Les Bateaux Verts

What Les Bateaux Verts does

Les Bateaux Verts, legally SAS EMC Bateaux Verts, is a privately held French marine passenger transport and excursion operator founded in 1961 and headquartered at 14 Quai Leon Condroyer in Sainte-Maxime, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. The company runs a scheduled boat shuttle network connecting seven ports across the Golfe de Saint-Tropez — Sainte-Maxime, Les Issambres, Port-Grimaud (Église and Capitainerie), Marines de Cogolin, and Saint-Tropez (Vieux port and Nouveau port) — with crossing times of 15-25 minutes designed to bypass road congestion into Saint-Tropez. It complements the shuttle with a portfolio of day and half-day excursions to Mediterranean islands (Porquerolles, Port-Cros, Île Sainte-Marguerite), coastal landmarks (Les Calanques de l'Estérel, Les 3 Caps Sauvages, Baie des Canoubiers), Cannes, the Aquascope underwater viewing nacelle in Sainte-Maxime, a private Taxi Boat to Pampelonne beaches, and a naturalist trip into the Pelagos marine sanctuary operated in partnership with Association Miraceti.

The business model is direct-to-consumer ticket sales via the resa.bateauxverts.com online platform, walk-up port ticket offices, a dedicated pro/agency portal for tour operators and group organizers, and Abonnements subscriptions for frequent shuttle users. Pricing is per-passenger unit pricing, with adult tickets typically €15-€68.50 and child rates €8-€52, plus on-quote private charter rates. The core GTM targets individual leisure travelers and families (the Aquascope is Famille Plus certified) on the French Riviera, with secondary B2B revenue from group bookings, agency resellers, and event partnerships including Voiles de Saint-Tropez. Geographic reach is concentrated in a single French region (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur), and demand is heavily seasonal around the Mediterranean summer tourist cycle.

Underlying technology is conventional marine transport — a fleet of passenger boats and the transparent-nacelle Aquascope platform — supported by an online booking system and a bilingual website. Distribution is anchored by a network of tourism partners, most notably Vedettes Îles d'Or & Le Corsaire (a 75-year-old carrier that extends reach to the Hyères islands from Le Lavandou, La Croix-Valmer, and Cavalaire). The company is independently operated, with no disclosed parent, institutional investor, or venture funding.

Name

Les Bateaux Verts

Legal name

SAS EMC Bateaux Verts

Website

https://bateauxverts.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Les Bateaux Verts is a Sainte-Maxime-based marine passenger operator running scheduled boat shuttles across the Golfe de Saint-Tropez and day excursions to Porquerolles, Port-Cros, Sainte-Marguerite, Cannes, and the Esterel coast, serving leisure tourists, families, and groups on the French Riviera.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine passenger transport and excursion services

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (487210), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (48721)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Tourist & Scenic Ferry Services (THAEAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Eco-Cruises & Small-Ship Nature Cruises (Expedition Cruising) (THAAAEAK), Marine Wildlife & Birding Cruises (dolphins, seals, seabirds) (THAAAIAD), Small-Ship Expedition Cruises (Under ~500 Guests) (THAEADAC)

Keywords

• Passenger ferry shuttle
• Boat excursions
• Island day trips
• Marine wildlife tours
• Coastal sightseeing cruises

Headquarters

HQ city

Sainte-Maxime

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Shuttle Tickets: Scheduled boat shuttle services connecting ports around the Golfe de Saint-Tropez (Les Issambres, Port-Grimaud, Sainte-Maxime) to Saint-Tropez. Revenue generated through per-ticket sales with pricing varying by route.
2. Excursion Tickets: Day trips and half-day excursions to islands (Porquerolles, Port-Cros, Sainte-Marguerite), natural sites (Three Wild Capes, Esterel Coves), and destinations (Cannes). Revenue through per-person ticket sales with adult and child pricing.
3. Specialty Experiences: Premium experiences including Aquascope underwater viewing (Sainte-Maxime), naturalist trips in the Pelagos Sanctuary, and private Taxi Boat service to Pampelonne beaches. Revenue generated through dedicated ticket pricing.
4. Group Bookings and Charters: Private boat charters and group bookings for events such as Voiles de Saint-Tropez sailing regatta. Available through pro/agency portal (resa.bateauxverts.com/ws).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Les Bateaux Verts operates scheduled passenger boat shuttle services connecting ports across the Golfe de Saint-Tropez (Sainte-Maxime, Les Issambres, Port-Grimaud, Marines de Cogolin, and Saint-Tropez), enabling tourists to bypass road traffic. The company also sells a portfolio of day excursions to Mediterranean islands (Porquerolles, Port-Cros, Sainte-Marguerite), the Esterel calanques, Cannes, and specialty experiences including the Aquascope underwater viewing and naturalist trips in the Pelagos marine sanctuary.

Product overview

Les Bateaux Verts operates a boat shuttle and excursion service in the Golfe de Saint-Tropez region. The core offering consists of regular shuttle services connecting multiple ports (Sainte-Maxime, Les Issambres, Port-Grimaud, Marines de Cogolin, and Saint-Tropez), complemented by a diverse portfolio of excursion products including island trips (Porquerolles, Port-Cros, Sainte-Marguerite), coastal tours (Calanques de l'Estérel, Les 3 Caps Sauvages), day trips to Cannes, boat taxi services to Pampelonne beaches, the Aquascope underwater viewing experience, and naturalist excursions in the Pelagos marine sanctuary. The company also provides online ticketing through its booking platform, subscription plans for regular travelers, and dedicated group booking services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Shuttle Services (Navettes) Regular ferry shuttle services connecting six ports in the Golfe de Saint-Tropez (Sainte-Maxime, Les Issambres, Saint-Tropez Vieux port and Nouveau port, Port-Grimaud Capitainerie and Église, and Marines de Cogolin), enabling tourists and commuters to bypass road traffic with 15-25 minute crossings.
• Porquerolles Island Excursion (Île de Porquerolles) Full-day excursion to Porquerolles island featuring fine sandy beaches, crystal-clear coves, pine forests, and hiking trails. Adult €51.50; child (4-11) €33.80; stopover 4h50 with 2h30-2h45 travel time. Possible departure from Le Lavandou via partner Vedettes Îles d'Or.
• Port-Cros Island Excursion (Île de Port-Cros) Day trip to Port-Cros National Park island known for hiking trails, unique fauna and flora, underwater ecosystems, and scenic viewpoints. Travel time 1h45-2h00 with 6h10 stopover.
• Esterel Calanques Excursion (Les Calanques de l'Estérel) Half-day excursion along the Esterel Corniche discovering the calanques (rocky inlets) and scenic coastline of this classified natural site. Travel time 2h00-3h30.
• Three Wild Capes Excursion (Les 3 Caps Sauvages) Half-day excursion to discover the wild Capes of Taillat, Camarat, and Lardier — protected territorial and marine natural area considered the green lungs of the coastline. Adult €26.00; child (4-11) €15.60; travel time 2h00-3h30 depending on departure port.
• Cannes and the Croisette Excursion Day trip to Cannes featuring the famous Croisette boulevard, luxury boutiques, Palais des Festivals, and the Lérins islands. Stopover 6h00 with 1h15-2h10 travel time.
• Sainte-Marguerite Island Excursion (Île Sainte-Marguerite) Full-day excursion to Sainte-Marguerite island including Fort Vauban, the legendary Iron Mask prison, and the Musée de la Mer (Sea Museum). Adult €45.00; child (4-11) €28.50; travel time 1h30-2h30 depending on departure port; stopover 5h55.
• Combined Cannes and Sainte-Marguerite Island Excursion (Combiné Cannes et Île de Sainte-Marguerite) Combined day excursion visiting both Cannes (Croisette and old town) and Sainte-Marguerite island, with 2h45 Cannes stopover and 3h15 island stopover. Adult €56.80; travel time 1h15-2h10 depending on departure port.
• Pampelonne Private Taxi Boat (Taxi Bateau Pampelonne) Private boat taxi service (Le Marlin) to Pampelonne beaches or custom excursions in the Golfe de Saint-Tropez, using a Cap Camarat boat with skipper for up to 9 passengers (6-7 for comfort). Available July-August Wednesday to Saturday; rates available on contact.
• Aquascope Underwater Viewing (L'Aquascope) 30-minute underwater viewing experience from a transparent nacelle offering panoramic views of the Mediterranean sea bed, located at Sainte-Maxime port. Adult €16.30; child (4-11) €10.20; labeled 'Famille Plus' certified.
• Pelagos Naturalist Excursion (Sortie Naturaliste) Half-day naturalist excursion into the Pelagos Sanctuary (87,500 km² marine protected area) to observe dolphins, sperm whales, seabirds, and sea turtles with expert cetacean guide from Association Miraceti. Adult €68.50; child €52.00; duration 4-5 hours; conducted in partnership with Vedettes Îles d'Or.
• Canoubiers Bay and Famous Villas Tour (La Baie des Canoubiers et ses Villas Célèbres) Scenic bay tour of Canoubiers visiting the historic Saint-Tropez village, citadel, and museum. Adult from €15.00 to €18.40; child (4-11) from €8.00 to €9.70 depending on departure port. Not available for online booking — contact required.
• Subscription Plans (Abonnements) Subscription plans available for regular passengers who frequently use the shuttle services, providing an alternative to per-ticket pricing for commuters and repeat travelers.
• Group Bookings (Groupes) Dedicated group booking services for organizations, travel agencies, and private parties, accessible via the professional/agency portal at resa.bateauxverts.com/ws. Includes private charters for events such as the Voiles de Saint-Tropez sailing regatta.

Quantifiable outcome

• Shuttle crossing times: Saint-Tropez Eglise 20 min from Sainte-Maxime; Port-Grimaud Capitainerie 25 min; Port-Grimaud Eglise 25 min; Marines de Cogolin 25 min; Les Issambres 15 min
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Vedettes Îles d'Or & Le CorsairecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 April 2022Les Bateaux Verts works in partnership with Vedettes Îles d'Or, a prestigious company based in Le Lavandou, famous for 75 years of service. This partnership enables departures from Le Lavandou, La Croix-Valmer, and Cavalaire to Hyères islands (Port-Cros, Porquerolles, and Levant) during the season, with year-round departures from Le Lavandou to Port-Cros and Levant. Vedettes Îles d'Or also partners on naturalist excursions in the Pelagos Sanctuary.
• Club Nautique of Sainte-MaximeminorOthersLocal sailing club partner in Sainte-Maxime, part of Les Bateaux Verts' ecosystem of tourism partners in the Golfe de Saint-Tropez region.
• Maison du TourismeminorOthersTourist information office partner, part of the regional tourism network serving visitors to the Golfe de Saint-Tropez.
• Saint-Tropez Tourist OfficeminorOthersMunicipal tourist office partner in Saint-Tropez, collaborating on destination promotion and visitor services.
• Group MILEADEminorOthersTourism accommodation group partner in the Golfe de Saint-Tropez region.
• Group SOWELLminorOthersTourism group partner, part of the Les Bateaux Verts partner network for the Golfe de Saint-Tropez.
• Group RIVIERA VILLAGEminorOthersTourism and shopping destination partner in the Riviera region, collaborating with Les Bateaux Verts for visitor transport and excursion services.
• Voiles de Saint-Tropez (Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez sailing event)coreOthersLes Bateaux Verts serves as a partner during the prestigious Voiles de Saint-Tropez international sailing regatta, providing excursion boats for spectators to view the races and offering refunds when races are cancelled (as demonstrated during windless conditions). Customer testimonials highlight professional service and efficient refund processing.
• Association MiracetiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLes Bateaux Verts naturalist excursions are conducted in collaboration with Association Miraceti, a marine cetacean research and conservation organization. Miraceti provides scientific expertise and naturalist guides for Pelagos Sanctuary observation trips.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Bateaux CFF / Croisières de France: French river and coastal cruise operator providing multi-day leisure cruises on French waterways. Comparable leisure passenger-boat experience, though operating at a much larger, multi-day, packaged-cruise scale.
• Corsica Ferries: Large-scale passenger and vehicle ferry operator serving Nice and other French Riviera ports. Overlaps with Les Bateaux Verts on coastal passenger water transport, but at vastly broader scale and with freight as a core offering.
• Moby Lines: Italian ferry operator providing passenger and vehicle services across the Mediterranean, including routes to/from the French Riviera. Compares on passenger water transport fundamentals, though with much broader network and ferry scale.
• Brittany Ferries: Major European ferry operator with French ports of call, providing passenger-only and drive-on ferry services. Operates in the same broad passenger water transport category as Les Bateaux Verts, though focused on long international crossings.
• Compagnie Méridionale de Navigation: Established French Mediterranean ferry operator running scheduled passenger and vehicle services out of Marseille and connecting ports. Comparable coastal passenger transport activity but at much larger scale and longer route lengths.

Direct peers

• Blue Azur: Operates shuttle and excursion services in the Saint-Raphaël / Gulf of Saint-Tropez corridor. Highly comparable route-and-port network, B2C ferry product, and excursion portfolio in the same French Riviera geography.
• Vedettes Îles d'Or & Le Corsaire: Operates ferry and excursion services from Le Lavandou to the Hyères islands (Port-Cros, Porquerolles, Levant). Directly comparable as both a partner and competitor to Les Bateaux Verts, with similar small-craft sightseeing model and overlapping island-excursion offerings.
• Trans Côte d'Azur: Operates ferry shuttles and coastal cruises along the French Riviera (Nice, Cannes, Saint-Tropez). Comparable sightseeing-by-boat product serving overlapping Mediterranean leisure traveler segments.
• Calanques Tours: Provides boat excursions and cruises around the Calanques National Park near Marseille. Comparable small-vessel sightseeing and nature-tour model aimed at Mediterranean coastal tourism.

Regional players

• Batobus: Operates scheduled hop-on/hop-off water transport service along the Seine in Paris. Comparable business model as a tourist shuttle operator using small passenger boats on fixed routes, but in a different (urban river) geography.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lesbateauxverts

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Les Bateaux Verts