History of Port Grimaud: Birth of a unique lakeside town
On the Côte d’Azur, 12 km from Saint-Tropez, lies a charming neighborhood elegantly dubbed the Venice of Provence. Port Grimaud was created in 1962 by the ingenious architect François Spoerry.
Its unique concept, combining residential architecture and nautical charm, marked its debut by creating a Venice-inspired space with pretty canals. This environmentally-friendly neighborhood on the water has become an architectural treasure and a must-see for tourism in the Var region.
While you’re waiting to visit this lakeside town in southern France, in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, during your stay at our campsite near Port Grimaud, here are a few facts about the history of Port Grimaud.
The origins of Port Grimaud in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez
Port Grimaud is the brainchild of François Spoerry. Against all odds, it was in the hell of the Dachau camp, where he was imprisoned, that the story of Port Grimaud was born. François Spoerry, an architect from Mulhouse with a passion for the sea, dreamed of a place where land and water would meet in harmony. Inspired by his love of sailing and the Phoenician lake cities, he imagined a village built on the water, combining residential and nautical elements.
A few years after his release in 1962, the architect acquired 30 hectares of marshy land near Grimaud and Saint-Tropez, infested with mosquitoes and of no interest to anyone at the time. He set about building his lake city. Planning permission was granted on June 14, 1966, and the first houses were delivered in the summer of 1967.
François Spoerry’s project was completed in the early 2000s, when Port Grimaud came into its own. With 2,400 houses, over 2,000 places for boats, 7 kilometers of canals, 14 kilometers of quays and a church, the church of Saint-François d’Assise, the lakeside town of Port Grimaud now stretches over 12 peninsulas.
Architecture and urban development in Port Grimaud
Jean Giraud, urban planner and François Spoerry’s collaborator, played a key role in the early stages of the development of the lakeside town of Port Grimaud, ideally located in the heart of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. Thanks to his expertise, Giraud helped shape the village, ensuring that it was both aesthetically pleasing and functional. Together, Jean Giraud and François Spoerry designed a unique architectural heritage that today attracts many visitors.
Port Grimaud, often compared to Venice, is a district of Grimaud on the Côte d’Azur. Built on the water, it embodies a unique architectural concept. Inspired by Venetian canals, its architecture skilfully blends residential and nautical elements, offering a living environment where water plays a central role. 3 districts make up this lakeside city on the Côte d’Azur: Port Grimaud I, Port Grimaud II and Port Grimaud III.
The evolution of urban development in Port Grimaud is marked by a profound respect for the natural environment. Architects have succeeded in integrating buildings harmoniously into the landscape, preserving Mediterranean charm while meeting modern needs. This balance between tradition and innovation is essential to maintaining the region’s tourist appeal.
From a soulless marshland to a touristy lakeside town on the Côte d’Azur
Recognized as a model private town, Port-Grimaud is now part of the heritage of the 20th century. With its canals and bold architecture, Port Grimaud is a lakeside town in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez that leaves no one indifferent!
Every year, the Venice of Provence attracts visitors from all over the world, who come to discover this unique place where every house opens directly onto the water. Here, the experience is total: between boat trips, kayak outings and timeless cruises, Port Grimaud is a playground for water sports enthusiasts.
This incredible area of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, with its harmonious blend of housing and aquatic spaces, brings the soul of Provence to life, while offering an authentic change of scenery. Its appeal even extends beyond its borders, boosting tourism throughout the Var and fostering rich and lively exchanges with neighboring communes such as Saint-Tropez and Sainte-Maxime.
Now that you know the history of Port Grimaud, a lakeside town in the south of France closely linked to the architect François Spoerry, its creator, during your stay at our campsite in the Var, don’t forget to explore the commune of Grimaud from top to bottom!