Hiking in Frioul on the island of Ratonneau

The Frioul archipelago (1) is made up of several islands and islets. This hike takes in the island of Ratonneau.

The island of Ratonneau was invaded by rats. As early as the 13th century, the port was called "portus Ratonelli", a name that would be retained for the entire island.
The hike takes in beautiful coves, ancient military fortifications and the Caroline Hospital, a health facility originally designed to cure carriers of yellow fever and later used as a lazaretto.

The hike to the Caroline Hospital is flat and unproblematic. Except that you're always walking in the sun on the wide track. First you pass the Léo Lagrange vacation center (2), then the Hoche pavilion (3), once used to quarantine officers on ships arriving from ports where the plague was rife. Today, the area awaits redevelopment, security and renaturation. The city and the National Park are working closely together to define the project that will bring these eight hectares back to life.

Then we see the Port Pilotage Department building (4), recognizable by its façade in the shape of a ship's bow. Continue along the path that winds along the coast.

Before reaching the Sainte-Estève cove (6) and its turquoise waters, turn right and you'll see the future Villa Marine (5). The Villa Marine is due to open its doors to the public in the near future, to raise awareness of the importance of preserving island areas such as the Frioul archipelago.

The first part of the walk ends in front of the grand entrance to the Caroline Hospital (7). Then turn around and take the same path back to Villa Marine. At the bend in the road, take the path leading up to Fort de Ratonneau (8), which you will cross from east to west. At the western end of the fort, a path leads back down to the rocky rift that gives access to the Morgeret cove (9). The best beach for watching the sunset in summer.

Take the left-hand side of the calanque to join the path leading to the Mangue battery (10) and the Brigantin fort. Once you've discovered this area, retrace your steps until you see a path to the right leading to the calanque du Grand Soufre (11) and its small beach. A staircase leads down from the beach. Head towards the houses and turn left to reach the large esplanade with its chapel (12). Further steps take you to the Quai d'Honneur, completing the loop.