Tour of Île des Embiez

Île des Embiez, owned by the Paul Ricard Foundation, is just a few minutes by boat from the port of Le Brusc, in the commune of Six-Fours-les-Plages. It is a small, unspoilt world where you can enjoy a day, or even several days, of complete change of scenery and freedom.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.98 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 56 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 57 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 57 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 0 m

Photos

Description of the walk

From Six-Fours, go to the port of Le Brusc to take the shuttle. The crossing takes about fifteen minutes.

(S/E) When you disembark, take the quay on the right, then walk around the harbour via Quai Vincent Scotto.

Before reaching the swimming pool, turn left and walk between the residential buildings until you reach Avenue Thomas Edison. Turn right and walk for about 30 metres, then turn right onto a path that leads to Salins beach. When you reach the beach, take the street on the left that runs along the coast. Stay as close to the coast as possible.

(1) When you reach the arenas, take a path on the right to Pointe Saint-Pierre and back, then continue along the coastal road.

After Pointe de la Gabrielle, pass in front of a large villa, opposite which there is a staircase leading down to the beach. Then keep to the right.

(2) After Pointe du Rix and its cove, leave the road and take a path on the right. Where this path, after a circular loop, joins a track, you will find Paul Ricard's tomb.

(3) After the tomb, continue along a path that climbs up to the Marine Tower. Then descend eastwards, staying close to the cliffs, until you reach the track that runs alongside the vineyards. Continue along this track to the tennis courts on the edge of the salt marshes.

(4) There, follow the path on the right that curves around the lagoon to the oceanographic laboratory buildings.

(5) After passing the buildings, turn right onto a path that runs behind them and leads to Grand Gaou beach. Then follow the track that runs along the coast, with the option of passing through the forest that covers most of the peninsula. On the way, you can visit Pointe du Canoubier, where there is a red beacon. After passing a hotel, the track joins Chemin Denis Papin.

(6) Follow this path around the basin where numerous yachts are moored. After going around the mooring basin, you will finally reach the pier (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1 m - Landing stage
  2. 1 : km 1.49 - alt. 11 m - Path to Pointe Saint-Pierre
  3. 2 : km 2.85 - alt. 32 m - Path to the tomb
  4. 3 : km 3.04 - alt. 43 m - Tomb of Paul Ricard
  5. 4 : km 3.95 - alt. 1 m - Tennis courts near the salt marshes
  6. 5 : km 4.43 - alt. 1 m - Oceanographic laboratory
  7. 6 : km 5.23 - alt. 5 m - Track junction - Chemin Denis Papin
  8. S/E : km 5.98 - alt. 0 m - Pier

Notes

The name "Embiez" means "two" or "double" in Provençal: the island is actually made up of two islands, La Tour Fondue to the west and Île Saint-Pierre to the east, connected by a lagoon area mainly occupied by salt marshes.

Access to Île des Embiez is regulated: you can only get there by shuttle bus.

The shuttle boat departs from Le Brusc. Tickets can be purchased at the harbour master's office or on board the boat.
The 2020 fares are €18 return per adult, €11 per child under 12 and for senior citizens, and €15 for students.

For parking, there is a large car park at the port, another on Avenue du Mail and a third at the Citadel.

The island is a great place for walking. There are no difficult hiking trails, so no special equipment is required.

Worth a visit

The website lesilespaulricard.com provides agood overview ofthe tourist attractions on the Île des Embiez. These include the oceanographic museum, Paul Ricard's tomb, and the Marine Tower with its superb panoramic views.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 16 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
cirrus01
cirrus01
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, well-maintained walk on a beautifully developed island, as you might expect, with stunning views... We went in November, so there were very few people (really very few... ) and we were able to swim at several spots, which we thoroughly enjoyed.

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jlucnet
jlucnet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

An island that is ultimately very pleasant and easy to explore along the coast, with a few tiny beaches and excellent views of the Var coastline.

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ERUAF
ERUAF

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A route accessible to all, with beautiful views of Gaou Island and the coastline of the calanques at Notre Dame du Mai. Elevation gain less than 100 metres

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gipi74
gipi74

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The island of Les Embiez doesn't really have a path along the coast, which is a shame, as you often find yourself on the road (no cars drive there except for employees). There are lots of small paths, but no signposts. However, it's impossible to get lost and it's so beautiful all the way around
very easy walk.

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Coco80
Coco80

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike that is accessible for children!

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jeanmorb
jeanmorb

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful route, with the added bonus of a return boat trip

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nomisimon
nomisimon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We discovered the world of Paul Ricard at the start of this route, then throughout the circular loop, information about biodiversity enhanced our walk.

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fatemeh
fatemeh

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful route that allows you to take in all the island's viewpoints. I highly recommend it.

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gilberlou
gilberlou

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Hike around the island to discover magnificent coves and superb views.

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stjo
stjo

Well... it's an integral part of the route, it's even on a waypoint.

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Mesylda
Mesylda

Ah, well, I was the first to miss your post, sorry😀
So it's good to remind people, because maybe others missed it too, and it would be a shame to miss out on this when you're on the island

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stjo
stjo

@Mesylda, it's good that you mentioned Paul Ricard's grave, for those who may not have read my guide carefully, where I talk about it at length – including a widely commented photo!

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Mesylda
Mesylda

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful walk, more than a hike
approximately 6 km around the island with a paved track almost all the way
Access to beautiful little coves all along the route
And for enthusiasts, you can see Paul Ricard's grave just before the tower

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stjo
stjo
• Edited:

I agree with you @Faron, the price of the crossing (which is very short) is high, but it's a way of regulating the flow

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Faron
Faron

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Family hike, no difficulty, the only downside being the cost of the shuttle...that said, no regrets about doing it.

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