584 1801Fort Lauderdale — US
+1 954 278 3970Auckland — NZ
+64 9 281 5133Contact us
[email protected]
