Plage des Grottes, naturist beach in Hyères (Île du Levant)

On the Île du Levant, in Hyères, Plage des Grottes holds a place all its own: it's the only sandy beach open to the public on the whole island, and the only one where swimming naked isn't an option but a requirement. A municipal decree from March 14, 1978 makes nudity compulsory on this stretch of coastline, a direct extension of the Héliopolis naturist domain that made the Levant's reputation reach far beyond Provence.

A cove apart

The beach is small, shaped like a cove, with fine sand and clear water reached between rocks covered in Mediterranean vegetation. It's sheltered from the east wind and benefits from the shade of a few trees, which makes it, according to regulars, the most protected spot on the island for spending the day. The view stretches out to the island of Port-Cros and the bay of Port-Man, just opposite.

Nudity required

Here, there's no mixed zone or corner reserved for textiles: nudity has been the rule for more than forty years. A useful note for anyone landing on the island without knowing the local customs: minimal clothing is still required at the harbor and on the village square of Héliopolis, full nudity being reserved for the beaches, including this one.

How to get there

The Île du Levant can only be reached by boat, from Le Lavandou with Vedettes des Îles d'Or or from Hyères with TLV-TVM, for a crossing of about 35 minutes. Once you land, count on about ten minutes of walking along the coastal path, starting from the landing dock, or heading down to the harbor from the village before following the coastline. Access is free once you're there, but the beach isn't wheelchair accessible and offers no particular facilities.

What people say about it

Those who know the island well talk about it as the only real patch of sand for swimming naked on the Levant, the other naturist spot in the area, Bain de Diane, being rocky. The setting is regularly cited as one of the most beautiful on the island, both for swimming and for the quiet of the place, away from the bustle of the village.