Visiting Port-Grimaud by boat can be arranged for as little as €5 per adult on a water cruiser, or from €30 for a 30-minute electric boat rental without a license. The lakeside city of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez is best explored from its canals; on foot, the experience is incomplete.
Before you book, here’s a clear overview of rates, tours, watercraft options and practical tips for a successful ride!
Key points to remember
- Visiting Port-Grimaud by boat costs from €5 per adult.
- Rental of an electric boat without a license starts at €30 for 30 minutes.
- The coches depart from Place du Marché and Place des Six Canons.
- The guided tour lasts an average of 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the route chosen.
- The best time to visit is from April to October, with peak periods in July and August.
Port-Grimaud, the Venice of Provence to discover from the water
Port-Grimaud, nicknamed the Venice of Provence, is a lakeside town built in the 1960s on the Bay of Grimaud. Designed by architect François Spoerry, it is made up of pastel-faced houses linked by a network of navigable canals. Visiting Port-Grimaud by boat makes perfect sense, as most of the houses are accessible only by water.
Located in the heart of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, the town attracts many visitors every year to admire its unique architecture. From Campsite Miremer, our campsite in Grimaud, you can reach Port-Grimaud in just 9 kilometers and just over 10 minutes by car. Once you’re there, there are two main options for your outing: a guided boat trip on a “coche d’eau” or the rental of an electric boat.
Les coches d’eau: visit Port-Grimaud by collective boat
The “coches d’eau” are electric water buses that tour the Port-Grimaud canals. They cost from €5 per adult and €3 per child for a 20-30 minute guided tour, depending on the company you choose. Departure is from Place du Marché or Place des Six Canons.
The route allows you to discover the town from the water, passing under bridges, past the church of Saint-François-d’Assise and typical villas. Commentary in French recounts the history of the site and the vision of François Spoerry, its founding architect. No need to book in advance: just turn up at the pontoon and wait for the next departure, usually every 20 to 30 minutes in summer.
This is the cheapest and quickest way to get a complete overview of the city.
Rent an electric boat in Port-Grimaud
Rental of an electric boat without a license starts at €30 for 30 minutes, rising to €50-80 for a full hour, depending on the size of the boat chosen. Several rental outlets are located in the heart of the city, around the main squares.
Operation remains simple. A boat for 5 to 7 people, depending on the model, powered by a silent electric motor, no license required. A deposit is required when you take over, and a brief introduction is given by the rental company. You’re then free to cruise the canals, at reduced speed, for a more personal experience than on a water coche.
This option is particularly appealing to families with children, couples looking for privacy and groups of friends who want to immortalize the ride at their own pace.
Our tip: for the best light on the pastel facades, plan your electric boat trip for the end of the day, between 5 and 7 pm in summer. The crowds thin out, the colors soften and the crossing becomes a suspended moment. For water buggies, the first thing in the morning option also delivers almost deserted canals.
Practical tips for a successful boat tour
A few precautions make it easy to prepare your boat trip to Port-Grimaud. Nearby, the medieval village of Grimaud rises to the top of the hill, making it an ideal stopover to extend your day. Here are a few points to keep in mind:
- Book in advance for electric boat rentals in July and August.
- Paid parking is concentrated in the parking lots outside the city, with pedestrian access inside.
- A fee is charged to enter Port-Grimaud on foot during the high summer season.
- The best time to visit is from April to October, with May and June offering an excellent combination of crowds and weather.
- Children are welcome on board, and life jackets are always provided by the rental companies.
This escapade is a natural part of a wider discovery of the Var, the Côte d’Azur’s flagship department, where hilltop villages and turquoise beaches come together just a few kilometers apart.
Good to know: driving an electric boat in Port-Grimaud is accessible to anyone over the age of 18, with no need for a license or prior experience. A brief introduction is given by the rental company before departure, and speed is deliberately limited to preserve the canals. A deposit, generally between €200 and €500, is required at the time of rental.
Do you dream of gliding along the canals of Port-Grimaud on your next vacation? Book your stay at Campsite Miremer, ideally located between Grimaud and La Garde-Freinet, and enjoy the lakeside town just 9 kilometers from your accommodation!
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