The story
Once upon a time… 400 BC, the Greeks settled in the Almanarre neighborhood in Hyères. These Olbians, as they call themselves, built a colony-fortress and named it Olbia, which means “the blessed”. The city became a maritime trading post where ships could stop for commercial exchanges with the neighboring Ligurian people. In the 1er st century BC, the Greek colony gave way to the Romans, who built a port whose pier, too exposed to storms, had to be abandoned.
At the end of the 20th century, archaeologists from the Department of Underwater Archaeological Research (DRASSM) conducted excavations that revealed this exceptional historical site, which includes, in addition to the Roman pier, the remains of a tartane (a typically Mediterranean sailing ship). The development of snorkeling led the Toulon Provence Mediterranean conurbation to establish a path for the public. The AREVPAM (Association for the Research, Study, and Valorization of Mediterranean Heritage), responsible for this enhancement, commissioned explanatory panels which were installed underwater and also on land, to inspire visitors to put on their fins.
The visit
Par moins de 5 mètres de profondeur, le sentier sous-marin archéologique d’Olbia vous attend à quelques dizaines de mètres de la plage de l’Almanarre, sur la commune de Hyères. Cette balade aquatique pleine de charme vous permet non seulement d’observer la biodiversité des fonds de la presqu’île de Giens, mais aussi de jouer aux archéologues en découvrant les vestiges du quai romain (photo en haut de cette page) et de la tartane.
This walk is done in complete tranquility, as the area is off-limits to any motorized vessels. It is thus possible to discover the underwater path independently, since the beach and its treasures are freely accessible. However, be careful on mistral days, it’s better to avoid getting into the water if you don’t want to be overturned by the waves… This is why the underwater panels are only installed in summer (July and August).
Guided tours are also offered by the Hyères tourist office as soon as the beautiful season returns. Led by a diving instructor from the Espace Mer center, they allow learning more about the environment, geology and archaeology of the site.
In practice
– Parking: a huge parking lot 150 meters away
– Beach and remains: free access
– Maximum depth: 3 meters
– Walk: solo or accompanied (contact: Hyères tourist office)
– Summer 2019: the tours take place every Thursday morning from July 4 to August 29, one at 8:30 am and another at 10:45 am.
– Reservation required at 04 94 58 94 94
– Adult: €27.
Another trail
A few kilometers from Almanarre Beach, you can also discover the underwater trail of the Tour Fondu. At the other end of the Giens Peninsula, it allows the discovery of the reconstruction of a cargo of amphorae 6 meters deep!
Find other snorkeling trails here !