The legend on Pampelonne Beach.

Club 55 is nothing less than a legend in St Tropez; it is an iconic part of the folklore of the place, along with Brigitte Bardot and Gunther Sachs.

It all began in 1955, when Madame de Colmont was cooking lunch for her family

Club 55 when it started at 1955

It is situated in the middle of the famous Pampelonne Beach, who’s lesser and tackier beach restaurants, do not compare with its style or sense of Theatre.

Set in the dunes of the white sands of Pampelone Plage, it is definitely the beach club I “adore”.

Pamplonne Beach 1955

It all began in 1955, when Madame de Colmont was cooking lunch for her family and the filmcrew of “…And God Created Woman” couldn’t stand this savour and asked if this is a restaurant too? From there on the story began an she used her little wood hut to attend to the culinary desires of Brigitte Bardot and the crew during the filming with Roger Vadim

Her son and now owner, Patrice de Colmont has lived here since his childhood, and combines his love of the place with an iron hand when dealing with the whims, and demands of the impossibly spoilt, super rich guests.

Roger Vladim and Brigitte Bardot

Everyone is treated in the same manner. It is a real treat to go as the guest of a true local, whose right to sit in the hallowed section of the restaurant is enshrined in the unwritten etiquette known only to the waiters who have been there for years, and seen it all before.

In the seventies, it was still largely a European clientele, but by the 1980’s the oil rich Arabs had arrived with heir huge entourages, and thirty years later it is the newly enriched Russian Oligarchs.

Every year there is an invasion of the super rich from around the world, demanding the best tables and ordering the most expensive wines on the menu. The real connoisseur will begin with the opulent crudités, select a bottle of Le Bouis Rosé (made by Patrice de Colmont), and then sit back and relax, and watch the show.

On Fridays you have to try the Aioli which is always served as a “Plat du Jour” then.

Aioli (steamed fish and vegetable with garlic mayonnaise)

But there are other nice things like the catch of the days fish which is served grilled with Ratatouille, Rice or the super nice “Pomme Poissoin” (crispy potatoes) or get some Moules Marinieres or the Scampis with served with a saffron butter.

Scampi with saffron butter

Last but not least you should try once the Sardines which are by the way one of the healthiest fishes you can eat. Fresh grilled this fish contains good fats and with no calories as well it has high Omega 3 and super high proteins. (Check the recipe how to do them.)

And of course try the famous "Artichaut chaud" which come with a nice vinaigrette and is as healthy as it could be for your liver when you drink some good chilled rosé.

Artichaut chaud / froid (warm or cold Artichoke)

The waiters have been here for years and serve delectable Mediterranean cuisine, whilst the guests provide the Cabaret.

Calogero and Patrick running the Bar at Club 55

Impossibly beautiful, leggy girls, hang around the thick brown necks of perma-tanned plump businessmen magnates, and the seriously rich bring their yachts around from the harbour at St Tropez, and entertain their guests at Club 55, so that the sea opposite looks like a boat park for the biggest yachts in the world.

Those who wish to enjoy the wonderful scenery should avoid July and August at all costs, and yet that is when the Cabaret is at its best with Gigolos seeking their prey, and young girls seeking their Millionaires, and everyone in between.

My favorite time to be there is in spring (starting in April to end of May and June). And then end of September when the Voile de St. Tropez starts and the light is illuminating the whole scenery.

In summer (July to August) when at 6pm the sun is lengthening over the beach, and the Billionaires have headed back to St Tropez or Juan Les Pins or Cap D ‘Antibes, or Cap Ferret or Cannes, and the wonderful beach looks its very mellow yellow best. That is the time to sit in the weakening sun, and sip a glass of rosé and share the moment with your beloved once.

And if you once get the chance to catch a table on 1stof January after having new year down in St. Tropez you will be surprised about the taking care of Patrice and his crew as on every table are some new year gifts placed for the guests.

Patrice and his daughter Camille de Colmont

Despite all the Posers, Pimps and Princesses, it is still the most beautiful place runned by the family de Colmont.

Club 55

43 Boulevard Patch, 83350 Ramatuelle

Tel. +33 4 94 55 55 55