Camping in Giens in October: Why Off-Season Is the Best Season For Hyères

If you picture the Côte d’Azur in October, you probably think the season is over. Near Hyères, France, on the Presqu’île de Giens, it’s actually just getting good. Whether you’re arriving by van for a stretch of vanlife along the Var coast or pitching a tent for a few nights, camping here in October means the crowds thin out, the light turns golden, and the sea stays warm enough to swim in while the campsites tucked into the pine forests go from packed to peaceful. I spent a week camping in this corner of France in October, and it might be my favorite time of year to visit.

Where Is the Giens Peninsula?

The Presqu’île de Giens is a narrow strip of land connected to the town of Hyères by a double tombolo, two sandbars enclosing a salt flat in between. On one side you’ve got the calm, shallow Étang des Pesquiers, on the other the open Mediterranean. From the tip of the peninsula, boats leave regularly for Porquerolles, the closest and most famous of the Îles d’Or. It’s wild, pine-covered, and a lot less built-up than the resorts further along the coast, which is exactly why it’s worth visiting outside of summer.

Why Camp Here in October

The heat finally breaks: July and August on this coast are brutal for pitching a tent or sleeping in your car; the Provençal sun does not mess around. By October, daytime temperatures usually settle into the low-to-mid 20s (°C), which is perfect hiking and cycling weather, and nights are cool enough to actually sleep well. Although you do need to bring a good blanket or sleeping bag.

The sea is still swimmable: The Mediterranean holds onto its summer warmth well into autumn, so you can still get in for a swim most days, just without fighting for space on the sand. This of course depends if you are going at the start of October or the end. At the end of the month, the ocean is a lot colder and you might need a wetsuit to go swimming.

The crowds disappear: Giens in August is chaotic: packed beaches, full car parks, long queues for the Porquerolles ferry. In October, the trails along the coast are quiet, the beaches at La Madrague and Almanarre are nearly empty, and you can actually hear the cicadas instead of other people’s speakers.

Campsites are calmer, and cheaper: Pitch prices drop for the shoulder season, and you’ll have your pick of spots instead of squeezing in wherever there’s room.

One thing to plan around: most campsites on the peninsula close for the season sometime in October, so it’s worth booking early in the month and double-checking exact closing dates before you go.

Where to Stay: Camping Olbia

I stayed at Camping Olbia, right at the western tip of the peninsula near the little port of La Madrague, and it turned out to be exactly the kind of low-key, nature-first spot I wanted for an October trip.

The campsite sits inside a pine and eucalyptus forest, at the gateway to the protected Pointe des Chevaliers nature park. So instead of a manicured resort feel, you get shade, birdsong, and sandy paths. There’s no entertainment program and no pool with a slide; it’s a simple, three-star campsite built for people who actually want to be outdoors. Pitches for tents, caravans, and campervans are scattered under the trees, there’s a small grocery shop, a bar, and a restaurant on-site, and the beach is about 200 meters away through the pine park.

What made it feel special in October specifically:

• Quiet, shaded pitches. With the crowds gone, you can pick a spot with real privacy under the trees.
• Direct access to the coastal path. The Sentier du Littoral wraps around the peninsula from right outside the campsite, past hidden coves and rocky viewpoints, one of the best short hikes on this coast.
• Close to the Porquerolles ferry. It’s about 7 km to the embarkation point, so a day trip to the island is easy to combine with your stay.
• Genuinely peaceful. No music, no animations, just cicadas and pine trees, which is rare to find this close to the water on the Côte d’Azur.
• Fresh bread every morning. There is a little store at the campsite and they offer fresh bread and baked goods every morning for a very good price.

If you’re after a resort camping experience with a water park and daily activities, this isn’t it. But if you want a simple base for hiking, swimming, and slow days by the sea, I’d recommend Camping Olbia without hesitation.

What to Do on the Peninsula Giens in October

• Walk the coastal path (Sentier du Littoral): Circling the peninsula on foot takes you past small coves, the Pointe des Chevaliers, and sweeping views over to Porquerolles.
• Take the ferry to Porquerolles: October is a great time to visit without the summer crush. Rent a bike and explore the island’s vineyards and calanques at your own pace.
• Swim at the tombolo beaches: The Plage de l’Almanarre and Plage de la Badine are calmer in autumn, with warm, shallow water that’s ideal for a lazy afternoon.
• Try windsurfing or kitesurfing: The Almanarre side of the peninsula is one of the best windsurfing spots in France, and autumn winds are often reliable.
• Try scubadiving: The region of Hyères is famous for its dive sites. Le Sec de la Jaune Garde is one of the most famous dive sites in the south of France.
• Explore the salt flats: The Étang des Pesquiers is a haven for birdlife, including flamingos, and makes for an easy, flat walk or bike ride.
• Spend an afternoon in Hyères: The medieval old town, with its steep cobbled streets and views over the bay, is a short drive from the peninsula and worth a wander.

Practical Tips for Camping in Giens in October

• Book ahead, but not too far ahead: Campsites are far less full than in summer, but many start winding down their season in October, so confirm opening dates before booking.
• Pack layers: Days are mild, but evenings on the peninsula can get breezy and cool once the sun goes down.
• Bring a good bike lock: Cycling between the tombolo beaches and into Hyères is one of the easiest ways to get around, and bike theft happens even in the off-season.
• Check ferry schedules: Porquerolles crossings run less frequently outside high season, so plan your day trip around the timetable rather than showing up and hoping.

October turned this corner of the Côte d’Azur into something closer to what I imagine it was before it became a summer destination: quiet pine forests, empty coastal trails, and a sea still warm enough to swim in. If you can time a trip for the shoulder season, the Giens Peninsula is a very good way to spend it.

If you want to explore more of France, I can highly recommend the France travel guides from Meet You All There.