Ramatuelle

Ramatuelle and Gassin are two beautiful perched villages set high above the Mediterranean sea of the St Tropez peninsula, not far from St Tropez. The villages were originally created to escape the pirates who terrorised the Mediterranean waters below.

Ramatuelle sits above the famous Pampelonne beach - famous for both its role in the Allied landings and its renown as one of St Tropez's main beaches and the first to introduce the craze for topless sunbathing.

Ramatuelle covers the top of the hill and its pleasant narrow streets meander around the town in a circular pattern. Near the top is the Place Gabriel Peri, formerly called ‘Castle Square' for the seigniorial home of the Seigneurs of Audibert.

The main historic sights in Ramatuelle are the Church of Notre Dame which was built in the 16th century against the protective ramparts. Its bell-tower doubled up as a look-out post.

Also in Ramatuelle is a rather intriguing prison. It is tiny and built in a distinctly Arabian style. It was built by Napoleon III but many believed it was really a Turkish bath built by the Saracens.

Really though it is the whole ensemble of Ramatuelle that is the reason to visit. Its narrow, shady streets, the stone buildings covered in bougainvillea, the stone gateways - part of the town's defences, and the view from the car park which looks out over the surrounding vineyards and the southern end of Pampelonne beach with the light-house at Cap Camarat. (This light-house is the second highest in France and you can see Corsica from the top!).

Ramatuelle's main square, just outside the stone entrance gateway, is the Place de l'Ormeau (Elm Square) and here are a few bars and restaurants where you can stop for refreshments.

The village generally is known as an arts and crafts centre and there are a number of little galleries to visit as you wander round.