Port Grimaud is a unique lakeside town in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. Its canals, bridges, and colorful houses won over our team from the very first visit. You’ll be surprised by this “Venice of Provence,” conceived in the 1960s, nestled between the village of Grimaud and the sea.
Here is our guide to the must-see spots in the village of Port Grimaud in the Var region, along with helpful tips for planning your visit.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Is Port Grimaud worth a visit?
Yes, Port Grimaud is worth a visit. We loved this lakeside city, designed to resemble a traditional Provençal village, but set on the water rather than anchored on dry land.
It is one of the most beautiful villages in the area around Saint-Tropez and the French Riviera.
1. Take a stroll along the canals
The best way to explore Port Grimaud is on foot, strolling along its canals. We enjoyed crossing the many bridges that connect the small islands and admiring the ochre, pink, and yellow facades lining the water. Each house has its own dock, which is often occupied by a boat or a small vessel.
You’ll also come across narrow alleys and shady little squares. The walk offers insight into the unique layout of this lakeside community, designed by architect François Spoerry in the 1960s.
- Free access
- This is an entirely pedestrian-only area; cars are prohibited (except for residents).
- Be sure to bring good walking shoes
WHERE TO STAY IN Saint-Tropez
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
Option 1: Downtown
Enjoy the charm and liveliness of the old town.
Hôtel Le Yaca – Check photos and availability
Hôtel Les Lauriers – Check photos and availability
Option 2: on the road to the beaches
Hotel Le Pre de la mer – Check photos and availability
Hotel Sezz – Check photos and availability
See our complete selection of the best hotels in Saint-Tropez
2. Climb to the top of the bell tower
From the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, a spiral staircase with 78 steps leads to the top of the bell tower. We climbed up to the terrace to enjoy a view of the whole of Port-Grimaud, the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, and the surrounding plain.
On a clear day, you can also see the hilltop village of Grimaud and its castle in the distance. On some days, you can even see the Southern Alps on the horizon. The climb takes only a few minutes and is definitely worth it. We loved the views in every direction!
- Access through a turnstile outside the church
- Price: about €2
- 78 steps
- Visit the official website for more info here
A LITTLE MORE patience
All the photos, maps, information, good addresses to make your stay in Provence a success, will soon be gathered in a single ebook!
3. Visit the Church of St. Francis of Assisi
The Church of St. Francis of Assisi is the spiritual heart of Port Grimaud. We appreciated its modern architecture, designed in the 1960s by François Spoerry, which is nonetheless inspired by Provençal traditions. It is ecumenical and accommodates both Catholic and Protestant worship services.
Its stained-glass windows, designed by the artist Victor Vasarely, cast colorful light throughout the building. You can sit down for a few moments to watch the play of colors on the white walls.
- Free admission
- Stained-glass windows created by Victor Vasarely
- Visit the official website for more info here
4. Take a boat tour of the canals
The canals of Port Grimaud are perfect for a ride on an electric boat—a unique way to explore this lakeside town. You can rent a small private boat to explore the islets at your leisure. The locals, for their part, use water taxis—solar-powered boats—for their daily commutes.
This will allow you to view the facades and private gardens from the water, from a different perspective than when walking along the promenade. No license is required to operate these small boats.
- On-site rental of individual electric boats
- not before 10 a.m.
OUR TPS FOR RENTING YOUR CAR IN Provence
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is powerful enough (the roads are steep) but compact (some passages are narrow).
- Remember to take outcomprehensive insurance (some roads are winding and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
5. Enjoy the beach
Port Grimaud has its own beach, located right nearby (a 10-minute walk). We found the spot to be quiet, in a sunny location, and offering a view of Saint-Tropez across the gulf. There, you can go for a swim or simply relax after visiting the canals and the church. Several other beaches in the gulf are also just a few minutes’ drive away, offering a variety of views of the bay.
- Sandy beach, free access
- Beach bar, lounge chairs
- sailing school
- equipment rental
6. Take the Little Train to Grimaud
The Little Tourist Train connects Port Grimaud to the hilltop village of Grimaud, offering a guided tour lasting about 50 minutes. We enjoyed being able to walk down to the village center to explore its narrow streets, before taking the train back later using the same ticket.
This way, you can explore the feudal castle and soak up the Provençal atmosphere of the village without having to get back in the car. This route allows you to combine a visit to the lakeside town and the historic village of Grimaud into a single outing. See more photos in our article on Grimaud.
- Departures from Avenue de la Mer in Port Grimaud
- Open from April through mid-October (groups welcome year-round by reservation)
- Price: approximately €10 (adults), €6 (children ages 3 to 11)
- Visit the official website for more info here
- Book your ticket now to save time!
7. Explore the Provençal market
The Port Grimaud market is held at the Place du Marché every Thursday and Sunday morning. We strolled among the stalls selling fruit, vegetables, flowers, and Provençal products. You’ll also find local specialties and handicrafts there, in a lively atmosphere along the canal. This is a chance to do a little shopping before continuing your tour of the lakeside town.
- Market days: Thursday and Sunday
- Hours: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Period: April through October
- Location: Place du Marché, Port Grimaud I
HAVE FUN WITH THESE activities
- Great kayak trips in:
Saint-Tropez to the Ramatuelle reserve
FromCassis to the Calanques - Helicopter flight from Cannes
- Shuttle service along the coast between Nice and Saint-Tropez
- Bike tours: eBike in Nice – Mountain biking in the Esterel massif
Things to Do in Port Grimaud: Other Ideas
- explore the area by bike
- Discover the works of art scattered throughout the area
- go canoeing
- Azur Park Amusement Park (in the evening)
- La Palmeraie Family Mini Golf (2-minute drive)
- Grimaud Karting Loisir (5-minute drive)
How to Get to Port Grimaud + Parking
Where is Port Grimaud?
- In the Var, in the heart of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez
- Saint-Tropez: about 7 km
- Sainte-Maxime: about 7 km
Parking in Port Grimaud
Parking in Port Grimaud is private and requires a fee from April through mid-October. It’s free from November through March. We recommend that you check in advance, especially during peak season when it tends to be busier.
Helpful Tips for Visiting Port Grimaud
How long and when?
Plan on half a day for a leisurely stroll through the town, or a full day if you include a boat tour, a trip to the beach, and an excursion to Grimaud. Spring and fall are quieter than summer, which is the busiest season.
Visiting with children
Port Grimaud is a great place to visit with the family. Children will enjoy climbing the bell tower, taking an electric boat ride along the canals, and swimming at the beach. The Little Train to Grimaud will also appeal to the youngest visitors, as will the colorful stalls at the Provençal market on Thursdays or Sundays.
Restaurants
We haven’t tried the restaurants in Port Grimaud yet. But there are plenty of good options all around the canals and on the beach.
Visiting Port Grimaud in Winter
The Little Train runs only from April through mid-October; outside the tourist season, you’ll need to find another way to get to Grimaud. However, we found the lakeside town to be a pleasant place to explore in winter, with free parking and far fewer people on the canals.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO THE Côte d’Azur
- Inspiration
The most beautiful landscapes in 30 photos
Best things to do on the Côte d’Azur
Most beautiful villages
Best beaches on the Côte d’Azur
Most beautiful gardens
Most beautiful islands
Secret places
- Practical advice
Successful travel on the Côte d’Azur (coming soon)
Rent a car in Provence – in Nice – in Cannes – in Marseille – in Aix-en-Provence.
Itineraries: 5 days – 1 week – 10 days
Weekend ideas: best-of – romantic – luxury – unusual
- Where to stay
Where to stay on the Côte d’Azur
Best luxury hotels on the Côte d’Azur
Hotels by the sea
Best boutique-hotels
