Almanarre beach, Beach in Hyères, France
Plage de l'Almanarre is a long sandy beach near Hyères, in southern France, set on a narrow spit of land known as a double tombolo that connects the mainland to the Giens Peninsula. The shore faces southwest, slopes gently into the water, and stretches for several kilometers between open sea and a series of protected salt lagoons.
The area behind the beach was once home to Olbia, a Greek and then Roman town whose ruins can still be seen near the shore. The coastal track running alongside the sand was once used to transport salt from the nearby marshes, which is why it is still known as the Route du Sel, or Salt Road.
The beach is well known among windsurfers and kitesurfers, who flock here when the mistral blows in from the northwest. Behind the sand, former salt marshes have been turned into a bird reserve where flamingos can often be spotted, especially in the late afternoon.
The beach is open all year, and the north end has adapted access paths and toilets for people with reduced mobility, though water entry equipment is only available at the southern Estagnets section during July and August. A large free parking lot is located near the main roundabout, and in summer a small shuttle train runs along the route to the Giens Peninsula.
Just offshore, a marked snorkeling trail runs over the submerged remains of the ancient city of Olbia, where stone foundations and fragments are visible underwater. Guided family tours lasting about an hour follow this trail, so visitors can explore both marine life and ancient ruins at the same time.
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