A Must Visit to the Porquerolles Fondation Carmignac
Photo Credit: Lionel Barbe
Artists Inspired by Provence · Guest Post · Inspire
Porquerolles is the largest of the 3 Iles d’Or (Islands of Gold), easily accessible from the coast. We did the short (20 min) crossing from La Tour Fondu, near Hyères, roughly a 90-minute drive from Aix-en-Provence, depending on traffic.
I hadn’t visited Porquerolles for many years and was surprised at the changes to the sleepy place I remember. The half-hourly boats across, large 350-seaters, were pretty full, and that link is only one of several bringing people across from Toulon, Le Lavandou, and even Saint-Tropez.
Visitor notes for Fondation Carmignac
The brand new Fondation Carmignac art centre on the island of Porquerolles is simply stunning and I heartily recommend a visit. However, time is of the essence! It closes for the winter months on November 4th, not reopening until April. The fascinating temporary exhibition, which fills most of the gallery, will go back to the Fondation Carmignac in Paris.
- It’s a short walk to the villa from the port
- Book your tickets in advance, they only allow 50 visitors/hour.
- Inside the gallery, you will be asked to remove your shoes.
- No dogs
- No baby strollers
- Spend time in the garden designed by Louis Benech. The plantings include native olive and citrus trees along with exotics. Enjoy the outdoor “gallery” filled with works by carefully selected artists, including Jean Denant, Tom Friedman, Jaume Plensa, and many more.

Why Visit Île de Porquerolles?
Porquerolles is the biggest of three small islands that make up the Îles d’Hyères or Les Îles d’Or (Golden Islands), located just off the coast from Hyères. The island of Porquerolles is small at 7km long and 3km wide. There are plenty of outdoor activities such as biking, walking, swimming on this beautiful unspoilt island.
Don’t miss the secluded beaches and Plage Notre-Dame, which was declared Europe’s most beautiful (2015).
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