When it comes to St Tropez, true style is never about excess — it’s about attitude. This summer, leave the Ferraris and Lamborghinis at home. The real Riviera insiders know that the ultimate way to arrive at Club 55 or Les Palmiers is behind the wheel of a chic beach buggy.
Effortlessly cool and unmistakably Mediterranean, these playful summer vehicles have become icons of the Côte d’Azur. Lightweight, open-sided and perfectly suited to sun-drenched coastal roads, they embody the relaxed glamour that defines Saint-Tropez.
Throughout July and August, it’s common to spot colourful beach cars parked along the port of Saint-Tropez — often tucked discreetly behind gleaming luxury charter yachts. They signal a different kind of prestige: understated, confident and rooted in Riviera heritage.
In St Tropez, less horsepower often means more style. Whether cruising towards Pampelonne Beach or navigating the narrow streets of the old town, these Riviera classics deliver something no supercar can — authentic, sun-soaked charm.
Here are three of the best:
Fiat Jolly
Few vehicles capture the glamour of St Tropez quite like the Fiat Jolly. Based on the 1958 Fiat 600 and transformed by Italian coachbuilder Ghia, the Jolly was created as the ultimate Riviera beach car — playful, elegant and utterly unique.
With its hand-woven wicker seats, fringed sun canopy and open sides, the Fiat Jolly embodies effortless Mediterranean chic. Originally commissioned for some of the world’s most prestigious yachts and luxury hotels, it was designed to ferry glamorous guests from harbour to beach club in unmistakable style. In places like Saint-Tropez, the Jolly quickly became a symbol of jet-set living.
Today, authentic Fiat Jolly models are exceptionally rare, with estimates suggesting fewer than 100 original examples still exist. While many replicas and tributes can be found, the genuine article remains the pinnacle of beach automotive collectability — highly prized by collectors and Riviera connoisseurs alike.
Parked on the port of Saint-Tropez or arriving at Pampelonne Beach, the Fiat Jolly is more than a car — it is a statement of vintage glamour and timeless Côte d’Azur elegance.
Mini Moke
The Mini Moke is one of the French Riviera’s most charming automotive icons — playful, practical and effortlessly stylish. A more accessible alternative to the ultra-rare Fiat Jolly, the Mini Moke delivers classic beach-car appeal with British heritage and Mediterranean flair.
Based on the legendary Mini, the Moke shares the same nimble handling and compact proportions that made the original Mini famous. Lightweight and open-sided, it is perfect for weaving through the narrow streets of Saint-Tropez or cruising the winding roads above Pampelonne Beach with the warm Riviera breeze overhead.
Produced between 1964 and 1993, the Mini Moke enjoyed a long and varied life, meaning there are still plenty available on the market today. Its simplicity, fun factor and unmistakable silhouette have ensured enduring popularity among collectors and summer residents alike.
On the Côte d’Azur, the Mini Moke is a familiar and stylish sight — frequently parked outside legendary waterfront cafés such as Sénéquier on the old port of Saint-Tropez. Few vehicles capture the carefree spirit of Riviera summers quite like the Mini Moke: compact, charismatic and made for sunshine.
Citroën Méhari
The Citroën Méhari is the ultimate Riviera beach car — a wonderfully quirky French icon often described as France’s answer to the Mini Moke. Instantly recognisable thanks to its lightweight ABS plastic body and open-top design, the Méhari is built on the legendary Citroën 2CV platform, combining simplicity with unmistakable charm.
Produced between 1968 and 1988, over 140,000 Méharis were built, making them relatively easy to source today — particularly along the Côte d’Azur, where they have become part of the coastal landscape. Brightly coloured Méharis are a familiar sight weaving between beach clubs in Saint-Tropez or parked near Mediterranean harbours, perfectly capturing the carefree spirit of summer on the French Riviera.
Lightweight, practical and effortlessly cool, the Méhari was designed with sand and sunshine in mind. Its washable interior and removable roof make it ideal for beach life, while its utilitarian engineering keeps maintenance refreshingly simple.
For collectors and enthusiasts, the rare Méhari 4×4 is especially prized. Produced in limited numbers, the four-wheel-drive version offers enhanced capability and is now highly sought after — a true gem among classic French beach cars.
Few vehicles embody Riviera nostalgia quite like the Citroën Méhari: playful, practical and permanently associated with sun-soaked days by the sea.
