Port Grimaud
In early July, three friends and I road tripped from Barcelona to beautiful southern France for a few days to enjoy the tranquil countryside and French Riviera summer sun. We spent a few days exploring the small towns and lavender fields of the Provence region (which I will feature in another post) and stopped in Saint-Tropez for some beach time. A popular vacation spot for many Northern Europeans and celebrities, Saint-Tropez has been a great influence and stomping ground for many artists, musicians, and filmmakers over the years. As the town itself is fairly expensive, we decided to stay just across the bay near Port Grimaud, featured above. This quaint little seaside town was designed by architect Francois Spoerry in the 1960’s, He modified marshes that bordered the sea into canals that meander like streets around the colorful houses where, instead of cars, you find boats parked in front. It’s the French Riviera’s Venice.
L’escalet Beach
Although the beach in Saint-Tropez is beautiful, it was a bit crowded for our taste. For some Mediterranean sun and sea, we decided to venture south about a 30 minutes’ drive to L’escalet, a stunning, more secluded beach with crystal blue water and a more natural shoreline. There wasn’t much around but a few beautiful cliffside homes, a parking lot, some boats anchored on the horizon, and good friends to share the view with.
Saint Tropez
Saint-Tropez’s old town is bustling with upscale shops, seaside restaurants, and grand yachts docked in the harbor to take a break from their Mediterranean cruising. We loved exploring the colorful streets, passing through the lively fish market, enjoying local pastries, and finishing our day with a delicious meal together as we listened to a local musician serenade the setting sun. The bay where boats dock is bustling at night, especially with enormous and elaborate yachts docked there by the rich and famous. Saint Tropez is definitely on the list for those who are more well off, as you’ll clearly see by the gorgeous homes, yachts, and pristine architecture.
If you’re on a tighter budget, maybe aim to stay outside of Saint Tropez and venture in for a day or two to explore. It’s definitely worth a stop!
Life Abundant 
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