It’s not the sharp menthol smell of eucalyptus leaves that hits you when you turn off D93 on to chemin des Moulins, but the earthy acidity of rows of bountiful grapevines. Husband and wife Philippe and Florence Lamon have wine running through their veins after inheriting the farm from Florence’s father in 1994.The Lamons also belong to a co-operative, Les Vignerons de Grimaud, which produces Les Grimaldines wines. The hard-working Lamon’s enterprise doesn’t stop with grapes.The industrious couple renovated part of the farmhouse at the turn of the millennium and converted it into holiday apartments. But the pièce de résistance of Les Eucalyptus is their site, Camping à la Ferme, which is as close to St- Tropez’s most famous beach as you want to be.
Just a short moped ride away from the farmhouse, the site is beyond the vines and near the working part of the farm, although the grapes are mushed offsite at the co-operative.The occasional sound of a putting tractor is drowned out by the comforting and inviting roar of waves beyond the bamboo plantation backing onto Moorea Plage, part of St-Tropez’s legendary Pampelonne sands.The more discerning camper can sunbathe on the plage privé, with sunloungers reasonably priced for the area, however the public beach is equally delightful. Boutiques selling cool clothes are fringed around the restaurants, which offer bar snacks with a French-Reggae vibe at the end of the beach. Or if you’re into a little more comfort and delicacy, there’s a finer-dining area that wouldn’t look out of place in nearby St-Tropez. Even further, towards Pampelonne’s world-famous Plage de Tahiti, is a larger campsite with its own supermarket. Perfect for stocking up before retreating to the privacy of Camping à la Ferme. But if you crave the glitzy limelight then you could walk to the ultra-exclusive Kon Tiki beach huts and Club 55, famous since Brigitte Bardot’s first sashay and where megastars such as George Clooney have been spotted more recently.
Although you may occasionally spot a yacht on the horizon, the seclusion of Les Eucalyptus is miles from the mass camping holiday sites at Port Grimaud.The grounds host around 30 pitches and you’re more likely to see a vintage Citroën van than a four-by-four parked up alongside the tent. The campsite is well spaced with a well-appointed, though basic, shower block.The Lamons promise to update the facilities soon and have added it to their never-ending to-do list.
Foodwise, a brick-built BBQ is available mid- season, when there is less wind and not so much risk of fire, but if you’re looking for something smarter, inland there is Les Moulins de Ramatuelle, a hotel-restaurant with style, just a seven-minute bicycle ride away.A visit to nearby Ramatuelle, a quaint medieval town in the mountains with a traditional museum and a nocturnal market every Wednesday, is heartily recommended.You can also stop by LesVignerons de Grimaud to pick
up wine made from your local vineyard. And, of course,you’re only a short drive from St-Tropez and Port Grimaud, where if you want to live the life of the rich and famous you can always splash out on a yacht for as little as 2,000 euros a week.
