Boat rental to Port Grimaud
Discover the "Provençal Venice" — a car-free lakeside village of colourful houses, canals, and charming marinas, just 15 minutes by boat from Saint-Tropez.
About Port Grimaud
Port Grimaud is a unique lakeside city built in the 1960s by visionary architect François Spoerry. Often called the "Venice of Provence" (la Venise provençale), the village was designed entirely around water: colourful fisherman-style houses line a network of canals, each home with its own private mooring.
Despite being a relatively modern creation, Port Grimaud was built using traditional Provençal materials and techniques — terracotta roofs, pastel-painted facades, stone archways — giving it an authenticity that has earned it the prestigious Patrimoine du XXe siècle label from the French Ministry of Culture.
The village is entirely car-free. Visitors explore on foot or by small electric boats that glide through the canals. The central square hosts a lively market, and canal-side restaurants serve fresh seafood and chilled Provençal rosé. It is one of the most charming and photogenic spots on the entire French Riviera.
What to do in Port Grimaud
A car-free village where every street leads to water. Explore the canals, visit a Vasarely masterpiece, and dine with your feet almost in the water.
Explore the canals
Wander through the colourful canal-side streets or take a small boat tour through the waterways. Every house has its own mooring — the entire village is designed around the water.
Church of Saint-François-d'Assise
Visit this striking lakeside church topped with a mosaic by Victor Vasarely. The stained-glass windows cast colourful light across the interior — a hidden gem of modern sacred art.
Market days
The Thursday and Sunday markets fill the main square with Provençal produce, local crafts, lavender, olive oil, and artisan goods. Arrive early for the best selection.
Waterside dining
Restaurants line the canals and the main port. Enjoy fresh seafood, Provençal cuisine, and chilled rosé with views of colourful facades reflected in the water.
Why arrive by boat rental?
The perfect arrival
Port Grimaud is a village built on water — arriving by boat is the way it was meant to be experienced. Your captain drops you directly at the marina, and you step into the car-free village immediately. No parking lots, no shuttle buses, no long walks.
15 minutes door to door
The boat ride from Saint-Tropez port to Port Grimaud takes just 15 minutes across the bay. By car, the same journey takes 25-40 minutes depending on traffic — and finding parking at Port Grimaud in summer can add another 15-20 minutes.
Scenic crossing
Enjoy stunning views of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez as you cross from one port to the other. Watch the colourful facades of Port Grimaud emerge as you approach — a postcard-perfect introduction to one of Provence's most photogenic villages.
Visit the Provençal Venice by boat
The most scenic way to arrive at Port Grimaud. 15 minutes from Saint-Tropez, directly to the marina. Book online or call.