The island of Embiez: a nature getaway close to your favorite campsites Campasun

Published on 10/06/2025 by CAMPASUN

Why not discover a charming island in the Var during your next camping holiday in the South of France? Located off the coast of Six-Fours-les-Plages, the island of Embiez stretches out its arms between coves with crystal clear waters, wild coastal paths and natural wealth. An easy and pleasant getaway to plan if you stay at our 5-star campsite Mas de Pierredon or our 4-star campsite Parc Mogador, both nestled in Sanary-sur-Mer, just a few minutes from the port of Brusc. From our campsites, you can reach the island of Embiez, jewel of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, in 20 minutes. So, ready for an island getaway? Pack your bags, your holiday starts here.

At the origins of the island of Embiez: a paradise in the Var shaped by Paul Ricard

Nestled in the heart of the Var, in Provence, the Île des Embiez is part of the archipelago of the Îles de Paul Ricard, alongside the island of Bendor. Located a small kilometer from the port of Brusc, in the south of France, it stretches over about 95 hectares of land bathed by the Mediterranean. Its silhouette is bordered by more than 6 kilometers of coastline, between sandy stretches and coves open to the sea.

Paul Ricard, a visionary industrialist and lover of the sea, bought it in 1958. It develops a place of life in harmony with the environment, focused on scientific research, gentle tourism and coastal protection. It is here that he founded the Paul Ricard Oceanographic Institute, which has been working for more than sixty years to study and preserve the marine environment. The island of Embiez, managed by the Paul Ricard Society, today combines wild nature, marine recreation, natural trails and art de vivre à la provençale.

Ile des Embiez: a complete tour between sea, pines and blue horizons

Going around the island of Embiez means entering a changing setting, with varied atmospheres. On foot or by bike, this getaway takes you along paths accessible to all, punctuated with viewpoints, small beaches and rocks carved by the waves.

For those who prefer a guided tour, the small tourist train offers a loop of about 40 minutes, perfect for families. This tour reveals the history of the island of Embiez, the environmental initiatives put in place and the anecdotes related to Paul Ricard and his deep attachment to this territory.

The tour of the island of Embiez is also an opportunity to slow down, to observe the changing colors of the sea, to see the neighboring islands of Gaou and Rouveau, and to taste this rare calm, so precious. In all seasons, the charm operates. A parenthesis out of time close to mainland France.

The beaches and coves of the island of Embiez: the pure Var

On the island of Embiez, there is no shortage of beaches, but forget about the large tourist areas. Here, in this jewel of the Var, everything is more discreet, more intimate. Discover rocky coves with translucent waters, perfect for a peaceful swim or a nap in the shade of a pine.

The beach of the Germans is undoubtedly the most famous, protected from the wind, ideal for families. Other beaches are worth after a few steps on the coastal paths, such as the Fondue Tower, with its raw charm. There, the waters are so clear that the seabed is revealed to the naked eye. The Blue Flag floats on some of these bathing areas, a guarantee of quality and environmental respect.

To the west of the island of Embiez, away from the beaten paths, are two discreet pearls: the beaches of Petit Rouveau and Saint-Pierre. To reach them, take a steep path, where each step reveals a little more of the magic of the place. Once arrived, the spectacle is breathtaking: facing you, Bandol, Six-Fours and Sanary are looming on the horizon, while the island of Bendor seems to float off.

The beaches of the island of Embiez, discreet but accessible, are real havens for those who seek to escape the crowds. A tip: come early to enjoy this piece of paradise just for you.

Between land and sea: the nautical leisure of the island of Embiez

With its calm waters and varied shores, the island of Embiez is an ideal playground for lovers of activities at sea. Whether paddle, kayak or sailing, everyone finds his rhythm. The well-equipped marina, located in the heart of the island of Embiez, is the perfect starting point for a leisurely sea trip.

This island shaped by Paul Ricard also hosts clubs and schools offering initiation to water sports or rental equipment by the hour. The island of Embiez is also a site known for its clear and preserved seabed. Mask and snorkel are enough to discover the abundant aquatic life around this island of the Var.

For adventurers of the coast, boat trips allow to go along the islands of Paul Ricard and reach the island of Bendor or the calanques of the Var, according to your desires of the moment.

Flora and fauna of the island of Embiez: the essence of the Var in miniature

The island of Embiez is home to a real ecological treasure. It is a unique concentrate of Mediterranean fauna and flora, protected and valued for decades by the oceanographic institute Paul Ricard. Walking its trails, you will discover an amazing diversity of landscapes: vineyards in restanques, fragrant scrubland, pine forests, wooded valleys, isolated beaches, wild creeks, wetlands.

The flora of the island of Embiez alone gathers almost 90% of the plant species present on the coast of the Var. And on the animal side, birds are kings: the League for the protection of birds has spotted several rare breeding species. From the heights, the views of Gaou Island, the Brusc peninsula, or the bay of Bandol are well worth a contemplative break. If you like cycling, the marked routes allow you to discover the fauna and flora of each corner on foot or two wheels, in complete serenity. You are a hiker, a photographer or simply in search of calm, the island of Embiez has surprises at every turn.

Accessible from our 4-star campsite Parc Mogador or from our 5-star campsite Mas de Pierredon, the island of Embiez is much more than just an island. It is a concentration of discoveries, between land and sea, between history and nature. From Sanary-sur-Mer, Brusc or even Toulon, the change of scenery is immediate. Here, no crowds, no stress: just the sea, the sun, walks in complete freedom. A getaway to live, to the rhythm of the Var, on an island with undeniable charm. Want to fill up the sea air? Set sail for the Île des Embiez, a discreet and natural jewel of Mediterranean France.