When you think Saint-Tropez, you probably picture luxury yachts, designer boutiques, and champagne brunches that cost more than your monthly rent. But tucked away from the glitz and glamour lies Plage de la Moutte, a wild, windswept stretch of sand where the French Riviera shows its most natural side. And yes, we mean natural in every sense of the word.
Welcome to stop #26 on our Naked Horizons journey, where we're trading stilettos for bare feet and exploring one of the most beautifully secluded naturist spots on the Côte d'Azur.
The Beach That Time (Almost) Forgot
Plage de la Moutte isn't your typical Saint-Tropez scene. There are no beach clubs here, no perfectly arranged loungers, no waiters delivering rosé on silver trays. What you will find is approximately 300 meters of pristine white sand bordered by whispering reeds, the Mediterranean stretching endlessly before you, and blissful solitude.
It's been called the wildest beach in Saint-Tropez, and that reputation is well-earned. Thanks to a generous donation by Annette Troisier de Diaz to the Coastal Foundation, this entire area is protected. No development. No commercialization. Just nature doing its thing.
Getting There Is Half the Adventure
Let's be honest: Plage de la Moutte doesn't want to be found. And that's precisely what makes it special.
You'll need to navigate to the end of Chemin des Treilles de la Moutte, passing through a private residential area. Park before you reach the gate (because yes, there's a gate), then continue on foot past a second barrier that graciously allows pedestrian access to the sea. It's about a 10-15 minute walk from where you park.
Think of it as nature's velvet rope. The difficult access keeps the crowds away, meaning even during peak summer season, you'll find this beach remarkably deserted. It's the kind of place where you can count the other beachgoers on one hand: sometimes literally.
The Unofficial Naturist Haven
Here's where things get interesting. While naturism isn't officially authorized at Plage de la Moutte, the area beyond the point on the right side of the beach has become a quietly understood naturist zone. It's that beautiful French approach to nude sunbathing: not making a big fuss about it, just letting people enjoy the sun and sea as they please.
For LGBTQ+ travelers, this laid-back vibe is particularly appealing. There's something wonderfully freeing about spaces that don't require labels or explanations. You simply exist, exactly as you are, soaking up that famous Riviera sunshine.
The Saint-Tropez Difference
What sets Plage de la Moutte apart from other naturist beaches we've explored in this series is its distinctly refined casualness. This is still Saint-Tropez, after all. The people you meet here might arrive in a beat-up beach bag or a designer tote: and nobody cares either way. There's an unspoken understanding that you've all made the effort to find this hidden gem, and that shared knowledge creates an instant community.
The gay and queer presence here is wonderfully organic. You're not in a specifically "gay beach" zone, but you'll absolutely find fellow LGBTQ+ travelers who've discovered this spot through the same whisper network that probably led you here. It's that perfect blend of mixed company where everyone's united by a love of natural beauty: both the landscape and the human variety.
What to Bring (And What to Leave Behind)
Since Plage de la Moutte is completely wild, there are zero facilities. Zero. That means:
Bring:
- Plenty of water (stay hydrated in that Riviera sun!)
- Snacks and lunch
- Sunscreen (and reapply it: reflected light off the water is sneaky)
- A good book (might we suggest something from Read with Pride?)
- A large beach towel or mat
- Shade if you need it (portable umbrella or tent)
- All your trash (pack it in, pack it out)
Leave behind:
- Expectations of Instagram-perfect beaches
- Self-consciousness
- Judgmental attitudes
- Speaker music (keep it personal with headphones)
The Best Time to Visit
Summer brings warmth and longer days, but it also brings the most visitors to the Saint-Tropez area. For Plage de la Moutte, though, "crowded" is relative: you'll still find plenty of space even in August.
Late spring (May-June) and early fall (September-October) hit that sweet spot: warm weather, fewer tourists, and the Mediterranean at its most inviting. The water might be slightly cooler in May, but by September it's bathtub warm from months of summer sun.
Weekdays are predictably quieter than weekends, and mornings tend to be more peaceful than afternoons when day-trippers make the trek.
Beyond the Beach
The beauty of Plage de la Moutte is that it exists in such stark contrast to the rest of Saint-Tropez. After a day of blissful isolation, you can wander back into town for an evening of people-watching at a café, or grab dinner at one of the many restaurants where the food is as fabulous as the clientele.
Saint-Tropez has long been a haven for the LGBTQ+ community, with a thriving gay scene that ranges from sophisticated to splendidly campy. The town's accepting atmosphere means you can seamlessly transition from naturist beach bum to polished dinner guest in the same day.
The Naked Horizons Philosophy
This series isn't just about finding places to shed your clothes: though that's certainly part of it. It's about discovering spaces where you can shed expectations, shed judgment, and just be. Whether you're reading MM romance books under a beach umbrella, swimming in the crystalline water, or simply closing your eyes and feeling the sun on your skin, these moments of freedom matter.
Plage de la Moutte embodies everything we love about naturist travel: accessibility (even if getting there requires effort), diversity (in both the landscape and the people), and that ineffable sense of peace that comes from connecting with nature: and yourself: without barriers.
Your Turn
Have you discovered Plage de la Moutte or other hidden gems along the French Riviera? We'd love to hear about your experiences. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and X to share your Naked Horizons moments.
And when you're done exploring the beaches, dive into our collection of gay romance novels and LGBTQ+ fiction at readwithpride.com: perfect beach reading for your next adventure.
Part of the Naked Horizons series exploring naturist destinations with LGBTQ+ perspective. Read with Pride celebrates authentic stories, authentic experiences, and authentic you.
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