Joseph Clotis Avenue

Hyères is often called the City of palm trees, and for good reason. This beautiful avenue in the heart of the city is lined on both sides with elegant buildings and rows of tall, graceful palm trees that give it a charm all its own.

These iconic trees, often linked with tropical holidays, are thought to have appeared in Hyères about four centuries ago, around the time the city began attracting members of the European aristocracy. As wealthy newcomers settled here, they created lush gardens filled with exotic plants brought back from their travels.

Palm trees in particular flourished in Hyères’ sunny, mild climate. They became more and more popular, and in 1867, local botanists began cultivating them on a larger scale. Before long, the city had become famous for its palm trees. By the 1920s, more than 1.2 million palms were being grown here each year. Even today, around 20 different species and nearly 100,000 young trees are cultivated annually.

You can see many of them here along Avenue Joseph Clotis, named after a former city gardener whose deep knowledge of horticulture helped turn Hyères into a hub of palm tree production. This street is also home to the Tourist Office, the post office, and, on your left, the town hall. You may have just passed a historic building known as La Banque. Built in the 20th century as an annex of the Bank of France, it now houses the Museum of Cultures and Landscape.

Inside, you’ll find exhibits tracing how Hyères’ landscape has evolved over time, shaped by nature, people, and history. Behind the museum, there’s a garden filled with native Mediterranean plants. If you’re curious to learn more, it’s definitely worth a visit. For now, let’s head to the next stop on the tour.