Living in Grimaud: the art of living in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez

Between the Massif des Maures and the Mediterranean, facing Saint-Tropez, Grimaud offers one of the most diverse lifestyles in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. Its medieval village, world renowned lakeside town, residential areas close to the golf course and beaches offer several different ways to experience the French Riviera, in a more peaceful setting than Saint-Tropez while remaining at the heart of the Gulf.

With 4,587 permanent residents in 2023, Grimaud retains an intimate, human scale despite significantly higher visitor numbers during the summer season. The town enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers, mild winters and an average annual temperature of around 15°C.

This quality of life explains Grimaud’s appeal among French and international buyers, whether seeking a primary residence or a holiday home.

Grimaud, a Mediterranean lifestyle at the heart of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez

Grimaud’s distinctive character begins with its geography.

The commune stretches from the foothills of the Massif des Maures to the Mediterranean coastline. Within just a few kilometres, the stone houses and narrow streets of the historic village give way to the canals of Port Grimaud, followed by the beaches and residential areas of Beauvallon.

The coastline features eight beaches, all facing the Gulf and Saint-Tropez, offering opportunities for swimming, water sports and boating throughout much of the year.

At the same time, Grimaud has a genuine year round community. Although second homes account for a significant proportion of properties in the commune, INSEE recorded 2,240 households in 2023. This dual residential and tourist identity creates a lively atmosphere during the season and a noticeably more peaceful environment throughout the rest of the year.

Three ways to live in Grimaud: the village, Port Grimaud and Beauvallon

This is perhaps what distinguishes Grimaud most clearly from other destinations in the Gulf: one commune offers three remarkably different residential experiences.

The historic village: character, views and tranquillity

Perched on the hillside, the village of Grimaud embodies the Provençal character of the commune.

Its narrow streets, historic houses, Saint-Michel Church, Saint-Roch windmill and the remains of its medieval castle create a particularly well preserved heritage setting.

Around the historic centre, villas and private properties enjoy a more residential atmosphere, with gardens, swimming pools and, depending on their location, beautiful views over the surrounding hills or the Gulf of Saint-Tropez.

This area is particularly well suited to buyers seeking a character property, space and tranquillity, while remaining close to the coast.

Port Grimaud: a lifestyle shaped by the water

On the coast, Port Grimaud offers a completely different experience.

Created from the 1960s onwards by architect François Spoerry, this lakeside town was designed to establish a direct relationship between residential living and boating. Its canals, quays, footbridges and colourful façades have created an instantly recognisable architectural identity.

Some houses offer the rare privilege of mooring a boat directly in front of the property. This exceptional configuration gives Port Grimaud a true waterfront lifestyle, particularly sought after by an international clientele with a passion for boating.

The port also offers boat shuttle services to Saint-Tropez, a particularly convenient alternative during the summer season.

More than simply a seaside address, Port Grimaud therefore offers a genuine lifestyle centred around the water and boating.

Beauvallon: villas, golf and residential living

Between Grimaud and Sainte-Maxime, Beauvallon offers a third way to experience life in the Gulf.

The area combines a residential setting, proximity to the beaches, villas with gardens and the Golf Club de Beauvallon, an 18 hole course extending across approximately 40 hectares between the sea and the hills.

For buyers seeking greater privacy, Beauvallon offers a particularly attractive balance: properties set away from the Gulf’s busiest areas while remaining close to the Mediterranean and the region’s principal destinations.

Villas overlooking Saint-Tropez and the Gulf naturally occupy a particularly desirable position within this market.

The Grimaud lifestyle: marina, golf and gastronomy

In Grimaud, quality of life is largely defined by the ability to enjoy everything the Gulf has to offer without necessarily depending on Saint-Tropez for everyday life.

Port Grimaud places boating at the heart of this lifestyle. The lakeside town has several marinas and provides direct access to Saint-Tropez by sea. Port Grimaud 1 alone offers more than 800 moorings.

In Beauvallon, golf represents another important aspect of local life. Its 18 hole course, set between the hills and the Mediterranean, combines the pleasure of the game with an open setting overlooking the Gulf.

Gastronomy naturally complements this experience. Restaurants can be found throughout the village, Port Grimaud, along the coast and in Beauvallon, with cuisine largely inspired by Mediterranean flavours and Provençal produce. Beauvallon’s revival is notably illustrated by Beauvallon Sur Mer by Yannick Alléno, located within COMO Le Beauvallon and overlooking the Bay of Saint-Tropez.

Grimaud is also surrounded by vineyards producing Provençal rosé, white and red wines, further strengthening the connection between gastronomy, terroir and the Mediterranean art of living.

For international clients, accessibility is supported in particular by La Môle Saint-Tropez Airport, especially suited to business aviation, as well as Cannes Mandelieu and Nice Côte d’Azur airports for broader domestic and international connections.

“One of Grimaud’s greatest attractions is the diversity of lifestyles it offers. In Beauvallon, our clients are looking for privacy, proximity to the golf course and a privileged residential atmosphere overlooking Saint-Tropez. Port Grimaud offers a completely different experience, with the rare privilege of having a private mooring at the heart of the lakeside town. These are truly distinctive addresses, perfectly suited to an international clientele drawn to the sea and the Mediterranean lifestyle.”
Anastasia Panacheva, Côte d’Azur Sotheby’s International Realty expert

A lifestyle that enhances the value of your property

In Grimaud, quality of life and property value are closely connected.

The experience of our Côte d’Azur Sotheby’s International Realty team in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez shows that the very qualities that make Grimaud such an attractive place to live also underpin the desirability of its properties: views over the Gulf, preserved surroundings, proximity to the sea, quality outdoor spaces, privacy and access to boating.

However, these factors take different forms depending on the area.

Around the village, properties are particularly sought after for their grounds, tranquillity, architecture and views. In Beauvallon, proximity to the coast, the golf course, the residential setting and panoramas towards Saint-Tropez all play an important role. In Port Grimaud, a property’s position on the canals and the characteristics of its mooring are specific factors influencing value.

This diversity contributes to the resilience of the local property market: Grimaud does not depend on a single type of property or lifestyle.

It also enables the commune to meet a wide variety of property requirements, from primary residences and family holiday villas to homes with private moorings designed to make the most of life in the Gulf.

“Grimaud occupies a truly distinctive position within the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. The commune offers a greener, more residential environment than some neighbouring areas while remaining very close to Saint-Tropez. This location, combined with beautiful views over the Gulf and the village, is particularly sought after by our international clientele. Here, the quality of the surroundings, privacy and rarity of the properties directly contribute to their long term value.”
Margaux Perrier, Côte d’Azur Sotheby’s International Realty expert

Property in Grimaud: the market and most sought after areas

Grimaud’s property market directly reflects this diversity.

For houses, the indicators available in 2026 place the market at approximately €9,500 to €10,000 per sq m, with naturally significant variations depending on the precise location and characteristics of each property.

These averages should be considered as benchmarks only. In the luxury property market, a villa with panoramic views in Beauvallon, an estate set on substantial grounds near the village and a house with a private mooring in Port Grimaud each follow very different valuation dynamics.

For buyers, the question is therefore less about choosing “Grimaud” than determining which way of experiencing Grimaud best suits their project: the authenticity and tranquillity of the village, a direct relationship with the sea in Port Grimaud, or the residential environment of Beauvallon.

To discover the villas, houses and properties currently available for sale, explore our Luxury Real Estate in Grimaud selection.

Frequently asked questions about living in Grimaud

What is the population of Grimaud?
Grimaud has 4,587 permanent residents according to INSEE’s 2023 reference municipal population, which came into effect in 2026.
Visitor numbers increase significantly during the tourist season, particularly due to the large number of second homes and the appeal of Port Grimaud and the Gulf of Saint-Tropez.

Does Grimaud offer a good level of privacy for residents?
Yes, particularly in the residential areas surrounding the village and in Beauvallon.
Villas surrounded by gardens and properties located in more discreet settings make it possible to remain close to Saint-Tropez while enjoying a generally more peaceful atmosphere.
The level of privacy naturally depends on the precise location and configuration of each property.

Is Grimaud easily accessible for international clients?
Yes, although accessibility varies depending on the mode of transport.

La Môle Saint-Tropez Airport is the closest option for business aviation. Cannes Mandelieu and Nice Côte d’Azur airports provide additional connections for domestic and international travel.
By sea, Port Grimaud offers privileged access to destinations throughout the Gulf, with boat shuttle services notably connecting Port Grimaud and Saint-Tropez.

Is Grimaud suitable for a primary residence or a second home?
Both.
The village and residential areas such as Beauvallon are particularly well suited to year round living thanks to their peaceful surroundings and residential character. Port Grimaud has a more seasonal dimension and is particularly sought after as a second home destination and by boating enthusiasts.
Nevertheless, Grimaud has more than 2,200 permanent households, confirming that it is far more than simply a holiday destination.

How does the lifestyle in Grimaud differ from Saint-Tropez?
Saint-Tropez offers a livelier atmosphere and a particularly vibrant social scene centred around its harbour, historic centre and iconic addresses. Grimaud offers a more residential and diverse experience.

The village is ideal for those seeking Provençal character and tranquillity, Beauvallon offers space and golf, while Port Grimaud provides a lifestyle directly centred around boating.
For many property owners, Grimaud therefore offers the opportunity to enjoy the Gulf and proximity to Saint-Tropez while returning to a more peaceful environment in everyday life.

Discover luxury real estate in Grimaud

A villa overlooking the Gulf, a character property near the village, a house with a private mooring in Port Grimaud or a residence in Beauvallon: Côte d’Azur Sotheby’s International Realty assists French and international clients with their property projects in Grimaud and throughout the Gulf of Saint-Tropez.

Discover our selection of properties on our Luxury Real Estate in Grimaud page.

Are you a property owner in Grimaud? Contact our Côte d’Azur Sotheby’s International Realty Saint-Tropez office for a confidential and personalised valuation of your property.

Sources:

INSEE

Immo DVF

PAP