Hyeres Venue Guide

Jim Saltonstall gives the insider's guide to this popular Olympic venue in the south of France

I wish I had a pound coin for every time we have been to this great yachting venue over the past 30 years. I would be able to buy that fantastic Volvo V70 turbo diesel which does 700 miles to the tank. Hyeres, is one of those yachting venues on the south coast which you either love or you hate, because it is either blowing the dogs off their leads or it is as flat as a witch's ###! Sometimes you can be lucky in the spring time period and get winds in the mid range, but not very often, so be ready for either light or strong wind regatta.

Hyeres is a nice place, offering everything that you would expect from a seaside small French town - the restaurants are great. Scout around up in the old town, as it is steeped in character, we have had some good Olympic class parties up there in the past, getting locked in after midnight. Do not end up in a French prison though, they are not as nice as the holiday camps which you get in this country. And no, I am not speaking from personal experience, I have heard it through the grapevine!

GETTING THERE

Getting there is not to bad in the car, motorway 98% of the way. Michelin map No84 is a good one, from Paris use A8 autoroute du Soleil heading for Lyon, then onto Aix en Provence. After Aix take the A57 Toulon/Hyeres, then the A570 exit at Hyeres towards Presquile de Giens. Allow an average of 14 hrs to do the trip, depending on both the car and the condition of the trailer. Weather and traffic info is available on + 33(0) 836680283.

By rail: Hyeres station is 8 miles from the marina, transfer by Sodetrav coach service, +33 (0) 494125500 / +33 (0) 494125512, or by taxi, if you are feeling rich. The other station option is Toulon TGV station, approx 20 miles from marina, transfer as above, same numbers, or again by taxi, if you are feeling richer. There are, however, frequent trains with SNCF, running between Toulon and Hyeres.

By Air:- This is the best way to do it, let another do the driving, and fly to Toulon airport, which is only five minutes away from Hyeres. Buzz Airlines go direct from Stansted, EasyJet fly to Nice. Other options are via Paris.

ACCOMMODATION

Plenty of it in the area, we normally in the past have stayed in the Maeva port apartments which are very good, the only problem for me on my last visit was that I had to share with Dave Howlett, not recommended as he snores like a pig! Bookings through Claudine Deberdt Maison Du Tourisme Provence D' Azur, Tel 0033494018435, Fax 0033494018431, Email - reservation@provence-azur.com , Website http://www.provence-azur.com . There is a good hotel nearby:- Contact Madame Maillard, Hotel Le Mediterrean, Tel 0033494005270, Fax 0033494385117.

RACING AREAS

These are spread across the bay, as you look out to sea from NE to SW. The bay of Hyeres is actually quite large, like Palma, 10 miles across and protected from the south by the islands of Hyeres. The sailing instructions obviously tell you where your class will be. The marina is also quite large with the Tornados normally at the western end, the rest spread out more towards the eastern end. Shoreside facilities are generally very good.

Hyeres marina is located in the NW corner of the bay, with the race areas close to the NW/W coastline.

Go to page 2 for the meaty stuff on the race course...