Yachting Art Magazine

Long before the mega-yachts, luxury hotels and celebrities that have made Saint-Tropez world-famous, small, brightly coloured fishing boats were already a familiar sight on the waters of the gulf. With their tapered bows and hulls painted in lavender blue, almond green or Provençal red, the pointus have been part of the Mediterranean landscape for generations. Heirs to a long maritime tradition, they tell a story quite different from that of luxury tourism: the story of the fishermen, shipwrights and coastal villages that have shaped the identity of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez.

From Saint-Tropez to Sainte-Maxime, from Port-Grimaud to Ramatuelle, these traditional boats remain today as witnesses to a living heritage that the locals are committed to preserving. Much more than mere vessels, the pointus have become ambassadors for an authentic Mediterranean, deeply rooted in its maritime heritage. Their elegant silhouette, immortalised in film, photography and postcards, continues to remind us that before becoming one of the world’s most famous destinations, Saint-Tropez was first and foremost a fishing port with its back to the sea.

When Saint-Tropez comes to life to the rhythm of the pointus

It is still early in the Old Port of Saint-Tropez. The terraces are beginning to come to life as the first rays of sunshine illuminate the ochre-coloured façades lining Quai Jean-Jaurès. In the still-quiet harbour, a few colourful coques bob gently on the water. Lavender blue, almond green, Provençal red or sunshine yellow, the pointus seem to belong to another world.

Their hand-painted names often tell a family story. Some have accompanied several generations of fishermen. Others have been given a new lease of life following meticulous restoration by enthusiasts of maritime heritage. Just a few metres from the Mediterranean’s most prestigious yachts, these modest vessels serve as a reminder that Saint-Tropez was first and foremost a fishing village.

Long before Brigitte Bardot put the town on the world map, the pointus were already criss-crossing the waters of the gulf to bring back sardines, anchovies, sea bream and red mullet. Even today, they embody the authentic spirit of Saint-Tropez.

Why are they called ‘pointus’?

The name of these boats comes directly from their distinctive shape.

Unlike many traditional European boats, pointus have both a tapered bow and stern. This distinctive shape earned them the nickname ‘pointus’, which over time became the official name for these Mediterranean vessels.

Designed for coastal fishing, they offer excellent stability whilst remaining particularly manoeuvrable in the sometimes choppy waters of the Provençal coastline.

The pointu is not unique to Saint-Tropez. They can be found from Marseille to Menton via Cassis, Bandol, Sanary-sur-Mer and Antibes. But it is in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez that they have become most iconic.

A history closely linked to Mediterranean fishing

For centuries, pointus were the daily working tools of Provençal fishermen. At the height of Provençal fishing, pointus were a common sight along the Var coastline. In 1926, there were 663 pointus manned by nearly 1,600 fishermen in the Var department alone, a testament to the considerable importance of these vessels in the Mediterranean maritime economy.

Before the advent of engines, these boats were mainly propelled by lateen sails and oars. Their design was perfectly suited to the needs of sailors along the Mediterranean coast. They could be easily launched from the beaches, carry nets and navigate close to rocky areas where fish were abundant.

In Saint-Tropez, as well as in Sainte-Maxime, Cogolin, Port-Grimaud, Gassin, Ramatuelle and La Croix-Valmer, the pointus have long been a central part of life in the maritime communities.

Fishing for bluefish, red mullet, sea bream or Mediterranean sea bass was then one of the main economic activities in the gulf.

The iconic boat of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez

Every coastal region has its own iconic vessel.

The Arcachon Basin has its pinasses. Lake Geneva has its Belle Époque boats. Venice has its gondolas.

The Gulf of Saint-Tropez has its pointus.

Their elegant silhouette has become an integral part of the local landscape. Featured on postcards, in old photographs and in the paintings of many Provençal artists, they embody a certain vision of the Mediterranean.

Through them, the entire maritime history of the gulf lives on.

The Gulf of Saint-Tropez in figures

To understand the importance of the pointus in local history, one must appreciate the extent of the territory they have criss-crossed for generations. The Gulf of Saint-Tropez stretches for nearly 25 kilometres of coastline between Sainte-Maxime, Saint-Tropez, Ramatuelle, Gassin, Cogolin, La Croix-Valmer and Cavalaire-sur-Mer. This maritime area now comprises 12 municipalities and is one of the most iconic coastal regions in the Mediterranean.

The port of Saint-Tropez alone has over 700 moorings, in addition to several thousand more spread across the ports of Sainte-Maxime, Port-Grimaud, Cogolin, Marines de Cogolin and Cavalaire. Every year, the Gulf welcomes several million visitors who come to discover its beaches, hilltop villages and maritime heritage.

The coastline is dominated by a number of major natural sites such as Cap Camarat, whose lighthouse, built in 1831, rises more than 120 metres above the sea, Cap Taillat, one of the best-preserved areas on the Côte d’Azur, and the famous Pampelonne beaches, which stretch for nearly 5 kilometres between Ramatuelle and Saint-Tropez.

It is in this exceptional setting that the pointus have long been used for coastal fishing, connecting the coves, beaches and villages of the gulf long before the arrival of modern tourism.

Where can you see the pointus today?

The Old Port of Saint-Tropez remains the most iconic spot for admiring the pointus.

But they can also be found in many ports around the Gulf. They are particularly common in Sainte-Maxime, Port-Grimaud, Cogolin, Cavalaire-sur-Mer, La Croix-Valmer and even in the small anchorages of Les Canoubiers.

The nautical gatherings held in spring and autumn often provide an opportunity to admire dozens of restored pointus in exceptional condition.

These events bear witness to the locals’ deep attachment to their maritime heritage.

Why are these boats so appealing?

Pointus embody a kind of simplicity that has become rare.

Their charm lies as much in their harmonious lines as in the stories they tell. Each boat bears the traces of its region, its builder and the generations who have used it.

They also offer an alternative to the images often associated with Saint-Tropez. Set against the backdrop of giant yachts and modern infrastructure, they serve as a reminder of the town’s maritime origins.

This authenticity largely explains their popularity with visitors.

The colours of the pointus in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez

Lavender blue, almond green, sunshine yellow or Provençal red: the colours of the pointus play a key role in their identity. Inherited from Mediterranean maritime traditions, they once allowed a boat or a family of fishermen to be quickly identified. Even today, they contribute to the charm of the Old Port of Saint-Tropez and the ports of the gulf.

Experiences on board the pointus

Many local associations now organise heritage trips allowing visitors to discover the gulf aboard restored pointus.

Some trips follow the coastline past the beaches of Pampelonne, the rugged headlands of Ramatuelle or the coves of Les Canoubiers. Others offer an introduction to Provençal maritime traditions or traditional sailing.

Visitors can also explore several exhibitions dedicated to local maritime history, notably at the Citadel of Saint-Tropez and in various museums along the Var coast.

How much does a trip on a pointu cost?

Prices vary depending on the type of experience offered. During maritime festivals or certain heritage events organised in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, it is sometimes possible to board restored pointus for free or at a reduced rate, thanks to associations dedicated to preserving maritime heritage.

For small-group sightseeing trips, prices generally start at €15 to €20 per person for a short cruise in the gulf. Longer excursions, including visits to the headlands, coves or the beaches of Pampelonne, often cost between €25 and €50 per person depending on the duration and services included.

More exclusive experiences are also organised aboard private traditional boats. In the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, certain small-group wine, food or heritage tours can cost several hundred euros when they include a private boat trip, tastings and personalised guidance.

Beyond the price, these trips above all allow you to discover Saint-Tropez, Ramatuelle, Gassin, Port-Grimaud or the wild headlands of the Var coastline from the sea, in conditions similar to those experienced for generations by Provençal fishermen.

When is the best time to experience the pointus?

Spring and autumn are undoubtedly the best times.

Temperatures are pleasant, tourist numbers remain reasonable, and the Mediterranean light offers exceptional conditions for photography.

In summer, meanwhile, you can attend several nautical events whilst making the most of the lively atmosphere in the gulf.

Whatever the season, the pointus remain in the harbours and continue to form an integral part of the landscape.

The pointus of Saint-Tropez in French cinema and the collective imagination

Few traditional French boats have enjoyed such media exposure.

When Brigitte Bardot filmed And God… Created Woman in Saint-Tropez in 1955, the pointus naturally featured in the harbour scenes and helped spread the image of the village across the world.

A few years later, the series Les Gendarmes de Saint-Tropez starring Louis de Funès in turn immortalised the quays, the colourful facades and the traditional boats of the harbour. More recently, numerous television and photographic productions have continued to use the pointus as symbols of Saint-Tropez’s identity.

Far beyond the world of cinema, they now embody one of the most powerful images of the French Mediterranean.

Construction and restoration: a living tradition

Today, several hundred pointus still remain along the Provençal coast thanks to the work of associations and specialist shipyards. Many are now considered boats of heritage interest and regularly take part in maritime gatherings organised between Saint-Tropez, Sanary-sur-Mer, Bandol, Le Brusc and Villefranche-sur-Mer.

If they continue to enliven the ports of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez today, it is thanks to the patient work of shipwrights, shipyards and associations dedicated to preserving this unique heritage. In Saint-Tropez, the Allemand shipyard remains one of the most iconic names in this maritime tradition. In Cogolin, as in several ports along the Var coast, specialist workshops also continue to maintain and restore these vessels, many of which are over a century old. More broadly, Mediterranean names such as the Simon shipyards and Borg, in Saint-Mandrier-sur-Mer, play a part in passing on the traditional wooden boat-building techniques that have shaped the Provençal pointus.

Today, most projects involve restoration rather than new construction. Each project provides an opportunity to replace planks, restore a bow, rebuild a frame or breathe new life into a hull, some parts of which are over a century old. This meticulous work draws on rare skills, inherited from the old shipwrights of Provence.

Charities also play a vital role in this preservation effort. Organisations such asLes Pointus de Saint-Tropez, Les Pointus de Sanary andLes Amis des Pointus organise restoration campaigns, sailing gatherings and awareness-raising initiatives aimed at passing on this heritage to future generations. Thanks to their commitment, dozens of pointus continue to sail in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, perpetuating a maritime tradition that is an integral part of the Côte d’Azur’s identity.

A living heritage looking to the future

Unlike many historic boats on display in museums, the pointus remain active vessels.

They are still sailing, taking part in gatherings, welcoming visitors and continuing to pass on Provençal maritime history to new generations.

This ability to remain useful whilst retaining their authenticity undoubtedly explains their extraordinary longevity.

They embody a living heritage where history, craftsmanship, culture and a passion for the sea come together.

What you need to know about the pointus of Saint-Tropez

Far more than just a traditional boat, the pointu is the ambassador of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. Heir to several centuries of Mediterranean fishing, it tells the story of the men who shaped this region long before the arrival of international tourism.

From the Old Port of Saint-Tropez to the beaches of Ramatuelle, from the coves of Les Canoubiers to the ports of Sainte-Maxime and Cogolin, it remains a privileged witness to an authentic and deeply human Mediterranean.

At a time when Saint-Tropez continues to capture the imagination of the whole world, the pointus remind us that behind the myth lies a village of sailors, of whom they are the most faithful ambassadors.