PORT GRIMAUD/SAINTE MAXIME

Sale price Price €42.00 Regular price Unit price per

Date: Monday, September 28

Departure time : 1:15 pm

Church time: 10:00 am

Bus Ride Time: 30-40 min to Port Grimaud, 15 min to St Maxime and 20-25 min to return to feast site

Return Time: Depart 6:45 pm, returning to the site around 7:10 pm

Exertion Level: Easy - relatively little walking required and mostly flat, although possibility of cobblestones. Need to be able to climb into and out of the boat for a canal tour in Port Grimaud.

Cost per person: 42 €

Cost includes ticket for boat canal tour. Infants two and under are free if they do not take up a seat on the bus.

DESCRIPTION

Nestled in the heart of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, Port Grimaud is a charming village encompassing attractive Provençal-style houses on a network of canals. Known as the 'Venice of Provence' and arranged into four islands, the colorful houses are linked by bridges over the waterways and surrounded by gardens. The medieval village of Grimaud has a long history beginning in the Gallo-Roman age. In the 11th century, due to its strategic vantage point on a steep summit dominating the Gulf of Saint Tropez, the first settlement included a fortified castle which controlled access from the North and from the Maures mountains. Until the end of the 19th century, the Castle of Grimaud was the command post overlooking the Gulf of Grimaud. The development of the area around the Gulf began in the 1960s and today the marina of Port Grimaud is one of the most frequently visited resorts in France.

The experience includes a 20 minute-boat ride through the canals aboard the traditional water coaches. Gliding gently along the waterways, visitors can admire Port Grimaud from the water and appreciate the unique architecture and tranquil atmosphere of the village. The ride is intentionally without commentary out of respect for the residents, allowing everyone to fully enjoy the calm and beauty of the surroundings.

After the boat tour, there is time to explore Port Grimaud on foot, stroll along the quays, browse local shops, or enjoy a drink at a café by the water. This excursion offers a delightful blend of serenity, discovery, and Provençal charm, making it an unforgettable moment along the French Riviera.

A short bus ride will then take you to the town of Sainte-Maxime. With the beautiful clear waters of the Mediterranean to the south and the Maures mountains to the north, Sainte Maxime has breathtaking views in every direction. The streets of the town are pedestrian-only so there is ample opportunity to visit the shops and cafés opposite the harbor. This stretch of the Riviera coast has 87 beaches, each with a different name and personality. One of the best-loved beaches is Sainte-Maxime’s “Plage du Centre Ville.” In August 1944, Sainte-Maxime played a key role in Operation Dragoon, the Allied landing that helped liberate southern France. Memorials along the beach honor the U.S. and Allied forces who took part.
A guide will accompany our group from the Feast site to provide commentary about the history of the two towns.