Porquerolles, South of France

At the tip of the Giens Peninsula you can hop on a 20-minute ferry ride from Port de la Tour Fondue to Porquerolles, a car-free, bike-and-hike friendly island. Start early and book ferry tickets in advance in high season because visitor numbers are limited to 6,000 people per day. It gets easily crowded in Porquerolles village, a place which boils down to a church, a supermarket, restaurants, ice cream parlors and bike rental agencies. You’ll come across picnic areas and public toilets close to the village. Explore the island on foot or by bike – head east or west, or make for the white sandy beaches in the north.

While you’re there, don’t miss the Fondation Carmignac, a contemporary art museum, sculpture garden, vineyard (Domaine La Courtade) and open-air restaurant all on one stunning estate. The restaurant, Le Poisson Ivre (The Drunken Fish), serves lunch amid tall pine trees – no advance bookings. Museum entry is limited to 50 visitors per hour; time slots must be booked online. There’s no time limit for the garden, winery or restaurant. Note that backpacks aren’t permitted in the sculpture garden (lockers are provided at the entrance), but you can grab a drink and a sun lounger at l’Oliveraie, a refreshment bar among the olive trees.

Check https://www.fondationcarmignac.com/en/ for opening hours and exhibitions.