Route through the mimosas from Rayol Canadel via Bonporteau

Coming from Toulon on the D559, take an uphill street at the post office on the right and a real estate agency on the left. Park in the car park in front of the Patek (a round building without a roof that was used to gather sheep), near the chapel.

(S/E) Set off along Avenue d'Aix-les-Bains. At the first crossroads, turn right onto Avenue Clément Bayard and continue straight ahead along this avenue, then along Corniche de Genève.

(1) When you reach a hairpin bend to the left, continue straight ahead and follow the unmarked path that starts between two villas. You will see the first wild mimosas and, before a circular bend, a view of Maison Foncin. Continue downhill to reach the D559.

(2) Cross it carefully, as there is fairly heavy traffic and a blind bend on the left. Turn left and follow the road for a few metres along a tarmac verge protected from cars, then go through the barrier marked "Le Dattier" to take an old track overgrown with vegetation and transformed into a path between wild mimosas. You will arrive at the old railway line, which has been converted into a cycle path.

(3) Cross it to enter the village of Le Dattier. Keep left, ignoring the turn-offs to houses. After the last villa, take the level path towards Pointe du Dattier, ignoring a turn-off to the left 100 m before you reach Pointe du Dattier.

(4) Retrace your steps to the path mentioned above, now on the right, and follow it uphill. At the crossroads, continue straight ahead on the path overlooking the sea (caution for those who suffer from vertigo, exposed but safe) and, at the three crossroads, take the path that turns right at a right angle. The path alternates between open areas and oak undergrowth until you reach a junction with a yellow signpost.

(5) Follow the markings, taking the rather uneven sports trail that descends, passes by an orientation table and ends on an esplanade overlooking Bonporteau Beach.

(6) Descend the wide stony path that crosses Le Fenouillet stream and take the path on the right that leads to the beach. This is a good place for a picnic when there is no strong wind. Retrace your steps along the path on the right, passing between the reeds, return to the previous crossroads and continue straight on along Le Fenouillet. Cross three fords and a footbridge. Please note that the fords can be difficult to cross after heavy rain. The path climbs above the stream then turns sharply left uphill, equipped with logs, to reach a crossroads with a bridge on the right.

(7) Take the path on the right with a short climb to reach an open space surrounded by mimosas. The path ends at the old railway line mentioned above. Follow it to the left. Please note that there may be some traffic until you reach the Maison Foncin car park.

(8) Go through the tunnel. From there, the road is closed to traffic except for residents of Le Dattier. After the tunnel, at the village of Le Dattier, rejoin the path you took on the way there.

(3) At the row of letterboxes, take the track that climbs sharply to the right called Chemin Pierre Foncin. The path leads to a pass with a crossroads of paths at a gate giving access to Maison Foncin. Take the wide track on the left that joins the D559.

(9) Follow this road on a comfortable hard shoulder sheltered from traffic until you reach the first right-hand bend. Cross the road carefully to go through the barrier blocking a track that starts on the left-hand side. Go up the track. At the crossroads of three tracks and a path, after a hairpin bend, go straight on along the wide track that climbs uphill. After a series of hairpin bends, with unobstructed views of the coastline, Maison Foncin and Les Maures, reach Col de l'Étoile via a track on the north-facing slope.

(10) At the pass, after a few metres on the tarmac, turn right onto the steeply ascending track (be careful not to take the descending track that starts at the same place) and continue until you are directly below the "Drapeau" (a rocky peak topped with a metal French flag on the right and, on the left, the start of a steep path called "Les degrés de la Méditerranée"). 

(11) Take this path (marked in yellow), which descends very steeply, winding between the villas. Cross the Corniche Maurin des Maures and take the path directly opposite. When you reach the Corniche de Nantes, walk a few metres along it to the left to rejoin the path and continue downhill. Cross two more streets, and the path turns into a paved alleyway and leads to the back of the chapel opposite the Patek (this route is not shown on the IGN map, but it is on OSMrandonnée) (S/E).

At the rear of the chapel: amphitheatre for celebrating mass in the open air.

This hike is particularly recommended in February when the mimosas are in bloom. There are many in this area. Don't forget to turn around at the start of the trail after Le Dattier to take in the view of the entire hill covered in yellow.

The Maison Foncin was built in 1890 by Pierre Foncin, a geography and history teacher and founder of the Alliance Française. When Pierre Foncin's heirs died, the estate was bequeathed to the Conservatoire du Littoral. The estate was renamed L'Usine. It offers guided tours, a restaurant, entertainment, etc. It is not possible to include a visit in the hike due to lack of time.

A recommendation: take a full day and combine a visit to the Foncin estate (L'Usine) with a visit to the Domaine du Rayol.