European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 29, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                1= r e m c h r i v i r a night and Day plastic port Grimaud offers Little but Flash Fly Mark Kinkade staff writer something is wrong in port c Grimaud France. From the clock lower by the Bay to the narrow streets and Venice like canals the town of big boats and lots of Money does t ring True. You get we impression that if a in 1/ hand came Down and lifted the town up it would come up whole attached to a giant plastic base. The miso would probably be stamped made in Hong  the Little town with its big yachts owes its existence to Francois Sperry and a few local real estate speculators. In 1 of Sperry a French architect was hired by the speculators to build a new resort for the Rich and famous. Their plan was to attract new Money to the area by offering a comfortable and exclusive Community for wealthy people. They planned a Community that would have shops restaurants bistros boat docks and Bayside condominiums in a provincial French town atmosphere. What they got was close but not quite what they wanted. Port Grimaud is like a Small French Village hut it is also like a 7-eleven convenience store overpriced and under stocked of real tourism pleasures. Hut there Are reasons to visit the Little plastic town. It was after All once the Home of Peter Sellers Star of the Pink Panther movies. So it can t be All bad. I Here Are a few prerequisite things to see arid do in port Grimaud. For example the clock Tower offers a Nice View of the canals around the City and of the Mediterranean Bay area. F very hour charter Tours of the canals Are hunched from the base of the Tower. For 16 francs about $3visitors can spend 45 minutes on the boats looking at the lifestyles of the Rich including a trip past architect Sperry s massive Home with two swimming pools. Because it s a somewhat exclusive Community port Grimaud is intimate. I hat May be the highlight of a visit to the town. One of the Best things to do is relax at a Bistro and watch the tourists go by while dining. In the Early evening the Disneyland cleanliness and quiet of the facade is pleasing and the Sunset Over the Village roofs is Lovely. Maybe the Best reason to visit is to see what wealthy French people consider a quaint atmosphere. In a Way port Grimaud is interesting like Towo Rowland is interesting at Disneyland. Don t spend a lot of Lime there. You can find the real thing farther Inland and just keep telling yourself ils Only make believe. A line of boats Are anchored at port Grimaud. A View of Grimaud a medieval Village nestled in the Monts Des Maures. The Tower of Grimaud Castle. Grimaud offers quaint break from Sun sea by Mark Kinkade staff writer Grimaud is an oddity in a land where new and flashy is the Rule and old and charming is an illusion. Grimaud you see is a real medieval Village High in French wine country. It is a stunning departure from the coast. In 10 minutes tourists can go from the celebrity conscious c6te d Azur to the vineyards and narrow Cobblestone streets of the Provence Region of Southern France. Grimaud is roughly three Miles from the prefabricated port Grimaud. Because it is so close the two towns have merged into one larger Semi Metropolis. But the difference Between the two towns is like night and Day. The history of Crimaudo is a bit foggy but the town probably got its Start As a fortress in the 10th Century. The current fort that squats above the town was built in the 13th Century. Additions were made to the fort in the 16 and 17th centuries. Over time the Castle fell into disrepair and the French have left it in its tumbled condition. After visiting the fort tourists can wander Back Down into the town itself and watch the locals go about their Day to Day tasks. The villagers seem oblivious to your presence and go about life As if you were nothing More than a Shadow on a Wall. But tourists Are eagerly noticed in some parts of the Small town. The restaurants Are Small wonderful and inexpensive. Service is Quick and Friendly and Grimaud s proximity to wine country assures Quality wines with lunch or dinner. 12