Facing Hyères’ islands, the Domaine du Rayol is a natural protected area, property of the Conservatoire du littoral. Its garden is an invitation to travel through Mediterranean-style, arid and subtropical landscapes. Several exhibition rooms, one café-restaurant, a specialised bookshop, a plant nursery, thematic tours and snorkeling activity (online reservation).
Facing Hyères’ islands, the Domaine du Rayol is a natural protected area, property of the Conservatoire du littoral. Its garden is an invitation to travel through Mediterranean-style, arid and subtropical landscapes. Several exhibition rooms, one café-restaurant, a specialised bookshop, a plant nursery, thematic tours and snorkeling activity (online reservation).
Aboard a sailboat, in search of the plants named by Homer in The Odyssey, the Collectif Personne sails in the wake of Ulysses to gather in situ the seeds of the Odyssey's flora and publish it as a collection of seeds. They imagine a garden where, in the future, we could listen to the flowers of The Odyssey sing the adventures of Ulysses. In the meantime, an exhibition of botanical charcoal drawings, an installation representing the expedition's cartography and an Ithacan earthenware case containing their precious harvests are on offer.
Domaine du Rayol, Le Jardin des Méditerranées
Avenue Jacques-Chirac
83820 Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer
33 (0)4 98 04 44 00
domainedurayol.org
Open every day, all year round (except December 25):
January, February, March, November, December: 9:30 am - 5:30 pm
April, May, June, September, October: 9:30am - 6:30pm
July, August: 9:30am - 7:30pm
Locate other art venues in the vicinity on the map.
PLACES TO DISCOVER
• Domaine de la Sanglière : to discover AOP Côtes de Provence wines. (Bormes-les-Mimosas)
• The Route des Crêtes from Bormes-les-Mimosas to the Col du Canadel, a confidential itinerary offering wonderful panoramic views between sea and mountain.
• The Sentier Littoral des 3 Caps (Lardier, Taillat, Camarat), starting from L’Escalet, on the Ramatuelle village.
PLACES TO STAY
• Hôtel Le Bailli de Suffren**** : 55 bedrooms open to the sea, out of sight. A small paradise in a preserved inlet facing the Îles d’Or, your feet in the water. (Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer)
• Hôtel Les Terrasses du Bailli*** : an elegant building just a step from the Jardin through the Voie Verte. (Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer)
PLACES TO EAT
• Le Café des Jardiniers : a terrace in the heart of the Jardin des Méditerranées. Seasonal cuisine, fresh and local products. (Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer)
• Le Maurin des Maures : an iconic restaurant in the village where the bouillabaisse is legendary. Panoramic view. (Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer)
• Le Café l’Envol (Hôtel La Villa Douce) : for a fancy dinner or a cocktail immersed in the Mediterranean. A small hidden paradise with a breathtaking 180° view. (Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer)