Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Peninsula
The golden sands of France's chicest beach, Plage de Pampelonne , line the peninsula's
eastern side. South of St-Tropez unfurl manicured vineyards and quiet narrow lanes dotted
with châteaux or solitary stone bastide s (country houses).
Cap Taillat is guarded by the Conservatoire du Littoral and shelters some of France's
rarest plant species as well as a population of Hermann tortoises ( Click here ) . Cap Lardi-
er, the peninsula's southernmost cape, is protected by the Parc National de Port-Cros.
The Sentier du Littoral ( Click here ) snakes along the entire coastline.
The yield of area vineyards - Côtes de Provence wine - can be tasted at châteaux
along the D61 and around the peninsula. Tourist offices have lists.
Sights
Ramatuelle
Ramatuelle, a labyrinthine walled village with a tree-studded central square, got its name
from 'Rahmatu'llah', meaning 'Divine Gift' - a legacy of the 10th-century Saracen occu-
pation. Jazz and theatre fill the tourist-packed streets during August's Festival de Ram-
atuelle ( www.festivalderamatuelle.com ) and Jazz Fest ( www.jazzfestivalramatuelle.com ) .
VILLAGE
Sémaphore de Camarat
LIGHTHOUSE
( guided tour only Jun-Sep) Pampelonne stretches for 9km from Cap du
Pinet to Cap Camarat , a rocky cape dominated by France's second-tallest lighthouse
(110m), operational since 1861, electrified in 1946 and automated from 1977. Scale it for
giddy views of St-Tropez and the peninsula. Book tours at Ramatuelle's tourist office.
Gigaro & Cap Lardier
Seaside hamlet Gigaro harbours a sandy beach, some lovely eating and sleeping options,
and a water-sports school. From the far end of the beach, a board maps the Sentier du Lit-
toral ( Click here ) that works its way around the coast to Cap Lardier (4.7km, 1½ hours)
and past Cap Taillat to L'Escalet (9km, 2¾ hours). From Gigaro, the narrow but drop-
dead gorgeous D93 winds inland over the Col de Collebasse (129m) to Ramatuelle - a
good ride for mountain bikers. L'Escalet , accessible by a 2.5km road signposted off the
D93, is a pretty little rocky cove.
BEACHES, CAPE
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