The summer has given way to a nostalgic aftertaste throughout France, where children are back on the school path. However, a charming village in the South of France called Grimaud is still resisting, promising some very nice surprises to anyone wishing to explore a little. We will highlight some of the attractions and activities that are still on the agenda, but we will not name all of them because they are so many and diverse. To help you in your quest for entertainment, please follow the guide!

Weekly Provencal market

If there is one thing not to be overlooked, it is a beautiful stall, whether it offers fruit and vegetables or freshly caught fish. In Grimaud, it is practically a must, as the flavours mix with the aromas into a palette as melodious as the regional accent.

The Grimaud Village market is held on every Thursday of the year, except in the event of bad weather where it is canceled.

Artistic Presentations

Every year, the municipality of Grimaud transforms itself into a cradle where artistic expression prevails! Organized in the open air, these public demonstrations bring an air of spring… particularly and among other things through monumental sculptures, which subtly occupy every nook and cranny of the medieval city.

Organised by the Culture & Heritage Department, the Eclats exhibition – Couleur et Transparence is taking place at the Maison des Arcades and in the alleys of Grimaud up until October 14 (tour available at the Tourist Office).

Historical discoveries

More than 70 chapels are listed on the territory, which strongly influence the very lives of the indigenous people. The Heritage Museum retraces the history of these monuments. Their smallest peculiarities are recounted to you, since the existence of hermits and penitents who lived there in ancient times.

From June to the end of October each year, the Heritage Museum opens its doors every day, except on Mondays and Saturdays.

Orienteering races

The Grimaud Tourist Office organises 4 tours to help you discover the village. These tours are accessible to all and will allow you to visit Grimaud while having fun. There are markers to be discovered, which will help you search for the most unusual local attractions.

This initiation is free of charge, it will lead you to discover places such as the Mill, the Castle or the Pont des Fées.

Cultural exhibitions

We are convinced that the 24th Grimaud Painters’ Fair will once again be a great success this year. No less than 34 sculptors and painters will be exhibiting this autumn, with a special tribute to Fabienne Quinsac, who will be honoured for her work in its entirety. With the utmost rigour, the artist works with a variety of watercolours, oils and tar.

Organized by the Painters’ Association of Grimaud, the exhibition will take place from September 08 to 26… after the opening on September 07.

In addition, here are some events not to be missed in this warm month of September.

– Friday, September 14 at 9 pm, the « Lumières de Venise » Musical Evenings, with the works of Vivaldi on the agenda.

– Weekend from 15 to 16 September, guided tours and activities for the « European Heritage Days« .

– Sunday, September 30, return from the Feast of Saint-Michel, with the theme « Tradition & Terroir ».

For more information on the upcoming events and their dates, consult the calendar of events in Grimaud. As well as our blog.

Your holidays will be in the sun and more precisely in Saint-Tropez in September, good for you! You are one of the lucky ones for whom the start of the school year will be a matter of choice when it comes to stopping your leisure activities. This is because the famous seaside resort does not only rhyme with idleness, it is also a place to enjoy events such as cultural activities, sports events and historical discoveries. We have made a selection of what you can explore, discover or share as you embark on your journey to enjoy the off-season in style!

The famous HydroContest is back!

Copyright Pierrick Contin

It will be in Canebiers Bay from 02 to 09 September 2018 where this 5^th edition will take place. The Hydros Foundation has decided to renew its partnership with Saint-Tropez. The project will once again be carried out in the future in order to focus on maritime innovation in the city. An ambitious initiative for a noble cause! Especially when you consider that its success in the Var region has led to its dissemination and even to its international expansion. It should be recalled that this university entrance examination is recognized by the various institutions and political bodies of the participating countries.

With more than 30 teams competing, we are confident that this new edition will deliver on all its promises while keeping us on the edge of our seats. Spiced up by an occasional challenge, it will allow them to take advantage of renewable energy to give a boost to the future boats. This initiative has been strongly approved by the municipality of Saint-Tropez. Needless to say, the teams are already at work, in order to meet both the strategic and technical challenge. 

Teams area & registration: hydrocontest.org

Exhibition of sculptures by the artist Arman

Opening of the Arman exhibition

From June 23 to October 07 2018, the city of Saint-Tropez will have the great privilege of showcasing to you a cross-section of the contemporary works of a local sculptor. Arman is indeed a son of the soil, who from a very young age shows an aptitude for painting and drawing. But although he was born in Nice in 1920, after graduating with a bachelor’s degree, nothing could stop him from attending the city’s school of decorative arts. Afterwards, he will go to refine his style, assiduously attending the Louvre de Paris school.

In the autumn of 1960, he filled the Iris Clert Art Gallery with objects collected in the garbage cans, waste to be recycled, as we would say now. The rue des Beaux-Arts in Paris will then serve as a springboard for his exhibition « Le plein », as he likes to call his  » collections « . By extending to infinity manufactured objects produced by human hands, he thus ensured the continuity of the production-consumption-destruction cycle. His career would continue in New York, where his bric-a-brac achievements would receive the success they deserve while remaining loyal to the country of his childhood.

Saint-Tropez Polo Club

Two events have been scheduled to enable you to enjoy this noble discipline! The first one is the upcoming Sunday Polo, which was held on Sunday 09 September at the Haras de Gassin. The day will be under the auspices of the Gold Cup matches. For €90 you have the privilege of having a first-hand view to witness the matches from the top of the magnificent terraces that surround the field. 

The second meeting will take place at the very centre of the facilities of the Saint-Tropez Polo Club, where you can discover the International Traditional Coupling Competition. In a breathtaking setting, on the 29th and 30th of September 2018, you will have the opportunity to watch some great games. There will be a gourmet break reserved for you to eat around the food trucks. As for the connoisseurs, they will be able to attend the Polo Club Gala Dinner on Saturday 29th.

We have outlined a few outings for you but you should not forget that they are as many as they are diverse. Here is a non-exhaustive list of activities and cultural visits that you can be delighted to participate in:

The Heritage Days / Les journées européennes du patrimoine

On the weekend of September 15 to 16, the monuments will open their doors in Saint-Tropez under the theme « The Art of Sharing »… ► Program and Official Website! For its 34th edition, the European Heritage Days will feature almost 25,000 events throughout France, within the walls of some 17,000 historical treasures from the past. We are confident that Saint-Tropez will not disappoint us, by revealing many of the riches that this mythical city has to offer to us.

Autumn Festival 2018

The bird symphony

The 16^th edition will be held in St-Tropez, from Wednesday 05 September 2018 to Saturday 03 November. Headlining the Cinema/Theatre of the Renaissance: classical concerts.

• • Wednesday, September 5: Chanteurs d’Oiseaux / Geneviève Laurenceau / Lidija Bizjak.  More information on this concert here.

• Tuesday, September 25: Anna Fedorova, Ukrainian classical music pianist. Entry fee from 5 to 30 €, Book Quickly!

22^nd International Exhibition of Contemporary Artists

Intended for creators from all backgrounds, photographers, sculptors, painters, the exhibition will open its doors to them from September 27 to October 3rd, 2018. By visiting the Jean-Despas room of the Place des Lices, the public will have every opportunity to come and admire the beautiful works: Free entry from 11 am to 9 pm.

• • The exhibition is organized by the International Association of Contemporary Artists.

• • Two prizes will be awarded at the end, one from AIDAC and the other one from the city of Saint-Tropez.

• Contact at 06.20.14.46.65, for any registration request or information

The Horse and the Sea, an Art exhibition by Gérard & Josiane Abrial, will take place at the Lavoir Vasserot from September 6 to September 12.

As for the big Marine Sell-off, it will take place on September 16 2018, with surprises for this first event open to the public.

The Bocce Var Championship will take place on the same day, what better way to kill 2 birds with one stone if you are in the area!

Wilson & De Victor exhibition showcases the magic of anonymous photos. Site of the Saint-Tropez tourist office.

The Do You Festival of Saint-Tropez

It will take place on June 21 this year for the « Fête de la Musique ». The association « Cercle pour l’Avenir » of the Saint-Tropez peninsula more commonly known as CAP, was created in 2014. Since then, the talented team of 11 natives has never ceased to amaze the audience, bringing together artists from diverse and varied singing backgrounds. The festival has already welcomed Elodie Frégé, William Baldé, Mickey Green, Claire Keim, Julien Voulzy, Amandine Bourgeois, Gush and Les Innocents. For 2018 the festival will return to its origins, returning to the parking lot of the Habour Masters office where it came to prominence. The program will be announced soon.

http://www.saint-tropez.fr/fr/festival-do-you-saint-tropez/

The Jazz Festival in Ramatuelle

You will discover this year the 34th edition from August 16 to 20, organized jointly by Jacqueline Franjou, Michel Boujenah and the festival team. Proven talents and young hopefuls will make the stage swing during these five evenings where everyone will showcase their talent. You will enjoy the « Off » festival in the « Garden-Party » version as soon as the first blues notes mingle in the garden of the Open-air theater. An enchanting setting, where you can savour small award-winning wines and taste local food in the evening. Add it to the relaxation of a warm atmosphere, shake it all up and you have the tastiest cocktail ever.

http://jazzaramatuelle.com/

The « Soirées de la Citadelle de Saint-Tropez »

The dates of the 4th edition of the famous parties in Saint-Tropez have not yet been announced. But it is highly likely that they will take place over 3 days, from Thursday to Saturday at the end of July like last year. It is in the historical setting dating from the seventeenth century that the festivities will take place, on the very site of the fortresses that once was in charge of the defense of the village. We are no longer in the Middle Ages, however, the historical setting will be complimented in this poetic scenery, for its festivities worthy of ancient times. Overlooking the legendary cradle so dear to the Côte d’Azur, it is an exceptional landscape that will welcome artists from diverse musical worlds. Rock will be granted the right of the city, just as much as song and rap, enough to excite a large international cultural panel.

The Grimaldines

The Grimaldines take over the baton from the Grimaud Musical Evenings in summer.
Every Tuesday until the middle of the night, free concerts and shows follow one another. The lakeside city and its medieval village are invaded by artists from all backgrounds for the occasion, who mingle with a multitude of spectators. The castle and the alleys of the village then become the timeless home of people in search of both warmth as well as comfort.

Discovering Port-Grimaud on a beautiful spring weekend is like discovering a painting worthy of the most beautiful Marines, which stands side by side with an art of life where idleness is conjugated to infinity and is lived on a daily basis. The activities are plethora and are prolonged without stopping in this famous medieval village of Grimaud.

The coincidence of the calendar offers us many opportunities in May this year and we are expecting many many visitors very soon.

Sunset on Port Grimaud

Port Grimaud and its attractions

Do you know anything more invigorating than the typical scents of local herbs and the singing accent of the South?
Enjoy our typically provençal market held on Thursdays and Sundays and walk the alleys of the flea market at jas des Roberts in Grimaud every Sunday.

Port Grimaud market square

Visit Saint-François d’Assise church and its famous Vasarely stained glass windows, enjoy Grimaud’s musical evenings and stroll through the lakeside city to discover its heritage.

All types of Photo exhibitions

Discover the pictures taken by the members of the Grimaud Photo Club (from late March to the last days of May). It is their sensitivity that makes the difference, beautiful emotions that are expressed through the most diversified choice of photos..:

– Those of Jean-Paul Braconier, with his retouches, filters and tricks
– Raoul Fonquergne’s macro photo, which crunches the Grimaudoise fauna and goes all the way to the Camargue
– Marie-Françoise Nadal, for her part, reveals the portraits and landscapes of Laos
– And finally the colors of India depicted by Isabelle Ambrosio.

The official opening was held tonight on Friday, March 30.

Source: Gulf of Saint-Tropez Tourism

School theater performances

On the last weekend of May – it will be Mother’s Day –  many theater classes from the Gulf of Saint-Tropez will get together. On the program: shows developed by them throughout the school year with the help of their teachers. A committee of former students, who are now professional actors will make up the jury. These children and teenagers of Grimaud have a single objective to devote themselves to their passion while promoting cultural exchanges.
As you guessed, their performance will be open to the public.

We wish you a very pleasant weekend in Port Grimaud !

The 9th edition of the Voiles de l’Espoir (« Sails of Hope »), under the High Patronage of His Serene Highness Prince Albert of Monaco, offers children the opportunity to cross the Côte d’Azur through Grimaud, Cogolin, Fréjus, Saint Raphael, Cannes, and Monaco.

The navigator Armel Le Cleac’h once again honors organizers, volunteers, and children by being the sponsor of this new edition of the Voiles de l’Espoir.

A major national charity initiative called « Un Ballon pour l’espoir » (« A Balloon for Hope ») has just been launched to raise money for the Voiles de l’Espoir.

The aim of this event is to offer a week of sailing to children aged 8 to 14 from all walks of life (from metropolitan France, overseas, and other countries of the world such as Morocco, Luxembourg, etc) who have, for the most part, undergone intensive chemotherapy or a bone marrow transplant.

The organization of such an event requires many volunteers (nearly 700 people) to accompany the 102 children, as well as significant funds to manage all the logistics of the project (accommodation, catering, activities, and so on).

By mobilizing the Clubs of Quatalagor and thanks to an unprecedented chain of solidarity, the Endowment Funds of the Voiles de l’Espoir is challenging itself to contribute to gather the €58,000 euros missing from this 2017 edition of the Voiles de l’Espoir.

The objective is to finance the operation by collecting 2 euros per balloon purchased. The balloon release will be organized by the children present on the Voiles de l’Espoir during one of the stages.

The navigator Armel Le Cleac’h, sponsor of the demonstration, declared: « I am very happy to sponsor the Voiles de l’Espoir again. Two years ago, I was able to measure the happiness that this event brought to the children. This year, although I cannot unfortunately be present, I wanted to support all these young people and the volunteers who accompany them. Good wind to all! »

« Voiles de l’Espoir » is the world’s largest boating event organized every two years for children in remission of cancer or leukemia.

The organizers of Les Voiles de l’Espoir also wish to acknowledge the support of the Yacht Club de France, and the companies Musto and Jeanneau (Voiles partners).

The children participating in this event benefit from a tailor-made program: nautical learning, discovery of the Côte d’Azur, activities, and dedicated supervision… so many moments of escape to offer them an unforgettable getaway. Spread across 60 sailboats, around 100 children aged 8 to 14 from all over the world (France, Antilles, Reunion Island, New Caledonia, Morocco, Luxembourg) will be supervised for 7 days by more than 650 volunteers to allow them to escape and to discover ñ safely ñ the world of sailing and the sea.

Sharing, discovery, and solidarity… these are the slogans of this formidable human adventure organized under the aegis of the French Round Table (la Table Ronde Française).

This article was first published here.

What is there to do in Grimaud for a day or several weeks of holiday? Here are the must-see sites that we suggest you visit.

The Grimaud Castle

The castle ruins at the top are Grimaud’s main attractions. The summit is steep to reach but is really worth the effort. The castle was built at the beginning of the 11th century, reconstructed in the 15th century, and originally consisted of a round tower at each of the four corners. The castle was demolished by Richelieu during the 17th century (it was mainly active between 1624 and 1641).

Jean de Cossa reconstructed part of the castle, namely the towers built with arrow slits, the high walls, the underground passages, the windows and the entrances with curved doors, and two large tanks, which are still intact.

The main part of the ruins, that which is particularly visible from outside of the village, is surrounded by a long stretch of pointed ramparts reaching up to 7 meters in height. These were part of a triple wall enclosure, and are some of the most beautiful ones we have seen in the Provencal villages.

The ramparts are used during the summer as decor in an open air theatre, with the terrasses high up turned towards the castle ruins serving as theatre seats.

The Saint Roch Windmill

The Saint Roch windmill dates back to the 17th century and is situated on a small hill, just to the north of the village’s main hill (a few steps to the centre, just after the cemetery). Named the Gardiolle Mill in the 17th century, this wheat mill was one of the many mills in the region during the Middle Ages, consisting of 4 or 5 water mills along the the river Garde. The old, stone tower and the wooden blades were renovated in 1990 by the “Compagnons du Tour de France”, and seem perfectly finished and authentic. Visible from the castle ruins nearby, the windmill gives the impression that it could still function today.

The La Roque Troucade Mill, on the right bank of La Garde, uses a canal of running water in the rock.

Port Grimaud

This part of the village is situated on the coastline, 5 km from the hilltop village, to the extreme west of the Gulf of Saint Tropez. Each house was designed to strongly resemble an authentic Provencal style and the modern result is harmonious and has weathered well with time.

It is a leisure port harbor where you can moor your boat directly in front of your house, a luxury that is difficult to find, even in the most popular seaside jet-set locations.

For more information on the routes you can take and the various places to visit according to your requirements (with children, the elderly or, alternatively, sporty types), we suggest you contact the Tourism Office. They can give you some brochures but also on site advice.

The Grimaud Tourism Office

The Tourism Office is situated on the main road at the lower part of the village, and can offer you a lot of useful information. There is a billboard on the outside under a covered awning which has times, maps and other information available that you can consult even when the office is closed (which seems to happen to us all the time).

Website : www.grimaud-provence.com
Email : bureau.du.tourisme.grimaud@wanadoo.fr

Markets and flee markets

An open air market is held every Thursday in the village in Place Neuve.
On Thursdays and Sundays in Port Grimaud in the market place.
On Mondays and Fridays in the place François Spoerry in Port Grimaud South.

Flee markets – Flee markets : the first Sunday of the month. Get up early because they are very popular !

The community organises numerous cultural excursions and sporting activities. Boutemy Agency advertises them every month on their blog. Here is an example the latest programme that was published in July 2016.

The Folk Museum (Musée des arts et traditions populaires)

This lovely little trade and ancient traditions museum offers exhibits on local rural industry, as well as an olive oil mill, a cork manufacturer, and a village apartment from the 19th century.
It is situated on the D558 main road along the lower part of the village (the same road as the Tourism Office).
Entrance is free. You can visit every day, 7 days a week : 02:00pm – 05:30pm from Monday to Saturday, and 02:00pm – 05:00pm Sundays and public holidays.
Tel : 04 94 94 49 29

Cycling

There is a cycle path along part of the coastline after Port Grimaud, in the direction of Sainte Maxime. This area is however very crowded in the summer time.

Mountain biking

Grimaud is situated along the Maures Massif, and the wooded hills stretching to the west and forming an arc around the north and north-east. There are many trails suitable for Mountain biking, especially along the side of the neighboring village of Ramatuelle.

Hiking in the Maures Massif

GPS : 43.273216, 6.520159
Maps : IGN (1/25.000) #3545 OT “Saint-Tropez, Ste. Maxime, Maures Massif”

The beginning (or the end) of the GR9 trail (Grande Randonnée) is situated at St-Pons-les-Mûres, next to autoroute N98, just north of Port Grimaud.  You can leave from there to join Aix-en-Provence but, if you can, avoid the summer heat. Spring and autumn is better for hiking through the hills of Provence.

The GR9 begins not far from Port Grimaud to the north-west and stretches up until La Garde-Freinet, then towards the west through the Maures Massif.

The GR51 trail (Balcon from the Côte d’Azur) passes just next to the fishing village of Grimaud. To the north, the GR51 joins GR9 again for a while, and then heads to the north after Plan-de-la-Tour, then to the east up to Le Muy and Roquebrune-sur-Argens. To the south, the GR51 crosses the picturesque village of Cogolin, and then heads to the west, to join Cassis and Marseille.

Shorter hikes are available in the hills directly to the north of the village, such as a short walk to the Pont des Fées, or a little further north to La Roche Percée. Skilled sportsmen or weekend athletes could therefore be in their element spending their holidays in Grimaud.

Dive into the Blue Mediterranean

The Gulf of Saint-Tropez and its surroundings offer magnificent under-water experiences.
The waters around Port Grimaud are more suitable for dive training and for diving amateurs though.
However, the UCPA does offer stays for teenagers.

This article was first published here in French.

The national institute of geography and forestry, also known as the IGF, has just launched a fantastic initiative through their new tool called Rewind Time (« Remonter le temps »).
It is “a new unique service that permits you to observe the evolutions of our region throughout time.”

We enjoyed watching our region evolve through time because even though the Gulf of Saint-Tropez is known worldwide today, it was made up of humble fishing villages until the beginning of the 1950’s.

Port Grimaud

Map of Port Grimaud in the XIXth century

Port Grimaud, a swamp in the 1950s

These two images show Port Grimaud as it was up to 1976: swamps. It was nothing like the pretty Provençal village with snaking canals that we are familiar with today.

Bird’s-eye view of Port Grimaud nowadays

Saint-Tropez

Saint-Tropez had a large influx of tourists starting in the 1950s, when the world-famous Brigitte Bardot made the world discover the charm of this fishing village.

Saint-Tropez : Map from the Army published between 1825 and 1866

You will notice that in the 19^th century, there was not yet a Gulf of Saint-Tropez but the Gulf of Grimaud, since Grimaud was the largest village in the region.

Since then, the aerial view of Saint-Tropez shows the ballet of yachts around the port.

Aerial view of Saint-Tropez in 2016

Cogolin

Cogolin on the Army map in the XIXth century

Cogolin in 1950

Cogolin in 2016

This tool is very fascinating because it allows us to see the images of urbanization around the Côte d’Azur. You can see that on the photographs and maps of Cogolin that the principal axes of transport have remained the same for two centuries.

Sainte-Maxime

Sainte-Maxime in 1950

Aerial view of Sainte-Maxime in 2016

The rise that Saint-Maxime had between 1950 and today is impressive. Notice what the port of Saint-Maxime looked like only a few decades ago and how much we’ve built inland since then!

Sources: all the screenshots were done on the site of the IGN.

Sometimes all it takes to recharge your batteries and feel good as new is a nice weekend getaway. For this purpose, Port Grimaud is the perfect destination. Numerous activities await you, all in a beautiful setting and a relaxing atmosphere. Here are some ideas of things to do in Port Grimaud for a weekend.

Though this time of year is not what one would consider “beach weather”, there are still plenty of things to do and discover. For example, the Grimaud se met en scène theatre festival happens every month throughout the fall and winter. There are also blues nights where various local blues bands play, fairy tale readings, music nights where local musicians display their talent, etc. There are obviously holiday celebrations, such as Halloween, Advent evening, and New Year’s Eve. Perhaps the most beautiful however, is the Celebration of Light, held on December 4. On this night, the whole village appears to glow as everyone lights candles and places them on their window sills. It is a truly beautiful sight. There are events of this kind throughout the fall and winter, despite the chillier weather.

The Celebration of Light will be held on Dec 4, 2015

As for any seaside town, things really pick up in the spring and summer. Spring evenings are full of literary, musical, and artistic discoveries, as well as more unique events. For example, in May is held the Harley-Davidson festival, lasting three days. There is a book fair lasting three days in June, and of course the awesome Midsummer fireworks display on June 23. The summer is also full of fun cultural events. For example, the Grand Bal on Bastille day (July 14) is extremely popular, as are Les Grimaldines, a world’s music festival with shows happening every week in July and August. The musical evenings of the fall and winter continue without interruption, and the theatre festival is replaced by productions that use the castle overlooking the town as a theatre. Throughout September happens the widely popular Salon des Peintres which showcases the talent of local artists. Finally, we say goodbye to the summer with the traditional Feast of the Archangel Michael.

As you can see, there are many things happening all year round. All you have to do is consult the calendar of local events and see what interests you. No matter the time of year, we will have something to entertain and delight you. It may not always be beach weather, but there is always something fun happening in Port Grimaud. Come discover the joys of our seaside town, stay and enjoy a lovely evening with people you love, and go back home feeling happy and refreshed. All it takes is a weekend with us. Whenever you chose to come visit, we will be here to welcome you and show you a good time.

If you are planning a family vacation near Saint-Tropez, you will no doubt want to have a few activities planned to keep everyone entertained. To help you in your search, here are a few suggestions of places to visit and things to see near Port Grimaud:

1. Street market of Cogolin

A five-minute walk away from the city centre, the Cogolin street market is an ideal way to spend a relaxing, leisurely day with the whole family. You can take your time to stroll through the stalls, give the older kids some spending money, let the younger ones explore, take beautiful pictures, and make wonderful memories all in one afternoon.

2. Azur Park

A five-minute drive away from Port Grimaud, this amusement park is fun for the whole family. Open every day from April to September, Azur Park has a total of 35 rides, ranging from “baby”, to “extreme”. The park also offers a mini-golf course “among prehistoric creatures” and a restaurant. With fully customisable passes wherein you pay for the rides you wish to go on, Azur Park is a sure win in everyone’s book.

3. Citadelle de Saint-Tropez

A twenty-minute drive away from Port Grimaud, this naval museum is definitely worth a visit. Offering a comprehensive history of the port of Saint-Tropez and it’s notable seamen, the Saint-Tropez Citadelle is as much a monument to the past as it is a place of learning. Though it is ideal for history buffs, the chance to explore the old buildings will delight young and old alike. And with the entry priced at 3€, there really is no reason to miss out on this outing.

4. Grimaud Castle

A ten-minute drive away from the city centre, Grimaud Castle gave our town its name. Built in the 11th century and rebuilt many times over the course of its history, the castle is now free to explore, to the delight of many. In the summer time, what is left of the ramparts is used as the backdrop to an outdoor theatre, while the terraces up in the castle ruins are used as seats. Perched atop a hill, the castle offers spectacular views of Port Grimaud and the water surrounding it. Ideal for the active family looking for an easy hike.

5. Port Grimaud Beach

A fifteen-minute walk away from the city centre, Port Grimaud Beach is the perfect place to spend the day in the sun, or to relax after a long day of sightseeing and walking around. Discover the many restaurants and delightful shops along the beach, as well as the beautiful sand and clear water. Mostly populated by romantics and families, it is the perfect place for your children to make holiday friends, and for yourself and your spouse to squeeze in a bit of French romance in a wonderful setting. If suntanning or swimming aren’t your cup of tea, there are also many boat excursions offered. These allow you to discover the area in more depth without having to worry about getting lost. Everything is taken care of, all you have to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride!

After Christmas in Provence, we would like to speak to you today about the santons of Provence.

Santons are little clay figurines that are placed in crèches for the Christmas celebrations. They are sculpted representations of the Nativity scene. A small crèche is composed of Mary, Joseph, baby Jésus (who is placed between his parents on December 24, at midnight), the donkey, and the bull who are warming Jesus with the breath, then, at the epiphany, the 3 wise men.

But many characters can be added, to the joy of collectionneurs. These characters represent provençal villagers and embody the customs and traditional crafts of our region.

The origins of the santons of Provence can be traced back to the French Revolution, on July 14 1789. With the Revolution, churches became “property of the French state” and, in 1793, the national assembly decided to close them all.

But the people, who were profoundly religious, were used to going to church to see the Christmas crèche. No longer able to do this because the churches were closed, they started making the crèche at home, in hiding because it was forbidden. This first happened in Provence. People made very small figurines that they could easily hide.

A small business started making all the crèche characters.

In 1798, Louis Lagnel (who lived in Marseille from 1764 to 1822), designed the first plaster moulds to make his santons. This new technology made mass production and wide distribution possible. These “penny santons” finally allowed everyone to own their own crèche.

The tradition of santons truly took off in the XIX century, with the appearance of Provence’s master santonniers. The clay figures they created were borrowed from everyday life and work.

There exists today more than a hundred character because each santonnier is free to make the characters he wants. Here are a few made by one of the most loved santonniers, Marcel Carbonel.

• The olive picker
• The gypsy
• The notary
• The baker

Santons are an original gift idea with you want to bring souvenirs from your time among us back home.

If you visit Port Grimaud and the French Riviera during the winter, we suggest that you visit the santons fairs organized between November and January in Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, or Aubagne. You will find smaller but no less charming fairs everywhere in Provence.

A museum dedicated to santons and traditions of Provence will also welcome you in Fontaine-de-Vaucluse.

Here at Boutemy, we are very attached to our provençal roots and like to share our traditions with our clients.

One tradition particularly close to our heart is Christmas Eve’s 13 desserts. The subject isn’t timely, I hear you tell me, but since there are fewer of you visiting us during the winter, we wanted to talk about it on the blog.

Everything starts with the chacho-fio (literally “setting fire”) when the oldest and the youngest child of the family put a fruit tree log in the fire.

After having gone around table three times, they place the log, previously soaked in mulled wine, on the embers and speak sacramental words when the the fire starts.The log will burn until midnight and then will be ignited in the same manner every night until the new year.

After this ritual, it is time to move on to the big supper, a lean (without meat) but very hearty meal. There are 7 dishes representing the 7 wounds of Christ, made exclusively of local products, different depending on whether you are on the coast or in the backcountry.
This begins by the aigo boulido (“water boiled with garlic” in provençal), the meal continues with fish dishes like cod in raito (provençal tomato sauce) and spinach escargots.
The surrounding mise-en-scène is most important: a table dressed on 3 tablecloths where 3 candles are placed. Thirteen breads accompany the dishes and commemorate the Last Supper. Finally, a place is set and left empty for the travelling man who may come knock at the door, it is the poor man’s place.

At the end of the meal, we eat the 13 desserts. It is certainly the most respected tradition today and even though we do not all observe the chacho-fio and the big supper, we do observe this custom.

Though the number is always the same, the desserts may vary. There are, however, some staples:

• The gibacié: a flour cake with olive oil and orange flower. Other names include: fougasse or pompe à huile (literally “oil pump”)
• White and black nougats: made with honey, almonds and sugar. To make a white and creamy nougat, egg whites are added to the mix; as for black nougat, it remains crunchy and brown in colour.
• The four beggars: symbolize the 4 great Christian Mendicant Orders (the members of which spread the gospel and help the poor). The desserts are: almonds for the Dominicans, raisins for the Augustinians, figs for the Franciscans, and hazelnuts for the Carmelites.
• Fruit and candy: depending on taste, apples, pears, grapes, oranges, honeydew melons, mandarin oranges, plums, dates, jam or quince jelly, calissons (speciality of Aix en Provence), candied fruit, and prunes are served. To these are added each village’s specialities: panade (apple pie), oreillettes (my all time favourites), pine nut cookies…

I hope you found this article about our local Christmas traditions helpful. In our next article, we’ll introduce to « Les Santons de Provence » (hint: they are a great present idea).

At the end of the month will be held an event that we are especially fond of : Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, a competition between the most modern and traditional yachts in the world.

While the summer season is coming to an end, the 17th edition of the Voiles de Saint-Tropez will allow some of the best navigators in the world (Marc Pajot, Sébastien Josse, Philippe Monnet, Marie Tabarly, Bruno Peyron, and Lionel Péan to name a few) to come together with sailing enthusiasts and families come to see this surprising aquatic ballet.

From Saturday, September 26 to Sunday, October 4, everyone is invited to enjoy this fabulous show.
The races will take place from September 28 to October 3 for modern sailboats, the Wally Class, and the “J Class” (starting at 11 am), and from September 29 to October 3 for traditional sailboats (starting at noon).
Thursday, October 1 will be the challenge day, including the Club 55 Cup. The competitors can compete against whoever they like as long as they inform their opponents.

You can enjoy the show from the shore or in the water. Private companies offer to take you on one of the regattas participating in the modern sailboats’ race.

The Bateaux Verts who usually do the liner route between Port Grimaud and Saint-Tropez will also allow you to follow the regattas (by 2 hour, half-day, or full day time slots). For this, you can book your tickets online.

If you prefer staying on the mainland,  the organizers of the Voiles de Saint-Tropez  offer to watch the show
“* in the Voiles’ village, next to the harbor master’s office, open to participants and the public every day from 9 am to 9 pm,
* in Saint-Tropez’ port in the morning and the evening, with some of the competitors docking in the old and new ports, or along the Jean Réveille dock.

Of course, if you own a boat, you will be able to enjoy the event from the different shores of the Saint-Tropez gulf.

During the Voiles de Saint-Tropez, you will be able to stay and dock your boat in Port Grimaud. We will help you find the rental that will perfectly suit your wants and needs.

Last week, we gave you a few tips on how to decorate your house with navy and seaside elements.
In this article, we would like to talk about typical provençal decoration.

Provençal decoration is mostly characterized by its colors. They are light and luminous, and can be found in the Provence’s landscapes: ochre colors (yellow, orange), lavender blue, olive green. Ochre colors are used in painting for mural decoration, as for green and lavender blue, they are found on the shutters of provençal homes.

Natural materials such as wood and terracotta tiles are very present in provençal decor. Wood is often painted, dyed, or weathered to harmonize with the other provençal colours.

The emblems of Provence

 – Olives, lavender, cicadas.

These patterns are often found in provençal decoration, on upholstery, on table linen (especially tablecloths) and on most decorative objects.

Furniture can also be customized. They are most often made of wood or cast iron. Whatever the material, it is decorated with provençal colors and ornaments.

Lavender is also a classic in provençal decoration.

There are many lavender fields in Provence, which create its famous blue expanses. Lavender is used to make perfume essence. Packets of it are often found in wardrobes to perfume the clothes. It is also a natural moth-proofer. 

At Christmas, provençal Santons (an article about them will be published soon on this blog) make their appearance in interior decor.

 – Provençal fabric

Provençal fabric is full of provençal colors, that is warm colors (yellow, orange, and red), lavender blue, and olive green. But provençal fabric wouldn’t be what it is without its patterns. Provençal patterns are found on all decorative provençal objects: cicadas, olives, sunflowers, scarabs.

Samples of provençal fabric

 – Pottery and basketry

Anduze potteries. They are big terracotta vases that are found in provençal gardens. The particularity of Anduze pots is the garlands that adorn the vases and their ochre color.

Basketry designates all the baskets and boxes made of vegetal fibre, mostly wicker or rattan.

These decorative objects also have their place in provençal decoration.

– The provençal kitchen

The provençal kitchen’s decor has a special place. It includes the classic colors and patterns of provençal decor, but there is also a whole selection of decorative objects to have:

–  The mortar

– The provençal service with its olive oil bottle, vinegar bottle, pepperpot and salt cellar.

If you wish to bring back a piece of Provence from your holidays in Port Grimaud, you will easily find all these objects in one of the typical markets of the region.

The market is held in Port Grimaud every Thursday and Sunday from 8 am to 1 pm on the well-named “Place du marché”.