Natural sites
The Golden Island (L'île d'Or) is one of the most beautiful symbols of the Estérel Côte d'Azur destination. Visible from the Dramont beach, it intrigues with its high tower. It has inspired the world of comics and cinema. Here, the mysteries of this small island off the coast of Saint-Raphaël are revealed.
Estérel Côte d'Azur Discover Estérel Côte d’Azur Natural sites L’île d’Or (The Golden Island)
Its History
At the foot of the majestic Dramont massif, the Île d'Or is one of the sixty most beautiful sites in France ! In the 19th century, the Île d'Or was still just a rocky islet similar to so many others on the coast. It was only in 1897 that the destiny of this small island was revealed. Indeed, that year, an architect from the Dramont named "Sergent" became the owner for only 280 francs (a derisory sum for the time !).
It changed ownership a few years later, at the beginning of the 20th century, and became the property of Doctor Auguste Lutaud, who would have acquired it during a card game ! He then proclaimed himself "Auguste 1er", sovereign of the Island. He had a square, crenellated tower built at great expense in red Esterel stone, according to a Saracen architecture uncommon in the region. The Île d'Or has been the scene of sumptuous receptions attracting worldly circles from the Côte d'Azur. Today, it is still a private property: one cannot approach it.
Art and the Golden Island
The Golden Island strangely reminds us of a famous story about a detective with a blonde puffy coat. Wait and see, an island where it's forbidden to dock with a big tower in the middle... You guessed it, it is of course "l'île noire", the 7th album of the adventures of Tintin d'Hergé.
Tintin will have to face Doctor Müller who organizes a traffic of counterfeit money through Europe. After a chase and many adventures, Tintin finds the trace of doctor Müller on the black island where he will have to face a gorilla named Ranko.
Do you think the Ranko gorilla is just a legend ?
Yet when you approach from the sea, from the east, you'd swear to see a gorilla on this island, wouldn't you ?
L'île d'Or as seen by Mr. Z
Mister Z, French illustrator and graphic designer known for his numerous illustrations of the French Riviera, has also fallen under the spell of the Ile d'Or. Do you like the result ?
Le Corniaud
For movie lovers, you couldn't miss the movie "Le Corniaud" with Bourvil and Louis de Funès where our little island makes an appearance during Ursula's night swim.
Planétarium
Even Nathalie Portman couldn't resist sunbathing in front of the Golden Island in Rebecca Zlotowski's film Planetarium.
Activities around the Golden Island
Le SwimRun
The SwimRun is a race alternating swimming and trail running in teams of 2, where athletes must run on roads, paths, trails and seaside for 18 km and swim 5 km. This sporting challenge is organized in March, if you are in good physical condition and in group of 2 we invite you to watch for the opening of registrations on the swimrun site.
Enjoy the Dramont
- Contemplate the sunset on D-Day landing beach.
- Take the Cap Dramont hike
- Rent a kayak and tour the Golden Island
Our advice : The via Cordata !
The via cordata is an activity where the climber can only help himself from the roughness of the rock. Here there is no installation to make your task easier, you move on the rock following the lifeline to which you are connected via your harness ! In total immersion, you will enjoy an unobstructed view of the Golden Island and the seaside.
To find out more : discover our blog article We tested for you : the via cordata
L'île d'Or in video
Share your photos #VisitEsterel
Post your most beautiful pictures of the Golden Island with the hashtag #VisitEsterel and follow our account @esterecotedazur to be posted !
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