Renting a small electric boat is the best way to see Port Grimaud. The rental outfits near the main entrance operate self-drive boats that require no licence — you are given a brief introduction and then left to navigate the canal network at your own pace. The boats are quiet and slow-moving, which is exactly right for threading through the narrow waterways, ducking under arched bridges, and peering at the waterfront facades from water level.
The canal network connects all 12 islands of the village and opens out towards the bay, where on calm days you can motor a little way towards the Gulf of Saint-Tropez for a different perspective on the village. The contrast between the intimate canal alleys and the open bay is one of the pleasures of the experience. Rentals are typically by the half-hour or hour; book ahead in July and August.