To choose where to stay in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, the most important thing is first the area. Saint-Tropez, Gassin, Ramatuelle, Pampelonne or Sainte-Maxime offer very different experiences, particularly when it comes to beaches, atmosphere and getting around.
The areas at a glance
| Area | Distance from Saint-Tropez | Beach | Atmosphere | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint-Tropez village | On the spot | Town beaches | Lively | Doing everything on foot |
| Gassin | About 15 min | By car | Quiet, views over the gulf | Peace and panorama |
| Ramatuelle | About 11 km | Pampelonne | Village, vineyards | Beaches and nature |
| Pampelonne | Nearby | On the spot | Beach clubs | Staying close to the sea |
| Sainte-Maxime / Grimaud | About 16 km | Local beaches | More family-oriented | Keeping to a budget |
Saint-Tropez village
This is the best area for doing everything on foot. The harbour, the lanes, the shops, the restaurants, the citadel and the town beaches are all easy to reach.
On the other hand, the centre is very busy in July and August and traffic can be heavy.
Choose it if: you are looking for buzz, restaurants and evenings at the harbour.
Gassin
Gassin offers a good compromise between proximity to Saint-Tropez, peace and views over the gulf. Perched at around 200 metres above sea level, the village overlooks the bay and the vineyards.
The beaches and the harbour do, however, require a short journey.
Choose it if: you want to sleep somewhere quiet with a sea view, while staying close to Saint-Tropez.
Ramatuelle
Ramatuelle is ideal for those who come mainly for the beaches. The hilltop village is surrounded by vines and lies about 11 kilometres from Saint-Tropez.
Pampelonne beach is within the commune, but getting between the village and the coast generally requires a car.
Choose it if: Pampelonne and the peninsula’s beaches are at the heart of your stay.
Pampelonne
Pampelonne lets you stay as close as possible to the beach. Its bay stretches for about 4.5 kilometres and is home to many restaurants and beach establishments.
Access to the sand is free; the services offered by the establishments are paid.
Choose it if: you want to spend your days between the beach, restaurants and beach clubs.
Sainte-Maxime and Grimaud
Sainte-Maxime and Grimaud offer a quieter and often more affordable alternative. Sainte-Maxime lies about 16 kilometres from Saint-Tropez and has its own beaches.
The Bateaux Verts sea shuttle also makes it possible to reach Saint-Tropez from Sainte-Maxime without a car.
Choose it if: you are looking for more space and want to keep to a budget.
Do you need a car?
It depends on the area:
- Saint-Tropez village: not essential.
- Gassin: handy for reaching the beaches and Saint-Tropez.
- Ramatuelle / Pampelonne: strongly recommended.
- Sainte-Maxime: the sea shuttle gets you to Saint-Tropez without a car.
Where to stay for peace and quiet with a sea view?
Gassin is one of the best options for combining peace, panorama and proximity to Saint-Tropez.
It is in the hills of Gassin that you will find the Kube Saint-Tropez, set in two hectares of Mediterranean gardens with views over the gulf, about ten minutes by bike from the centre of Saint-Tropez.
The hotel is reserved for guests aged 12 and over and open from April to October, for a peaceful stay while remaining close to the peninsula’s main sights.
See also: when to visit Saint-Tropez · visit the village of Saint-Tropez · the most beautiful beaches
FAQ
No. The village is the only area where you can do without a car, but Gassin is a quarter of an hour away, and the sea shuttle links Sainte-Maxime and Port-Grimaud directly to the harbour.
Ramatuelle, the commune in which Pampelonne lies, or an address near the bay. From the village of Saint-Tropez, the beach can be reached by road or by sea, and summer shuttles serve several communes of the gulf in season, including Saint-Tropez and Ramatuelle.
Sainte-Maxime, about 16 kilometres away, and the Grimaud area. The Bateaux Verts sea shuttle lets you stay there without facing the road to get to Saint-Tropez; the same service serves Port-Grimaud, the Marines de Cogolin and Les Issambres.
The heights, in Gassin as in Ramatuelle. They offer views over the gulf and silence at night, at the cost of a few minutes’ drive down to the village or the beach.
About 25 kilometres of coastline, between Sainte-Maxime, Saint-Tropez, Ramatuelle, Gassin, Cogolin, La Croix-Valmer and Cavalaire. From one end to the other, driving times are not the same.