Today, it seems impossible to imagine Saint-Tropez without its beaches. And especially without THE beach, that of Pampelonne.

Certainly one of the most beautiful in Europe. It is not by chance that its 4.5 kilometres of fine sand sheltered from the Mistral wind are classified as an “area of natural beauty”. The wild splendour of this bay, which has no road in front of the sea, has been jealously preserved to the rhythm of the installation of beach restaurants that evolve to be ever more refined, ever more exclusive, ever more crazy. But which one to choose?

CLUB 55

Let’s start this overview with the Club 55, the beach club that created the Tropezian legend. The story of this unique establishment has become legendary: Bernard de Colmont bought a piece of land on the seafront in Ramatuelle in 1954 to live there with his wife Geneviève and their children in wooden cabins that he built himself. 

One day in 1955, a young stranger of 19 years old named Brigitte Bardot,  thinking that the Colmonts are restaurateurs, asks Geneviève if she can cook for the film crew of « And God created woman... » And so the Colmont family’s beachfront cabins became an improvised canteen for 80 people and Club 55 was born! In 1972, Club 55 was taken over by Patrice de Colmont after the death of his mother. Fifty years later, this gentleman of the sands is still at the helm of the flagship of the Tropezian art of living.

TAHITI BEACH

Change of scene with Tahiti Beach, created in 1952, three years before Club 55. It all began when Félix Palmari, a former police officer from Marseille, bought a small piece of beach in the Pinet neighbourhood to plant orange umbrellas and set up a simple bar.

The oldest of the “organized beaches” soon counted among its regulars the likes of Kirk Douglas, Françoise Sagan, Charles Aznavour, Serge Gainsbourg and Johnny Hallyday. Félix Palmari passed away in 2006, but his children, Felicia and Patrick, took over this seven-hectare beach, whose regulars say that its tables the best in the region. Now with three restaurants, a 25-room hotel, swimming pool, tennis court, hair salon and boutiques  Tahiti Beach is taking waterfront luxury to a whole new level.  

INDIE BEACH

The Bay of Pampelonne now has around thirty private beaches, each with its own atmosphere. Like Indie Beach, one of the latest arrivals, whose nomadic spirit can be found in its hippie chic decor and Mediterranean menu with a focus on tapas.

NIKKI BEACH

Another institution, Nikki Beach, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary in Ramatuelle this year, is internationally known, present from Miami to Saint Barth, and from Dubai to Ibiza. Its name is synonymous with parties and evenings as adventurous as they are elegant. With a motto, “tell only your best friends”. You have been warned! 

Letting yourself be guided is one of the best ways not to make a mistake when visiting these hot spots of the Côte d’Azur for the first time. Notably because some of these beaches are difficult to find, or that finding a beach umbrella is sometimes mission impossible in high season.

View Properties for sale in Pampelonne, Saint Tropez 

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