Situated at the far end of Pampelonne, this is a quiet private beach by day, and at night Bambou restaurant is one of those rare places where you can dine with your toes in the sand. The Thai food is well prepared, and the restaurant, which is open in July and August, is a romantic choice far from the party crowd.

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The beachside restaurant is open year-round, and its sun-drenched deck is a delight, particularly in the off-season. Its menu mixes reliably good (if pricey) Asian dishes and Provençal staples. It’s always busy, even during the winter, when the locals come here on their lunch breaks.

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When Roger Vadim shot And God Created Woman, with the then-unknown Brigitte Bardot, in 1956, he used Club 55 as a snack shack between takes. Though a genuine landmark presiding over a stretch of Pampelonne beach, it has remained a family business. The ever-gracious Patrice de Colmont keeps track of every reservation and knows his glittery clients’ favorite tables. Saudi princes, multimillionaires, and film and rock stars dine under a thatched canopy surrounded by tamarisk trees. Order the classics—tomato-and-goat-cheese salad, crudités (a heaping basket of raw vegetables served with anchoïade) and fresh grilled fish—and a glass of chilled local rosé. I can never resist a visit to the club’s beach boutique, which carries gorgeous swimwear and cool accessories. The best part is that everyone is made to feel welcome—as long as you have a reservation.

The more spacious version of Club 55, in an exotic setting, draws its own share of celebrities, including Naomi Campbell who has celebrated her birthday here. The two superb restaurants sit side by side on the same beach; Nioulargo serves up Mediterranean fare and Kaï Largo delivers refined Vietnamese, Thai and Cambodian cuisine. Try the barbecued fish wrapped in banana leaves and fresh mango ice cream.