Villa Zephirine

On the beautiful island of Porquerolles, a stay at Villa Zephirine offers you the chance to step back in time to experience a relaxed holiday in charming surroundings.

Set in a relatively quiet area of the island’s only small town, this rustic getaway exudes the authentic character you can expect across Île de Porquerolles. Sleeping up to eight guests, there are four bedrooms, two of which are reached via the pretty courtyard. There’s also an attractive lounge and dining area alongside a traditional kitchen for preparing meals for family or friends.

Outside, enjoy a glass of chilled rosé from the island’s acclaimed vineyards as you relax beneath the pergola in your courtyard with delicate roses and splashes of summer colour, also a perfect place for your morning coffee or to simply sit and read. This is what laidback summer holidays on the island are all about.

There are restaurants and a grocery store a short stroll away, as well as the atmospheric main square where locals play boules, but the best way to discover the island is by bike seeing as Porquerolles is virtually car-free. Head to nearby beaches such as Plage de la Courtade for summer watersports and Plage Notre Dame with its turquoise-coloured sea. Above all, embrace the stunning natural surroundings of the island, a protected national park, as you pass olive groves, orchards, vineyards, pines and eucalyptus trees.

Visit the contemporary art exhibitions and gardens at Fondation Carmignac, gaze at the views from Fort Sainte-Agathe, come across the impressive lighthouse and admire the restoration of the windmill at Moulin du Bonheur.

Hire a boat and skipper to explore the rugged southern coastline or you could even venture to one of the other Îles d'Hyères whether appreciating the natural beauty of Île du Levant or making the most of the wild landscapes and snorkelling opportunities of Île de Port Cros.