Hotels in Hyères: Where to Stay on the Côte d'Azur

Hyères, the Forgotten Gem of the French Riviera

Hyères sits at the eastern edge of the Var department, just before the Côte d'Azur becomes crowded and expensive. It holds a quiet distinction: it is the oldest seaside resort on the French Riviera, favoured in the 19th century by British aristocrats and later by Queen Victoria herself. Today it remains genuinely liveable, with a medieval hilltop old town, salt marshes listed as a nature reserve, and ferry connections to the Golden Islands (Porquerolles, Port-Cros and Île du Levant) that draw day-trippers from across Europe.

A City of Several Faces

What makes Hyères unusual is its layered geography. The fortified upper town sits on a limestone ridge. Below it, the modern centre-ville handles daily commerce. Further south, the Port d'Hyères transitions into the long sandy peninsula of Giens, flanked by two tombolos and the Étang des Pesquiers lagoon. Each zone has a distinct rhythm, and your ideal base depends entirely on why you are coming: history and gastronomy, beach life, birdwatching, kitesurfing, or island hopping.

• Centre-ville de Hyères: The practical heart of the city, with the Place Massillon market, train and bus connections, and the widest choice of hotels. Ideal for travellers who want to explore both the hilltop old town and the coast without relying on a car for every outing. Hotels des Palmiers (125 €/night, 4.3/5), Best Western Plus Hyères Côte d'Azur (96 €/night, 4.3/5), Mercure Hyères Centre (106 €/night, 4/5), Ibis Styles Hyères Rooftop and Spa (107 €/night, 4.3/5) and ibis Hyères Centre (86 €/night, 4.2/5) are all located here.
• Vieille Ville (Old Town): The pedestrian hilltop quarter above the centre, with Romanesque lanes, the ruined Château Saint-Bernard gardens and panoramic views over the salt flats. No hotels are available right inside the walls, but staying in the centre-ville puts you within easy walking distance uphill.
• Port d'Hyères: A working marina and leisure port south of the centre, departure point for ferries to Porquerolles and Port-Cros. The atmosphere is relaxed and nautical. Hotel La Potinière is based here, offering 3-star comfort at 71 €/night (4.2/5), making it one of the most accessible options for island-focused travellers.
• La Capte and the Giens Peninsula: A narrow sandy strip between the sea and the Étang des Pesquiers lagoon, popular with kitesurfers and families seeking quieter beaches. The Ibis Hyères Plage Thalassa (98 €/night, 4.2/5) is positioned here, close to the water and the nature reserve trails.
• Hyères-les-Palmiers (Palm Avenue area): The leafy 19th-century residential belt between the old town and the port, characterised by Belle Époque villas, palm-lined avenues and the Parc Olbius Riquier. A pleasant area for a slower pace; the Club Vacances Bleues Plein Sud (107 €/night, 4.1/5) serves this broader Hyères zone.
• Ayguade and L'Almanarre: Beach villages southwest of the port, favoured by windsurfers and families. Less infrastructure than the centre, but direct beach access and a genuinely local summer atmosphere.

• Rent a bike or a car for the peninsula: Public transport covers the centre-ville and port reasonably well, but the Giens peninsula and L'Almanarre beach are much easier to reach with your own wheels. Several rental agencies operate near the port and the train station.
• Book the Porquerolles ferry early in summer: The boats to the Golden Islands fill up fast between late June and late August. Reserve your crossing the evening before or first thing in the morning, and arrive at the port at least 30 minutes before departure.
• Travel in May, June or September for the best conditions: July and August bring peak prices, crowds on the beaches and long queues for island ferries. The shoulder months offer warm water, full sunshine and noticeably lower hotel rates across all categories.
• Use Toulon-Hyères Airport (TLN) or the train: The airport sits just north of the city and is served by seasonal flights from several European cities. Alternatively, Hyères has its own TER train station with connections to Toulon (around 20 minutes) and then onward to Marseille or Nice. Taxis and shuttles link the airport to the centre in under 10 minutes.
• Check nature reserve access rules: The Étang des Pesquiers and the surrounding salt marshes are protected zones. Some areas restrict access during bird-nesting season (roughly February to July). If birdwatching or hiking is part of your plan, confirm open areas with the local tourist office before you go.

Plan your stay in Hyères

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