Giens and Hyères

The 'Port du Niel' in Giens

The Port du Niel in Giens

On a beautiful February 2016 Friday, we drove to the village of Giens at the tip of the peninsula of the same name. It is from there that the boats leave for Porquerolles. We hadn't been to Giens in over seventeen years; at the time, we took photos for one of the oldest pages still on our site. It is, incidentally, interesting to compare that old page to what today's digital photography technology allows us to do.

In Giens, we discovered a wonderful little harbor, the Port du Niel with its colorful fishing boats. The place is said to be overrun in the summer, but in February, we didn't encounter too many people. The color of the water and the texture of the rocks around it make this little haven exceptionally beautiful. We then went back up to the village of Giens itself. On top of the hill, there is a small but exceptionally well maintained park from which one has a spectacular view across the peninsula to Hyères.

We then drove to the old part of Hyères, and keeping our priorities straight, began by having lunch. Afterwards, we strolled through the maze of narrow streets and picturesque squares, stopping here and there to take pictures. On top of the old town, there are wonderful gardens in the Parc Sainte-Claire from where one also has a magnificent view over the town and the Mediterranean. Even the way back into town, walking down cobblestoned narrow streets, was memorable. This is indeed a highly recommended destination for anyone who happens to be reasonably close by.

Click on any image to see a larger (2100 x 1400 pixel) version!

Giens and the Port du Niel


The color of the water is amazing! Wind and water have done a job on the rocks

The color of the water is amazing!

Wind and water have done a job on the rocks


Behind the 'Port du Niel' Looking towards the 'Île du Grand Ribaud'

Behind the Port du Niel

Looking towards the Île du Grand Ribaud


Five fishermen still keep their boats in the 'Port du Niel' The colors and textures are spectacular!

Five fishermen still keep their boats in the Port du Niel

The colors and textures are spectacular!


Inside the 'Port du Niel' The harbor entrance

Inside the Port du Niel

The harbor entrance


The water is crystal clear The harbor is a popular destination for family outings

The water is crystal clear

The harbor is a popular destination for family outings


Relaxing and enjoying the sun A symphony of blues and greens

Relaxing and enjoying the sun

A symphony of blues and greens


The 'Rue du Mistral' in Giens Looking down at the whitecaps

The Rue du Mistral in Giens

Looking down at the whitecaps


The 'Place Saint Pierre' and the church of the same name The inside of the church

The Place Saint Pierre and the church of the same name

The inside of the church


The memorial for the people of Giens who died in World War I Looking across the peninsula to Hyères

The memorial for the people of Giens who died in World War I

Looking across the peninsula to Hyères


Hyères


The 'Rue des Porches' in Hyères Looking along the 'Rue Massillon'

The Rue des Porches in Hyères

Looking along the Rue Massillon


The 'Saint-Louis' church 'Point d'Accès au Droit': Free legal advice for those who need it

The Saint-Louis church

Point d'Accès au Droit: Free legal advice for those who need it


'Place de la République' The 'Rue Saint-Louis'

Place de la République

The Rue Saint-Louis


'Rue Voltaire' Side Street The tower of the Templars

Rue Voltaire

Side Street

The tower of the Templars


The 'Place Massillon' Cookie shop

The Place Massillon

Cookie shop


Yellow façade Biker cat

Yellow façade

Biker cat


'Rue Barbacane' 'Rue Saint-Paul' 'Rue Jules Romain'

Rue Barbacane

Rue Saint-Paul

Rue Jules Romain


Rooftops of the old town A wider view

Rooftops of the old town

A wider view


The view from the 'Parc Sainte-Claire' In the 'Parc Sainte-Claire'

The view from the Parc Sainte-Claire

In the Parc Sainte-Claire


The beautiful gardens One of the ways down Heading back into town

The beautiful gardens

One of the ways down

Heading back into town


Still descending Almost there On the 'Avenue des Îles d'Or'

Still descending

Almost there

On the Avenue des Îles d'Or


All the photos on this page were taken on February 19, 2016.




<< Previous

Trips Home

Next >>

Home | Site Info | Family | The Area | Trips | France | Work | Rants | Photography | Odds & Ends




This page was last modified on April 1, 2016
Send feedback about this page to feedback@kiechle.com
https://www.kiechle.com/trips/giens/index.htm
(optimized for Retina display)

All contents © 1999-2024 The Kiechles