Porquerolles

Porquerolles (French pronunciation: [pɔʁkəʁɔl]), also known as the Île de Porquerolles, is an island in the Îles d'Hyères, Var, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France. Its population was about 200 inhabitants in 2004 and occupies 1,254 hectares (12.54 km; 4.84 sq mi). Porquerolles is the largest, most westerly of the three islands in the Îles d'Hyères. It is about 7 km (4.3 mi) long by 3 km (1.9 mi) wide, with five small ranges of hills. The south co... More

Porquerolles (French pronunciation: [pɔʁkəʁɔl]), also known as the Île de Porquerolles, is an island in the Îles d'Hyères, Var, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France. Its population was about 200 inhabitants in 2004 and occupies 1,254 hectares (12.54 km; 4.84 sq mi). Porquerolles is the largest, most westerly of the three islands in the Îles d'Hyères. It is about 7 km (4.3 mi) long by 3 km (1.9 mi) wide, with five small ranges of hills. The south coast is lined with cliffs, and on the north coast are the port and the beaches of Notre Dame, La Courtade, and Plage d'Argent. The island's village was established in 1820, with its lighthouse constructed in 1837 and church in 1850. The entire island was purchased in 1912 by François Joseph Fournier, apparently as a wedding present for his wife; he planted 200 hectares (about 500 acres) of vineyards which produced a wine that was among the first to be classed vin des Côtes de Provence. In 1971 the state bought 80 percent of the island to...

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