Escalet

Escalet Information

Escalet is the bay in Ramatuelle situated between Cap Camarat and Cap Taillat 6 miles South of Saint Tropez. This beautiful nature reserve is home to some of the fim stars and celebrities who want to be quiet and really enjoy what Ramatuelle has to offer. Escalet is on a hill overlooking a protected part of the sea and you will not see clearer waters in the South of France. A few minutes away from the lighthouse of Camarat you will see a rock emerging from the sea : this is Bird Island.
The ochre colour of the rock has changed to white marked by the droppings of the black cormorants. In summer a few brave swimmers try to reach the island but they never stay for long.

History

Starting from the little private harbour of l'Escalet follow the coastal footpath for 150 meters and you will find a rock with a commemorative plaque mentioning the submarine missions and the escape of the standard of the 2nd regiment of dragoons during the Second World War.

Just after the Cape Camarat you will see one of Provence's most prestigious estates : the castle of Volterra . It was built between 1906 and 1912 and belonged to some rich Englishmen. It was called the Castle of Camarat at the time.
Simone Volterra bought it in 1926 (it is now named after her). She gave many a grand reception there with famous people such as Raimu, Colette, Joséphine Baker, Jean Cocteau.

Top 5 Things to See

Escalet Beach
Cap Taillat
Cap Camerat
Snorkelling off the Rocks
Walking along the cliffs at Escalet

Weather

How to Get to Escalet

Get to Escalet by driving from Aix en Provence or Nice by the A8. If you are coming from Aix then get of at Le Luc and hit the A57 toward Le Luc/Vidauban/Les Arcs/La Garde-Freinet/Toulon. If you are coming from Nice then come off at le Muy. exit 13-Le Cannet-des-Maures toward La Garde-Freinet/Les Arcs/Vidauban/Le Luc. At the roundabout, take the 4th exit onto D558 heading to La Garde-Freinet/Cogolin/Saint-Tropez. At the roundabout, take the 4th exit onto Route de La Garde-Freinet/D558. Continue to follow D558
Turn right to stay on D558At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto D14At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto D14Turn right to stay on N98. Continue onto D61Continue onto D61. Continue onto D61

To get there, drive along the D93 from either Pampelonne or La Croix-Valmer and follow the signs for Les Tournels (which is in the opposite direction to Ramatuelle).

Beaches

It is a mix of pebbles and sand, and the beach is accessed via an unpaved road. There is a quaint little beach at Escalet as you reach the bottom of the hill, and then you sand turns to rocks as you head towards Cap Taillat and Cavalaire. The rocks plunge into the warter and you will find little inlets with secret and private beaches. Often you will find nudists on these beaches. The rock has been polished and there are two footpaths leading across the rocks which makd for a pleasant stroll.

There are more beaches as you head west and eventually you will get to a little tombola or island attached to the mainland. This can be explored and some people camp here. In summer you will find boats parking up outside Escalet Beach enjoying the beautiful sealife which Escalet has to offer.