The beach of Pampelonne on the commune of Ramatuelle is at the origin of the "Myth" of Saint-Tropez. This 5 km stretch of white sandy beach is situated between the Cape of Saint-Tropez to the north and the Cape Camarat to the south. The sea changes colour according to the currents, seaweed and sandbanks.

The beach of Pampelonne consists of a group of 27 private and public beaches spread over 67 acres. There are 5 different accesses to the beach from the "route des plages".

HISTORY
It was just an ordinary beach serving as a sandpit to sailors to ballast their boats up until the beginning of the 20th century when the Landing of Provence took place in August 1944.

The beach of Pampelonne became one of the most famous beaches in the world with the jet-set. Two private beaches created the Tropezian myth : "Tahiti Plage" opened in 1946, made out of the abandoned film set originally used by the studios La Victorine for the shooting of the film "Chant des îles" by Georges Manae in 1935 and "Club 55" (created in 1955) which was the canteen for the shooting crew of the famous film "Et Dieu créa la femme" with Brigitte Bardot and is now a renowned restaurant.

For over half a century this beach has seen many a show-biz star : Errol Flyn in the 50's, Brigitte Bardot, Roger Vadim, Jane Fonda in the 60's ; Michèle Morgan and Gilbert Becaud in the 70's, Sylvester Stalonne, Claudia Schiffer, Elton John and Johnny Hallyday later on, just to mention a few…

What went on at the beach of Pampelonne in the 17th century?
In 1634 a group of people witness a scene on the beach : peasants were collecting seaweed which they smoked and used to fertilize their vineyards.

" A few tips for swimming"

Swimming in company : from July to August there are 30 000 visitors a day at Pampelonne. You will find all kinds of beaches : from public guarded beaches to nudist beaches. You may even walk past someone famous. There is a large choice of public paying car parks. 3 to 4 euros per car for the day.

Quiet swimming : in the summer season, Pampelonne is quieter in the morning before 10.00 am and in the evening after 7.00 pm.

Midnight bathing : in summer the temperature of the water is often 25°C. Take advantage to take a midnight dip in the moonlight.

Invigorating : a few brave swimmers bathe all year round (the Mediterranean sea is rarely under 15°C).

From both ends of the beach you can join up with the coastal footpath : to the South towards Saint-Tropez (12 km, 3 hours 35 min.), to the north towards Bonne Terrasse (15 min.).

The Marine Observatory analyzes for you the quality of water of bathe. To know all the results, return on the site www.observatoire-marin.com, heading "safeguarding and restoration of the medium".

360° visit of Ramatuelle