Some locations are more than just eateries or bars; they are iconic trademarks of a decade, a specific type of splendour, or a mood. One such location is Le Club 55, St Tropez, on Pampelonne Beach. Le Club 55 (translates to The Club 55 in English) has subtly incorporated itself into the legend of Saint-Tropez, starting as an improvised cafeteria for a film crew in 1955 and evolving into a widely recognised icon of summer on the Côte d’Azur.
We will go into what makes Le Club 55 renowned, who owns it, whether it’s pricey, which celebrities have been spotted there, and, above all, whether a visit is worthwhile for you.
Where the Rich, Famous & Fabulous Dine, Le Club 55 Saint Tropez, France
Iconic Rise of Le Club 55, St Tropez, France
It is 1955, and a film crew arrives on Pampelonne Beach to make Roger Vadim’s “And God Created Woman” film. The de Colmont family, who owned a cluster of simple wooden beach shacks there, offered a makeshift canteen to feed cast and crew. That casual provision of food and seaside hospitality stuck: what began as family hospitality became a proper beach restaurant, christened “Le Club 55” for the year of its founding. Over the next decades, the place kept growing, not in pretension, but in reputation, becoming the original beach club of Pampelonne.
What’s striking about the Club’s early story is how quickly lore and lifestyle fused. It was never just “the food” that people talked about; it was the atmosphere: tables beneath a pergola, blue-checked tablecloths, baskets of raw vegetables piled up casually, a philosophy of ease and simplicity that felt luxurious precisely because it refused to be ostentatious. The restaurant’s aesthetic —whitewashed wood, blue textiles, shaded tables under pine trees—reads now as the definitive Riviera look.
Why is Le Club 55 famous?
A short answer to why Le Club 55 is so famous is because of a perfect storm of timing, celebrity, consistency, and atmosphere.
A Cinematic Birth. The Bardot connection gave Le Club 55 a launchpad into pop culture. When Brigitte Bardot and the film crew made Pampelonne fashionable, the little canteen became woven into the celebrity narrative of Saint-Tropez. That origin story has stuck; people still arrive wanting to sit where movie history once lingered.
Aesthetic and Authenticity. Le Club 55’s look — rustic pergolas, blue tablecloths, sand underfoot — is both photogenic and unwavering. In an era of changing trends, its refusal to chase flash has become its signature. The décor and the way staff work the floor convey a nostalgic, Provençal authenticity that visitors expect and seek out.
Celebrity Magnetism. From Hollywood actors to rock stars, Le Club 55 has been a go-to lunch for the famous for decades. Celebrity sightings create a feedback loop: famous people go because famous people go. The result is a persistent aura of exclusivity without the velvet rope.
Cult Status and Social Proof. The Club has been written up in travel magazines, food blogs, and luxury lifestyle columns for years. It appears on lists of the best beach clubs on the Riviera and on countless Instagram feeds, keeping the legend alive for new generations of visitors.
A Family Philosophy. Despite its fame, Le Club 55 has long advertised a philosophy that customers are “friends, not kings” — an insistence on friendliness and a slightly irreverent egalitarianism that feels rare in high-end beach clubs. That reputation helps it weather changing ownership and cycles of celebrity frivolity.
Who owns Le Club 55 St-Tropez?
For most of its life, Le Club 55 has been a family affair. The restaurant was founded by Bernard de Colmont, and for decades, ownership and management stayed within the de Colmont family. Patrice de Colmont, Bernard’s son, managed and served as the public face of Le Club 55 for many years, cultivating the club’s charm and tight social ethos.
Recent reporting confirms Patrice de Colmont as a central figure in the restaurant’s ownership and stewardship. (If you’re reading this in late 2025: news coverage from October 2025 reports Patrice de Colmont’s death; he remained closely tied to Le Club 55’s identity until the end of his life. The family’s role in the club’s story is well documented and part of why the place feels like a living social history rather than a corporate brand.) Beyond the family, the Club has long had links to local agricultural holdings: the restaurant emphasises produce from its own gardens and affiliated farms (Vallon des Bouis, Château de la Mole), which reinforces that privately held, artisanal character.
The official Le Club 55 website still presents the business as family-run with seasonal opening dates and direct messaging about reservations.
Is Le Club 55 expensive?
Short answer: yes, relative to most beach restaurants, and especially for what you get beyond the atmosphere. Let’s break that down.
Price point: Le Club 55 is not a budget beach canteen. Reviews and travel guides routinely describe it as “pricy,” “expensive,” or “among the costlier beach clubs” on Pampelonne. Part of that premium reflects the location (Pampelonne is a luxury destination), the brand cachet, and the simple economics of beach clubs (limited space, high demand, staff costs).
What you pay for: At Le Club 55, you’re paying for a table in a storied setting, the chance to be where celebrities lunch, and the convenience of beachside service — not necessarily Michelin-starred cuisine. Many reviewers note that the food is good and focuses on fresh, Provençal ingredients (much of it from Le Club 55’s own farms), but that dishes are often straightforward rather than experimental. In other words, you pay a premium for the experience more than for haute cuisine.
Relative value: TripAdvisor and other review platforms show a range of opinions. Some travellers feel the cost is justified by the ambience and location; others call it “overrated” for the price. Expect to pay a tourist-level premium for salads, seafood platters, and a bottle of wine, and plan for additional costs like beach lounger rentals if you want the full day-club experience.
If you’re budgeting: think of Le Club 55 as a special-occasion spend in Saint-Tropez. The meal is likely to cost more than a typical French bistro and will lean into the high end of local beach dining prices.
Who are the celebrities in Le Club 55 St-Tropez?
Le Club 55’s celebrity rolodex reads like a who ‘s-who of modern pop culture — and the list keeps growing. Because the club’s reputation stretches back six decades, the roster includes old Hollywood names, rock stars, supermodels, and contemporary A-listers. Media coverage and photo archives point to a long parade of famous patrons: Classic and long-term names, Joan Collins, have been linked to the area and were known to frequent the spot; Brigitte Bardot’s early association is part of the founding myth. Global stars: Reports and paparazzi shots have captured the likes of Sylvester Stallone, Hugh Jackman, Bono, Kate Moss, and other actors and musicians at Le Club 55 over the years.
Contemporary jet set: Modern coverage frequently mentions names such as Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Leonardo DiCaprio, Naomi Campbell, and other high-profile visitors to Saint-Tropez more generally; many of these celebrities have been sighted around Pampelonne and the town’s hot spots (including Le Club 55 on occasion).
A note on celebrity culture: Le Club 55 isn’t a nightclub where people go to be photographed under strobes. Celebrity lunches here tend to be relaxed, sun, shade, and conversation — and that’s part of the appeal. If you go hoping to “spot” a particular star, understand that sightings are sporadic and never guaranteed. But if you accept that the place attracts high-profile visitors, the odds of seeing someone famous are high during peak summer months.
Is Le Club 55 worth it?
This is the question everyone asks: Is the experience worth the money, the effort, and the hype? The honest answer is: it depends on why you want to go.
Reasons it’s likely worth it:
- You value atmosphere and history. If sitting under rambling pines on a shaded table, feeling the sand underfoot while eating simple, fresh food appeals to you — and you love the idea of experiencing a piece of Saint-Tropez history, Le Club 55 delivers.
- Many visitors describe a “moment” quality to a Le Club 55 lunch that’s hard to quantify but memorable. You’re on a special trip or celebrating.
- For a milestone holiday, anniversary, or an indulgent stop that’s about more than calories per euro, Le Club 55 is a quintessential Riviera experience. The setting, the people-watching, and the sense of place make it a worthwhile splurge for many.
- You want the classic Saint-Tropez postcard. Photographers and Instagrammers still seek the Club’s blue tablecloths and sun-bleached pergolas. If iconic imagery is on your checklist, Le Club 55 will deliver.
Reasons it might not be worth it:
- You’re strictly after culinary innovation. If your primary goal is cutting-edge gastronomy or the best value-for-money tasting menu, other restaurants in the region may outshine Le Club 55.
- Critics and some diners find the food pleasant but not exceptional for the price.
- You dislike crowds or long waits. Peak summer days see heavy demand; the Club fills up, waits can be long, and the atmosphere — while lively — can be noisy and bustling. If you’re seeking solitude or quiet, Le Club 55 can feel busy.
- You have budget constraints. There are plenty of lovely, less expensive beach restaurants on Pampelonne and in Saint-Tropez town.
- If you’re travelling on a tighter budget, you can still experience the Riviera charm without Le Club 55’s premium.
Practical tips to maximise value
- Book early. Reservations are highly recommended (and often essential during July–August). The Club’s official site and reservation lines list opening dates and service hours (typically open only during the day, seasonally).
- Go for the overall experience. Order a few sharing plates or the seafood dishes and treat the meal as part of a beach day — not just as food. The farm-to-table provenance of many ingredients is part of the experience.
- Consider timing. If you can, visit in shoulder season (late spring or early autumn) when crowds thin and the vibe is calmer, but the weather is still lovely. The Club’s seasonal calendar often opens from spring through early November.
What to order at Le Club 55 (and what to expect)
Le Club 55 leans into Provençal simplicity: fresh salads, grilled fish, local vegetables, and generous platters designed to be shared. The restaurant is proud of produce from its own gardens and associated farms, and the menu reflects that seasonal, local focus. Expect generous portions, uncomplicated preparations, and a focus on fresh ingredients rather than molecular gastronomy. For many visitors, the food is perfectly suited to a beachside lunch: light, flavorful, and paired with chilled rosé. The practicalities — reservations, opening hours, and what to budget.
- Opening season: Le Club 55 typically operates seasonally; recent seasons have run from early April through early November, but exact dates change year to year. Check the official website before you travel.
- Service hours: Traditionally open for lunch and closed in the evening, with service often starting around midday and winding down in the late afternoon.
- Reservations: Highly recommended, especially in summer. Walk-ups are possible but risky during peak months.
What to budget: While exact menu prices fluctuate, plan to pay significantly more than at a standard local eatery. For a relaxed lunch with shared plates, a bottle of wine or two, and perhaps a coffee or digestif, a couple should expect to spend a premium — sometimes comparable to a nice meal in a city restaurant, but with the added premium for the beachside location and brand. Read recent reviews to calibrate current price levels before you go.
Final verdict: who should go (and who should skip)
Go if:
- You want to eat in a legendary setting with historic charm.
- You enjoy people-watching and the possibility (not promise) of celebrity sightings.
- You’re celebrating something or are willing to pay for a signature Riviera experience.
- You value ambience, photo-ops, and a relaxed seaside vibe.
Skip if:
- You demand cutting-edge cuisine for the money.
- You’re travelling on a tight budget and prefer value-first dining.
- You prefer calm, uncrowded meals without the hum of a busy beach club.
Le Club 55 is a legacy, a story — one that began with a film set. Initially nurtured by a family, it has been preserved with a stubborn commitment to a particular way of being: casual, sunlit, selectively hospitable, and quietly glamorous. The Club’s myth is part of what you pay for, but myths have a cost, making this iconic eatery expensive than an average beach hut.
So, if you go, bring sun protection, a relaxed schedule, and an appetite for expensive yet shared plates. Sit under the pergola, order something simple and fresh, and watch the waves and the people — sometimes that’s exactly the point. For many visitors, that slow, sun-drenched lunch is worth every euro.
