By Anaïs BEDE 
By Anaïs BEDE
August 13, 2021
Reading time: 5 minutes
In brief
Reading time: 5 minutes In brief
Don't miss: Porquerolles and Port-Cros, the jewels of the Iles d'Hyères
Good addresses: The "Mas du Langoustier" in Porquerolles to enjoy the beautiful view of the sea
Discoveries: The port of Lavandou and the anchorage at Douane beach on the Taillat peninsula if your cruise lasts 2 weeks
Map of navigation zones in France Mediterranean (clickable)
Summary
- Practical information for your yacht charter from Bormes-les-Mimosas
- What to do in the village of Bormes-les-Mimosas?
- Where can you sail from Bormes-les-Mimosas?
- The best ports, anchorages and beaches when departing from Bormes-les-Mimosas
- Which sailing itineraries should you follow?
"We were swimming among the fish, there were so many of them, which surprised me because we were quite close-hauled to the beach, the colors were magnificent." These are the words of Cécile Doutriaux, a Filovent customer, when he described to me the best memory of his cruise from Bormes-les-Mimosas that he had on Langoustier beach in Porquerolles. For the chance to have the same experience and discover the splendors of the Mediterranean, all you have to do is rent a boat in France Mediterranean!
1. Practical information for your yacht charter from Bormes-les-Mimosas
Average rates according to the season and the size of the boat
Most of the boats rented from Bormes-les-Mimosas are monohulls.
The table below gives you an idea of the average prices of the boats. These prices may vary depending on the season, availability, model, age of the boat, etc.
| Type of boat | High season July and August | Mid-season May, June and September | Low Season April and October |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boat with one hull (2 cabins) | 2,000 USD | 1,500 USD | 1,300 USD |
| Monohull (3 cabins) | 3,000 USD | 2,200 USD | 1,800 USD |
| Catamaran (between 30 and 40 feet) | 4,500 USD | 3,250 USD | 2,500 USD |
| Catamaran (between 40 and 50 feet) | 6,000 USD | 4,000 USD | USD3,000 |
The port of Bormes-les-Mimosas
The Bormes-les-Mimosas marina is located to the south-east of the village. On site, the following services are available: electricity on the quay and pontoon, Wi-Fi, toilets, showers, refueling area, fuel, etc.
Our main partners on site
Here is a list of our main partners who rent boats from the port of Bormes-les-Mimosas:
- Kiriacoulis was founded in 1986 and is based in Athens. This charter company is competitive in terms of charter prices, and has boats with one hull (Oceanis, Sun Odyssey) and catamarans (Bali, Lucia) available for charter from Bormes.
- Open Sail SAS is a professional charter company based in La Rochelle specializing in high-performance yacht charter. This charter company based in Bormes-les-Mimosas only offers boats with one hull (Pogo, RM).
2. What is there to do in the village of Bormes-les-Mimosas?
Unlike other departure bases, such as Port Pin Rolland, Bormes-les-Mimosas is well worth a visit. For Thierry, "Bormes-les-Mimosas is a really pretty little village, typically Provençal".
Above all, a historical interlude awaits you there. As you stroll through the medieval heart of the village, you will come face to face with beautiful architecture. This is the case of the Saint-François-de-Paule chapel, built in 1560 in homage to Saint-François de Paule, who is said to have delivered Bormes-les-Mimosas from the plague, or the romanesque-inspired church of Saint-Trophyme. A few pitches from these religious sites, you can stop at the Museum of Arts and History, located in a 17th-century building and created in 1926 by the painter Emmanuel-Charles Bénézit. This museum houses numerous paintings and sculptures from the 19th and 20th centuries.
Beyond the historical visits, you can enjoy beautiful points of view by going to the heights of Bormes-les-Mimosas. The chapel of Notre-Dame de Constance nestled at a height of 324 meters or thecastle of the Lords of Fos which dominates the medieval city offer a panoramic view of the bay of Lavandou, Port-Cros, the island of Levant and Cape Bénat.
Finally, enjoying the beaches and water sports of all kinds (paddleboarding, kayaking, snorkeling, etc.) is also one of the must-do activities in Bormes-les-Mimosas. Jacques Sornay particularly recommends anchored boats at lunchtime on Estagnol beach, northwest of Cap Bénat.
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3. Where can you sail from the port of Bormes-les-Mimosas?
Thanks to the ideal location of this modern port, there are many sailing itineraries to choose from. In the next few lines, you will get an overview of the Mediterranean riches that you can discover with your boat rented at the port of Bormes-les-Mimosas.
Fort de Brégançon
One of the first stops to make is the Fort de Brégançon, south of Bormes-les-Mimosas. Since 1968, this fort has been the official vacation spot of the President of the French Republic. Even if you don't come across him during your visit, you will nevertheless be able to see the influence that the various Heads of State have had on this place. To be sure of getting a seat, remember to book your tickets in advance, either online or directly at the Bormes-les-Mimosas tourist office.
Port-Cros
To the south of the port of Bormes-les-Mimosas (7 nautical miles), Port-Cros should be included in your sailing itinerary. "In Port-Cros, you can take walks along unusual paths in the midst of exceptional and protected biodiversity", as Jacques Sornay told me.
As the island has been classified as a National Park since 1963, the preservation of the wealth of plant life (oak forests, pine forests, scrubland, etc.) and aquatic life is a central concern. It is in this spirit that the La Palud underwater trail was set up. As you swim from buoy to buoy along the route, you can read the information panels describing the island's marine flora and fauna. The secrets of the Mediterranean seabed will no longer hold any mysteries for you!
The good address shared by Cécile is the restaurant "L'Anse de Port-Cros", which serves good fish dishes, especially sea bream.
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Porquerolles
Porquerolles, to the south west of the port of Bormes-les-Mimosas (20 nautical miles) is also one of the top destinations on your cruise. Located to the west of the Hyères islands, you can discover this island in various ways: by renting a bike, taking one of the many hiking trails or circumnavigating the island on your sailboat charter.
Porquerolles is one of Philippe's favorites: "it's a real little jewel of the South, a preserved village that's easily accessible for a crew that's used to coastal navigation" and for Antoine: "You can easily go around the island and discover it in depth. The forest of stone pines and eucalyptus trees, the vines and the fields are very pleasant in summer when it's hot". To the south of Porquerolles, the Cap d'Arme lighthouse, dating from 1830, is one of the island's must-sees. Even though it is closed to the public, it offers a magnificent point of view over a large part of Porquerolles: the Langoustier hills, Fort Sainte-Agathe, and the southern cliffs.
For refreshments, don't hesitate to visit the good addresses shared by Philippe and Antoine: "Le Glacier Porquerollais" next to the port and "Mas du Langoustier" in the west of the island, which offers a beautiful view of the sea.
Embiez Archipelago
To the west of Cap Sicié and 45 nautical miles from Bormes-les-Mimosas, the Embiez archipelago consists of five islands: the island of Les Embiez, the island of Grand Rouveau, the island of Petit Rouveau, the island of Grand Gaou and the island of Petit Gaou.
The île des Embiez is the largest of the archipelago and has been owned by Paul Ricard since 1958. The natural diversity of this island is what will surprise you the most once you are there. You will find a wealth of natural resources characteristic of the landscapes of the south of France: vineyards, ancient salt marshes, wild coves, green valleys, pine forests… It was to preserve the island's biodiversity and raise public awareness that Paul Ricard founded the Oceanographic Institute in 1966, which is located close-hauled to Fort Saint Pierre.
The islands of Grand Gaou and Petit Gaou, located opposite the island of Les Embiez, are both accessible via footbridges. On these islands, relaxation is the order of the day! The maritime zone, located in the continuity of the port of Le Brusc up to the island of Gaou, is doubly protected by the Natura 2000 zone and the Conservatoire du Littoral to preserve the diverse marine flora and fauna. For sailors, this means that water-jet-powered motorized craft are not allowed.
Finally, like its neighbors, the islands of Petit Rouveau and Grand Rouveau are rich in exceptional flora and fauna. The only building in the center of the island of Grand Rouveau is a lighthouse dating from 1861.
Lérins archipelago (60 nautical miles from Bormes-les-Mimosas)
Facing the bay of Cannes and to the east of the Estérel massif, this archipelago consists of two islands: the island of Saint-Honorat and the island of Sainte-Marguerite.
By following the beaconed paths of the island of Sainte-Marguerite, which will take you from the Batéguier pond in the west to the point of the Convention in the east, you will discover the natural riches of the island: pines, eucalyptus, holm oaks and protected animal species.cover the island's natural treasures: pines, eucalyptus, holm oaks and protected animal species. Fort Royal, located on the north side, is a reminder of the island's historical past. This fort was used as a prison on several occasions after the Revolution and after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes.
The island of Saint-Honorat, smaller and to the south of the island of Sainte-Marguerite, is, thanks to the Abbey of Lérins, one of the first places of Christianity in France, as its first monastery dates from the 5th century. Today, you will be the guests of the Cistercian monks who have lived in the abbey in the south of the island since 1869. The island of Saint-Honorat is also a natural oasis. As you stroll along the coastal path, you will be surrounded by acanthus (a perennial plant) and maritime pines, whose trunks are often deformed by the wind.
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4. The best ports, anchorages and beaches from the port of Bormes-les-Mimosas
Anchorage at the Ilon islet between the islands of Saint-Honorat and Sainte-Marguerite
Among the Lérins islands, Saint-Honorat is the smallest and the southernmost. The anchorage at the islet of Ilon particularly made an impression on Philippe: "This anchorage is exceptional: between the abbey, the swimming, the fact that you are well protected and the wildness of the landscape". From the deck of your boat, you can both admire the sunset and have a direct view of the Abbey of Lérins, which is listed as a historical monument.
Anchorage at Douane beach on the Taillat peninsula
Although this anchorage is quite busy with pleasure boats during the high season, it is still worth the detour! Stretched out on your towel, you can enjoy a beautiful panorama from this beach, enhanced by a few rocks on Cap Taillat, a marvel of the St. Tropez peninsula. For Jacques Sornay, between its wild side and its white sandy beaches, the resemblance to a little corner of southern Corsica is blatant! Behind the beach, you will find the Maison des Douanes, built under Napoleon I, which today houses an exhibition on Cap Taillat.
Port of Lavandou
The port of Lavandou is "typically Provençal," as Jacques Sornay told me. It is brimming with life among its many shops, bars, restaurants and, of course, its boules pitches! If you have to stop over at a port, this is the one you should choose!
The beaches of Porquerolles
The beaches of Porquerolles are a must for your vacation program. For Stéphane, "it's like being in the Maldives!".
Notre Dame beach, to the east of the port of Porquerolles, is charming and wild. The eucalyptus forest that runs along the beach offers a scent characteristic of the region and shade in summer.
beach
Langoustier beach and the black Langoustier beach are worth the effort, as they are located about an hour's walk or 30 minutes by boat from Porquerolles, but once you get there you won't regret it! The translucent waters make swimming on these beaches ideal: "We were swimming among the fish, there were a lot of them, which surprised me because we were quite close to the beach, the colors were splendid," Cécile told me.
Finally, with the photo below of the Plage d'Argent, there's no need to waste time describing it! It is one of Cécile's favorites: "its colors, its calm, its openness to the sea and intimacy at the same time, in a word this beach is paradise!". For Jacques Sornay: "the color, which tends towards gray, and the fineness of the sand: it's unimaginable. I don't think there's anything like it in the Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur region."
Pl
5. What sailing itineraries should you follow?
Jacques Sornay, who runs SEMAPHORE360, a professional maritime rental company in Toulon and a long-standing partner of Filovent, suggested two classic sailing itineraries from the port of Bormes-les-Mimosas.
Sailing itinerary from the west - Total distance covered: 96 nautical miles
- Day 1: port of Bormes-les-Mimosas → anchorage and lunch on Estagnol beach, located southwest of the port of Bormes-les-Mimosas (7 nautical miles)
- Day 2: Estagnol beach → Porquerolles (11 nautical miles)
- Day 3: Porquerolles > Saint-Mandrier-sur-Mer to discover the harbor of Toulon (17 nautical miles)
- Day 4: Saint-Mandrier-sur-Mer → passage of Cap Cicie before arriving at the island of Embiez (12 nautical miles)
- Day 5: Embiez Island → anchorage at La Badine, located on the Giens peninsula and protected from the Mistral (30 nautical miles)
- Day 6: Giens peninsula → Port-Cros (11 nautical miles)
- Day 7: Port-Cros → port of Bormes-les-Mimosas (8 nautical miles)
Sailing itinerary from the east - Total distance covered: 121 nautical miles
- Day 1: port of Bormes-les-Mimosas → anchorage and lunch behind Cap Taillat, one of the three capes of St Tropez (16 nautical miles)
- Day 2: Cap Taillat → Port Grimaud, which is less frequented than Saint-Tropez (15 nautical miles)
- Day 3: Port Grimaud → anchorage and lunch in a cove at Cap du Dramont (view of the Esterel massif) (18 nautical miles)
- Day 4: Cap du Dramont → anchorage between the island of Saint-Honorat and the island of Sainte-Marguerite or, in case of Mistral, night at Port d'Antibes directly (13 nautical miles)
- Day 5: Lérins island → night at the old port of Saint Raphaël (22 nautical miles)
- Day 6: port of Saint Raphaël → port of Bormes-les-Mimosas (37 nautical miles)
He recommends these two sailing itineraries for a crew of sailors. If you prefer a less hectic cruise, you might prefer to discover the Hyères islands with your boat rented from Bormes-les-Mimosas.
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank Cécile Doutriaux, Jacques Sornay, Thierry Martin, Philippe Beguerie, Antoine Chaussade and Stéphane Fievet for their testimonies and photos, which perfectly illustrate my article.
Good to know
| Number of boats available | 659 |
|---|---|
| Types of service | Skipper, Hostess, Sailor, Chef (meals not included), Engineer, Mechanic, Masseuse |
| Average price per week | $36,926 |
| Minimum weekly price | $557 |
| Maximum price per week | $995,138 |