District · Saint-Gilles
L'Hermitage lagoonL'Hermitage-les-Bains
A 3 km lagoon behind the reef, calm water, shaded beach road and hotels close to the sand; fewer restaurants late.A 1.9 mi lagoon behind the reef, calm water, shaded beach road and hotels close to the sand; fewer restaurants late.
Key facts
- Suits
- Swimming, snorkelling, families, quiet nights
- Room prices
- $$
- price band of 5
- Sights here
- 1
- Eats here
- 1
What it's like
- Feels:
- Quiet and family-friendly: a long lagoon, shaded lawn and low-rise hotels
- Suits:
- Swimming, snorkelling, families, quiet nights
- Best time:
- Before 10:00Before 10:00 AM
- Watch out for:
- Weekend afternoons and school holidays, when the beach fills.
- In short:
- A 3 km lagoon behind the reef, calm water, shaded beach road and hotels close to the sand; fewer restaurants late.A 1.9 mi lagoon behind the reef, calm water, shaded beach road and hotels close to the sand; fewer restaurants late.
About these names
Saint-Gilles is a coastal strip about 6 km long from north to south. The marina and the seafront promenade sit in the middle. North is Boucan Canot, a beach with restaurants under the cliffs. South is L'Hermitage-les-Bains, the long lagoon beach and quieter hotel zone. Inland, on the hills above, Saint-Gilles-les-Hauts is a separate village with the botanical garden. Saint-Paul, with the big market and the cemetery, is a 20-minute drive north-east.
Where exactly
This district is highlighted. Shapes follow this guide's walking areas and places, not official boundaries.
L'Hermitage lagoonL'Hermitage-les-Bains
sleepseePrice $$
A 3 km lagoon behind the reef, calm water, shaded beach road and hotels close to the sand; fewer restaurants late.A 1.9 mi lagoon behind the reef, calm water, shaded beach road and hotels close to the sand; fewer restaurants late.
Suits: Swimming, snorkelling, families, quiet nights
On the map: L'Hermitage lagoon
District guideWalk: L'Hermitage lagoonSleep: L'HermitageIn the districts table
Off the map: Roland Garros Airport (RUN) (55–80 min by the usual route).
Where’s what, as a list:
- Saint-Gilles port and seafront (Port de Saint-Gilles): The marina, the promenade, dive and whale desks and the restaurant strip; lively in the evening, hot at midday. Suits: First stay, dinners on foot, boat trips. Price band $$$.
- L'Hermitage lagoon (L'Hermitage-les-Bains): A 3 km lagoon behind the reef, calm water, shaded beach road and hotels close to the sand; fewer restaurants late.A 1.9 mi lagoon behind the reef, calm water, shaded beach road and hotels close to the sand; fewer restaurants late. Suits: Swimming, snorkelling, families, quiet nights. Price band $$.
- Boucan Canot (Boucan Canot): A busy cliff-backed beach with a row of restaurants; the sea is rough and swimming is only allowed when the beach signs say so. Suits: Sunset drinks, watching the surf.
- Saint-Paul (Saint-Paul): The commune's seat: seafront market, marine cemetery, a grid of old streets; a car ride from the resort. Suits: The Friday market, old-town history.
- Sleep area L'Hermitage: suits Swimming, snorkelling, families, quiet nights, price band $$.
- Sleep area Saint-Gilles port: suits First stay, dinners on foot, boat trips, price band $$$.
- Roland Garros Airport (RUN), 55–80 min by the usual route.
Stay here?
How this district's sleep area scores for five kinds of traveler, ranked against the other Saint-Gilles districts that have scores. Scores are this guide's 1–5 judgements.
First visit
best of 2
The lagoon on the doorstep; the boat trips and market by car.
Families
best of 2
Calm shallow water, shade and hotel pools.
Light sleepers
best of 2
The calmest evenings on the coast; the lagoon is a 3-minute walk.
Night owls
2nd of 2
A few hotel bars and restaurants; the marina is a 12-minute drive.
Better for this: Saint-Gilles port and seafront
On a budget
2nd of 2
Mostly mid and upper hotels and villas; few rooms under €100.
Better for this: Saint-Gilles port and seafront
See
Opening hours and prices from each place page; (check) means typical hours, not yet verified.
- L'Hermitage lagoonBook a time
Swim and snorkel inside the reef lagoon in the morning, when the water is calm and the beach is quiet; stay inside the supervised zone.
- Hours:
- The beach is open all day; lifeguard cover and the marked swim zone vary by day and season, so read the flags and signs on arrival.(check)
- Entry:
- Free
Eat
What to order and what locals pay, from each eat page. Prices are estimates; check the menu.
- L'Hermitage beach kiosk
A beach kiosk or paillote for a fish plate, salad or samoussas on the sand between swims; eat by 14:00, before the afternoon storm in summer.
Order: Paillote: A beach lunch.
Price: A plat du jour is €12–18 (≈ US$14–25); a salad €10–14 (≈ US$12–17).
Sleep
Beside the lagoon and quieter at night; a car ride from the port restaurants.
Rooms: Mid to high: about €110–260 (≈ US$130–350) a room in the dry season (2026 estimate); school holidays add 25–60% (check)
Pick this if: Families, swimmers and quiet evenings by the lagoon
Skip this if: You want to walk to bars and a wide choice of restaurants at night
3–6 min walk to L'Hermitage lagoon · 12–20 min walk to Saint-Gilles port and seafront
Getting there and around
Where to get off
- L'Hermitage beach, south of Saint-Gilles · for L'Hermitage lagoon
- L'Hermitage beach, back-beach path · 3 min walk to L'Hermitage beach kiosk
Walks inside the district
- L'Hermitage lagoon → L'Hermitage beach kiosk: 3–5 min on foot (Walk to the beach kiosk)
On to the next area
- Short car or long walk north: about 12 min to Saint-Gilles port and seafront
From other sleep areas
- From Saint-Gilles port: 25–35 min walk to L'Hermitage lagoon
Minutes are this guide’s typical walking and ride times (p50–p90); traffic and heat stretch them.
Half-day walk
In the day plans: Day 1 — Lagoon morning, a 12:30 lunch table (Saint-Gilles in 3 days)
Photo and sunset spots
Light: 06:00–07:30
Calm, empty water and long shadows; the reef line breaks the swell in the distance.
Safety at night and noise
L'Hermitage lagoon and back beachday: oknight: ok
Stinging jellyfish and sea urchins; theft from towels and cars at the beach car park.
Quiet nights
The calmest evenings on the coast; the lagoon is a 3-minute walk.
Nightlife
A few hotel bars and restaurants; the marina is a 12-minute drive.
Late arrival
Fewer late restaurants; book a taxi for the way back from the port.
Nearby districts
Built from this guide’s Saint-Gilles districts table, place, eat and sleep pages, route graph and city notes. Hours, prices and rules change: anything marked (check) is typical, not verified. checked: 2026-09.