The 10 Best Beach Clubs in Saint-Tropez & the French Riviera for 2027
The 10 Best Beach Clubs in Saint-Tropez & the French Riviera for 2027
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The French Riviera, and Saint-Tropez above all, is the birthplace of the glamorous beach club, where rosé, sand, and DJ-fueled afternoons created a worldwide template. The best is Club 55 on Pampelonne beach, where a sunbed pair runs roughly €80–€140 and a table at the famously simple, exclusive restaurant is one of the hardest reservations on the coast.
The smartest value is Plage des Salins on Saint-Tropez's quieter beach, where a relaxed lounger runs around €30–€45 away from the see-and-be-seen Pampelonne crush. This list is for travelers who want real Riviera beach clubs with real pricing, real beaches, and an honest read on each scene.
Prices reflect 2026 high-season (July–August) rates, when the coast is at its most expensive. Every venue is real and ranked on setting, food, atmosphere, service, and value.
1. Club 55 🏆 BEST OVERALL
On Pampelonne beach in Ramatuelle (Saint-Tropez), Club 55 is the original and most legendary Riviera beach club — born in 1955 from a film crew's canteen and now an understated, impossibly exclusive institution where the dress code is barefoot-chic and the guest list is global royalty.
Sunbeds run roughly €40–€70 per person (so €80–€140 a pair), and a lunch table — crudités, grilled fish, simple Provençal fare — is one of the most coveted reservations on the coast despite the deliberately unflashy menu. The genius is the restraint: no bottle-spray spectacle, just effortless, old-money cool.
It ranks #1 because it defines Riviera beach-club style and remains the benchmark of understated glamour. It's for travelers who want the original, most prestigious, and most quietly exclusive experience on Pampelonne. Reserve far ahead.
2. Nikki Beach Saint-Tropez
On Pampelonne beach, the original flagship Nikki Beach (the brand was born here in 2002) is the high-glamour, champagne-spraying counterpoint to Club 55 — white loungers, DJ-driven afternoons, and a moneyed, party-ready international crowd.
Daybed minimum spends run roughly €100–€500+, with the signature Sunday brunch and pool-party energy as the headline. The sushi-and-rosé menu and the see-and-be-seen scene are the draw. It ranks #2 for delivering the definitive party-glamour Pampelonne experience — louder and flashier than Club 55, and proud of it.
3. Loulou Ramatuelle (formerly Le Club 55's neighbor scene)
On Pampelonne, Loulou Ramatuelle is a chic, design-forward beach club and restaurant with a relaxed-luxe Mediterranean aesthetic, excellent food, and a stylish, grown-up crowd — part of the fashionable Loulou Paris family.
Sunbeds and minimums run roughly €80–€300, and the elevated French-Mediterranean kitchen is a genuine highlight. It ranks for blending serious food with effortless Riviera style in a more contemporary, design-led package than the older institutions.
4. Verde Beach (formerly Bagatelle Beach)
On Pampelonne, Verde Beach is a vibrant, party-forward club with a lush, garden-meets-beach aesthetic, strong DJ programming, and a lively, glamorous lunch-into-afternoon scene.
Daybed minimums run roughly €100–€400, and the energetic, music-driven atmosphere draws a younger, celebratory crowd. It ranks for its high-energy party programming and beautiful greenery-filled design — a top choice for travelers who want the Pampelonne party in full swing.
5. La Réserve à la Plage
On Pampelonne, La Réserve à la Plage is the beach outpost of the ultra-luxury La Réserve Ramatuelle hotel — a refined, Charles Zana-designed club with superb Mediterranean food and an elegant, understated luxury that appeals to discerning diners.
Sunbeds and dining run roughly €60–€200+ per person, and the polished service and excellent kitchen set it apart. It ranks for its quiet, top-tier luxury and outstanding food — a sophisticated alternative to the party-driven clubs.
6. Plage des Salins 💎 BEST VALUE
On the quieter Salins beach on the eastern side of the Saint-Tropez peninsula (away from the Pampelonne strip), this relaxed beach offers loungers and a calmer, more local atmosphere with the same beautiful water at a fraction of Pampelonne's prices.
A lounger runs around €30–€45, and the gentler crowd and natural setting make it a refreshing escape from the see-and-be-seen scene. It ranks as Best Value because you get a gorgeous Saint-Tropez beach day, swimmable water, and a relaxed vibe without the Pampelonne minimums — a local-favorite secret.
7. La Plage de la Pinède (Cheval Blanc, St-Tropez)
The private beach of the Cheval Blanc St-Tropez hotel, La Plage de la Pinède offers an intimate, ultra-luxury beach-club experience right in town, with impeccable service, a refined restaurant, and a serene, exclusive atmosphere.
Sunbeds and dining run premium rates (roughly €80–€250+ per person), reflecting the LVMH-level luxury. It ranks for its in-town convenience, flawless service, and serene exclusivity — a top pick for travelers staying in Saint-Tropez who want luxury without the Pampelonne drive.
8. Anjuna Beach (Èze-sur-Mer)
Further along the Riviera near Èze-sur-Mer, between Nice and Monaco, Anjuna is a stylish, modern beach club with a pebble beach, a beautiful deck over crystal water, quality Italian-Mediterranean food, and a relaxed-chic vibe.
Sunbeds and dining run roughly €40–€120, and the stunning Cap-Ferrat-adjacent setting and clear water are exceptional. It ranks for bringing contemporary beach-club style to the eastern Riviera, with a gorgeous setting and a calmer, more intimate atmosphere than Saint-Tropez.
9. La Môme Beach (Cannes)
On the Croisette in Cannes, La Môme Beach is a glamorous, see-and-be-seen private beach club famous during the Film Festival, with prime loungers, a polished restaurant, and a high-energy, fashionable scene right on the city's iconic beachfront.
Sunbeds and dining run roughly €60–€200, and the central Croisette location plus celebrity-spotting cachet are the draw. It ranks for delivering Cannes glamour at its most concentrated — a prime, fashionable beach-club base in the heart of the festival city.
10. Plage Keller (Cap d'Antibes)
On the Cap d'Antibes, Plage Keller is a long-running, beautifully positioned beach club on a stunning peninsula with crystal-clear water, a relaxed-elegant restaurant, and a loyal, refined clientele.
Sunbeds run roughly €40–€90, and the gorgeous Cap d'Antibes setting and calm, classy atmosphere are the appeal. It ranks at #10 for its idyllic location and timeless, low-key Riviera elegance — a serene, scenic alternative to the busier Saint-Tropez and Cannes clubs. The Cap d'Antibes setting, framed by pine-covered headlands and some of the clearest water on the coast, has drawn a loyal clientele for generations, and the unhurried, classic-French atmosphere feels worlds away from the champagne-spray scene.
It's the choice for travelers who want the Riviera at its most refined and understated.
How to Choose
- For the original, most prestigious experience: Club 55 on Pampelonne — barefoot-chic, deeply exclusive; reserve far ahead.
- For the best value: Plage des Salins or quieter peninsula beaches — gorgeous water, relaxed vibe, no Pampelonne minimums.
- For full party glamour: Nikki Beach or Verde Beach on Pampelonne — champagne, DJs, see-and-be-seen energy.
- For top-tier food and quiet luxury: La Réserve à la Plage or Cheval Blanc's La Plage de la Pinède.
- For the eastern Riviera (Cannes, Antibes, Èze): La Môme Beach, Plage Keller, or Anjuna — stylish settings beyond Saint-Tropez.
- Always reserve in July–August, when Pampelonne's marquee clubs book out and prices peak across the coast.
What to Know Before You Go
Understand the lay of the land in Saint-Tropez. The legendary clubs are not in the town itself but strung along Pampelonne beach in neighboring Ramatuelle — a roughly 5-kilometer sweep of sand a short drive south of the port. In July and August the access roads and the few parking lots fill early and traffic crawls, so many visitors arrive by water: a boat or tender from Saint-Tropez harbor drops you right at the club's jetty, which is both the most glamorous and often the most practical option.
Confirm your transport before committing to a long lunch that runs into the afternoon.
Reserve, and reserve early. The marquee Pampelonne clubs — above all Club 55, but also Nikki Beach and La Réserve à la Plage — book out days or weeks ahead at the height of summer, and a lunch table at Club 55 is one of the most sought-after seats on the coast. Sunbeds are typically priced per person, often with separate charges for towels and shade, and the party-glamour clubs layer daybed minimum spends on top.
Expect rosé and Mediterranean cuisine at premium prices; this is a place where the bill reflects the address.
Mind the style and the season. Dress code is barefoot-chic by day and smarter for dinner; swimwear stays at the beach, and a stylish cover-up is expected at the table. The season runs May to September, peaking in July and August when the Riviera is at its most crowded and expensive — June and September deliver warm water and full operations with noticeably more space.
For value or calm, the quieter peninsula beaches like Salins, or the eastern-Riviera clubs around Antibes, Cannes, and Èze, offer the same beautiful Mediterranean without the Pampelonne premium.
FAQ
How much do French Riviera beach clubs cost?
Sunbeds at the top Pampelonne clubs run roughly €40–€70 per person, with the party-glamour venues (Nikki Beach, Verde Beach) carrying daybed minimum spends of €100–€500+. Food and rosé add up quickly. Quieter beaches like Salins offer loungers for €30–€45 with no minimum — a far gentler option.
Which Saint-Tropez beach club is the most exclusive?
Club 55 is the most prestigious and hardest reservation, famous for its understated, old-money exclusivity rather than flashy spectacle. La Réserve à la Plage and Cheval Blanc's beach also deliver top-tier, quiet luxury. Nikki Beach is the most glamorous party-driven option.
When is the best time to visit?
The season runs roughly May to September, peaking in July and August when the Riviera is at its busiest, most glamorous, and most expensive. June and September offer warm water, full operations, and slightly more space — many regulars prefer these shoulder months.
Do I need to reserve a beach club in advance?
For Pampelonne's marquee clubs (Club 55, Nikki Beach, La Réserve) in July and August, absolutely — they book out days or weeks ahead. Quieter beaches like Salins and Plage Keller are more walk-in friendly, but reserving is always safer in peak summer across the entire Riviera.
Bottom Line
French Riviera beach clubs peak with Club 55 on Pampelonne — the original benchmark of understated glamour, with sunbeds around €40–€70 per person and a coveted lunch table. For value, Plage des Salins delivers a beautiful, relaxed Saint-Tropez beach day for €30–€45 with no minimum.
Match the venue to your priority — prestige, party, quiet luxury, or budget — and reserve early in high season.
Sources
- Club 55 — official site (club55.fr)
- Nikki Beach Saint-Tropez — official venue page (nikkibeach.com)
- Condé Nast Traveller — French Riviera and Saint-Tropez beach club guides
- The Telegraph Travel — Saint-Tropez and Côte d'Azur coverage
- Atout France (official French tourism) — Riviera beach and leisure listings
- La Réserve Ramatuelle, Cheval Blanc St-Tropez, and Verde Beach — official venue sites
- Vogue / Travel + Leisure — French Riviera beach-club features