The Saint-Tropez peninsula is one of France’s most stunning shorelines. Twenty kilometres of coast, wild coves, white sand beaches, turquoise water — a concentrated dose of Mediterranean. Here’s our pick of the most beautiful beaches, from total calm to the buzz of the beach clubs.
Bonporteau, Cavalaire’s secret
This is our beach, and we’re not entirely objective. Bonporteau is a small 300-metre cove of fine sand, framed by pine and rock, directly accessible from Villa Bella Vista. Crystal-clear water, fish-rich rocky seabeds (bring snorkel gear), calm vibe — far from Pampelonne’s bustle yet just 20 km as the crow flies.
Access is via the path along the stream; public shower at the entrance. Tip: get up early in summer to have the beach to yourself until 10 AM.
Pampelonne, the legend
You can’t talk about the peninsula without mentioning Pampelonne. Five kilometres of golden sand, half occupied by the famous beach clubs (Club 55, Nikki Beach, Bagatelle, Pearl Beach, Indie Beach…). This is where you come for the glamorous feet-in-the-sand lunch.
Our tip: for the public beach experience, park at Tamaris or Tahiti and walk south — the sand is wider and the crowds thinner. In high season, arrive before 11 AM or the parking is full.
Cap Lardier, the wild one
At the tip of the peninsula, Cap Lardier is one of the last protected beaches on the Côte d’Azur. Managed by the Coastal Conservancy, you can only reach it on foot from the Gigaro car park: a 15-minute walk through a shaded path opening onto a dream cove.
No bar, no restaurant, no sunbeds. Just sea, sand, rocks. Bring a picnic, water and a hat — there’s no shade on the sand itself.
Gigaro, the perfect balance
Gigaro is our favourite when we want a still-preserved setting but with paillotes for lunch. Three kilometres of fine sand, shallow water, several discreet beach restaurants. It’s also the starting point for the walk to Cap Lardier.
15 minutes by car from Villa Bella Vista.
L’Escalet, the wild cove
To the southeast of the peninsula, L’Escalet is a series of small pebble and sand coves accessible from Ramatuelle. Incredibly clear water, perfect for snorkelling. The main beach is family-friendly; walking 10 minutes south leads to more intimate coves (some naturist).
25 minutes from Cavalaire.
La Briande, the hidden gem
Our secret beach (shh). La Briande is only accessible on foot from the Escalet car park (1 h walk along the coastal path). Turquoise water, rocky seabed, almost deserted. A day that requires effort but is never forgotten.
Our verdict
For a glamorous experience: Pampelonne, Club 55 or Indie Beach. For a wild setting: Cap Lardier or La Briande. For calm with comfort: Gigaro or Bonporteau. For kids: the main beach of Cavalaire (gentle slope, supervised). For snorkelling: L’Escalet or Bonporteau.
Want Bonporteau at your doorstep? Discover our six apartments with direct beach access and sea-view terraces.