St. Tropez Day Trip Help Needed Please
Aug 10th, 2006, 08:20 PM
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St. Tropez Day Trip Help Needed Please
After a lot of discussion, my husband and I decided that we really want to day trip to St. Tropez from our base in Nice- really want to see St. Tropez- but we need you help!
- Visit on Sat. or Sunday? It may not make a difference crowd wise.. just thought I would ask. It would either be Sat the 26th of August or the 27th.
-We will have a car. I would like the take the quickest route there, but a more scenic route on the way back regardless of time. Is anyone familiar with the routes?
-We were given the recommendation to perhaps avoid some traffice, drive to Ste. Maxime and take the ferry from there. This seems like a great option, though how would we get to the beach?
-Regarding the beach, we want to go to Plage Tahiti. Suggestions on how to get there if we don't drive in? Do I need reservations? If so, how do we go about doing this?
What we want to do there: go to beach, have lunch, walk around a bit.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!
- Visit on Sat. or Sunday? It may not make a difference crowd wise.. just thought I would ask. It would either be Sat the 26th of August or the 27th.
-We will have a car. I would like the take the quickest route there, but a more scenic route on the way back regardless of time. Is anyone familiar with the routes?
-We were given the recommendation to perhaps avoid some traffice, drive to Ste. Maxime and take the ferry from there. This seems like a great option, though how would we get to the beach?
-Regarding the beach, we want to go to Plage Tahiti. Suggestions on how to get there if we don't drive in? Do I need reservations? If so, how do we go about doing this?
What we want to do there: go to beach, have lunch, walk around a bit.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Aug 10th, 2006, 10:11 PM
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We were in St Tropez for a week about 5 years ago. We told our concierge that we wanted to go to the beach and he suggested Club Nioulargo in Pampelonne and he proceeded to make a lunch reservation. We didn't like the ambience there, so for the rest of the week he made lunch reservations at Club 55, also in Pampelonne, which we liked very much. In addition to lunch, you had to rent chairs & umberellas. So with lunch, this was adding up to $90 to $120 a day. At some point, we asked the concierge if we could just use the beach without lunch, and he said no, it wasn't done that way. Keep in mind that those prices are 5 years old.
There are at least 30 beach clubs on Pampelonne, and I would assume that each has its own niche. Quite near Club 55, there was a public beach area, but there were no rentals, so you would be in full sun on the sand. This area wasn't very large, so I would assume that perhaps there are other public areas interspersed between the clubs.
To reach the clubs, you take D 93 from St Tropez and there are access roads on the left. Unlike Cannes or Nice, where you can see the ocean as you approach, these access roads are perhaps a mile from the road to the beach. You would have to know exactly where you were going. Parking could be another problem. The Clubs had valet parking.
Without a car, a taxi would be the only option and my guess would be at least $20 each way. Of course, the easiest way to arrive would be on a yacht. It was great sport to watch the yachts anchor and people being shuttled in for lunch.
We took the autoroute both into and out of St Tropez using D93 to reach it and avoiding the coast traffic completely.
So, for the Clubs we used, you definitely need reservations and your concierge would make them. Perhaps others can answer who have gone to other clubs.
There are at least 30 beach clubs on Pampelonne, and I would assume that each has its own niche. Quite near Club 55, there was a public beach area, but there were no rentals, so you would be in full sun on the sand. This area wasn't very large, so I would assume that perhaps there are other public areas interspersed between the clubs.
To reach the clubs, you take D 93 from St Tropez and there are access roads on the left. Unlike Cannes or Nice, where you can see the ocean as you approach, these access roads are perhaps a mile from the road to the beach. You would have to know exactly where you were going. Parking could be another problem. The Clubs had valet parking.
Without a car, a taxi would be the only option and my guess would be at least $20 each way. Of course, the easiest way to arrive would be on a yacht. It was great sport to watch the yachts anchor and people being shuttled in for lunch.
We took the autoroute both into and out of St Tropez using D93 to reach it and avoiding the coast traffic completely.
So, for the Clubs we used, you definitely need reservations and your concierge would make them. Perhaps others can answer who have gone to other clubs.
Aug 10th, 2006, 10:20 PM
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I would avoid Saturday. It's more crowded than usual - also with visitors from other villages - because of the weekly market.
Nice to St. Tropez is quite a drive, at least 1 hr 45 min. in normal traffic conditions. It's the last part, where you leave the A8 to join the route départementale, that is the toughest.
I'm not familiar with the ferry from Ste. Maxime.
The scenic route goes either through the Massif de l'Esterel or along the coast (which, I'm afraid, will take forever).
To get to Plage de Tahiti from St. Tropez village you will have to get out of the centre again, like you were driving back to Nice, then take the first road on your left "Route des Plages". Or, if this one is too busy, the next one which is the D61 to Ramatuelle (which, in fact is the town where the St. Trop beaches are).
Nice to St. Tropez is quite a drive, at least 1 hr 45 min. in normal traffic conditions. It's the last part, where you leave the A8 to join the route départementale, that is the toughest.
I'm not familiar with the ferry from Ste. Maxime.
The scenic route goes either through the Massif de l'Esterel or along the coast (which, I'm afraid, will take forever).
To get to Plage de Tahiti from St. Tropez village you will have to get out of the centre again, like you were driving back to Nice, then take the first road on your left "Route des Plages". Or, if this one is too busy, the next one which is the D61 to Ramatuelle (which, in fact is the town where the St. Trop beaches are).
Aug 11th, 2006, 01:49 PM
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We've been to Tahiti plage about 20 times. You do not need to eat at their restaurant. There is a cafeteria style place within 100 yds. In fact, you don't need to sun yourself at their "pay" private beach - although it is a pleasure to do so. Next to Tahiti is a public section which is free. You can park your car along the road, or in the covered lot for $$$.
Tahiti is just one of the private concessions along the Pampelonne beach. Not sure why they named this section of the contiguous beach Tahtiti - perhaps it's because they were there first ons there & they named it after themselves. A guy named Felix runs the place - he's pretty old so I hope he's still alive.
Like someone mentioned, you need to go into town to catch the "Route to Tahiti". There are several other private beaches just north & south of Tahiti that can easily be accessed by this road.
The other beaches (like Club 55) are accessed by a different road, which is well marked & can be picked up just before town. There are no roads connecting these two - unless you go back into St T.
A word of warning. I believe that Aug 27 weekend is when all of France returns home from their vacations - or it might seem that way. I have never been in the south of France on that weekend - so it's all speculation on my part. It may take you 4 hours to get to/from St Tropez. Perhaps if PBProvence sees this post, she can give an eye-witness account.
Stu Dudley
Tahiti is just one of the private concessions along the Pampelonne beach. Not sure why they named this section of the contiguous beach Tahtiti - perhaps it's because they were there first ons there & they named it after themselves. A guy named Felix runs the place - he's pretty old so I hope he's still alive.
Like someone mentioned, you need to go into town to catch the "Route to Tahiti". There are several other private beaches just north & south of Tahiti that can easily be accessed by this road.
The other beaches (like Club 55) are accessed by a different road, which is well marked & can be picked up just before town. There are no roads connecting these two - unless you go back into St T.
A word of warning. I believe that Aug 27 weekend is when all of France returns home from their vacations - or it might seem that way. I have never been in the south of France on that weekend - so it's all speculation on my part. It may take you 4 hours to get to/from St Tropez. Perhaps if PBProvence sees this post, she can give an eye-witness account.
Stu Dudley
Aug 11th, 2006, 02:56 PM
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Thanks Stu and Underhill- I will mabey check out the train/bus thing as well to see if it cuts down anytime.
If the vacationers leave that weekend, mabey getting "to' won't be so bad.
Stu- do we need to make reservations at the Tahiti Plage? I think I'm still confused about this laying at the beach and restaurant connection? In otherwise, if I don't have to have lunch there, can we still go to the beach?
If the vacationers leave that weekend, mabey getting "to' won't be so bad.
Stu- do we need to make reservations at the Tahiti Plage? I think I'm still confused about this laying at the beach and restaurant connection? In otherwise, if I don't have to have lunch there, can we still go to the beach?
Aug 11th, 2006, 03:32 PM
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>>if I don't have to have lunch there, can we still go to the beach?<<
Yes - you can go to the beach without eating at the restaurant - we do it all the time. There is no way they can verify if you have lunch there. You do not go through the restaurant section to get to the beach.
I think twofortheroad got "taken" by the concierge - maybe a kickback to the concierge from the restaurant. We have "beached" at a few other private beaches in St Tropez, and also many at Nice, Cannes, and Juan les Pins. I've never encountered the "must have lunch". Did the beach in Nice just last month.
Regarding getting to St Tropez. Boat from Cannes, or Nice or wherever the depart would be fine. You still have to get to the beach. I suspect you won't have a problem getting to the beach from St Tropez, but you may have to make special arrangements to get back from the beach.
I also suspect that the traffic would be light getting there once you depart the freeway at the St Tropez exit. However, there is a tool booth where you pick up a ticket just before the Frejus turnoff. There could be a long line there.
Stu Dudley
Yes - you can go to the beach without eating at the restaurant - we do it all the time. There is no way they can verify if you have lunch there. You do not go through the restaurant section to get to the beach.
I think twofortheroad got "taken" by the concierge - maybe a kickback to the concierge from the restaurant. We have "beached" at a few other private beaches in St Tropez, and also many at Nice, Cannes, and Juan les Pins. I've never encountered the "must have lunch". Did the beach in Nice just last month.
Regarding getting to St Tropez. Boat from Cannes, or Nice or wherever the depart would be fine. You still have to get to the beach. I suspect you won't have a problem getting to the beach from St Tropez, but you may have to make special arrangements to get back from the beach.
I also suspect that the traffic would be light getting there once you depart the freeway at the St Tropez exit. However, there is a tool booth where you pick up a ticket just before the Frejus turnoff. There could be a long line there.
Stu Dudley
Aug 12th, 2006, 05:15 PM
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>>Stu- which beach did you go to in Nice that you like?>>
Blue Beach - close to the Negresco.
You can walk along the Promenade and see which one has Matlasses & umbrellas that match your bathing suite the best. All private beaches have restaurants (no - you don't have to eat there), changing rooms, WCs, etc. They are rated according to their "luxury" level, just like hotels are. Just see which one looks good, and if you plan to eat there, which one has a menu you like. They post prices for a matlas (basic entry), and a price for an umbrella, etc.
I think all the private beach places have mats or boardwalks that you can walk on to get to your "spot" & back & forth to the WCs, restaurants, bars, changing rooms, etc. You won't have to walk on the polished rocks unless you decide to go into the water. Many of the beaches have "sports" like volleyball & boats that pull you out over the water on a hang-glider (I've never done this - and don't know the official name for it).
Stu Dudley
Blue Beach - close to the Negresco.
You can walk along the Promenade and see which one has Matlasses & umbrellas that match your bathing suite the best. All private beaches have restaurants (no - you don't have to eat there), changing rooms, WCs, etc. They are rated according to their "luxury" level, just like hotels are. Just see which one looks good, and if you plan to eat there, which one has a menu you like. They post prices for a matlas (basic entry), and a price for an umbrella, etc.
I think all the private beach places have mats or boardwalks that you can walk on to get to your "spot" & back & forth to the WCs, restaurants, bars, changing rooms, etc. You won't have to walk on the polished rocks unless you decide to go into the water. Many of the beaches have "sports" like volleyball & boats that pull you out over the water on a hang-glider (I've never done this - and don't know the official name for it).
Stu Dudley
Aug 13th, 2006, 04:22 AM
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We've been to Plage Tahiti a couple of times and it is a bit convoluted driving route, but not that difficult. A lot of people bicycle in from St. Tropez' town centre (a bit of a ride). The restaurant is very expensive, so you may want to bring in some beverages/snacks. There are two parking entrances; the first entrance they will charge (about 5 Euros). The second one (further down towards the beach, not too far from the first; fills up quickly) is public and you can drive right in. If I were you, I would start driving down early, coastal route, Saturday.
Aug 13th, 2006, 07:14 AM
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When you say early, how early do you mean? (to say get to St. Tropez not via coastal road) by say 11 am or so?
Also, when you got to a beach, I assume if both members of your parties go swimming that you don't leave your bags unattended... where do you put it?
Do people really go nude there? Topless?
If I looked it up correctly, it seems like there are 2 ferries from S. Raphael to St. Tropez, one going and one returning but I'll double check.
Also, when you got to a beach, I assume if both members of your parties go swimming that you don't leave your bags unattended... where do you put it?
Do people really go nude there? Topless?
If I looked it up correctly, it seems like there are 2 ferries from S. Raphael to St. Tropez, one going and one returning but I'll double check.
Aug 13th, 2006, 08:09 AM
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>>When you say early, how early do you mean? (to say get to St. Tropez not via coastal road) by say 11 am or so?<<
From Nice take the A8 and get off at the St Tropez exit - not the Frejus one that ViaMichelin tells you to follow. You absolutly need to leave early in the morning from Nice - not because of the beach parking, but because the traffic through Ste Maxime all the way to St Tropez will be a mess in late Aug. I suspect it will be a mess from about 10 till 1. I would leave Nice at 7, which will gets you to St Tropez between 8:45 & 9. This will be too early for the beach, so park in the Pl de Lices underground parking lot (look for the signs), and have cafe creme & croissant at the Bar Clemenceau on the Place de Lices (big dirt square in town). If you'll be there on a Saturday, it will be market day so all bets are off - it would be much better to do this on a Sunday.
Getting to Tahiti Plage is a little difficult, like Viajero mentioned. Follow the signs to St Tropez from St Maxime. You will go through a lot of round-abouts, so pay attention. You will know it when you get to St T - this section is St Tropez is not scenic or cute at all. Pretty soon you will be on a one-way street. Soon (again) you will see a delapidated building on your left (& in front of you) that has been "borded-up" with cinderblocks, (and I think there is a one-way street facing you) and the only way you can turn is right, onto another one-way street - this will be the normal flow of traffic. I also think there are blue sighs directing you to the Pl Lices parking lot - follow the signs. The street you turn right on is Blvd Louis Blanc. You then take the next right - which is the only way you can go since there is one-way traffic in the opposite direction - still following the signs to the Pl Lices parking lot. This second right will be Av Paul Roussel, and you will see hotel Lou Cagnard on your right. The road will curve a little to the left. If you want to park at the pl Lices lot, take the next left & immediatly go into the underground lot. If you do not want to park, take the first right (instead of the left into the parking lot) onto Ave Augustin Grangeon (not a one-way), and then the first left onto Ave Francois Pelletier. Follow this road a couple of blocks. You will see a school on your left, and then bear right at the fork onto Route de la Belle Isnard, which soon becomes the Route de Tahiti.
If you park the car in the Pl Lices lot & visit St T, when you exit the lot you will be on the Ave Paul Roussel (one-way street) and follow the same instructions for getting to Tahiti plage as above - from the Lou Cagnard hotel.
I don't recall seeing a free lot at Tahiti Plage. There may be one for Hotel guests, however (Tahiti Plage also has a hotel). I have either parked on the street or in the pay lot. Leave the lot/street & go around the iton bar that keeps people from driving on the beach, and past a few boutiques to the beach. Tahiti Plage concession will be the first one you see - the restaurant will be to your left.
>>Also, when you got to a beach, I assume if both members of your parties go swimming that you don't leave your bags unattended... where do you put it?>>
I assume you will go to the "pay" private beach. I think your stuff would be pretty safe. Ask a neighbor to watch it, or one of the attendants that walk around. I'm pretty sure there is not a place to stash your stuff.
>>Do people really go nude there? Topless?<<
Topless - yes, Nude - No. There is less topless than there was 15 years ago. The first time I wnet to the beach (at the opposite end from Tahiti), there were lots of completly nude people - even at the restaurants. I think they banned it generally from most sections - there may be one section at the extreme south end where it is OK (Tahiti is at the north end). This was in the late 70s.
Stu Dudley
From Nice take the A8 and get off at the St Tropez exit - not the Frejus one that ViaMichelin tells you to follow. You absolutly need to leave early in the morning from Nice - not because of the beach parking, but because the traffic through Ste Maxime all the way to St Tropez will be a mess in late Aug. I suspect it will be a mess from about 10 till 1. I would leave Nice at 7, which will gets you to St Tropez between 8:45 & 9. This will be too early for the beach, so park in the Pl de Lices underground parking lot (look for the signs), and have cafe creme & croissant at the Bar Clemenceau on the Place de Lices (big dirt square in town). If you'll be there on a Saturday, it will be market day so all bets are off - it would be much better to do this on a Sunday.
Getting to Tahiti Plage is a little difficult, like Viajero mentioned. Follow the signs to St Tropez from St Maxime. You will go through a lot of round-abouts, so pay attention. You will know it when you get to St T - this section is St Tropez is not scenic or cute at all. Pretty soon you will be on a one-way street. Soon (again) you will see a delapidated building on your left (& in front of you) that has been "borded-up" with cinderblocks, (and I think there is a one-way street facing you) and the only way you can turn is right, onto another one-way street - this will be the normal flow of traffic. I also think there are blue sighs directing you to the Pl Lices parking lot - follow the signs. The street you turn right on is Blvd Louis Blanc. You then take the next right - which is the only way you can go since there is one-way traffic in the opposite direction - still following the signs to the Pl Lices parking lot. This second right will be Av Paul Roussel, and you will see hotel Lou Cagnard on your right. The road will curve a little to the left. If you want to park at the pl Lices lot, take the next left & immediatly go into the underground lot. If you do not want to park, take the first right (instead of the left into the parking lot) onto Ave Augustin Grangeon (not a one-way), and then the first left onto Ave Francois Pelletier. Follow this road a couple of blocks. You will see a school on your left, and then bear right at the fork onto Route de la Belle Isnard, which soon becomes the Route de Tahiti.
If you park the car in the Pl Lices lot & visit St T, when you exit the lot you will be on the Ave Paul Roussel (one-way street) and follow the same instructions for getting to Tahiti plage as above - from the Lou Cagnard hotel.
I don't recall seeing a free lot at Tahiti Plage. There may be one for Hotel guests, however (Tahiti Plage also has a hotel). I have either parked on the street or in the pay lot. Leave the lot/street & go around the iton bar that keeps people from driving on the beach, and past a few boutiques to the beach. Tahiti Plage concession will be the first one you see - the restaurant will be to your left.
>>Also, when you got to a beach, I assume if both members of your parties go swimming that you don't leave your bags unattended... where do you put it?>>
I assume you will go to the "pay" private beach. I think your stuff would be pretty safe. Ask a neighbor to watch it, or one of the attendants that walk around. I'm pretty sure there is not a place to stash your stuff.
>>Do people really go nude there? Topless?<<
Topless - yes, Nude - No. There is less topless than there was 15 years ago. The first time I wnet to the beach (at the opposite end from Tahiti), there were lots of completly nude people - even at the restaurants. I think they banned it generally from most sections - there may be one section at the extreme south end where it is OK (Tahiti is at the north end). This was in the late 70s.
Stu Dudley
