Small trip between Martigues and Marseille, about 20 nautical miles. Departure from the Etang de Berre at 2 p.m. It takes an hour to descend down the Caronte channel and reach the sea at Port-de-Bouc. With a force 4 wind, Petit Prince 2 reached the entrance of Port Frioul at 6 p.m. Mooring at the visitor pontoon where there is plenty of room because, as the friendly harbor captain explained to me, it is mainly a transit harbour, the boats that stop here do not stay. The port is well sheltered and is a good refuge in the event of bad weather. It has to be recommended because it is large and there is every chance of finding a berth there. The next day is devoted to the visit of the Pomègues island. Arid landscapes but a beautiful walk under the sun. Next day, departure to Porquerolles island.

After the misadventure in the port of Hyères, short crossing to the island of Porquerolles. Started by dead calm at the exit of the port, the wind rose in a few minutes to force 6 and at the opening of the Petite Passe, between the peninsula of Giens and Porquerolles, the wind rose to force 7 (this level which is called in marine terms "moderate gale") with a wave height of one meter fifty. The sea is white streaked with foam. West wind, abeam, we are making good progress. Some forty-five minutes later, Petit Prince 2 is at the entrance of the port of Porquerolles. The wind drops from one to two points in the entrance of the port. We are greeted by the harbour master's boat to show us the pontoon and the location of the berth. The assistance requested by VHF is already waiting at the pontoon and docking is therefore easy and safe. Really great welcome ! In the photo gallery opposite, you will find information on the island, images of the port, shops, and the landscape encountered during the walk leading to the Cap d'Arme lighthouse or to the beach and the anchorage of La Courtade. The price of the marina is reasonable and it is a stopover to remember among the best. Bear in mind though, that shopping here will cost you more than on the mainland. If you need fittings or other material for the boat, the ship chandlers that represent AD and U-ship keep the list prices.

A visit to Fort Sainte-Agathe, built in the 16th century, gives access to a unique point of view on the island and the bay of Hyères. There is a charge for the visit but keep your tickets, they will be useful when visiting the Carmignac Foundation. The images here on an overcast day give an unusual view of the landscape. The gray tonality of the sky particularly highlights the tint of the silvery gray sand of the beach called "Plage d'Argent" and the anchorage of Bon Renaud Cove. The "Moulin du Bonheur", restored, capable of functioning, shows a typical example of a Provençal mill. In addition to the cultivation of olive trees, an area of 35 hectares of vines, exposed to an exceptional maritime climate, produces an organic wine which gives off well the expression of the island's terroir. You will find some at the grocery store, Place d'Armes.

Villa Carmignac is a place dedicated to the arts which contains permanent contemporary works but it is also equipped to offer temporary exhibitions. The chosen theme is "The imaginary sea". Remarkable point of the building, a central water ceiling illuminates the 2000 m2 of exhibition rooms. Admission is chargeable but tickets for the visit of Fort Sainte-Agathe are deducted if you present them. When leaving the exhibition (garden side) we discover the work "La Traversée" by the artist Jean Denant. This is a stone wall containing a representation of the Mediterranean Sea made of mirror. The sky, the sea or the plants as well as the visitors are reflected there to become the actors of this scene which becomes a real painting changing with the color of light and time. It will then be good to walk in the middle of the maquis, surrounded by species from local or distant origins, discovering curious works of modern art.

      

The Emmanuel Lopez garden presents a variety of species from local or different regions of the world adapted to the Mediterranean climate. On leaving the village, in the direction of the Cap d'Arme lighthouse road, one will discover with interest the Atelier de Sabine (Sabine's workshop). Sabine realizes wonderful and very original watercolors on old nautical charts, small edition lithographs, prints on fabric, or your boat in painting. She has also published a very beautiful guide to anchorages in Corsica, illustrated with original watercolors as well as Carnet de Mouillage II devoted to the most beautiful anchorages, from Méjean cove to Cap Camarat, including Porquerolles and "Les îles d'Or". If you navigate in these regions, these are two essential books in the on-board library for the quality of the information and the watercolors illustrating each stopover.

A short jump to Hyères to see the medieval town. Ascent to Castel Sainte-Claire and its gardens, through narrow streets passing by the Templar Tower, the gate and the Saint-Paul collegiate church. The ruins of the castle, at the top of the hill, offer an exceptional panorama over the city, the Giens peninsula and the offshore islands.

Return to Martigues downwind in good weather and with a north-easterly wind under gennaker alone. The chosen route is quite close to the coast and just after passing Cap Sicié, we have to face a strong unstable violent and whirling wind. Not easy to furl the gennaker which is then replaced with the genoa. A few miles further the wind stabilizes. It is blowing well now and Petit Prince 2 can take again a quieter road with a beautiful wake and a speed peaking at 7 knots anyway. Stop for the night in Port Frioul. Departure early in the morning because we have to be in Martigues before a change of the wind and a weather change is also announced for the afternoon. Eleven o'clock, we are at Port de Bouc. The motorized ascent of the channel goes smoothly but the wait at the quay at the entrance to the Ferrières basin is dangerous, the boats do not respect the speed limit (3 knots). It is also subject to significant waves caused by boats circulating in the channel where the authorized speed is 15 knots. Passage of the bridge at 2 p.m. and arrival at the marina around 3:30 p.m. A strong wind picked up and thank you to André on his Melody who helped me for docking the boat.
Thanks also to Horizon Marine and to the great mechanic Cyril for the always respected timing.

Naval etiquette not quite respected here, but the mastheads are becoming more and more cluttered with antennas and accessories of all kinds, so two flags under the port spreader are tolerated.

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