 Le Gaou and the Îles des Embiez | ||
| Île des Embiez | ||
| Department | Var | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 10 | |
no value for residents on Wikidata:  | ||
| height | 5 | |
| no value for height on Wikidata: | ||
| Tourist info | 33 494.10.65.20 http://www.les-embiez.com | |
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
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Île des Embiez is the largest island in the Embiez archipelago in the department Var. The islands are west of Six-Fours and south of Sanary on the coast between Marseille and Toulon. Administratively, it belongs to the municipality Six-Fours-les-Plages. The Provencal name is Leis Embi.
background
The Embiez archipelago contains 5 main islands:
- Île des Embiez - is the largest and is described here.
- Île du Grand Rouveau
- Île du Petit Rouveau - is reserved for breeding birds, entry is prohibited
- Île du Grand Gaou - The second largest is now green and connected to the mainland by a bridge. Until the late 1980s, the whole island was a campsite.
- Île du Petit Gaou is now a peninsula. Until 2005 it was only used as a parking lot. One tries to replant the original vegetation. On the south side (towards the sea) there are cliffs and, depending on the weather, strong surf.
- There are also a few small islands, down to the size of boulders
The island of Île des Embiez has been privately owned by the Paul Ricard family since 1958.
Landscape and climate
The island Île des Embiez measures approx. 1400m from north to south and approx. 1200m from east to west, the circumference approx. 6km and the area approx. 1 km². In the north and in the west the coast is rocky with many small bays, in the It is flatter and sandy to the south and east. The old salt pans are now largely a marina.
The climate is very mild, the sun shines about 300 days a year.
Flora and fauna
Mediterranean flora with over 300 different plants (nature trail) There are many seabirds on the smaller islands, Île des Embiez itself is not blessed with a variety of fauna. With a little luck you can see beautiful lizards, geckos on the buildings and sometimes a praying mantis.
getting there
The island can only be reached by sea.
Year-round ferry service from Le Brusc (journey time approx. 12 minutes)
every 30 minutes, operation until midnight. (2010: winter adults 10.50, children 7.00 - April - October each 2.00 more, bike 8.00 - all euros) September 2017: Expensive! 15 € / 9 €, bike 14 €. Parking spaces on the street are valid for a maximum of 3 hours (€ 2) or 300m away, valid for a maximum of 5 hours.
In July and August ferry service also from Sanary off (travel time approx. 20 minutes)
also possible: with your own boat (max. length 40 meters, large marina)
Alternatively, you can wade to the island from the Île du Grand Gaou (approx. 150m). The seabed is sandy and no deeper than 80 cm.
Fees / permits
Access to the island is not always free. If you walk to the island (i.e. through the water) you will be greeted by nice watchdogs and sent back or may only stay on this section of the beach or have to pay a hefty fee (approx. 10 euros) and receive a red card and then be allowed to enter the island . However, it is positive that this red card is used to return by ferry. It was like that in the summer of 2013.
mobility
The island is car-free (except for service vehicles).
In the main season a small train runs around the island.
Bicycles can be rented at the port. Otherwise everything is within walking distance.
Tourist Attractions
- Mediterranean flora with over 300 different plants (nature trail)
- the cliff coast, the bays, the sea.
- Aquarium of the Institut Oceanographique Paul Ricard. Open: all year round 10:00 am - 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm - 5:30 pm, from October to March Saturday and Sunday only from 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm
- Wine cellar - 8000 bottles. Visits only possible in July and August (except Thursdays)
activities
Beach
Several small beaches from sand to pebbly, and small bays in the middle of rocks. The water is crystal clear.
- NO: Plage de Canoubié
- SO: Plague Coucoussa. Small section to the south can only be reached via a hidden, steep path. The main section also requires a few meters of climbing over rocks, is sheltered from the wind and has a very beautiful view of the lighthouse.
- SW: Plague you Rix
- W: Plague of Allemands. The largest beach on the island.
- NW: Plage de la Gabrielle
- N: Plage du Petit Rouveau. a few meters from the island of the same name.
Sports & Freetime
- there is a port with 750 berths on the island.
- Due to the rocky coast, the island is also very popular with divers.
- There are several tennis courts available for hotel guests.
- several petanque and soccer fields
- two halls for theater events
- Bicycle rental - Tel. 6 61 89 40 29
- Guided tour with the little train - Information: 6 88 69 76 78
to buy
There is a small supermarket, two souvenir shops, two beachwear boutiques, a delicatessen, tobacco and a ship chandler, and there is an ATM in the harbor master's office.
The island wine can also be bought all year round in the harbor master's office. (2010: Eur 7.90 - 11.50)
kitchen
- Chez Charles, directly at the landing stage. Tel.: 33 4 94 10 98 70. Simple kitchen, bar and tobacco shop at the same time.Open: all year round.
- Le Garlaban. Tel.: 33 4 94 34 83 02. Open: only by appointment for groups of 15 people or more.
- Bar de la Place. Tel.: 33 6 15 42 36 29. Open only in summer.
- Restaurant de l'Helios. Tel.: 33 4 94 10 66 76. Open all year round, Provencal cuisine.
- Snack bar. Sandwiches, only open in summer.
- Rotisserie caterer. Snack, only open in summer.
accommodation
Hotels and hostels
- Le Canoubie. Tel.: 33 4 94 05 54 88.
- L'Helios. Tel.: 33 825 063 053.
- Le Mas des Romarins. Tel.: 33 4 94 05 54 88.
Reservations for all three also via [email protected]
camping
no camping allowed
security
- Six Fours fire department - Tel. 33 4 94 10 17 40
- police - Tel. 33 4 94 88 53 50
- Harbor master's office - Tel. 33 4 94 10 65 21
- Security service: - Tel. 33 6 20 26 04 03
- ambulance - Tel. 33 4 94 61 71 21 or mobile phone 16 16
Get by
- Ile des Embiez, Ile des Embiez; 83140 Six-Fours-les-Plages. Tel.: 33 4 94106672, Fax: 33 4 94341213, Email: [email protected].
Practical advice
In the main season there is also a post office on the island (at the port). There are also public telephones there.
trips
Since the island itself is only described as an excursion destination, please check out the neighboring communities for further excursions Sanary-sur-Mer or. Six-Fours-les-Plages to.
