1st Announcement of the 4rd ESF Nanotribology Workshop in Porquerolles, France, 18-22 June 2005

Porquerolles « The gem of the Golden Islands »

Porquerolles is the biggest of the three Golden islands in the Hyères gulf. Seven km long and 3km wide, Porquerolles is the most popular, with the largest population. It is situated at the same latitude as Cap Corse, and therefore shares the same pleasant climate – almost daily sunshine (more than 300 sunny days a year).
Today the three vinyards on the island produce wine which has an excellent reputation. The vineyards are associated with the Conservatoire Botanique National de Porquerolles which protects the island's heritage and environment.

In 1971, the state bought 4/5 of the island, thus protecting it from any unsightly housing or hotel developments... the style and architecture of the existing houses blend harmoniously with the natural beauty of the site. Linked to the Parc National de Port-Cros (although still lacking a formal statute), Porquerolles is a site where the land is protected, cultivated, replanted and studied, thanks to the Conservatoire Botanique and to the Parc national de Port Cros.

As soon as you arrive at the port, you will be captivated by the island: behind the boats tied up to the quay, the first houses can be seen, surrounded by lush vegetation. After leaving the port you will arrive in the village with its large square and beautiful church Walking from beach to beach. To discover the rest of the island you can choose between several delightful routes... In the north, three superb beaches offer fine sand and the coast here slopes gently down to sea which is exceptionally clear.
In the south, vertical cliffs rise out of the sea, from this steep relief, you can see a series of calanques, rocky points, gorges, headlands and hills. In the interior, there is a mosaic of vineyards, olive trees and fruit trees of all variety... lemons, oranges and mandarins. The paths are bordered by pines, eucalyptus and numerous plantations, courtesy of the Conservatoire Botanique.

Access : No Car on Porquerolles Island !Flight

- Airport TOULON-HYERES (10 km from Porquerolles)
Daily Flights from Paris(Orly) All the year round (6 flights/day with Air France)Train : SNCF train station in Hyères Daily rail link from Paris, Lyon to Hyères By Road : From Paris, Motorway A7, then A8 towards Aix en Provence, Toulon and then follow the A570 as far as Hyères and D97 to « La Tour Fondue » (pier to Porquerolles).
- From Nice, take the Motorway A8 as far as Hyères and the D 97 to « La Tour Fondue » .
And of course by boat : from GIENS “LaTour Fondue”