Located on the sun-drenched coast of the French Riviera lies a town that many travellers overlook but shouldn’t. With its stunning old town filled with winding medieval streets, a majestic castle, secluded beaches, and views stretching across the glittering Mediterranean, Hyères is also extra special as it is the oldest seaside resort on the French Riviera. The Independent’s travel expert, Simon Calder, has highlighted a stunning coastal town on the French Riviera as one of his favourite discoveries of the year, but it’s not one of the usual suspects.

In a round-up of his 2024 travels, Mr Calder gave a special mention to Hyères, describing it as the highlight of a sun soaked trip along the Côte d’Azur. While many tourists flock to places like Nice, Cannes or St-Tropez, Mr Calder made time to explore towns he had previously only seen from a train window and was charmed by what he found.

He wrote: “I travelled along the Côte d’Azur in southern France for the umpteenth time, but on this occasion I paused in places that previously I had trundled through by train. Hyères was the highlight: straggling down a pretty hillside and decorated with buildings from medieval to modernist.

“Bus 67 takes you speedily to some secluded beaches at the foot of the Giens peninsula. And while I would certainly stay in Hyères next time in preference to St-Tropez, I loved the coastal hike along the corrugated shore from the chic town.”

With over 2,400 years of history, Hyères is a place where ancient streets, hilltop ruins, and vibrant Provençal markets reflect its deep past.

Just off its coast lie the Golden Islands, Porquerolles, Port-Cros, and Île du Levant, each known for their crystal-clear waters, pine-fringed coves, and unspoiled natural beauty.

At the top, the ruins of a medieval castle offer panoramic vistas stretching all the way to the Îles d’Or on clear days.

Hyères has long attracted artists and writers, from Robert Louis Stevenson to the avant-garde patrons who built Villa Noailles, a striking modernist home turned contemporary art space. Today, the villa hosts exhibitions and the prestigious International Festival of Fashion and Photography.

Autumn is a great time to visit as well, with mild, sunny days and average temperatures around 21C, which is perfect for exploring without the summer crowds.

Its beaches are known for their stunning, crystal-clear waters. Some of the most popular beaches include Plage de l’Almanarre, with its long stretch of golden sand, stunning Plage des Salins, and Plage de la Capte.