Culture Francia
Table of Contents

Day Trip from Nice to Saint-Tropez

Table of Contents

POSSIBLE COMBINATION

For this day trip, there are different possibilities:

  • Nice to St. Tropez
  • Nice to St. Tropez + Port Grimaud
  • Tour St. Tropez + Port Grimaud (8h to 10h)

ST. TROPEZ ONLY

Without Car

There is no train station in St. Tropez.

By Ferry

There is a ferry connection between Nice and St. Tropez, but we do not recommend it for a day trip because it takes 2h30min each way and there is only one schedule per day available.
It’s operated by the company Trans Côte d’Azur.
Schedules & Prices (Official Website)

By Car

Nice > St. Tropez

St. Tropez > Nice

Nice > St. Maxime

St. Maxime > St. Tropez

  • ⛴️ Ferry
    🕓 30min

St. Tropez > St. Maxime

  • ⛴️ Ferry
    🕓 30min

St. Maxime > Nice

This option lets you add a boat ride to your day and avoid the road between St. Maxime and St. Tropez, which is the most congested part, especially in summer.

Park near the port of Sainte-Maxime and take the ferry operated by Bateaux Verts.

⚙️ Schedules & Prices (Official Website)

1 pick-up/drop-off point in St. Maxime
📍 Port de Sainte-Maxime

1 pick-up/drop-off point in St. Tropez
📍 Vieux Port

⚠️ Consider adding +30min for both outbound and return trips during the summer due to traffic.

Itinerary Idea

🚗 Route to St. Tropez

Old Town

Behind all the glitz, the old village of Saint-Tropez still holds onto its real charm. If you wander away from the port, you’ll find a maze of narrow streets, warm-colored facades, and quiet little squares lined with low houses and pastel shutters. The Ponche district, once the fishermen’s neighborhood, still has that old-school vibe, with its sloping alleyways and untouched Mediterranean feel. It’s in this calm, winding part of town that you really get a sense of the Provençal soul of Saint-Tropez.

Old Port

The port of Saint-Tropez is both a stage and a backdrop. You’ll find cafés and terraces lining the waterfront, perfect for people-watching while massive yachts sit next to traditional wooden boats. Quai Suffren is the lively heart of it all, where celebrities, tourists, and locals cross paths in a kind of ongoing show. With its colorful facades, shimmering reflections on the water, and nonstop movement, the whole place feels like a movie set. No matter what time of day, it’s stylish, buzzing, and totally Mediterranean.

Place des Lices Market

On Tuesday and Saturday mornings, Place des Lices turns into one of the most famous markets on the Riviera. Under the shade of the plane trees, you’ll browse stalls full of local goodies: fruits, veggies, cheeses, olives, and also clothes, baskets, soaps, linens, and all sorts of Provençal finds. The vibe is fun and colorful, with cheerful chatter and scents of lavender or ripe melon in the air. When it’s not market day, the square slows down and becomes a quiet spot where locals play pétanque under the trees.

🍴 Lunch

Citadel and Maritime Museum

The Saint-Tropez citadel has been watching over the village since the early 1600s. This huge hexagonal fortress sits above the rooftops and gives you amazing views over the bay. Inside, there’s a maritime history museum that tells the story of local sailors who once fished for cod in Newfoundland or traded goods in the Caribbean. You’ll see ship models, nautical gear, and travel stories, all presented in a clear and simple way. Honestly, the museum is great, but just walking around the ramparts is worth it on its own.

Annonciade Museum

The Annonciade Museum is set in a 16th-century chapel and holds an amazing collection of modern art. This is where you really see how important Saint-Tropez was to artists, Paul Signac fell in love with the light here and brought his friends, including Fauves, Nabis, and Pointillists. You’ll see works by Signac, Bonnard, Matisse, Derain, and more, all beautifully displayed in a bright, simple space. The museum captures that special connection between the Mediterranean and the early 20th-century art scene.

Beach

When you think of Saint-Tropez beaches, Pampelonne Bay probably comes to mind, even though it’s technically in the next town over, Ramatuelle. But if you’re staying closer to the center, there are some nice little spots like La Ponche and La Fontanette, peaceful little coves right at the foot of the old town. If you’re up for something a bit bigger, check out Graniers Beach, just below the citadel. It’s more natural, with pebbles, pine trees, and a great view of the ramparts. It’s a perfect spot to cool off without leaving the charm of the village behind.

🚗 Route to Nice

ST. TROPEZ + PORT GRIMAUD

Without Car

Same than the “ST. TROPEZ ONLY” section above.

By Car

Nice > St. Tropez

St. Tropez > Port Grimaud

Port Grimaud > Nice

Nice > Port Grimaud

Port Grimaud > St. Tropez

St. Tropez > Nice

Nice > Port Grimaud

Port Grimaud > St. Tropez

  • ⛴️ Ferry
    🕓 30min

St. Tropez > Port Grimaud

  • ⛴️ Ferry
    🕓 30min

Port Grimaud > Nice

This option lets you add a boat ride to your day and avoid the road between Port Grimaud and St. Tropez.

The ferry connection is operated by the company Bateaux Verts.

⚙️ Schedules & Prices (Official Website)

1 main pick-up/drop-off point in Port Grimaud
📍 Capitainerie
and 2 secondary ones
📍 Église
📍 Marines de Cogolin

1 main pick-up/drop-off point in St. Tropez
📍 Vieux Port
and 1 secondary one
📍 Nouveau Port Estacade

⚠️ Consider adding +30min for both outbound and return trips during the summer due to traffic.

Itinerary Idea

Nice > St. Tropez > Port Grimaud > Nice

🚗 Route to St. Tropez

Old Town

Behind its flashy image, Saint-Tropez hides an old heart full of charm. Once you step away from the bling, you’ll find narrow little streets, colorful houses, and shady passageways that still reflect its roots as a small Provençal port. The Ponche district, where the fishermen used to live, is peaceful and quiet, with cobbled lanes, discreet stairways, and tiny squares. Wandering around here, you really get a feel for the true spirit of Saint-Tropez, far from the glitz, in a place that’s sunny, simple, and sincere.

Old Port

The old port of Saint-Tropez is a show in itself, with ochre facades, giant yachts, and traditional little boats all sharing the same space. It’s lined with iconic cafés and draws in just about everyone, curious visitors and longtime regulars alike. There’s always something happening, with people moving along the docks, the sound of masts clinking, and servers weaving between tables. This is where you soak up the full-on Saint-Tropez vibe, a mix of Mediterranean chill and unapologetic glamour, with just enough authenticity to keep it real.

Place des Lices Market

On Tuesday and Saturday mornings, Place des Lices bursts into life with its lively and colorful market. You’ll find everything from local produce, fruit, veggies, and cheese to baskets, linens, Marseille soaps, and clothes. The whole place buzzes with friendly chatter in Provençal and the sound of pétanque games starting up right after the market wraps up. On other days, the square calms down and becomes the perfect spot for a stroll or a break on a café terrace under the trees.

🍴 Lunch

🚗 Route to Port Grimaud

Stroll in Grimaud Port

Nicknamed the “Provençal Venice,” Port Grimaud is a waterfront village created in the 1960s, with canals, little bridges, and colorful houses. Designed by architect François Spoerry, it mixes traditional Provençal style with a peaceful, one-of-a-kind setting. You can walk along the flower-lined docks or take a quiet ride in a little electric boat, passing pastel shutters, private piers, and bobbing boats. It’s calm, pretty, and feels a bit like stepping into another world – perfect for a relaxed walk by the water.

The Church of Saint-Michel

Right in the center of Port Grimaud, you’ll see the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi. It has a modern design inspired by the clean lines of Romanesque Provence, and inside, stained glass by Vasarely fills the space with soft, colorful light. It’s simple, welcoming, and fits the village perfectly, a peaceful blend of tradition and modern style. If you climb the bell tower, you’ll get a panoramic view of the rooftops, canals, and the Gulf of Saint-Tropez.

Waterfront Shops and Cafés

The quays of Port Grimaud are lined with little shops, ice cream stands, and sunlit cafés. It’s a whole different vibe from the buzz of Saint-Tropez, more relaxed, even a bit family-friendly. You’ll find handmade souvenirs and tasty local treats, all in a postcard-perfect setting of canals, flower-decked bridges, and boats gently rocking by the docks. Grabbing a drink on a terrace here is the perfect way to enjoy the slower, sweeter side of Mediterranean life.

🚗 Route to Nice

TOUR ST. TROPEZ + PORT GRIMAUD
4 PROVIDER RECOMMENDATIONS

Overview Table

  Provider Name Prices from Group Size Duration Where to Book
1 Riviera Star Tours €130 /p Max 8 or Private 10h Viator‚ GetYourGuide
2 Happy Riviera Tours €120 /p Max 8 or Private 9h Viator‚ GetYourGuide
3 Bingo Tour €125 /p Max 8 or Private 9h Viator‚ GetYourGuide
4 Liven Up €140 /p Max 8 8h Viator‚ GetYourGuide
  • This type of tour usually mixes guided parts with free time.

1. Riviera Star Tours

#️⃣ 2 Options

Prices from  €130 /person

#️⃣1.1

#️⃣1.2

Duration  10h
Group Size  Max 8 or Private

Book on Viator

Book on GetYourGuide

2. Happy Riviera Tours

#️⃣ 2 Options

Prices from  €120 /person

#️⃣2.1

#️⃣2.2

Duration  9h
Group Size  Max 8 or Private

Book on Viator

Book on GetYourGuide

3. Bingo Tour

#️⃣ 2 Options

Prices from  €125 /person

#️⃣3.1

#️⃣3.2

Duration  9h
Group Size  Max 8 or Private

Book on Viator

Book on GetYourGuide

4. Liven Up

#️⃣ 1 Option

Prices from  €140 /person

#️⃣4.1

Duration  8h
Group Size  Max 8

Book on Viator

Book on GetYourGuide

Plan an Amazing France Trip !  👉 Home Page