10 secret islands of the French Riviera

Only four of these precious islands can be reached by public ferry, and even then the service is ambiguous at best. The rest can only be disembarked from a yacht or helicopter. In addition, cars are prohibited on all islands.

And don't think that some boastful champagne selfie will win people over to you and win friends. If you are spotted with something inappropriate, for example, an iPhone, then you can easily be sent to the prosecco league.

Cavallo

Location: Not far from Sardinia, a blessed distance from the hustle and bustle of the Riviera.

Privacy rating: ****

Centuries ago, the ancient Romans used the island of Cavallo as a penal colony. Then it was abandoned for a long time, and now it is privately owned. There are few port facilities on Cavallo, it is significantly removed from the coast and is almost impossible to find on the map - an ideal place for today's aristocracy. The veil of mystery was lifted in the 1970s when Catherine Deneuve and Petula Clarke approached the island by boat.

It is known that Roberto Cavalli is the co-owner of a tiny local marina that opened on the southern tip of a private island 10 years ago. He regularly walks here on the silk sands with his beloved dog Lupo, welcoming guests such as Paris Hilton and Alisha Keys.

The only vehicles available on the island are mountain bikes, buggies and horses, which are kept by Hotel Les Pêcheurs. In addition, this hotel can provide anything from passing yachts to a full-blown beach party hosted by a private chef. Les Pêcheurs can also arrange for a 500 € helicopter for four persons from Arzachena near Porto Cervo.

Degaby

Location: So close to the mainland of Marseille that you can get a semaphore to get more ice.

Privacy rating: ****

Louis XIV turned this speck surrounded by the sea into an island fortress in 1703. Its modern history begins in the 1960s, when businessman Monsieur Bourcier tried to create an island nightclub connected to the mainland by a 200-meter cable car.

After decades of neglect, the fashionable C2 Hotel in Marseille has organized the most sought-after luxury beach club in France. During the day, guests can approach the island by kayak or RIBe for a refreshing cocktail like Mimosa or French 75.

Ile d'Or

Location: Within reach of Port du Poussay, near Saint-Raphael.

Privacy rating: *****

The smallest of our secret islands, Ile d'Or - the Golden Island - was named after the tiny castle built on it, which glows gold in the rays of the setting sun. In 1897, the architect Leon Sergeant purchased it from the French government for an incredible amount of 280 francs, or about 36 €. In fact, he paid less for the whole island than for the sun lounger at Club 55 near Saint-Tropez.

Unfortunately, the Sergeant soon lost the Ile d'Or at cards to Dr. Auguste Lutaud. The doctor had delusions of grandeur - and whoever had it, with his own island, surrounded by wonderful landing sites, and a mass of giant perches and striped laurels! He declared himself king of the island, built a pseudo-Saracen castle and threw wild parties there under the pseudonym Auguste I.

This story is said to have inspired Hergé to create the tale of Tintin and the Black Island. Nowadays, disembarking from a yacht on the banks of the Ile d'Or is prohibited, but kayaking is warmly welcomed 500 m from the Esterel massif.

Ile-Vert

Location: A few minutes from La Ciotat.

Privacy rating: ***

Translated from French, "vert" means "green". It is the only island in the Bouches-du-Rhône department that is overgrown with trees, for which it got its name. You can get to it in 15 minutes from La Ciotat. Upon arrival, a completely otherworldly landscape awaits you: hidden from civilization, the lost world of Aleppo cedars, stone oaks and eucalyptus trees.

During the Second World War, the island was a strategically important object, and to this day you can find skeletons of bunkers and shell craters on it. Now Ile Vert is part of the Calanques National Park, and the French carefully protect it from debris and fires.

There are three beautiful beaches on the island, and a trail runs along the perimeter, which offers a wonderful view of the coast and the remains of an ancient fort. Also from Ile-Vert you can admire the harbor and the Béc de L'Aigle cliff.

Port Cros

Location: Between the equally beautiful islands of Porquerolles and Levant.

Privacy rating: ***

Forget about the car - any form of transport is prohibited on Port Cros, even bicycles. Here, nearly 22 miles of hiking trails lead through forests to the crystal sea. The island is France's first marine national park and has 180 species of fish in its coastal waters - a true diving paradise!

To this end, a snorkeling trail, marked by five buoys, has been extended from Palud Beach, which leads to the small island of Raskas Rock. The terrestrial part of Port-Cros is also amazing: the island has become home to 144 species of birds, it is covered by about 700 species of plants.

Lovers of architecture will be able to admire 5 forts: du Moulin, de Estissac, de Eminans, de Port Maine, de la Vigues. Port-Cros has several excellent restaurants with fine cuisine, the restaurant at the Le Manoir hotel that stands out for its unusual menu.

Ratonno and Pomeg

Location: Not far from Marseille.

Privacy rating: **

Since the days of the ancient Romans, sailors have been quarantined on the island of Ratonno. Lucky them, devils! This sun-scorched speck of granite is very reminiscent of Croatia: the same tiny beaches, cliffs, and more than 300 species of flora, including sea lilies, smelling of the spring breeze.

The ruins of the Carolina Hospital now serve as the stage for the annual MIMI festival. It is held annually in early July and is a real extravaganza of avant-garde music, lasting 10 days.

The Romans also made an isthmus and connected Ratonno with his beautiful younger brother Pomeg. Now between the islands there is a secluded yacht marina with 700 seats. The best part is that the entire Friuli archipelago, including Ratonno and Pomeg, is located in the Kalanki National Park. You can see shoals of amazing fish here, including the Japanese sunflower and the brown sea bass. In addition, not far from the islands rises the legendary Chateau d'If, which can also be visited.

Bendor

Location: From the commune of Bandol at a distance of a cork from a bottle of champagne.

Privacy rating: **

Bendor embodies a wonderful combination of nature and art. Looking at it now, it is difficult to imagine that until 1950 it was a deserted island, remarkable only for pebbles and grazing sheep. And then it was acquired by the “leader of the pastis” Paul Ricard, who made friends with such wonderful people as Salvador Dali and Marcel Pagnol.

Ricard deported the sheep, and built a tennis court and an art gallery on the site of the pasture. Over the years, he has designed and created the island to his liking to bring family and friends here. Even now, there is a sense of the spirit of private property, where visitors are guests of Paul himself.

Bendor has a 3.7-mile paved path that you can ride on a mountain bike or electric scooter. A dozen trendy restaurants serve fine dining accompanied by wine from the Bandol vineyards. And from the Airstream trailers you can try French fast food: burgers with fried duck and shallots with wine sauce.

To this day, a monolith with Ricard's motto hangs in the marina: “Nul bien sans peine” - “Nothing is given without pain”. He is very morally supportive, especially if yesterday there was an overuse of wine.

Saint Honor

Location: 10 minutes drive from Cannes by RIB.

Privacy rating: ***

If you've ever sailed past the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on your way to Nice on a yacht, you've probably spotted this island. He has an incredible backstory. The Monk Monk Saint Honorat arrived here in 410 AD with the only desire - to meditate peacefully under the majestic Aleppo pines. Soon his followers joined him, some time later a monastery was erected on the island, and the island itself received the name of the reverend monk.

The monastery is still in operation. Its monks supply wine from their vineyards to the local restaurant La Tonnelle, where the elite flock for stuffed octopus and burrata. Since the brothers remain silent and do not give media interviews, there is no need to worry about confidentiality.

Fort Bregancon

Location: Not far from the commune of Bormes-les-Mimosas, connected by an isthmus with Cap-Blanc.

Privacy rating: *****

If you say that you were hanging out in the summer residence of de Gaulle, Chirac and Sarkozy, those around you will probably wonder what you drank so curious at dinner. Although this is quite possible - thanks to Fort Bregancon.

The fortress was declared the summer residence of French presidents in 1968 by Charles de Gaulle, who loved her very much. However, other presidents of Bregancon were not particularly fond of their attention. Then in 2014, the French government decided that it would be nice to use such a wonderful fortress from the Middle Ages more rationally, and opened its gates to the public.

In addition, the fort is often used by politicians for confidential meetings - for example, not so long ago, it was here that a significant conversation between Putin and Macron took place. If you're lucky enough to visit Fort Bregancon, don't expect Versailles luxury with marble and gilded mirrors. The interior decoration is distinguished by the lightness and comfort of the Provencal style: upholstery and curtains in flowers, simple tiles on the floor, cute carpets to match the decor.

By the way, if you dock too close, you can incur the wrath of the French Republican Guard on your head. Instead, it's best to get off at Bregancon Beach and then head to the fort's sanctuary.

Serbical Islands

Location: They are barely visible from Palombaggia, the best beach in Corsica.

Privacy rating: ****

Anyone who claims the Mediterranean is dead has clearly never been to this archipelago of six islands. Serbikal is a 36 hectare marine reserve. Landing here is strictly prohibited so as not to disturb the local feathered inhabitants, but you can swim to your heart's content! The underwater world of the archipelago is famous for its diversity: the owners of the mask with the snorkel will have exciting encounters with bottlenose dolphins, lobsters, miniature fish, cardinals and a myriad of other living creatures.

28.05.2020