(Hyères, France, 2026-02-01) – A 19th-century travelogue reveals Hyères, France, as a popular winter destination for both tourists adn those seeking relief from illness, even as the city faced challenges with public health and infrastructure.The observations, documented by geographer Élisée Reclus in his work The winter towns of the Mediterranean, offer a glimpse into the early days of medical and leisure travel.
Hyères attracted visitors from across Europe and North America drawn to its mild climate, offering respite from harsher winters and potential health benefits.
- Hyères was a prominent destination for “wintering” northerners seeking to improve their health
- The city’s climate was considered beneficial for respiratory and rheumatic ailments.
- Despite its appeal, the average lifespan in Hyères around 1840 was remarkably low due to poor sanitation.
- The tourist trade was diverse, with French and English visitors being the most numerous.
A Haven of Mildness
Hyères’ appeal stemmed from its consistently mild weather, scenic beauty, and surrounding landscape.
Medical Considerations
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According to Reclus, doctors and meteorologists considered Hyères’ climate “milder and less exciting” than Nice’s, due to its more southerly latitude and geographical position. He detailed temperature readings from Doctor Honnoraty, noting that even during the coldest months, daytime temperatures rarely fell below 7 degrees Celsius (45 degrees Fahrenheit), and could often reach 18-20 degrees Celsius (64-68 degrees Fahrenheit).
The climate was deemed suitable for individuals suffering from a range of ailments, including coughs, colds, pulmonary diseases, rheumatic conditions, and lymphatic disorders. Reclus wrote, “Taking into account the diversity of temperaments, we can say that the climate of Hyères is suitable in the following cases: prone to coughs, colds, pulmonary catarrhs, spitting of blood, habitual hoarseness, loss of voice, chronic inflammation of the larynx, pulmonary phthisis, rheumatic and gouty diseases, scrofulous and lymphatic affections.”
A Stark Reality: Lifespan and Sanitation
Despite its appeal to those seeking health benefits, Reclus highlighted a concerning statistic: around 1840, the average lifespan in Hyères was just 28 years for men and 32 years for women. He attributed this to the inhabitants’ lifestyle and the “unsanitary conditions of the upper town with its narrow and dark streets.” He also pointed to stagnant waters from nearby salt pans and marshes as a potential source of “noxious miasmas” and the prevalence of mosquitoes as a public health concern.
The Tourist Trade
Hyères also attracted a significant number of tourists. During the winter of 1862-1863, the city hosted 850 families, with French nationals comprising roughly half and English visitors making up about a third. The remainder consisted of Germans, Russians, Americans, and others, according to Reclus. He described the old town as retaining a medieval appearance, while the newer part of Hyères was developing along a street outside the old walls, catering specifically to foreign visitors.
Getting There: A Matter of Convenience
Travel to Hyères in the 19th century involved taking the railway to Hyères station, followed by an omnibus ride into town. Reclus detailed the fares: 1 franc 25 centimes, 90 centimes, and 65 centimes for the train, with an additional 60 centimes for the omnibus.
Why It Matters
Reclus’s observations offer a captivating snapshot of a pivotal moment in the history of tourism and medical travel. The account underscores the evolving understanding of climate and health, and the growing popularity of seeking therapeutic benefits through travel. The stark contrast between Hyères’ appeal as a health resort and the low life expectancy of its inhabitants highlights the significant public health challenges of the era and the limitations of medical knowledge at the time. The details of travel costs and visitor demographics provide a tangible sense of the experience for 19th-century travelers, offering a unique perspective on the origins of modern tourism.
