Var · French Riviera · Gulf of Saint-Tropez
The Old Port, the lanes of La Ponche and Pampelonne beach, with no car to park and no queue to manage at the entrance to the peninsula. We plan the timings with you and bring you back to Nice in the evening.
Why go
At the far end of its gulf, Saint-Tropez has kept the layout of a small Provençal port: quays lined with ochre and pink façades, lanes climbing towards the Citadel and an old fishermen's quarter, La Ponche, open to the sea. Painters made it famous in the late nineteenth century, Paul Signac first among them, followed by film-makers and yachts. Behind the image, the village remains human in scale and is easily explored on foot.
The challenge is getting there: traffic heading for the peninsula funnels round the head of the gulf and builds quickly in summer. The sensible approach is to leave early, be dropped as close to the port as possible and leave the car to your chauffeur, who waits at the agreed point, takes you to Pampelonne or Ramatuelle in the afternoon and organises the drive back to Nice.
Essential sights
One day is enough to see them without rushing, from the port to the beaches of the peninsula.
01 · THE MOST FAMOUS
Yachts moored in front of colourful façades, traditional pointu fishing boats, café terraces and painters' easels along the quays. Beside the harbour, the Musée de l'Annonciade holds works by Signac and the painters drawn here by the light.
02 · THE FINEST VIEW
Built in the seventeenth century on the hill above the village, it now houses the maritime history museum. From its ramparts the view takes in the rooftops, the gulf, Sainte-Maxime and the Maures hills.
03 · THE MOST AUTHENTIC
The old fishermen's quarter beneath the Tour du Portalet: narrow lanes, houses huddled at the water's edge and a small sheltered beach. It is the most peaceful corner of the village, especially early in the morning.
04 · THE LIVELIEST
Beneath the plane trees, games of pétanque and busy cafés set the rhythm of the village. On Tuesday and Saturday mornings the market fills the square with Provençal produce, flowers and varied stalls: best visited early.
05 · THE LEGENDARY BEACH
The long sandy beach of Pampelonne stretches along the coast of Ramatuelle, with beach clubs and quieter stretches. Above it, the hilltop villages of Ramatuelle and Gassin look out over vineyards and the sea.
A typical day
An example programme, adjusted to every request: timings, stops and breaks are agreed with you before departure, according to the season and traffic.
07:30 · NICE
Saloon or van depending on your group, water on board. Your chauffeur takes the A8 motorway to Le Muy, then heads down to the gulf via Sainte-Maxime.
09:30 · SAINT-TROPEZ
Your chauffeur drops you at the closest permitted point to the harbour. Coffee on the quays, then Place des Lices, ideally on a Tuesday or Saturday, the market days.
11:00 · LA PONCHE · CITADEL
The lanes of La Ponche, the Tour du Portalet, then the walk up to the Citadel for the view over the gulf. Lunch in the village or on the way to the beaches.
14:00 · PAMPELONNE · RAMATUELLE
Your chauffeur drives you to Pampelonne for the beach, or up to the hilltop villages of Ramatuelle and Gassin, then waits for you at the agreed point.
19:30 · NICE
Departure around 5.30 pm, as agreed together. Possible variation: a stop at Port Grimaud, or a return after dinner, when the road is often quieter.
The road from Nice
Nice
Departure
Cannes
A8 motorway
Le Muy
Leave the A8
Sainte-Maxime
Gulf shore
Port Grimaud
Optional stop
Saint-Tropez
Old Port · La Ponche
Practical information
The quays and part of the centre are pedestrianised or restricted, especially in season. Your chauffeur drops you at the closest permitted point to the port, your hotel or your villa, and collects you there.
In July and August the gulf road can be very busy, both on arrival in the morning and in the late afternoon. An early start from Nice remains the best option, without a fixed journey time.
In season, boats link Sainte-Maxime and Port Grimaud with Saint-Tropez harbour. A practical option on busy days: your chauffeur drops you at the landing stage and meets you there again.
Cobbles, narrow lanes and the climb to the Citadel: comfortable shoes are a good idea. The port, La Ponche and Place des Lices are only a few minutes' walk from one another.
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez brings classic and modern yachts together in late September and early October, and the Bravade fills the village in mid-May. Book your chauffeur well ahead on those dates.
For a transfer, give us the exact address, any gate code and the number of suitcases. Some villas in Ramatuelle and Gassin are reached by narrow lanes, so we plan the right vehicle.
Our options
TRANSFER
From Nice or the airport, Terminal 1 or 2, to your hotel, your villa or Saint-Tropez harbour, with luggage declared when you book.
Fare confirmed before booking
MOST REQUESTED
A return trip in a day with a chauffeur at your disposal: the village in the morning, Pampelonne or Ramatuelle in the afternoon, planned with you.
Fare confirmed before booking
TAILOR-MADE
Transfers on arrival and departure, plus a chauffeur at your disposal for a dinner, an event or a visit to Ramatuelle, Gassin or Port Grimaud.
Fare confirmed before booking
Just need a transfer?
For a one-way or return trip without sightseeing, the route page covers pick-up, luggage and booking.
Related tours
A complete day in Saint-Tropez, linking the old harbour, historic lanes and Pampelonne beach.
See the tour
A full day shaped around art, hilltop villages, historic harbours and sweeping coastal scenery.
See the tour
Cannes after sunset, shaped around yachts, the red carpet, grand hotels and the old quarter.
See the tourFrequently asked questions
Another question? Message us on WhatsApp or book directly online.
Allow about 1 hr 45 for 115 km in good conditions, via the A8 and then the gulf road. In summer, traffic approaching the peninsula can lengthen the journey considerably, so the departure time is set accordingly.
The quays and part of the centre are pedestrianised or restricted. Your chauffeur drops you at the closest permitted point, a few minutes' walk from the Old Port, and collects you from the same place.
Yes, it is our most requested option. It leaves time to explore the village in the morning and enjoy Pampelonne or Ramatuelle in the afternoon before the drive back to Nice.
The price is per vehicle, not per person, and depends on the duration, the number of passengers and the stops. The fare is confirmed before you book, online or on WhatsApp.
Yes, subject to availability. Give us your flight number, Terminal 1 or 2, the number of passengers and suitcases, and the exact address of your hotel or villa.
May, June and September bring lovely light and lighter traffic. In July and August, leave Nice early. The Place des Lices market is held on Tuesday and Saturday mornings.
Guest experiences
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Combine with
Your day in Saint-Tropez
Number of passengers, pick-up address, a taste for the harbour, the market or the beach: we come back to you with realistic timings and a fare confirmed before booking. Book online or message us on WhatsApp.
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, published by their authors under free licences.
