Areas to see
St Tropez
Port Cogolin is 6 kilometres from the old port of St Tropez with its harbour where large yachts moored stern to the quay vie with shops for your attention.
Wikipedia says of St Tropez
Saint-Tropez is located on the French Riviera. It was a military stronghold and an unassuming fishing village until the beginning of the 20th century. It was the first town on this coast to be liberated during World War II (as part of Operation Dragoon). After the war, it became an internationally known seaside resort, renowned principally because of the influx of artists of the French New Wave in cinema and the Yé-yé movement in music. It later became a resort for the European and American jet set and a goal for tourists in search of a little Provençal authenticity and an occasional celebrity sighting.
For more information visit the St Tropez Tourist Board. We like the port, the hustle and bustle and the Braderie de St Tropez which is a massive sale in the autumn.
Wikipedia says of St Tropez
Saint-Tropez is located on the French Riviera. It was a military stronghold and an unassuming fishing village until the beginning of the 20th century. It was the first town on this coast to be liberated during World War II (as part of Operation Dragoon). After the war, it became an internationally known seaside resort, renowned principally because of the influx of artists of the French New Wave in cinema and the Yé-yé movement in music. It later became a resort for the European and American jet set and a goal for tourists in search of a little Provençal authenticity and an occasional celebrity sighting.
For more information visit the St Tropez Tourist Board. We like the port, the hustle and bustle and the Braderie de St Tropez which is a massive sale in the autumn.
Pampelonne Beach
Pampelonne Beach is in fact a series of beaches on the other side of St Tropez and about 7 kilometres away from the apartment.
You can swim, sun bathe, go jet skiing, eat and generally live it up on one of Provences' most famous beaches, mixing with the jet set from St Tropez.
You can swim, sun bathe, go jet skiing, eat and generally live it up on one of Provences' most famous beaches, mixing with the jet set from St Tropez.
Gigaro Beach
We especially like Gigaro Beach near La Croix Valmer and about 12 kilometres away. It can be a bit quieter than St Tropez's beaches and there is great snorkelling just off the beach. If you go to the end of the beach there is a spectacular coastal walk.
La Garde Freinet
La Garde Freinet is a very attractive and unspoilt Provencal hill town about 15 kilometres up into the hills. It has picturesque old houses built into the very stone of the hill side and some attractive cafes and restaurants where you can relax and while away the hours. It can be a bit cooler than the coast which is nice in the heart of summer. There are some great local markets in the mornings to look out for. The town is a favourite haven for writers and Tolkein apparently lived in the town for a while and wrote some of the Lord of the Rings there.
St Maxime
Just 7 kilometres along the coast is the French sea side town of St Maxime with its busy yachting harbour and beaches. If you go back up into the old town there is some good shopping and a variety of cafes and bars to try out. Behind the main town on the road up to the motorway is a large arts complex with a cinema.
Grimaud Village
A few minutes drive from the apartment is Grimaud described as being "a perched village, with historical links to the Grimaldi family. Gibelin de Grimaldi aided William the Good drive the Saracens of Fraxinet out of the area in AD 973 and was rewarded with the land. The village is dominated by its 11th-century castle (partially restored). The Gulf of Saint Tropez was known as the Gulf of Grimaud until the end of the 19th century."
There is a castle to visit looking down on the village, and an ancient church and narrow winding streets with some very pleasant restaurants.
There is a castle to visit looking down on the village, and an ancient church and narrow winding streets with some very pleasant restaurants.
Port Grimaud
Right next door to Port Cogolin across the Giscle River is the canalised holiday village created by the French architect Francois Spoerry in the 1960's. The main part is a popular tourist attraction with a variety of shops and restaurants around the canals and port with the ecumenical church of St Francois. We like Grimaud Sud which is closest to Port Cogolin and a bit quieter but still has good restaurants and a few shops. Port Grimaud private beach is about 15 minutes walk from the apartment and well worth a visit to see the views across the Gulf of St Tropez.
Marines de Cogolin
Within a few minutes walk of the apartment is a large marina with apartments, shops and restaurants and some of the best yachting facilities in the South of France. Opposite the apartment are tennis courts whose key can be obtained from the Capitainerie of the port. From the beach, which is just over 10 minutes walk from the apartment, and from the harbour walls are spectacular views across the Gulf of St Tropez to St Maxime and St Tropez.
