When Pampelonne is too much of a scene, head to this sandy paradise to commune with the sea. Of all the Saint Tropez beaches, Plage des Salins is the finest. Bordered by pines and bisected by a little creek leading inland to a marsh, this 600-meter long beach is slightly more exposed to the wind than Pampelonne but it's also substantially less crowded even in high season.
The fine white sand rises gently to scrub and grass-covered dunes that extend far inland. Other than the squawking of seagulls and the rolling waves, no sound disturbs the tranquility. Just north and around a rocky bend is the tiny and usually deserted Plage Mouttes.
Access
Plage des Salins is about seven kilometres from Saint-Tropez and there are two access roads. The route des Salins leads to the beach-restaurant Les Salins where there's free parking. Walk about 50 meters around the bend to arrive at the southern end of the beach. The other road is the parc de la Moutte which arrives at a parking lot. Walk about five minutes along a path to the northern end of the beach. The free shuttle bus from Saint Tropez arrives at the beach-restaurant Les Salins. See more on getting around Saint-Tropez.
Facilities
There's a first-aid station with showers and a lifeguard on duty (June to September) on the northern end.
Private Beach Restaurant
The only dining establishment is Les Salins where you can actually dine with your feet in the sand, waves washing over your toes. There are actually two dining areas within Les Salins. Upstairs is an upscale fish restaurant with a terrace and downstairs is a more casual experience that emphasizes salads and pasta at reasonable prices (for a beach restaurant). Service is friendly and there are beach chairs and parasols for rent.
Map
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Video of Plage des Salins