Nestled on the heights of the Saint-Tropez peninsula, the village of Ramatuelle seduced us with its medieval charm, breathtaking views and authentic Provencal ambiance.
Find our guide to the village’s must-see places, our useful tips and photos to help you plan 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.
1. Contemplate the panorama of the Ramatuelle nature reserve
From the village, you can enjoy breathtaking views over the Ramatuelle nature reserve. On the horizon, you can even make out the bright azure Mediterranean Sea. We were amazed by the show!
Take a look at the observation table to find your bearings on the Saint-Tropez peninsula. The Bay of Pampelonne and the Cap Camarat lighthouse are particularly well worth a visit. These are 2 must-visit spots in the commune! By the way, Plage de Pampelonne features in our article on the best beaches in Saint-Tropez.
Opt for an outdoor activity in the Ramatuelle nature reserve to discover sublime landscapes while having fun:
- Tempted by an electric bike tour with wine tasting? – see prices, photos and availability.
- If you like horseback riding, the same activities are available on horseback – see prices, photos and availability.
2. Stroll through the historic center
The snail-like layout of the village center totally charmed us! Ramatuelle is renowned for its picturesque narrow streets and traditional stone houses.
During your stroll, don’t miss the Eiffel staircase on Place Gabriel Péri, the 15th-century shopkeepers’ stall and the town’s oldest association, Le Cercle du Littoral.
We loved the shady squares lined with plants, and discovering the charming signs at the bend in the narrow streets. In places, the vegetation nibbled away at the facades of the houses. Although the village is quite small and quick to explore, it has a lot of character.
You can visit on your own if you have a car, or opt for an organized tour – see prices, photos and availability.
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).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
3. Admire Notre-Dame Church
Built in the late 16th century to replace the medieval edifice known as Notre-Dame du Pin, Ramatuelle’s church backs onto the ancient ramparts surrounding the village. Its bell tower is the remnant of a 14th-century watchtower.
The impressive wooden entrance door, adorned with a rich serpentine portal (green porphyry blocks extracted from a quarry in Cavalaire’s Quartier de la Carrade) really piqued our curiosity. It was an invitation to come in!
Once inside, we observed:
- the 3 santons featuring Saint Joseph, the Blessed Virgin (both listed as historic monuments) and a baby Jesus donated by actor Jean-Claude Brialy,
- Reliquary busts of Saint-André (patron saint of the parish), Saint-Tropez and Sainte-Maxime,
- the choir and its majestic 17th-century altarpiece,
- the colorful decoration painted on the vault,
- a commemorative plaque in honor of the crews of 4 submarines that disappeared off Cap Camarat between 1946 and 1970.
Practical information
- Opening hours are not clearly indicated.
- Admission is free.
- More information on the Tourist Office website here.
4. Cross the vaulted passage of the Porte Sarrasine
During your visit to the village, you’ll have to pass through the Saracen Gate. It is very well preserved. In just a few steps, we stepped back in time to immerse ourselves in a medieval atmosphere. This is the best way to enter or leave the old town of Ramatuelle in our opinion! On the other side, the view of the nature reserve beckoned.
Take the time to look at the door, and you’ll certainly be able to make out the portcullis slide and the hinges added in 1792. From the outside, 2 stone arms, once used to support a watchtower, are still visible. As you can see from our photos, the climbing plants made observation more difficult.
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
5. Spend the night in Ramatuelle
Do you love wide open spaces and nature? If so, we highly recommend staying at Hôtel Les Bouis. It features in our selection of the best places to stay in and around Saint-Tropez!
Nestled in the heart of the Ramatuelle nature reserve, this establishment is just an 8-minute drive from the village. It has a lot of character. Its typical Provencal architecture, orange facade, large swimming pool and incredible view won us over – see prices, photos and availability.
6. Enjoy the lively atmosphere of restaurant terraces
On either side of Rue Victor Léon, a succession of restaurants created a lively, convivial atmosphere. If you’re a gourmet (like us), take the opportunity to try one of the village’s fine restaurants, or simply enjoy a drink on the terrace!
Storefronts varied in color and shape. We were particularly attracted by the rock façades, which echoed Ramatuelle’s medieval history, and those covered in vegetation!
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7. Observe the Font-D’Avaou wash-house
Still on Rue Victor Léon, opposite Atelier De La Forge, you’ll see a trompe-l’oeil of the Font-D’Avaou washhouse. It shows 3 women washing clothes, chatting to each other. Its construction date is unknown. The spring, called Font-d’Abas, lies below the village.
It’s important to note that these fountains and wash-houses were much more than functional places. They served as meeting and socializing points for the villagers.
8. Dreaming in the Rue des Amoureux
Before leaving the village, take time to daydream in the Rue des Amoureux. In the surrounding area, the cobbled streets are very narrow and overflowing with flowers and plants. This place is full of charm, and is truly the ideal place to get away from it all. You’ll end your visit on a poetic note!
HAVE FUN WITH THESE activities
- Great kayak trips in:
Saint-Tropez to the Ramatuelle reserve
Cassis 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
Other things to do in and around Ramatuelle
We’ve listed our must-sees above, but you can also take advantage of the opportunity to..:
- Sunbathe on the famous Plage de Pampelonne, made famous by Brigitte Bardot.
- Pay your respects at the ASSDN Memorial, a national monument designed by Courbier and inaugurated in 1959.
- See the old prisons, built during the reign of Napoleon III.
- Discover the Cap Camarat lighthouse and its splendid landscapes!
- Contemplate the Moulins de Paillas.
- Visit the Chapelle Sainte-Anne, used as a filming location for the movie Le Gendarme se marie starring Louis de Funès.
Don’t miss Saint-Tropez and its lively port, which attracts stars from all over the world!
It’s also the perfect opportunity to enjoy a nautical activity in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez:
- To enjoy the scenery, we recommend a kayak trip – see prices, photos and availability.
- For the more adventurous, why not take to the water in an electric foil? – See prices, photos and availability.
- For a pleasant moment at sunset, come aboard a Provencal fishing boat – see prices, photos and availability.
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Is the village of Ramatuelle worth a visit?
Totally! Nestled in the hills overlooking the famous Baie de Pampelonne and its dreamy beach, Ramatuelle is a picturesque little Provencal village. We loved strolling along its cobbled streets, looking at its stone houses.
Although it offers fewer opportunities for exploration than other villages, it boasts breathtaking views of the nature reserve and the sea on the horizon. In our opinion, it’s one of the most beautiful villages around Saint-Tropez, and even on the Côte d’Azur!
How to get to Ramatuelle + parking
Where is the medieval village?
- In the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region,
- On the Saint-Tropez peninsula,
- In the heart of the inland commune of Ramatuelle,
- 15min drive south of Saint-Tropez,
- 15min drive south of Port Grimaud
- 20min drive south of Cavalaire-sur-Mer.
How to get there?
The easiest way to enjoy the village and the surrounding area is to rent a car.
By public transport, bus number 875 passes through the village of Ramatuelle. It serves Saint-Tropez and Gassin – more info here.
From Saint-Tropez, opt for an organized tour with a local guide – see the different excursion options here.
Parking Ramatuelle
Depending on the number of visitors, we advise you to park in the free parking areas outside the village along Boulevard du 8 Mai 1945. The charming old town is just a 5-minute walk away.
Otherwise, you’ll find parking spaces in Rue Georges Clémenceau.
Visiting Ramatuelle: useful tips
How long and when?
Allow 30min to stroll through the village, and more if you wish to enjoy a drink on the terrace of one of its pleasant restaurants.
Avoid the busy summer months. We recommend that you come early in the morning, before the tourists arrive, to enjoy the village’s picturesque atmosphere in peace and quiet. You’ll find it easier to park. Alternatively, opt for a visit at the end of the day.
Visiting directions and difficulties
The village is small and easy to explore if you don’t mind getting around. The floor is paved, but without any major height difference. It slopes slightly. Many alleyways are very narrow. There are a few staircases, which are not suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Conceived as a snail’s path, the historic center is a logical place to visit. Download here the Ramatuelle tourist circuit.
Visiting with children
We didn’t see any specific attractions for children.
However, they should appreciate the labyrinthine streets and medieval ambience of the village!
Restaurants
Feeling peckish? Here are 2 fast-food restaurants in the village:
- Restaurant L’Estable: a simple, effective menu, affordable prices and a pleasant setting.
- Restaurant La Grignote: a small outdoor terrace, good value for money and a friendly atmosphere.
For more choice, head for Saint-Tropez, where the restaurant scene is rich in quality!
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
Best boat tours (coming soon)
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
SHE MADE THE TRIP Claire
