Plage de Tahiti

Set just far enough out of the town of Saint Tropez yet within a stone’s throw is one of the areas best known beaches - the Plage de Tahiti. Adjoining Pampelonne beach this broad stretch of sand has everything one would expect from one of the French Riviera’s top spots.

On quieter days, outside the summer holidays, the beach could almost be described as secluded, with its backdrop of trees reminiscent of jungle foliage. However, mid-season the masses descend in their thousands to see and be seen.

Presumably the name of the beach was inspired by the near white sand and crystalline turquoise water which give this place something of a feel of a tropical paradise. 

Tahiti Beach’s fame dates back to the 1950s when Brigitte Bardot’s And God Created Woman (Et Dieu… Créa La Femme) hit the silver screen. In the film the Plage de Tahiti features in a raunchy scene. The film was a big, if not slightly controversial, hit. Prior to this Tahiti Beach was best known as the site of the Allied landings in 1944.

Possibly off the back of Bardot’s example Tahiti became one of a growing number of naturist beaches across France. Driven by the liberation and drive for equality that defined the 1960s Plage de Tahiti became a place where women could go topless (just like the men) and, in fact, everyone could go bottomless too if they so desired. And whilst Tahiti remains one of the most iconic nude beaches in France the majority of naturists opt for somewhere a little more private these days.

Plage de Tahiti is regarded as one of the coolest spots in Saint Tropez and as such attracts a fairly chique crowd. The beach is a great place for celebrity spotting or just people watching in general. It’s free to sit on the sand, but eating at one of the beachfront restaurants or hiring a sun lounger will cost you plenty!