Porquerolles
Magnificent Barbary palm trees welcome you as you land at the quay on Porquerolles. At the end of a semi-circular bay nestles a pretty Provencal village with a central square lined with shops and restaurants. In summer, the sound of thousands of cicadas embraces the alleyways, like an audible bridge, on this island that was a wedding present to his young bride from François Fournier, a wealthy man who made his fortune in Mexico. On one side are the famous beaches, on the other steep cliffs and rugged inlets. At the highest point is the Mas des Langoustiers which welcomes authors, writers and artists.