Anyone been to the French island of Porquerolles?
 

I'm scheduled to take a 13-day trip to Provence at the end of May, beginning of June. We will be extensively touring for 10 days, and we'd like to end our trip in a relaxing environment. Someone suggested the island of Porquerolles. Has anyone been there? How are the beaches? Would the water be warm enough for swimming at that time? Guidebook & web info is not very informative, so any help would be appreciated!<BR>

I've been there, but didn't spend much time, it was a day trip. I tried to go to the beach there in late September, but the water was too cold. The beaches I saw weren't that great, however, I know there were better, larger beaches on the other side of the island.<BR><BR>Porquerolles is a natural environment that has been preserved, but it didn't really impress me as natural environment, and it somehow lacked the charm of the small French villages. If you mean to relax, it might be nice. However, I'd prefer something like Cap D'Antibes, Cap Ferrat, or even Cassis to relax, but this is me.<BR><BR>Regards,<BR><BR>S

Thank you for your response! Cassis is another place that has been recommended. I don't know much about it except that it's a "charming" seaside village. Any more details on this would be great. I've looked into Antibes and other parts of the Cote d'Azur, but I'd really prefer to avoid too much driving at the end of the trip--also, we are flying out of Marseille.

Alyssa, Cassis is really, really small, but is seaside, and it has that typical French charming atmosphere . The French coast doesn't have great beaches, but then I'm Brazilian, so my standards are different. The beaches in the island of Porquerolles could be better, but there's not much to do, whereas just sitting at a seaside cafe in Cassis is a lovely experience. Besides, if you feel like, you can always take a bus, and go to other seaside villages close by, or visit the Calanques on a boat. Otherwise, just enjoying Cassis atmosphere would be more interesting than staying in an island where there's not much to see (but this is MY point of view-- remember, Brazilian standards when it comes to nature and natural environment are a little different).<BR><BR>You'll find more info here:<BR><BR>http://www.beyond.fr/villages/cassis.html<BR><BR>I hope it helps,<BR><BR>S

Thanks again! That website is great. Cassis looks like it would be a good option.

We went to Porquerolles on a day trip in September 1997. Like you, we wanted a relaxing day after extensive touring. The island was pleasant enough and we took long walks through shady trees. We got lost a couple of times. The beaches aren't nice and they were crowded with few facilities. I don't think we'd go again but it was a nice enough diversion. If I were you, I'd try one of the other suggestions. By the way, I never learned how to pronounce the name. If anyone knows, I'd appreciate a lesson.

Thank you both for your insight!<BR>Jeannette: I think it's pronounced Pork-eh-roll(soft).<BR><BR>It looks like I'll probably stay in Cassis. It's closer to Marseille, easier to get to and it sounds beautiful & relaxing too.