Boat International US Edition — February 2018

FEBRUARY 2018

PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES; ALAMY

Port Grimaud, Côte d’Azur, France

Boat notesIt caters mainly

for smaller boats (up to 80ft),

hasexcellentnauticalsupport

services, and berths cost

approximately a third of those

at Saint-Tropez. The hotspot

toberthisinfrontofthebig

churchinthecenterofthetown,

bytheshopsandmarkets–it’s

impossible to get, though, as it’s

used by annual berth holders.

WheretoeatLa Table du Mareyeur

(The Fishmonger’s Table) is a

charming seafood restaurant

onthecanal,withsuperfriendly

staff. Make sure to ask for a table

on the terrace.

Hang outMonroe’s, the Irish pub

onthemainentrancetoPort

Grimaud, is the local hangout for

agameofpoolorsomegoodpub

food.Sitinoroutandcatchthe

localgossip.Ayoungandcasual

crowd mix with the crews to make

a very international feel.

Who goesPort Grimaud is the

antithesis of Saint-Tropez, with

alow-key,familyorientedcrowd.

No high heels before 8pm, if at all.

Hot tipDon’tmisstheProvençal

market on Thursday mornings for

localwaresandgorgeousflowers.

Dubbed the “Venice of Provence,” this sea-facing port, to the west of

Saint-Tropez, is the ideal retreat from the madness of Pampelonne’s

beaches, which are only a 20 minute drive or short cruise away. This

charming, quintessentially Provençal port, with its traditional fishermen’s

houses, has a much more relaxed family vibe and none of the pomp and

show of Saint-Tropez. Built on the marshes of the River Giscle, this “water

village” can be accessed only by boat or foot. There are bars, waterfront

restaurants and a maze of shopping arcades ready to be explored.

Italian socialites Marella

Agnelli and Luciana Pignatelli

bring glamour to the Côte

d’Azur in the 1960s

Left: shop for

Louis Vuitton SS18;

Rockoko sneakers,

fendi.com

Above: the terrace at

La Table du Mareyeur.

Below: Port Grimaud

Local classic

Saint-Tropez

If you can’t resist Saint-Tropez, make sure to

reserve your berth on the FROW (yachting front

row) between the Sénéquier brasserie and Barbarac

ice cream shop. In high season and without

connections you need to book at least a month in

advance and even then the port confirms your slot only

a week before. Yachts can’t enter until after 5pm so you

will see a traffic jam of yachts waiting patiently. Be sure

to dine at Le Petit Joseph for the who’s who of

Saint-Tropez and try the circular room at the

new Le Jardin restaurant in the lighthouse.

This Asian fusion hotspot has 360

degree views over the port

and beyond.

the

look