The legendary Saint-Tropez beach scene

The infamous beach

The place to see and be seen, Pampelonne Beach (Plage de Pampelonne) is not only the most famous beach along this gilded coastline, but one of the most iconic stretches of sand in the world. The three-mile beach that runs around the crescent shaped Bay of Pampelonne actually belongs to the small village of Ramatuelle rather than to Saint-Tropez itself, and is in fact made up of several beaches with different names.

Each stretch has its own character and charm, with Pampelonne Beach at the centre of the crescent being the chicest spot of all. It is here that the most famous beach club in the world, Club 55, can be found, and the steady flow of superyacht tenders arriving at the club’s jetty is a testament to the enduring appeal of this Saint-Tropez favourite.

Set back from the beach on a canvas-shaded deck, the tables beneath the shade of the tamarisk trees provide guests with an unrivalled people-watching paradise, where royalty, movie stars and rock gods can sit without hassle and often side by side with locals and their families. This stretch of Pampelonne sands is also where you will find beach clubs La Serena, Byblos Beach, Cap 21 Les Murennes, La Réserve à la Plage, Verde and Nikki Beach (the latter is just back from the beach and has its own pool). 

Lying in the northeast of the bay, Tahiti Beach (Plage de Tahiti) is a continuation of Pampelonne a bit further around the bay. It became a nudist beach in the 1960s, and although it remains a place where visitors can hang out on the beach unclothed if they want, the real hardcore ‘naturists’ tend to prefer alternative, more formal nudist colonies further down the coast. It does however still attract many visiting celebrities and the A-list crowd who like the more hippy vibe found at Tahiti Beach.

Established in 1946, nine years prior to its more famous neighbour Club 55, the eponymous club, which fronts a hotel of the same name, is the oldest of any of the Saint-Tropez beach clubs and has a great restaurant and two bars. Other clubs on this northern stretch of sand include Mooréa, Tropezina and Bar du Soleil.

Located at the southern end of the Bay of Pampelonne is an area known as Pampelonne Creeks. Home to the beach clubs Tropicana, L’Esquinade, Indie Beach and Cabane Bambou, this end of the beach has a more indie vibe with family run restaurants serving Provençal cuisine and local Tropezian dishes including the famous Tarte Tropezienne, a simple and highly calorific concoction made of puff pastry and smothered in whipped cream and sugar. 

The rugged beach

The peninsula coastline of Cap Camarat is a stretch of more rugged coastline that runs around one of the three headlands that envelop Saint-Tropez (the northern end of Pampelonne features Cap Pinet, with Cap Camarat in the middle and Cap Taillat further south).

A coastal path runs around the entire Cap Camarat headland, with a single beach at Bonne Terrasse providing visitors with the opportunity for a refreshing dip. This cove once provided shelter for fishermen and their traditional pointu boats, but today it is the Chez Camille restaurant that provides a haven and serves its guests a famous and quite outstanding bouillabaisse. 

The snorkelling beach

Located between Cap Camarat and Cap Taillat, the 350m stretch of L’Escalet Beach (Plage de l’Escalet) is made up of half pebble and half sand. A family favourite, the gently shelving beach slopes into the clear, protected waters providing perfect conditions for snorkelling. For those looking to explore the area further there is also a path leading from the beach to some more deserted coves and beautiful inlets around the corner.

The wild beach

Salins Beach (Plage des Salins) is a relatively quiet and peaceful cove with a wild character. Backed by pines and grass-covered dunes the small beach has a little freshwater creek running through its centre. It is a popular anchorage spot for superyachts as, despite being wilder than neighbouring Pampelonne, it is well-sheltered from the mistral. A fantastic seafood restaurant, Les Salins, also provides authentic toes-in-the-sand style dining.

The authentic beach

Glaye Beach (Plage La Glaye) is one of three small beaches located in the old town of Saint-Tropez itself. Lying between two of the old fortresses, the tiny piece of sand is a nice place to walk to after a meal and perfect for a quick paddle , although being so close to the port it is not really the best place for a swim. Nearby La Ponche Beach (Plage de la Ponche) and Fontanette Beach (Plage de la Fontanette) are two more adjoining beaches in the district of Ponche, the oldest part of Saint-Tropez.

Once thriving fishing villages, the beaches here are backed by fishermen’s houses, and the small village vibe holds true. The two secluded beaches are tiny (Ponche is made up of just 40m of sand), and both can only be accessed by foot from the port or the citadel. Again, they make a good destination to walk to after lunch or dinner.

The rustic beach

Located beneath the citadel, the beautiful Graniers Beach (Plage des Graniers) is in a small cove that overlooks the Gulf of Saint Tropez. Despite its proximity to the centre of Saint-Tropez itself (it is just a five-minute walk) the beach is enveloped by wooded hills and has retained its wild and natural side. A great spot for a break from the boutiques and shops in town, Les Graniers Restaurant and Beach Club is a little waterside restaurant serving seafood and traditional Provençal cuisine. 

The scenic beach

The wide Bouillabaisse Beach (Plage de la Bouillabaisse) is not itself the most beautiful stretch of sand along this coastline, but the views from it are spectacular – one direction looks over Saint-Tropez harbour, opposite is Sainte-Maxime, and out across the bay are the Maures mountains.

The beach has a wide range of restaurants close by, including La Vague d’Or at Cheval Blanc, while on the beach itself La Bouillabaisse Plage Restaurant is perfect for sunset cocktails followed by a traditional Bouillabaisse stew. For a long lunch and a change of scene the Pearl Beach is probably one of the best beach clubs outside of Pampelonne and offers Mediterranean cuisine with an oriental twist.

The locals' beach

Lying just around the coastline from Graniers Beach, the well-preserved sandy Canoubiers Beach (Plage Canoubiers) is located in a sheltered bay. The Tropezians themselves appreciate both its calm waters (ideal for a cooling dip after lunch), and the welcome shade of the pine trees which provide both a stunning backdrop to the beach and a great place to snooze after a big rosé lunch. 

For further information on chartering a yacht in Saint-Tropez and along the French Riviera speak to your Burgess charter broker.

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- Yachts, prices and availability are correct at the time of publication.