Hyères

The only officially designated dog beach in Hyères, at 31 Boulevard du Front de Mer between L'Ayguade and Les Salins. Fenced by wooden ganivelles, signed and equipped with bag dispensers, it welcomes dogs year-round. Fine sand, shallow water, free access.

The Giens peninsula is one of five double tombolos in the world, two sand bars enclosing the salt flats. The Route du Sel, closed to cars in summer, is a flat 7 km walking and cycling route, ideal with a leashed dog.

350 hectares of wetland east of the city, managed by the Conservatoire du Littoral and part of the Port-Cros National Park network. Flat trails open to leashed dogs, pink flamingos, herons and over 200 bird species observable, especially in winter.

The medieval old town climbs the hill above Avenue Gambetta via Place Massillon, the Collégiale Saint-Paul and the Templar Tower, opening on to Parc Saint-Bernard and the castle ruins with a panoramic view of Giens and the Îles d'Or.

The central avenue lined with Canary Island date palms that gives Hyères its nickname Hyères-les-Palmiers. Wide pavements, dog-friendly terraces and 800 m flat under continuous shade, ideal for midsummer afternoons.

The largest of the Îles d'Or, 20 minutes by TLV-TVM shuttle from La Tour Fondue. Dogs are welcome in the village and on forest trails on a leash, but banned from all beaches. Visit in the off-season to avoid the crowds.