Île du Levant

 island, military, naturism

Île du Levant, sometimes referred to as Le Levant, is a Mediterranean French island off the coast of the Riviera, near Toulon.

About 90% of the island is off-limits to the public, reserved for a military missile test center (the Centre d'Essais de Lancement de Missiles) which has launched numerous research and testing rockets since its establishment in 1948.

The settlement, Heliopolis, or the "City of the Sun", was founded in 1931 by Drs André and Gaston Durville. Managed by the Union of Owners of the island, Heliopolis is a private naturist area open to all. The naturist area covers one tenth of the island. Much of the island, owned by the Navy who has established a testing center, is unfortunately closed to the public. Naturism is free everywhere except in public places, that is in the harbor and the village square. It is mandatory at the beach and all seaside.

The naturist area of Héliopolis is 61 hectares only, and is therefore rather cramped. The village is relaxed and charming with exotic flora, but the walks around are disappointingly short and the area for bathing is very restricted.

Area: 9 sq km
Coastline: 26 km
Highest point: 138m (Mont des Salins)
Population: 186
Visitor capacity: 470 (6 hotels)
Access: Sea - Le Lavandou (1 hour)

Some phone numbers:
• City Hall Annex to Common Hyeres - 04 94 05 91 37
• La Poste (the possibility of withdrawing cash) - 04 94 05 91 19
• Medical Office (July-August only) - 04 94 05 91 60
• Municipal police - 04 94 95 91 65
• Harbourmaster's office - 04 94 00 47 64
• Administration union of Heliopolis - 04 94 05 92 74
• Restaurant Le Gambaro - 04.94.05.90.69 - viale.gambaro@orange.fr
• Sun Plongée - 04 94 05 90 16 - Site
•– 06 09 52 31 19 / 04 94 58 31 19 Water taxis: Hostellerie provençale (Port-Cros) - 04 94 05 90 43 or Yellow Pélican Taxi Line (Porquerolles) - 06 09 ​​52 31 19/04 94 58 31 19

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