Boat rental to Le Dramont
Home to the legendary Île d'Or — the golden island said to have inspired Hergé's Tintin — and a historic D-Day landing beach. Where the Estérel's red rocks meet turquoise water, Le Dramont blends natural beauty with fascinating history.
About Le Dramont
Le Dramont sits at the foot of the Estérel massif, where red porphyry cliffs meet turquoise Mediterranean water. Its tiny Port du Poussaï — just 90 berths — faces one of the most iconic sights on the Riviera: the Île d'Or, a small golden island topped by a Saracen-style tower that is said to have inspired Hergé's The Black Island in the Tintin series.
The beach at Le Dramont carries deep historical significance. On 15 August 1944, it was one of the primary landing sites for Operation Dragoon — the Allied invasion of southern France. The 36th US Infantry Division came ashore here under fire, and a memorial on the beach honours the soldiers who liberated the Riviera. Walking the same sand today, with the red cliffs and blue sea as a backdrop, is a profoundly moving experience.
Above the port, the Sémaphore du Dramont — a former naval signal station — sits at 130 metres altitude and offers one of the most spectacular panoramic viewpoints on the coast. The 1-hour hike through pine forest and red rock is rewarded with views stretching from the Île d'Or below to the snow-capped Alps on the horizon.
The waters around Le Dramont are exceptionally clear, with visibility regularly exceeding 15 metres. Red rock continues below the surface, creating a colourful underwater world popular with snorkellers and divers. A boat rental from Saint-Tropez via Saint-Raphaël brings you here in 35 minutes — arriving by sea with the Île d'Or growing from a golden speck to a fairytale island is an experience in itself.
Practical information
Port du Poussaï — 90 berths
Île d'Or (Tintin island)
Turquoise, crystal-clear coves
From €440 per trip (1-10 pax)
History buffs, kayakers, hikers
Île d'Or at sunset from the harbour
Where to eat in Le Dramont
Harbourside and beachfront restaurants serving fresh seafood with views of the Île d'Or and the red Estérel cliffs.
Le Poussaï
Mediterranean seafood
Harbourside tables at Port du Poussaï with grilled loup de mer and a direct view of the Île d'Or
La Plage du Débarquement
Beach bistro
Feet in the sand on the historic D-Day beach, salade niçoise, fresh moules, and local rosé
Chez Antoine
Provençal
Family-run restaurant near the Sémaphore trailhead, seasonal tian de légumes and slow-cooked daube
L'Île d'Or
French contemporary
Named after the famous island, inventive seafood tasting menu with panoramic terrace views
Things to do in Le Dramont
Kayak to the Île d'Or
The legendary Île d'Or — a tiny fortified island topped by a Saracen-style tower — sits just 200 metres offshore. Said to have inspired Hergé's 'The Black Island' in Tintin, it's an easy kayak trip from the beach. You can't land (it's privately owned), but paddling around it with the red Estérel cliffs behind is magical.
WWII History Trail — Operation Dragoon
On 15 August 1944, the beach at Le Dramont was one of the main landing sites for Operation Dragoon — the Allied invasion of southern France. A memorial and information panels along the beach tell the story of the 36th US Infantry Division's landing. The Musée des Troupes de Marine in nearby Fréjus provides deeper context.
Sémaphore du Dramont Hike
The 1-hour trail from the port climbs through pine forest and red rock to the Sémaphore du Dramont — a former naval signal station at 130m altitude. The panoramic views are extraordinary: the Île d'Or below, the Estérel peaks inland, and on clear days the coastline stretching from the Maures to the Lérins islands.
Snorkelling Among Red Rocks
The rocky shoreline around Le Dramont features underwater extensions of the red porphyry cliffs, creating a colourful habitat for wrasse, sea bream, octopus, and sea fans. The water is exceptionally clear — visibility often exceeds 15 metres in summer. The coves east of the port are the best spots.
How to get to Le Dramont by boat rental
Book your rental
Reserve online or call us. The Le Dramont route runs via Saint-Raphaël with daily departures from June to September.
Pick up from Saint-Tropez port
Meet your captain at the Vieux Port in Saint-Tropez. We send you the exact berth location by SMS before departure.
Arrive at Port du Poussaï
After 35 minutes along the coast, cruise past the Île d'Or and into the tiny Port du Poussaï. Your captain drops you at the harbour. Return boat available all day.