The dense vegetation and mini-mountains of Port-Cros (www.parcsnationaux-fr.com/portcros) make its exploration much tougher than Porquerolles, even though it's less than half the size. Aside from ruined forts and the handful of buildings around the port, the only intervention on the island's wildlife are the classification labels on some of the plants and the extensive network of paths; you're not supposed to stray from these signposted routes and it would be very difficult to do so given the thickness of the undergrowth. The entire island is a protected zone, and has the richest fauna and flora of all the islands. Kestrels, eagles and sparrowhawks nest here; there are shrubs that flower and bear fruit at the same time, and more common species like broom, lavender, rosemary and heather flourish in abundance. It takes a couple of hours to walk from the port to the nearest beach, plage de la Palu; a similar time to cross the island via the Vallon de la Solitude or Vallon de la Fausse Monnaie. You can also follow a ten-kilometre circuit of the island.The only hotel, Le Manoir (tel 04.94.05.90.52, fax 04.94.05.90.89; over €150 half-board; closed Nov–April; menus from €38), has few vacancies. Almost as expensive is dining in the few restaurants around the port, though you can get a sandwich or a slice of pizza. Again, camping is forbidden. Alternate spellings:: France, Īle de Port-Cros, Île de Port-Cros, Ile de Port-Cros
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