Coastal Path and Route des Crêtes in Giens

Park in the car park behind the church: there are several other large car parks below the village.

(S/E) Head towards the Town Hall, go down the steps on the left to come out onto Place Saint-Pierre. Go straight on, take a second set of steps behind the Hôtel du Provençal and join the Chemin du Béton.

(1) Turn right onto it, keep left at the junction to continue along the Chemin du Béton until you reach the small beach of the same name, where you’ll join the coastal path marked in yellow.

(2) Follow this path, crossing by the side of the Hôtel du Provençal’s swimming pool (access permitted). After the first flight of steps, the section leading to the harbour is newly built and very pleasant.

(3) At the harbour, walk back up the Route du Port du Niel for about a hundred metres and take the first road on the left, Avenue des Sternes.

(4) Leave the avenue and climb the steps on the right. You’ll come to a dead end; continue to the left and turn left again about fifty metres further on. Join the coastal path on the right, which is still marked in yellow: even though you catch glimpses of the sea from time to time, this section is rather ‘urban’. Wind your way round a few bends and you’ll reach a junction.

(5) The coastal path “dives” left towards the sea. From here, it becomes more technical, alternating between descents and ascents on a rather stony surface with plenty of tree roots. There are several vantage points from which to admire a few coves and the turquoise sea. You’ll reach Darboussières beach: it’s impossible not to stop there and take the opportunity for a swim!

(6) Leave the coastal path and take the track branching off to the right towards La Madrague. It is not possible to reach the Route des Crêtes directly, as the paths run through private property.

(7) At La Madrague, follow the road to the right for about 150 m.

(8) Turn onto the first road on the right (Chemin des Pierras), which climbs up to join the Route des Crêtes.

(9) Turn left to follow the road, which is sometimes stony, sometimes tarmac, and offers views on both sides of the peninsula.

(10) About twenty metres past a barrier, take the small path leading to the Pic du Niel. At the second bunker, situated slightly off the path to the left, there is a superb 360° view of the peninsula. Continue along the path to rejoin the outward route .

(5) Head left and follow this route in the opposite direction to the outward journey to return to the car park (S/E).

You must wear suitable footwear, especially along the coastal path.