Boat rental
in Grimaud
Port Grimaud, medieval village, Gulf of Saint-Tropez: discover the Venice of Provence by sea. Departure from Sainte-Maxime, 15 minutes sailing, with or without skipper.
The Venice of Provence, accessible by sea
Grimaud combines two faces: a medieval hilltop village perched above the Maures massif, with its 11th-century castle and cobbled lanes, and Port Grimaud below, a lakeside city created in the 1960s by architect François Spoerry. Its Venetian canals, colourful houses and private pontoons make it a unique site in Provence. From Sainte-Maxime, 15 minutes of sailing is all it takes to enter the canals and discover this singular architecture from the water.
We offer trips to Grimaud throughout the season, half-day or full day. Our skippers know the canal navigation rules, the mooring zones in Cogolin Bay and the best addresses accessible from the port. Whether you're targeting a canal-side terrace lunch, a medieval village visit, or a sunset from the castle ruins, we tailor the itinerary to your wishes.
Grimaud must-sees
15 min · Venetian canals
Colourful houses, private pontoons, direct boat access
11th-century medieval castle
Castle ruins, panoramic views over the Gulf of Saint-Tropez
Roman granite bridge
Listed historical monument, nature walk along the river
Fine sand · Families
Shallow water, ideal for children, mooring 100m offshore
Calm anchorage · Sand bottom
Sheltered from Mistral, 3-5m depth, overnight possible
Marina
Modern marina, quayside restaurants, harbour office
Sailing to Grimaud: winds and conditions
Wind impact on Port Grimaud
- Mistral (NW) · Port Grimaud is sheltered from the Mistral by the Maures massif. The canals remain calm even in moderate wind. Cogolin Bay offers protected anchorage. Above 30 knots, sailing outside the canals is not recommended.
- Easterly (east) · rarer but creates chop in the bay. Port Grimaud's canals remain sheltered. Above 15 knots, we favour canal navigation and anchoring in Cogolin Bay.
Water and air by month
Apr
15°C
18°C
May
17°C
21°C
Juin
21°C
26°C
Jul
23°C
29°C
Aug
25°C
30°C
Sept
23°C
27°C
Oct
21°C
22°C
Water / air (average)
Boats suited for the Grimaud canals
From a nimble RIB to explore the canals to a comfortable yacht for a Gulf of Saint-Tropez day. All maintained in Sainte-Maxime, fully insured.
More destinations from Sainte-Maxime
Combine Grimaud with other Gulf stops. Each destination has its own page with travel time and spots to see.
Grimaud trip pricing
4h
Half day
Morning or afternoon
From 350€
Per boat, to share
- Port Grimaud round trip
- Skipper +€200
- Fuel not included (~€50)
8h
Full day
9am-5pm
From 550€
Per boat, to share
- Port Grimaud + Gulf of Saint-Tropez
- Skipper +€400
- Fuel at cost (~€80)
Where to eat and what to see
The best addresses in Port Grimaud and the medieval village, accessible from the anchorage. Reservation recommended — we can book for you.
Le Suffren
Port Grimaud restaurant, canal views
Port Grimaud · €40-70/person
La Table du Mareyeur
Fresh fish, sea-facing terrace
Port Grimaud · €60-100/person
Café de la Fontaine
Medieval village square, Provençal atmosphere
Grimaud Village · €25-45/person
Grimaud Market
Provençal market every Thursday morning
Grimaud Village · local produce, crafts
Les Viviers du Pilon
Oysters and seafood, feet in the water
Grimaud · €35-60/person
La Tartane
Beach restaurant, direct boat access
Port Grimaud Beach · €40-65/person
A Port Grimaud & medieval village day
9:00 AM: meet at Sainte-Maxime port, safety briefing, head west. 9:15 AM: enter Port Grimaud canals, slow cruise past colourful houses and flower-lined pontoons. 10:30 AM: moor at Port Grimaud, terrace coffee facing the canals. 11:30 AM: taxi to the medieval village, cobbled streets, Saint-Michel church. 1:00 PM: lunch at Le Suffren on the port, catch of the day facing the water. 3:00 PM: swim at Port Grimaud Beach, shallow water. 4:30 PM: climb to the castle ruins for sunset over the Gulf. 6:00 PM: sail back to Sainte-Maxime, golden light on the Maures.
Reaching Sainte-Maxime to board
From Toulon-Hyères (TLN)
- Drive: 1h (A57)
- Partner VTC: €220
Saint-Raphaël train
- TGV from Paris: 5h direct
- Bus 876/877: 45 min · €3
- Taxi: 15 min · €40
Grimaud calendar
Les Grimaldines Festival
Theatre, music and dance festival in the medieval village. Open-air performances in the castle ruins.
Night markets
Evening artisan markets at Port Grimaud. Local crafts, Provençal products, summer atmosphere.
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez
Legendary regatta visible from Port Grimaud. Follow the sailboats from the water with our dedicated itinerary.
14 July fireworks
Saint-Tropez and Sainte-Maxime fireworks visible from Port Grimaud anchorage — special evening cruise.
Provençal market
Every Thursday morning in the medieval village. Local produce perfect for a sea picnic.
Ecumenical Church
Port Grimaud's church, designed by Spoerry, offers panoramic views from its bell tower. Free visit.
Safety
Fully insured yachts, commercially licensed skippers, children's life jackets, liferaft on every hull.
4.9/5 on 47 reviews
Clients rate boat quality, skipper punctuality and transparent pricing.
Concierge
Restaurant booking, aperitif boards, partner caterers, onboard photographer on request.
Frequently asked questions
How do I reach Port Grimaud by boat from Sainte-Maxime?
Depart from Sainte-Maxime port, head west along the coast. Allow 15 minutes of sailing. Port Grimaud's canal entrance is marked and accessible to boats under 12 metres with a draft below 1.5m. Our skippers know the internal navigation rules (speed limited to 3 knots in the canals).
Can you navigate the canals of Port Grimaud?
Yes, the main canals are open to leisure boating. Speed is limited to 3 knots and some secondary canals are reserved for residents. Our skippers know the optimal route to admire the colourful houses, bridges and the Market square from the water.
What's the best season to visit Grimaud by boat?
June and September offer the best conditions: 22-23°C water, light winds, fewer people in the canals and on the beaches. July-August for the summer atmosphere and evening markets. May and October for calm outings at reduced prices.
How much does a day trip to Grimaud cost?
Half-day from €350, full day from €550 (per boat, shared among passengers). Skipper extra: +€200 half-day, +€400 full day. Fuel billed on return based on actual consumption (€50-80 for a Grimaud round trip).
Can we visit the medieval village from the port?
Yes, Grimaud's medieval village is 3 km from the port. Moor at Port Grimaud, then reach the village in 10 minutes by taxi or 30 minutes on foot. The cobbled streets, 11th-century castle and panoramic Gulf views are well worth the detour.
Is there anchorage near Port Grimaud?
Yes, Cogolin Bay offers excellent sand-bottom anchorage, 3-5 metres depth, sheltered from the Mistral. Port Grimaud beach also allows mooring 100 metres from shore. Posidonia zones to avoid are flagged by our skippers.
What is there to see in the Grimaud area by boat?
From Grimaud, sail to Saint-Tropez (20 min), Pampelonne beaches (30 min), Sainte-Maxime (15 min) or the Marines de Cogolin marina (5 min). Port Grimaud is an ideal starting point to explore the entire Gulf of Saint-Tropez on a full-day trip.
Can we fish near Grimaud?
Yes, Cogolin Bay and the waters around Port Grimaud are good for recreational fishing (sea bream, sea bass, sargo). Fishing is allowed outside navigation channels and swimming zones. Fishing gear available on board on request.
Ready to discover Grimaud by sea?
Personalised quote within 2 hours. No deposit before written confirmation. Free cancellation 72h before.