Sports and Leisure - while on Holiday in Provence

SWIMMING

With the direct access to the sea, villa 'Lune de Niel' is a wonderful place to enjoy a peaceful holiday far from crowded and noisy beaches. The private stairway leads to a sunny corner on the rocks below. Take goggles and flippers and off you go, exploring the surrounding little coves. It is a perfect place to start windsurfing, scuba diving or simply fishing. Children should be supervised by an adult at all time when using the stairs to the sea.

SCUBA DIVING

There are lots of clubs along the French Riviera, welcoming members of all levels. Explore all the shipwreck sites and other diving sites. We recommend Le Club de plongée: from the harbour of Niel. With a maximum of 6-8 persons on-board, you will get a personal and quality service.

WINDSURFING AND FUNBOARDS

At the European hot-spot for funboards on the Almanarre beach, the area has lots of different shops and places where you can hire windsurfers for the day/and/or week. When there are strong west winds, windsurfers and kitesurfers just pop out onto the Almanarre beach. They are quite spectacular to see, very colourful and acrobatic.

HOBICAT / CATAMARANS

Hire at the Bergerie Beach and at the VVF village.

JET SKI HIRE

A Navigation Licence is required -
Easily available to rent for an hour, half a day or a day, it is a fun way to visit the islands. Rando Jet at Camping de la Capte.

MOTOR AND SAILING BOAT HIRE

The best way to visit the islands of Hyeres is to hire your own boat and cruise around. There are lots of hire and rental possibilities available at the Hyeres harbour, at the third marina but we highly recommend La Petite Flottille just down the road on the Niel Harbour - MOTOR AND SAILING BOAT AND CANOE RENTAL-PORT DU NIEL XL YACHTING - highly recommended! Hire a motor boat for two to three days, according to the weather forecast, and visit the islands.

FISHING

For the amusement of the all family, it is very simple to get some cheap cane fishing rods with a little string and a hook not bigger than number 20 (19 is already too large to catch the little fish for the soup). Buy some Escavenes dures, sort of wriggly worms that you cut into pieces for your hook.

Just walk down to the rocks below the villa when it is not too windy. The evenings are best. It is always a great joy to see children catching their first fish.

For the discerning fishermen, you can use your professional gear at the same spot where you can catch bigger fish.

RAMBLERS / WALKS

During the high season, the coastal walks round the Presqu'ile de Giens and the three Golden Islands give wonderful views, with shade and secluded coves for a quiet swim.Out of season, the department of Var is packed with walks in the back hills. Guided walks are also very interesting and details can be found on the Maison du Tourisme Provence Azur.

BIRD WATCHING

On the Salt marshes /Les Salins des Pesquiers/Salins de Hyères. The vast area of former salt marshes in between the two roads of the island, is now a protected nature reserve for migrating birds where more than 80 species can be seen, such as flamingos, egrets, teals, cormorants, herons, terns and sandpipers.

TENNIS

The Tennis courts at the Hotel Provençal are available to rent by the hour. Ring the clubhouse or the hotel on 04 98 04 54 54

HISTORIC SITES AND BUILDINGS

The French Riviera has a wide range of historical buildings, forts, churches and abbeys. The Green Guide of the Cote d'Asur and Provence is the best guide to the area.

La Chartreuse de la Verne at Collobrières, driving through the Dom Forest and Notre Dame des Anges à Pignan are worth a day visit. The wonderful Abbaye du Thoronet at Cannet is a beautiful example of mastering perfect acoustics in a church and a great day out.

The Gardens of du Domaine du Rayol are a true paradise for hundreds of Mediterranean and exotic plants from all over the world.

RESTAURANTS

The possible list is very long but within walking distance of the villa you have ‘Le Grand baie’, 'Le Tire Bouchon' and the restaurant of 'Hotel du Provençal' in the village of Giens and 'Le Poisson Rouge' at Niel harbour and 'La Bouillabaisse' at La Madrague harbour. By the sea, we also recommend ‘Pradeau Plage’ on the way to the Tour Fondue. It is very difficult to recommend any of them as they do vary from season to season. Your comments will be much appreciated...

TO BUY WINE IN BULK - COTES DE PROVENCE EN PROPRIETE

Château de La Castille Fondation La Castille, Domaine de La Castille 83260 La Crau.