Location
France
Status
Officially Designated
Suitable for
Families and adults
Terrain
Mixed
Best season
June to September
About Plage des Grottes
Plage des Grottes is the only real beach of Héliopolis, the naturist village on the Île du Levant, the easternmost of the Hyères islands off the Var coast. Less than a tenth of the island is civilian; the rest is a military zone run by the defence procurement agency and is closed to the public, so the beach, the village and the coastal path form a small, self-contained world. The beach is a modest cove below the village, with a sandy strip and rocks on either side, and it is described as the island's only sandy beach. Clear water and rocky edges make it good for snorkelling. It is reserved for naturists: the regional tourism board states that swimwear is not tolerated here, and a gate marks the entry to the naturist-only zone. National tourism material notes a municipal authorisation from Hyères dated 14 March 1978 covering La Plage des Grottes specifically. Elsewhere in the public part of the island nudity is broadly accepted, except on the port and around the village square, where a sarong or similar is expected. The other recognised naturist bathing spot is the rocky Bain de Diane. Expect a mix of long-standing residents, holiday-home owners and day visitors in summer.
Getting there
Boats run all year from Port Saint-Pierre in Hyères (TLV-TVM, about 1h30 with a stop at Port-Cros) and in season from Le Lavandou; water taxis also serve the island. Boats land at the Ayguade port. From the landing turn right after the pier and follow the coastal path for about ten minutes to the gate of the naturist zone and the beach. The path is rocky with short climbs and shaded stretches, so wear proper shoes; it is not wheelchair accessible. The island's paths can close on high fire-risk days by prefectoral order.
Amenities
Legal context
Nudity at Plage des Grottes rests on a municipal authorisation of 14 March 1978 issued solely for this beach, as cited by France.fr; the Côte d'Azur France tourism board (page seen 2026) says the beach is reserved for naturists and swimwear is not tolerated. Nudity is not accepted on the port, and the military zone covering most of the island is off limits.
Naturism at Plage des Grottes sits under France's rules for officially designated nude beaches — explicit protection inside the marked area.
Full country law: France public nudity guide.
Naturist status confirmed against an official source on 25 October 2026.
Location
View on interactive map
Approx. 43.0111, 6.4332
Visitor tips
- 1 Official designation: nudity is protected inside the marked area.
- 2 Towel, water, sunscreen. Sit on your own towel.
- 3 No photos without clear consent.
- 4 Check access, tides, and parking before you go.
- 5 House rules and local custom can be stricter than the law.
More in France
Frequently asked questions
Is nudity required on Plage des Grottes?
Yes. The regional tourism board says the beach is reserved for naturists and swimwear is not tolerated.
How do I get there?
Take a boat from Hyères (about 1h30 via Port-Cros) or Le Lavandou, then walk about ten minutes along the coastal path from the landing.
Can I explore the rest of the island?
Only the civilian Héliopolis area, under a tenth of the island; the rest is a closed military zone.
Are there other naturist spots on the Levant?
Yes, the rocky Bain de Diane, and nudity is broadly accepted on the island's public paths except on the port and the village square.
Sources
Important
Beach status changes. Verify current conditions before you go. This is guidance, not legal advice.
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