Saint-Tropez may be the name that draws the world to this corner of the French Riviera, but just across the Gulf of Saint-Tropez lies a unique place many don't talk about. Port Grimaud's pastel houses, arched bridges, and canals lined with boats offer an easy day trip from Saint Tropez.
A trip to this part of Var is best made by boat. The drive along the coast is scenic, but summer brings painful traffic jams on the 4.3-mile journey. If you don’t want to arrive exhausted, take advantage of the soothing boat ride.
The boat trip from Saint-Tropez takes about twenty-five minutes. The journey is part of the experience: Saint-Tropez recedes behind you, the beauty of the Mediterranean Sea adds a delightful spark to the day, as Port Grimaud slowly appears on the horizon.
At first glance, Port Grimaud's narrow lanes, tiled roofs, small squares, and canal-side houses suggest a place in another part of Europe. The man behind the project is François Spoerry. He was an Alsatian architect and sailor who dreamed of building a place where life would be organized around the sea.
He aimed to build something beyond a marina. Instead, he wanted a place for people who loved boats, homes with moorings, streets that met canals, and a layout where land and water were linked in a unique way. Once marshland at the bottom of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, Spoerry saw possibilities where others only saw extreme challenges.
Beginning in the 1960s, he transformed the place, inspired by his travels, Mediterranean ports, and Provençal design. Instead of the concrete modernism common at the time, he favored what he referred to as a gentler approach: warm colors and varied façades that give the village its charm.
This is why Port Grimaud is often referred to as the "Venice of Provence." Like Venice, it is best experienced from the water. Canals move through the village like streets, small boats glide past doorways, and bridges frame views of façades reflected in the water. But don’t read too much into the Venice comparison. Port Grimaud is tiny when compared to Venice.
The waterfront town rewards unhurried wandering, particularly in the morning. Climbing flowers against pale walls, small boats tied outside private homes, and sudden glimpses of the canals between buildings. The houses vary subtly in color, form, and decoration. That variety gives the place a distinct quality.
A small electric or low-speed boat ride here follows the waterways through the village, offering the best perspective on Spoerry’s design. It is the most photogenic way to see the village, especially when the sun catches the water and reflects the colors of the houses.
After the boat ride, visit the Église Saint-François d'Assise church, whose bell tower offers one of the finest views over the village. From here, visitors can look out across the canals, terracotta rooftops, and the wider Gulf of Saint-Tropez.
Lunch is best kept simple and waterside. Order seafood, a Provençal salad, or grilled fish, and let the pace slow down. Port Grimaud's appeal lies in the rhythm of boats coming and going, and the sound of water against stone.
After lunch, browse the small boutiques and artisan shops, stop for some ice cream, or continue toward the beach. Port Grimaud has a relaxed seaside atmosphere, and a short walk can take you from the canals to the sandy beach. This makes an ideal pause before the return journey: a swim, a quiet hour by the water, or a long gaze back across the gulf toward Saint-Tropez.
If there’s a desire to add a different vibe to the day, combine Port Grimaud with the hilltop village of Grimaud. There’s a sharp contrast to these places. Port Grimaud is modern and maritime; Grimaud village is medieval and crowned by castle ruins. Together, they tell a broader story of the region, from fortified Provençal village to Riviera waterfront dream.
If the thought of touring a medieval village isn't appealing, worry not. Port Grimaud alone is more than enough for a day trip. It offers the rare pleasure of a place that feels designed and poetic.
By late afternoon, return to your base in Saint-Tropez. The trip back is especially delightful when the light slowly mellows. Saint-Tropez will be waiting with its boutiques and evening energy. The memory of Port Grimaud will linger: canals instead of quays, pastel houses instead of polished yachts, and a Riviera mood that feels intimate and enchanting.
