Le Figaro dedicates feature to Cyclades island of Ios
The French outlet presents Ios through its Homeric ties, beaches, hiking trails and local gastronomy.
French newspaper Le Figaro published a feature titled "The unexpected Cyclades: a stop in Ios, the small island in the footsteps of Homer," presenting the island beyond common tourist images. The piece refers to the tradition that Ios hosts Homer's tomb, as well as the contemporary artistic presence on the island.
Particular attention is given to Chora, with its white and beige buildings, narrow alleys and small churches with rounded domes. The feature also covers the museum dedicated to Yannis Gaitis and Gavriella Simosi, and the renovated "Odysseas Elytis" amphitheater.
Le Figaro highlights the marked hiking trails, including one passing through the Skarkos archaeological site and another leading to Plakotos, linked to the tradition of Homer's tomb. It also mentions the island's beaches, with a total coastline of 87 kilometers, singling out Manganari, which served as a filming location for "The Big Blue."
The report also touches on the island's gastronomic tradition, noting the 13 windmills above Chora as remnants of past agricultural activity, along with local products such as cheese, capers, aromatic herbs and dried figs. The feature, the result of a scheduled press trip organized by the municipality, coincided with a statement by Ios Mayor Gikas Gikas, who said the goal is "tourism with duration, quality and balance."