【South of France】Provence's "Little Venice" - Life on the Water

Port Grimaud, also known as the "Little Venice" of Provence in the South of France, is listed by the Ministry of Culture as a "20th Century Heritage" site. The entire town is an artificial waterfront city composed of numerous small bridges, canals, and colorful houses. Unlike the bustling Venice, it retains the tranquil and relaxing holiday charm of the South of France while also offering a glimpse into the daily life of the locals. There are quite a few families traveling together, and we noticed that the majority of visitors were senior groups from France and Europe. The elderly, wearing sunglasses and looking very healthy, strolled leisurely around the town. 🌿 ⏳ Time Needed: 1-2 hours (excluding meal times). 🌻 Things to Do: 1) Church For just 1€ per person, you can climb up to the bell tower's viewing platform and overlook the entire harbor. Colorful houses, marinas filled with yachts; on one side is the azure sea, and on the other, green hills. All the beautiful scenery is right before your eyes. 🕍 2) Boat Ride Highly recommended activity! There are two options: 1) Renting an electric boat to drive yourself, or 2) Taking a water bus with other tourists without having to drive. I chose the first option, as it felt more free and fun to drive myself. The electric boat follows a set route, taking about 30 minutes to complete a leisurely loop. It offers a different perspective to appreciate the beauty of the town. 🛥️ 💰 The cost is 30€ per half hour, with a 50€ deposit that is fully refunded afterward. If you choose the water bus, it's around 6€ per person. Taking your time to wander around the town, you'll discover interesting designs and unique corners. We passed by locals selling old books at stalls in front of their homes, spotted fascinating murals, and saw fountains and buildings decorated with white and blue ceramic tiles. I really loved the vibe of the town! It's one of my favorite municipalities from this South of France trip. ❤️ 📖 About the Town: In 1966, there was only a vast mosquito-infested swamp at the mouth of the Giens Peninsula, separating the Grimaud Plain from the sea. An inspired architect, François Spoerry, began clearing the swamp and created an artificial Venice, a lakeside city with multiple canals and Provençal-style houses lining the docks. This unique architectural ensemble was listed as a 20th Century Heritage site in 2002 and has been awarded the "Remarkable Contemporary Architecture" label since 2018. 🏰 #SouthFrance #SouthFranceVacation #RoadTrip #France #EuropeanTravel #FrenchRiviera #NoFilters #Grimaud #LittleVenice #Provence