Saint-Tropez Old Port & Village
A twenty-minute crossing from Sainte-Maxime is all it takes to reach the most photographed harbour on the French Riviera. Moor at the heart of the village, wander the cobblestone lanes, lunch at Sénéquier and return late afternoon — the iconic Gulf detour.
2-hour response · Free cancellation 72h before · No commitment
Saint-Tropez from the water, the insiders' way
Arriving at Saint-Tropez by sea is like re-living the opening scene of dozens of films: pastel façades along Quai Jean Jaurès, yachts lined up by size, the Citadelle silhouette as backdrop. From Sainte-Maxime, the crossing takes exactly twenty minutes — enough for an onboard espresso, a briefing from your skipper and a first glimpse of Pointe du Pinet.
Old Port mooring is on a visitor slot (reserve the day before by VHF channel 9 with the harbour master, 3-hour flat fee around €60 depending on boat size). Otherwise, anchor at Canoubiers Bay or Plage des Graniers with a tender run to the Tour du Portalet. Either way, you walk into the village without sweat or parking hunt — saving 90 minutes over the road option.
The village can be explored in an hour: the Ponche alleys, Place des Lices during the pétanque game, the Annonciade museum with its Signacs, the Tuesday and Saturday market on Place aux Herbes. Restaurateurs know port regulars — reserve Sénéquier for coffee, La Vague d'Or for a two-star lunch, or La Table du Mareyeur for honest value.
Our fleet suits this format: manoeuvrable boats, Bluetooth sound systems for the crossing, deck showers for a post-swim rinse. A professional skipper is recommended for port-mooring manoeuvres (€200/day), especially in July-August when slots are contested. You enjoy, they park.
Mooring at the heart of the village: you step off 50 metres from Place aux Herbes.
What you absolutely must see
Five iconic spots within a 10-minute walk of the port. An afternoon is enough to hit every must-see.
Sénéquier
Café · LegendaryThe legendary red terrace facing the port since 1887. €6 espresso, house tarte tropézienne at €9. No reservation needed for a morning coffee, but crowds from 11am. Brigitte Bardot's spot, Johnny Hallyday's, and now every holidaying Parisian. A must-do at least once.
Place des Lices
Square · MarketThe village's beating heart, with century-old plane trees and pétanque courts where Tropéziens play. Provençal market Tuesday and Saturday mornings (7am-1pm): flowers, Marseille soaps, olives, fish. Café des Arts for the 6pm pastis. 8 minutes on foot from the port.
Annonciade Museum
Culture · MuseumFormer 16th-century chapel converted into a museum in 1922. Unique pointillist collection (Signac, Cross, Matisse, Bonnard). €6 entry, closed Tuesdays. A quiet 45-minute visit. The best-kept secret of regulars escaping the midday sun.
Citadelle & Maritime Museum
Panorama · HistoryVauban fortress overlooking the bay, 15-minute climb from the port. 360° panorama of the Gulf, view over Sainte-Maxime and the Maures massif. Recent Maritime Museum (€8). Ideal for sunset photos — the golden light on Tropezian rooftops is unique.
La Vague d'Or (or alternative)
Restaurant · Fine dining3-star Michelin on Bouillabaisse beach, 10 min by taxi from the port. Lunch menu around €280 per person. For a softer budget, La Table du Mareyeur on the port (€80-120/person) or L'Olivier at Vieux Port (€60/person). Mandatory booking 72h ahead.
Your afternoon in Saint-Tropez
- 0113:30
Departure from Port de Sainte-Maxime
Welcome at Quai Léon Condroyer, quick briefing, departure 13:45. Onboard coffee during the crossing if needed. The skipper (if booked) handles VHF and Tropezian harbour master.
- 0214:10
Arrival at Old Port
Approach past Tour du Portalet, mooring at reserved slot (if confirmed the day before) or anchoring in the bay with tender. Step off in 2 minutes.
- 0314:30
Free roaming
Ponche alleys, Place des Lices, Annonciade museum, shopping rue Gambetta. Mandatory coffee at Sénéquier. The village is fully walkable — no car needed.
- 0416:00
Tasting or swim
Option 1: drink at Quai 55 facing the port with a Provençal sharing board. Option 2: back on board for a swim at Canoubiers Bay (clearer water than the port) before returning.
- 0517:30
Return to Sainte-Maxime
Departure from the port or the bay, relaxed sunset crossing. Arrival 17:50 at Sainte-Maxime. Option for a last drink on board at the quay.
For a successful Saint-Tropez visit
Reserve the mooring the day before
Old Port visitor slots are limited and allocated by priority to reservations. We call the harbour master the evening before on VHF 9 or +33 4 94 56 68 70. Without a reservation, anchoring in the bay + tender is mandatory.
Avoid summer peak hours
In July-August, Place des Lices is packed between 11am and 4pm. Favour the 9am-12pm slot (market) or after 5pm for aperitif. The Annonciade museum is the ideal air-conditioned refuge at noon.
Subtle dress code
Saint-Tropez stays casual-chic: linen shirt and shorts for men, light dress for women. Some restaurants (La Vague d'Or, Le Girelier) refuse swimwear and bare feet. Pack a town outfit in your bag.
Skipper recommended
Old Port mooring requires experience (wind, neighbouring yachts, VHF manoeuvres). €200/day for a Captain 200 licenced skipper handling everything. You arrive as relaxed passengers, perfect photo guaranteed.
Frequently asked questions
Can you dock at the Old Port of Saint-Tropez?
Yes, subject to reservation the day before. The harbour master allocates visitor slots (3h, 6h or 24h) based on availability. 3-hour fee around €60-80 for an 8m boat. Without a reservation, anchoring at Canoubiers Bay 500m away and free tender from the boat to Plage des Graniers.
How long is the crossing from Sainte-Maxime?
About 20 minutes in normal conditions (wind under 15 knots, moderate swell). The crossing runs southeast of the Gulf, past Pointe du Pinet. In strong winds (easterly over 20 knots), plan 30-35 minutes with less comfort.
Do I need to reserve a restaurant in advance?
For starred addresses (La Vague d'Or, Colette) and iconic ones (Sénéquier in the evening, Le Girelier, La Table du Mareyeur), booking is mandatory 72 hours in advance in high season. We handle the reservation at no cost if you let us know 48h before. For a terrace coffee or ice cream, no booking needed.
Are there beaches accessible from the port?
Yes: Plage des Graniers (5 min walk), a small quiet family beach, and Plage de la Bouillabaisse (10 min walk or tender). For Pampelonne, count 20 minutes by taxi or sail directly — another itinerary we offer.
Is it possible in winter?
Yes, we sail year-round subject to weather. From December to March, Saint-Tropez returns to its fishing-village soul: shops open, more authentic restaurants (La Bouillabaisse chez Ginette), off-season vibe. Same pricing, calmer navigation. Bring warm clothes — our boats have canopies and bimini.
Explore each stopover
Other itineraries to explore
Full dayPampelonne Beach Day
Cruise from Sainte-Maxime across the Gulf to the legendary beaches of Pampelonne. Drop anchor off Club 55, Nikki Beach, or Plage de Tahiti and enjoy crystal-clear waters all day.
Half dayPort Grimaud & Cogolin Canals
Discover the 'Venice of Provence' by boat. Navigate the colourful canals of Port Grimaud, then cruise to the Marines de Cogolin — a stunning 1,500-berth marina surrounded by vineyards.
Full dayEstérel Red Cliffs & Calanques
Head west along the coast to the dramatic red porphyry cliffs of the Estérel massif. Swim in hidden calanques, snorkel around Île d'Or, and explore the wild coastline between Agay and Anthéor.
Half daySunset Cruise Around the Gulf
Set sail in the late afternoon for a magical sunset cruise around the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. Watch the golden light paint the coastline as you glide past Cap Camarat and the Ramatuelle vineyards.
Full dayCap Taillat & Wild Beaches
Explore the wildest stretch of the Saint-Tropez peninsula. Anchor off Gigaro, swim at L'Escalet, and round the spectacular Cap Taillat — a narrow sandy peninsula accessible only by sea or hiking trail.
Want to see Saint-Tropez?
Half-day €450 boat + skipper option at €100 (half day). Book online or call us — 2-hour response with availability for your date.