Practical information
Porquerolles (map) is the pearl of the Iles d'Or. It is an island and protected site attached to the Port-Cros National Park, which has maintained all the charms of the real Côte d'Azur. Its village and its shaded trails offer visitors magnificent outings on foot or by bicycle, while its attractive beaches of fine sand, its fragrances, sunshine and constant temperature, all make Porquerolles a piece of paradise, where life is good.
Time zone
The time zone in France is GMT + 1 (the same as in, e.g., Germany but 1 hour ahead of Portugal and the UK).
Telephone
You can use public telephones with phone cards, which can be obtained at the post office, airport, railway stations, kiosks and in some hotels. All French mobile phone operators use GSM 900/1800 network types.
Currency and credit cards
The currency unit in France is the Euro (€) which is subdivided into 100 cents. The current exchange rate to Euro and US dollar can be checked here: finance.yahoo.com. Participants may change foreign currency and travelers cheques before being on the Island.
Electricity
Electricity supply is 220-230V.
Climate and clothing
Warm and dry summers, full of sunshine, mild winters, the Provence is a Mediterranean one. In the height of summer, the coast knows extremes going from 23 to 36°C. In September the average temperature is 27°C (80°F) while the sea is around 22°C (71°F).
Shopping
There are few shops on the Island. Most shops are open from 10:00 until 18:00.