City of Saint Tropez. Sightseeing in St. Tropez - things to see

Saint-Tropez is considered to be an elite holiday destination. In the past, a densely populated fishing village, today an elite resort attracts tourists from all over the world. Known for its beaches, entertainment and beautiful scenery.

How to get from Nice Airport to Saint-Tropez

You can get to Saint-Tropez by bus, with two transfers. Take the LER 20 bus from Terminal 1 (platform 6) to Le Muy. From there, transfer to the LER 36 bus to Saint-Tropez.

Bus LE 20 from the airport departs at 8:00, 12:15, 17:45 every day, on weekends and holidays there are additional direct flights at 6:25 and at 9:40. Travel time 1:20.

Fare:

14.60 euros - adult ticket
7.30 euros - child (4-12 years) ticket

From Le Muy, flights operate at 12:15 and at 18:25. Travel time to the destination is 1 hour. Check the ticket price on the spot.

Attractions Saint-Tropez

Citadel Saint Tropez

Built over 400 years ago on the Mill Hill, the Saint-Tropez Citadel (Citadelle de Saint-Tropez et Le musée de l'histoire maritime) for several centuries served as a reliable defense for the inhabitants of the town and its port from the raids of the Barbary pirates, the invasion of the Spaniards and other enemies of the French kingdom .

In 1602, under the leadership of the engineer R. de Bonnefont, the first fortifications were erected. The main work was completed by 1630, but even then the fortress was repeatedly modernized. Three round bastion towers with artillery platforms were attached to the central hexagonal building of the Citadel with a drawbridge.

During the years of the Thirty Years' War, as in the troubled times of the Fronde, the Citadel garrison actively participated in the defense of the city and the royal power, but over time, the fortress lost its significance. Since 1873, it has been used as a barracks for several decades, and in 2013 the Maritime Historical Museum was opened in it.

The exposition of the museum demonstrates historical materials that tell about the history of navigation, merchant fleet and fishing in the region and the participation of the natives of St. Tropez in naval battles and expeditions to exotic countries.

Chapel of St. Anna

Chapel of St. Anna (Chapelle Sainte-Anne) was built on top of the Chemin de st Anne hill in 1618-1628. It was erected as a token of gratitude of the townspeople to the heavenly protector for getting rid of the plague epidemic that raged in these places at the beginning of the 17th century.

The interior of the chapel is decorated with numerous offerings from parishioners seeking patronage from heavenly intercessors. Most of them were made by fishermen and sailors from Saint-Tropez and are associated with sea fishing.

You can go to the small temple only a few days a year, but the observation deck located next to it offers a magnificent view of Saint-Tropez, the bay and the bay of Pampelonne.

Cap Camarat

The easternmost of the three capes of the Saint-Tropez peninsula, the rocky promontory of Cap Camarat is almost completely covered with shady oak forests and dense undergrowth. Since 1930, it has been included in the list of protected natural areas on the Cote d'Azur.

This is one of the few places where you can find the rare Herman tortoise, endangered species of lizards, snakes and other reptiles. The peregrine falcon and the northern gannet nest on the granite rocks of the cape, whose rapid flight can sometimes be seen in the sky.

On Cape Camarat is the second largest lighthouse in France, the searchlight of which is located at 129.8 m above sea level. Its tower was built in 1831 and fully electrified in 1948. Since 1977, it has been operating in automatic mode and is controlled remotely from the Porquerolles lighthouse.

Art Museum of the Annunciation

Musée de l'Annonciadel opened in Saint-Tropez in 1955 with the active participation of D. Gremont. At his suggestion, the architect L. Sue developed a project according to which the former chapel was rebuilt into a museum building.

The exposition and funds of the museum l'Annonciade are located in the historic building of the chapel, built in 1510 for the Brotherhood of the White Penitents. After the revolution of the end of the XVIII century. the building was auctioned and stripped of its belfry and original roof in 1821. In the 19th century in it there was a workshop that carried out the orders of fishermen.

The birth of l'Annonciade owes much to the artist Paul Signac, who chose Saint-Tropez as his new home. His guests were A. Matisse, R. Cross, A. Marquet, A. Deren, whose work is represented in the museum collection.

The museum's collection consists mainly of paintings, but also includes graphics and sculpture. The collection is based on works of fine art created by representatives of the Nabis creative association in the styles of Fauvism, Impressionism and Pointillism.

Mill de Paillas

Windmills Moulin de Paillas are located in the central part of the Saint-Tropez peninsula near the small village of Ramatuelle in the vicinity of the resort. Five mills were built in the XVI-XIX centuries. and did their job well for several centuries.

Most of the mills are now partially or completely destroyed, but one of them, which belonged to the miller Pilas, was restored in 2002. Tourists visiting it can observe the work of the restored flour-grinding mechanism, made mainly of wood with a small amount of metal parts. The upper part of the mill in Provence can be rotated on a stone tower using a special mechanism in order to position the wings in an advantageous position depending on the direction of the wind.

Church of the Assumption of the Mother of God

Church of the Assumption of the Mother of God (Eglise Notre-Dame de l'Assomption) is considered one of the symbols of Saint-Tropez. This Baroque temple was built in the town in the 16th century. on the site of an even earlier church, the first mention of which dates back to 1056.

The walls of the church are made of blocks of white limestone, effectively contrasting with the color of the cloudless sky and blue sea. A belfry of light brown stone was added to it in 1784. In the altar part of the church, skillful wooden carvings and ancient statues depicting the Apostle Peter and the patron saint of sailors, St. Trofim.

At the beginning of the XIX century. restoration work was carried out in the Church of the Assumption of the Mother of God, after which it was re-consecrated by the Archbishop of Aix-en-Provence Monsignor Bosset-Roquefort in 1820.

Butterfly house

The extraordinary Museum House of Butterflies (La Maison des papillons - Musée Dany Lartigue) is located on two floors of a mansion near the old port. It was created in 1992 thanks to the enthusiasm of the artist Dani Lartigue, who provided his house to host the collection.

Tens of thousands of unusually colorful exhibits are displayed and stored in the exposition of the museum halls and in the storerooms of the funds. The museum has 35 thousand specimens of butterflies living in France and exotic countries. Among them are the rarest specimens from the Solomon Islands and from the Amazon basin.

The basis of the museum collection is the personal collection of the artist Dani Lartigue, collected by him over several decades. A unique feature of the museum is that in many cases the butterflies are shown against the backdrop of a carefully recreated natural habitat by the artist in the paintings, which allows visitors to appreciate the perfection of insect mimicry and all the nuances of color and patterns on the wings.

Gendarmerie and Cinema Museum

The new Gendarmerie and Film Museum (Le Musée de la gendarmerie et du cinéma) opened in Saint-Tropez in 2004. It is housed in a historic building, well known from the wonderful series of comedy films directed by J. Giraud and starring Louis de Funes.

The exhibits of the first halls of the museum tell about the history of the city gendarmerie unit from 1879 to 2003. They recreate the atmosphere of the offices of law enforcement officers with genuine furniture and appliances. There was a place even for cars of the 1960s.

A large section of the exposition is devoted to films about the adventures of the gendarme from Saint-Tropez Louis Cruchot and his daughter Nicole. The materials collected in the museum also tell about various professions in cinema and actors who visited Saint-Tropez.

The museum has a small cinema hall where feature films and documentaries about Saint-Tropez are shown, the first of which was filmed in 1905. One of the halls of the museum is provided for temporary exhibitions, where during the whole of 2018 the photo exhibition "Animals and Movie Stars" by the Irish photographer Edward Quinn will be open.

The beaches of Saint Tropez

Plage de la Moutte. The hard-to-reach beach is hidden from prying eyes behind private gardens and parks. A 300 m long strip of sand mixed with small pebbles is one of the favorite vacation spots for nudists. The minimum choice of amenities on the beach is successfully compensated by the clear sea and beautiful views of the coast of the bay and the Esterel massif.

The crystal clear water is ideal for diving. The gently sloping coast bordering on a beautiful park is wonderfully great for relaxing in peace and tranquility.

Plage de la Canubier. The sandy public beach of Kanubier is especially popular among locals due to its distance from the tourist center. It is located 4 km near the road leading to Salines near the umbrella pine forest.

A 200 m long stretch of coast is suitable for families. Fans of sunbathing and swimming in the clear sea can use a free shower or, under the supervision of lifeguards and instructors, devote their time to diving. One of the city's yacht clubs is also located near Canubier Beach.

Plage de la Aqua Club. The private beach Aqua Club is located in the heart of a prestigious holiday destination near Saint-Tropez - on the sandy coast of Pampelonne, stretching for 5 km. The picturesque stretch of coast is surrounded by blooming lush gardens and rose bushes.

On the relaxing beach and in the nearby seafood restaurant, you can often meet show business stars and well-known entrepreneurs. They offer an excellent service, including rental of beach accessories, rental of tents for friendly companies, and a variety of opportunities for outdoor activities.

Plage de la Tahiti. The legendary private beach "Tahiti" is located on the northern coast of Pampelonne Bay. In all of Saint-Tropez and its environs, it is difficult to find another place where you can just as easily meet world celebrities sunbathing on the seashore. It was here that in the 1950s the beach scenes of the film "And God Created Woman" were filmed and since that time it has become hugely popular.

On the beach, for a fee of 16 to 23 euros, you can use a sun lounger, awning or sun umbrella. At the height of summer, this part of the coast becomes a place for parties and open-air concerts.

La plage des Salins. The public beach of Salines is the farthest from the center of Saint-Tropez: in order to get to it, you need to drive along the road to Salines for about 6 km. But here, even at the height of the tourist season, you can always find a place for sunbathing and a picnic.

Although the beach is located in a small bay, sea waves are quite frequent here, so when relaxing with small children, you need to be vigilant and careful. The waters of the bay are much calmer in the eastern part of La plage des Salins. There is a small nature reserve near the beach, so sometimes you can meet its inhabitants and watch flamingos.

Holidays and festivals in Saint Tropez

Folk festival of little Mayo - Fête De La Petite Maio

The folk festival of little Mayo has long been celebrated in Saint-Tropez on the first Sunday of May. Traditionally, small children are at the center of the festive celebrations on this day. The white color of the holiday symbolizes purity and purity.

Every year, a young queen is chosen among the children to lead the festive procession. Horse-drawn carriages decorated with flowers follow the main streets of the town to the central square, where the main events of the holiday unfold, a solemn mass is held in the nearest church, and an original show begins in the city theater in the late afternoon.

Saint Tropez's Day (Trophim) - La fête Saint-Tropez

In mid-May, for three days in Saint-Tropez, the day of the heavenly patron of the city of St. Tropesia (Trofima). The program of the grandiose holiday, which invariably arouses interest among tourists arriving at the resort, includes a parade of the local garrison, an impressive pyrotechnic show in the evening, a carnival procession through the streets of the historical center and numerous open-air concerts.

Anyone can take part in the festival events, regardless of age and social status, subject to only one condition - you must be dressed in accordance with the fashion of the past centuries. The main event of the holiday takes place on the third day of celebrations and consists in a solemn procession with a sculpture of St. Tropes, permanently kept in the chapel of St. Anna.

International Biker Festival -l'Eurofestival Harley-Davidson

The Harley-Euro International Biker Festival in June becomes the main event in the cultural life of Saint-Tropez. A series of festive events opens with a solemn parade of participants.

Professional athletes and experienced amateurs certainly participate in competitive competitions, demonstrating my skills in various classes of equipment. Within the framework of the festival, exhibitions of motorcycle and bicycle equipment are necessarily held, where you can see both rare copies of motorcycles and the most modern models.

Concerts of "live music" and festive treats await festival guests in all corners of the city at specially prepared venues and numerous cafes and restaurants.

Day of the victory of the defenders of the city over the Spanish fleet - Bravade des Espagnols

In the very middle of the first month of summer in Saint-Tropez, there is a celebration of the victory of the defenders of the city over the Spanish fleet in 1637. More than 380 years ago, on June 15, the inhabitants who defended the town on only 4 ships defeated the Spaniards, who blocked the port on 21 ships.

On this day, the townspeople remember the feat of their ancestors and honor them by arranging colorful carnival processions in historical costumes, militia parades, and demonstration shooting from old rifles. All the streets of the city and the clothes of the townspeople on this day are colored in red and white, symbolizing the Mediterranean privateers.

International Festival of Musical Arts - Nuits du château de la Moutte

Since 2000, the courtyard of Mutte Castle has been transformed for several days in July or August into a prestigious open-air concert venue for the International Festival of Musical Arts "Nights at Mutte Castle". Continuing the traditions laid down at the end of the XIX century. the first owners of the castle Mutte E. Olivier and B. Liszt, director of the festival Zh-F. Odoli and his team each year invite outstanding masters of the performing arts.

For 6 festival days from August 2 to 11, 2018, pianists, violinists, jazz bands and soloists of musical theaters will perform here. Chamber music concerts performed by R. Capusson, B. Berezovsky, G. Belom, S. Manoff, solo performances by the singer P. Petibon, jazz improvisations by R. Bon and Dee Dee Bridgewater will form the basis of the competition program.

History of Saint Tropez

The small fishing settlement of Héraclea-Caccaliera, founded on the site of the future Saint-Tropez by ancient Greek colonists, according to historical sources, already existed in the 2nd century BC. BC e. Almost 200 years later, in 31, after the Battle of Actium, the power of Roman emperors was established in all Greek colonies on the Cote d'Azur.

The origin of the modern name of the city is explained by an old legend. According to its plot, the sea current threw out a boat near the village with the body of the early Christian saint Tropis (Trofim), who was executed in 68 by order of Emperor Nero. The temple built in honor of the martyr at the place of his burial gave the name to the whole settlement.

During the early Middle Ages, the land around the Gulf of Saint-Tropez and the town itself were annexed to the possessions of the rulers of Burgundy. Muslim expansion at the end of the ninth century. became the reason for its capture by the rulers of the small emirate of Fraxinet, the basis of whose welfare was piracy and the slave trade.

In 972, the combined Burgundian-Provencal army liberates the coast of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez from the Gentiles, and after that the town becomes part of the county of Provence. Since 1436, it has been part of the barony of Grimaud, and in 1470 Saint-Tropez receives broad autonomy and becomes the capital of a small republic founded by the Genoese. At this time, the city has its own fleet, which takes part in battles with the Turks and Spaniards on the side of the French kings.

Since 1577, Saint-Tropez has become the fief of the Soufren family. In 1615, for the first time in history, ships from distant Japan entered the French port, led by the ambassador Hasekura Tsunenaga, who was heading on a diplomatic mission to Rome to the Holy See.

In 1672, Saint-Tropez lost its rights to autonomy and over the following centuries turned into one of the unremarkable fishing villages on the Cote d'Azur. A new stage in its history begins at the end of the 19th century, when the favorable climate and the beauties of nature attract first artists and writers, and then bourgeois and aristocrats from many European countries.

The development of the city was suspended by two world wars. Saint-Tropez went down in history as the first French city in the Mediterranean, liberated by the Allies from German invaders in August 1944. After the war in the 1950s, it became a world famous resort, largely due to the role of the outstanding film directors R. Vadim, J. Giraud, J. Dere, who shot wonderful films here.

Updated: 06/13/2018

Saint-Tropez is one of the most popular modern seaside resorts in Europe, the pearl of the Cote d'Azur and the entire south of France. The city is located 76 kilometers from Cannes and is a favorite vacation spot for celebrities from all over the world. The popularity of this small town, with a population of about 6,000 people, came at the end of the 19th century, when local landscapes captivated the talented artist Paul Signac, and became the main theme on his canvases. In this city, he invented a completely new technique of drawing with dots - pointillism. Later, in search of inspiration, his colleagues in the workshop began to flock here: Chris van Dongen, Pierre Bonnard, Henri Matisse. The magnificent works of these modernists served as excellent advertising for the entire European aristocracy, who moved here from Nice and Cannes.

Even more famous for the tiny picturesque bay in the middle of the 20th century was the film “And God Created Woman”, shot here, in which the inimitable Brigitte Bardot played the main role. The main world popularity came to the resort after the release of the first comedy films with Louis de Funes about a gendarme from Saint-Tropez. The city became recognizable and tourists from all over the world flocked here. Today, the main focus of the settlement is tourism, so the tourist infrastructure here is well-established and offers luxurious recreation and impeccable service.

Area: 11 km²;
Timezone: UTC+1, summer UTC+2;
Population: 4,500.

Climatic features

The resort is located in a zone of mild Mediterranean climate, with fairly warm winters and cool summers. Average temperatures in January are +10⁰C, and in July the thermometers rise to +25⁰C. The greatest amount of precipitation occurs during the period from December to February. In autumn and spring, the weather here is pleasantly warm. As a rule, water in the coastal zone warms up to air temperature.

Transport accessibility

The city has its own airport, serving only charter flights. The nearest international air port is located in Nice, 100 kilometers from Saint-Tropez. You can get to the resort by a rented car, by train - having reached San Rafael, and then transfer to a bus to Saint-Tropez, or on a speedboat that runs regularly during the summer season. There is no rail connection to the resort. There is no public transport in the city itself.

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Bergen → Nice

History reference

The first settlements in the area, archaeologists date back to the II century BC. The finds of scientists indicate that there was a Greek colony in this area. From the 1st to the 10th century AD, the settlement was subjected to repeated destruction by the Arabs who settled in this part of Europe. From the middle of the 11th century, the power over the city passed to the monks from Saint-Victor, who restored and returned it to a full life. However, the internecine wars of the princes of Provence devastated the city until the 15th century. By the beginning of the 16th century, the Genoese architect Pornazo de Garezzo erected powerful fortifications that surrounded and protected Saint-Tropez from all sides. Since that time, the settlement received the status of an independent republic and began to establish trade relations with Africa and the countries of East Asia. Until the 19th century, the city was inhabited by merchants, fishermen and shipowners. After the “discovery” of Saint-Tropez by artists and aristocrats, luxurious mansions, villas, hotels, brand stores and many entertainment venues began to appear here.

Beaches

First of all, Saint-Tropez is a small but famous resort on the Mediterranean coast, and its main attraction is luxurious beaches with well-developed infrastructure. The largest beach of the city is Pompelonne, representing 6 kilometers of sandy coast, with dozens of small well-equipped private beaches. For a full quality holiday, guests are offered water sports: windsurfing, yachting and water skiing. Experienced instructors will always help those who have poor skills in managing a ship or a sailboat. In addition, on the coast there is a huge number of all kinds of restaurants, bars and trendy clubs that organize open-air night parties. However, along with these popular and glamorous holiday destinations, Saint-Tropez also has secluded coves with wild beaches where you can hide away from prying eyes and fully enjoy the warm sea, soft golden sand and luxurious surroundings.

On all the beaches of the city there are rescue and medical stations, parking lots, showers, toilets, changing cabins, umbrellas and mats or sun loungers. The official opening of the beaches takes place annually on June 15, and closing on September 15.

What to watch

In addition to an excellent beach holiday, the city has several interesting historical monuments and museums. The art museum houses a rich collection of paintings painted in the 20th century by contemporary avant-garde artists.

In an old, well-preserved fortress of the 16th century, the Maritime Museum is located, which presents the history of the city in detail. Models of ships, rich collections of weapons and amphorae, and picturesque canvases of marine painters are exhibited here as exhibits. From the top of the fortress, located on a hill, there are beautiful views not only of the whole of Saint-Tropez, but also of the majestic snow-white peaks of the Alps.

The hallmark of the city is the Old Port. Almost completely destroyed during the Second World War, today it has been restored and appears before the guests and residents of the city in all its glory. This picturesque tourist site is surrounded by chic cafes, and expensive yachts near the pier. And of course, as in any seaside resort, in Saint-Tropez you can’t ignore the promenade, which offers stunning views of the endless sea and where you can easily take a photo of some celebrity on vacation.

One of the largest collections of butterflies in all of Europe is located in this city on the Cote d'Azur. The unique museum "House of Butterflies" has about 20,000 of the most diverse exhibits of these flying insects. A collection of 4,500 butterflies, collected by the founder of the museum, Dani Larting, son of the famous photographer Jacques Henry Larting, still adorns the stands of the hall to this day. Many insects, including the rarest species, Lepidoptera, classified as endangered, flutter in specially equipped greenhouses. The museum is located in a large mansion that once belonged to Madeleine "Bibi" - the first wife of Jacques Henry Larting. Also in the museum there is a huge ant colony, tirelessly erecting anthills, and a large family of tarantulas living in a separate terrarium. The most daring visitors can make contact with insects - hold them in their hands and stroke them. The halls of South America, Africa and Oceania are especially beautiful and exotic. A visit to the museum will be interesting not only for children, but also for adults. The Butterfly House opens its doors to visitors from April to October.

In summer, the city has a wonderful amusement park with many attractions that delight children, and three times a week a large market opens on the main square of Saint-Tropez, walking along which you can find almost everything: from homemade sausage, cheeses and seafood, to souvenirs and beautiful bouquets of flowers.

And of course, Saint-Tropez is a paradise for shoppers, who will definitely not be indifferent to the presence of large malls, branded stores and boutiques offering new fashion designer clothes for sale. The choice of luxurious and elegant outfits presented in the shopping centers of Saint-Tropez amazes even sophisticated shopaholics. Every year, on the last Sunday of October, a massive sale begins in the city and you can buy a quality branded item for less than half the price.

If you are bored with beaches and relaxing holidays, then you can go to explore interesting places located in the vicinity of the city. The small town of Cogolin is a popular handicraft center. Here you can visually see the simple life of ordinary people living in the south of France, appreciate their talents and skills, as well as purchase original handicrafts.

Another popular tourist spot a few kilometers from the resort is the port of Grimaud, which is a large marina in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, accommodating more than a thousand yachts. Many compare the port with Venice - numerous bridges, canals, motor yachts and villas remind of this romantic city. Such a coincidence is not at all accidental - Grimaud was built in the 60s of the 20th century by the architect Francois Spori, according to whose projects the port should resemble Venice in miniature. Anyone can organize a boat trip accompanied by experienced guides and sailors.

Saint-Maxime is a small resort located next to Saint-Tropez. Less glamorous and pretentious, it is also famous for its luxurious sandy beaches and great incendiary parties and discos. The city is famous for the Museum of Photography and Mechanical Music, which has an excellent collection of old musical mechanisms. There is also an amusement park for children and adults Aqualand.

Saint-Tropez regularly hosts a variety of festivals, celebrations and carnivals, celebrated on a grand scale and pomp. In general, every day in this city is a real holiday, like a fairy tale. Holidays in Saint-Tropez will leave a lot of positive emotions and vivid impressions in your memory for a long time.

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On this page:
History of a fashionable resort, beaches, hotels, entertainment, attractions, map...

Attractions on the map

A small port city on the coast in the department of Var at the foot of the not particularly high mountain range of Maur today is the most popular and prestigious resort on the entire Riviera ..

View of the Old Port

Two hundred years ago, few people even heard of him in France itself. But it was chosen by artists - Paul Signac, Henri Matisse, Pierre Bonnard... Their works became famous, and the town itself began to attract more and more attention, the views of which were depicted on their impressionist canvases.

And in the very middle of the last, twentieth century, a wave, or rather a storm of fame and popularity, covered Saint Tropez - the filming of the film "And God Created Woman" with Brigitte Bardot in the title role took place here. Before that, an unknown actress became the idol of all French (and not only) men, and the town itself became a place of attraction for the artistic and aristocratic public.

A few decades later, famous comedy films starring Louis de Funes were filmed here. It was, perhaps, the most beloved French actor outside of France - and Germans, British were drawn to St. Tropez in large numbers ...

Recreation and entertainment

Today Saint Tropez (this name is also translated as Saint-Tropez and Saint-Tropez) is the most fashionable resort on the entire French Cote d'Azur. Many world celebrities love to relax here, and a considerable number of them have acquired villas or other real estate here.

Meeting a star on the street or in any institution is not such a rare occurrence here. This adds a special atmosphere to the town, in addition to the charming Provencal flavor, sandy beaches and pine trees, well-developed recreation and entertainment infrastructure: restaurants, bars, discos, concerts, endless exhibitions and festivals...

Speaking about the tourist service, they give such an example: there are quite a lot of beaches in the city and nearby, but it is not easy to leave the territory of the main one - Pampelonne - such an endless succession, for kilometers, shops, cafes, bars, restaurants stretch along it ...

Holidays in Saint-Tropez are mainly connected with the sea: sunbathing on the beaches, swimming, boating, boating and a variety of boat trips, diving and other marine activities, as well as a promenade along the famous city promenade.

Slow walks along other city streets - narrow and peculiarly beautiful - can also be a great pleasure - but not in July and August, when it can be difficult to push through them. Those preparing to go to St. Tropez should keep in mind that this is a very popular place among tourists.

Beaches

Throughout the resort, along the coastline of the peninsula and along the Gulf of Pampelonne, you can count up to forty or even more beaches, mostly sandy. The main one - Pampelonne beach stretches for five kilometers. It is never crowded with vacationers, it has many shops with souvenirs and gifts, cafes and bars. Other most popular beaches: Tahiti (Plage de Tahiti), Bonne Terrase, Bouillabaisse Beach, Caneliers Beach (Plage de Caneliers), l'Escalet Beach, Salins beach (Les Salins), Graniers... Most of the beaches are free.

Most of the reviews about Pampelonne and other beaches are enthusiastic. Still, it should be borne in mind that these are not the best beaches in the world (with the Maldives in comparison, they naturally lose). And there are demanding tourists who find flaws: the sand is not white enough, sometimes the wind blows (the Mistral has not been canceled), brownish masses sometimes float in the water (which is very clean in itself) (probably microalgae - the French themselves do not pay attention to them).

Hotels

In Saint-Tropez, you can find hotels for every taste and at quite a variety of prices (especially if you are ready to settle at some distance from the center). But there are, of course, very prestigious hotels, among which the Hotel Byblos-Saint Tropez, a favorite place for celebrities, should be noted first of all. This hotel is often placed in the top ten hotels worldwide (not just in France) where stars like to stay. True, some of the guests staying there consider the prices at the Hotel Byblos to be unreasonably high.

Other famous hotels: Hotel SEZZ, La Residence de la Pinede, Chateau De La Messardiere, La Bastide de Saint Tropez, Benkirai Hotel.

With kids

Those who come to relax with children should definitely visit the Butterfly House. His collection is one of the largest in Europe, with more than 20,000 of these winged insects.

There will also be entertainment for children in the Aqualand park in Sainte-Maxime (can be reached in 10 minutes by ferry).

In Saint-Maxime, the Museum of Photography and Mechanical Music is very interesting - it contains a unique collection of old photographic and musical mechanical devices.

For adults

Fashionable clothing stores and boutiques in the city are countless. It is believed that here is excellent shopping. The name “Laboratory of Fashion Trends” has stuck to this French town. By the way, the well-known brand of clothing and footwear Les Tropeziennes owes its name to him (sandals of a characteristic shape are especially famous).

Twice a week in the morning there is a city market (you can buy clothes at low prices).

Attractions and museums

The main historical attraction is the fortress-citadel with several towers (one of which is from the 16th century) - in ours is the exposition of the Maritime Museum. The citadel is located in the elevated part of the city. It offers beautiful views of the bay and St. Tropez itself.

Citadel of Saint Tropez (Maritime Museum)

Throughout France, the Butterfly House (Maison des Papillons) is famous for its richest collection,
The Art Museum de l "Annonciade (located in the Annunciation Chapel in the central part of the city) recalls that it was here that the world learned about the direction of Avant-garde art.
There are many other art exhibitions and galleries in the city.
You can visit the chapel of St. Anna, the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

In the vicinity of the resort you can visit the picturesque towns:

Grimaud- port and marina for several thousand yachts in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. This place can be compared with Venice - there are canals, bridges, and villas...

Cogolin (Cogolin)- the famous center of handicrafts.

Saint-Maxime(Saint-Maxime) is another prestigious resort with its discos, restaurants and, of course, beaches. (We have already mentioned the museum of photography and mechanical music). Aqualand is located here.

tourist office located in the historical part of the city, in the Old Port. To help tourists there are maps, assistance with accommodation, individual tours, sale of tickets at a discount and just useful tips ... In spring and summer, it is open every day. From October - except Sundays. 2013 in Saint Tropez is devoted to Malta, and the city's tourism office organizes a lot of activities related to the Maltese tourist destination.

Saint-Maxime and Saint-Tropez on the map

Walking from one resort to the next will take about 3 hours, however, you will have to go mainly along the highway.

On a boat-ferry across the bay, the journey will take about 10-15 minutes.

general information

If the older generation associated the commune with old-school comedies about gendarmes and the sultry blonde from the cult film Roger Vadim, then for the modern traveler it has long become a city where you can “hunt” for celebrities and beautifully spend a few extra thousand euros.

Saint-Tropez is not from the category of resorts that amaze with their own splendor 365 days a year, therefore, to truly feel the spirit of the Côte d'Azur, you need to go here in high season. Already in September, the concentration of instagrammable pathos and glamor on the local streets is reduced, and the rows of snow-white yachts at the berths are steadily thinning.

Saint-Tropez, despite its tiny size, is a resort with an emphatically snobbish atmosphere. Moreover, of all the cities of the French Riviera, it is Saint-Tropez that is considered the most party-oriented holiday destination - dozens of private beach clubs and VIP discos are proof of this.

Even against the backdrop of the most expensive resorts on the Cote d'Azur, Saint-Tropez looks like a place where it is better not to appear without a premium credit card. In fact, all this is nothing more than a well-built image of the tourist business. Provencal cuisine, clear warm sea and cozy wild beaches - all this luxury is available to any guest of the French Riviera, able to scrape together money for an overnight stay at a local hotel.

History of Saint Tropez

The formal age of Saint-Tropez is calculated in millennia, but the place received its modern name in the 1st century BC. e. According to legend, Saint Thorpis (aka Tropis) gave it to the resort. Allegedly, the boat with the body of this righteous man washed up on the shores of the then unknown village, which the locals regarded as a symbol of being chosen and further prosperity. However, the “appearance of a saint” began to bear fruit only at the end of the 19th century - it was at this time that the neo-impressionist Paul Signac chose the seaside village for recreation, bringing several more representatives of French bohemia here.

At the beginning of the 20th century, rumors about the excellent climate of Saint-Tropez reached the Parisian fashion designers. As a result, between the 20s and 30s, designer Elsa Schiaparelli and the unforgettable Coco Chanel managed to sunbathe on local beaches. And yet, only the cinema of the 50s managed to promote Saint-Tropez to the level of a major resort. After the winding streets of the city lit up in "And God Created Woman" and "The Gendarme of Saint-Tropez", a modest tourist stream in this part of the Côte d'Azur was transformed into an inexhaustible seething stream. Actually, thanks to the money of the creative elite, as well as numerous travel bloggers, today's Saint-Tropez exists, abruptly changing the status of an authentic Provencal village to the proud title of "pearl of the Cote d'Azur" and building up a serious infrastructure for a tiny city (the population of the commune is about 5,000 people).

Climate and weather

Saint-Tropez is a classic Mediterranean resort with a high season lasting from May to September. Summer here is not hot - the thermometer mark rarely goes over +25 °С, which does not prevent the sun from warming the water in the sea up to +24 °С.

Autumn holidays in Saint-Tropez have their advantages: on the beaches and in clubs there is no longer that flea market that is inherent in the July-August peak, and therefore the traffic flow on the outskirts of the commune noticeably thins out. The anti-bonuses attached to the autumn tour are rainy weather and a slight cold snap. The average air temperature for October-November is +18...+21 °С.

Winter in the beloved city of Paul Signac is mild and snowless - during the day from +11 to +13 °С. But since winter Saint-Tropez cannot do without precipitation at all, get ready for such an unpleasant phenomenon as the January-February rain.

Attractions Saint-Tropez

Saint-Tropez is a resort tailored for simple (not to be confused with cheap) pleasures, so there are not enough truly cultural and historical attractions here. In addition, over the past decades, the city has changed significantly, which was immediately noted by picky travelers. So, Saint-Tropez was accused of losing the originality and Provencal flavor that filmmakers of the 20th century sang about. In addition, local establishments are often reproached for excessive unbridledness, which does not fit with the emphatically aristocratic appearance of the Cote d'Azur.

Nevertheless, the number of people wishing to relax in one of the most expensive cities on the French Riviera does not decrease. The business elite and the Hollywood beau monde come here to hide from the prying eyes of the paparazzi and measure yachts. Travel bloggers - to pose against the backdrop of other people's yachts and Maserati, so that later they can post photo evidence on their Instagram profile. The middle class is to feel the atmosphere of the notorious “dolce vita”, nostalgic about retro cinematography and hang out in chic clubs.

As for the cultural program, in Saint-Tropez you can wander around the old part of the city, where every house is a little legend. The top local must-see also includes the building of the 16th-century chapel Notre-Dame de l'Annonciade, in whose halls there is a gallery of post-impressionists who lived and worked in the vicinity of the commune. Continuing the theme of old churches, it’s nice to sit in the shade of the walls of the Chapel of St. Anne (Chapelle Sainte-Anne) or stare at the interior of the main sanctuary of the resort - the Church of the Assumption of the Mother of God (Eglise Notre-Dame de l "Assomption).

Funny selfies are taken against the backdrop of the citadel of Saint-Tropez, which in the 16th century helped the defenders of the city turn the Spanish conquerors out of the gate. By the way, the fortress has a maritime museum where you can learn more about the history of the resort. Enchanting views and an atmosphere of eternal peace are offered by the ancient cemetery Cimetiere Marin. Monumental marble tombstones, under which entire dynasties of local sailors rest, seem to hover over the sea surface, symbolizing the transience of earthly life.

For more positive pleasures, check out the Butterfly House (La Maison des Papillons). Fans of French cinema are strongly advised to turn into Place Blanqui, where the gendarmerie building lurks (yes, the same one from the comedies with de Funes). Now it houses a museum, the expositions of which not only cover the life of cinema peace officers, but also show the personal belongings of the magnificent Bebe (Brigitte Bardot). There are several galleries of modern art in the city, where you can see surrealistic and sometimes ambiguous exhibits. Of the non-trivial urban objects, the Spiral fountain, created in 2007 by sculptor Jean-Yves Lechevalier, is also worth highlighting.

Note: you don't need a car to move between resort locations. Saint-Tropez with all its sights is easy to get around on foot, and due to the compactness of the commune, the tour will not be exhausting and tiring. The only thing is to take care of comfortable flat shoes. The streets of the city have steep slopes, besides, the Mediterranean pavement underfoot is detrimental to heels and wedges.

You can take a look at world celebrities, and with a good combination of circumstances, you can capture a gaping star on a smartphone camera in the port of Saint-Tropez. Snow-white yachts moored at the piers, creative beau monde strolling along the embankment, street artists with their canvases, which in 9 out of 10 cases depict the beloved Saint-Tropez or the “main blonde of France” - this whole vanity fair is considered almost the main resort attraction and worthy of the most detailed examination.

Excursions, entertainment, holidays

If the most glamorous of the French Riviera's resorts has been traveled far and wide, start expanding your horizons in neighboring communes. So, for example, in Ramatuelle, winding medieval streets, the remains of ancient fortifications and the grave of Gerard Philip are provided to the tourist brethren. The same medieval ruins, including castles, chapels and a Romanesque cathedral, can be found in Grimaud. You can break away in full in Sainte-Maxime, whose beaches will compete with the hyped Pampelonne.

For those who have not sailed to Saint-Tropez on their own yacht, the tour organizers offer an alternative - mini-cruises on a rented boat to the nearest islands (with or without a guide), as well as boat trips to nearby bays. The city's nightlife should also be embraced, especially since the owners of spa clubs and taverns masterfully adapted to the most incredible desires of the clientele.

Of the mastodons of the local entertainment business, it is worth highlighting the clubs “Les caves du Roy” (expensive cocktails, the strictest face control and an almost one hundred percent chance of colliding with some “face from the cover”) and “VIP Room” (atmosphere of unbridled fun for those who does not count money). If you need to lower the degree of pathos, which goes off scale in the above-mentioned establishments, come off at Le Pigeonnier, which is preferred by indigenous clubbers.

And, of course, what is Saint-Tropez without holidays! Starting from September, the resort falls under the influence of the festival and exhibition bustle, which lasts almost the entire autumn. The festive season opens with the Water Polo Gold Cup competition, passing the baton to the sailing regatta. The Paradis Porsche parade kicks off around mid-October, drawing crowds of the car brand's most devoted fans.

The beaches of Saint Tropez

The good news: unlike Cannes, there is sand on the beaches of Saint-Tropez. Not good news: there are rocky and pebbly areas on the coastline within the city, so you will have to spend money on slippers. If we talk about partying, then in Saint-Tropez it reaches its peak precisely on the beaches and in the bars adjacent to it - sometimes too pretentious, sometimes frankly bohemian. These are the places where you are most likely to stumble upon a spree star or an oligarch from the Forbes list, who has just parked his own yacht at the pier of the marina.

The resort's most glossy and revealing beach is still Pampelonne - an almost five-kilometer line that is filled with entertainment venues of all stripes, including the hyped Le Club 55. Formally, Pampelonne belongs to the neighboring commune of Ramatuelle, but tourists have long marked it as a landmark of Saint-Tropez. So if you come to the resort to watch sunsets, models walking around in symbolic swimsuits and dancing on bar counters, you are on the north side of Pampelonne. By the way, the beach is divided into five sections, some of which belong to VIP clubs and hotels with paid entrance. At the same time, there are also enough places for adherents of economical recreation and wild areas.

Life hack for vacationers: it is better to pay for a sunbed and an umbrella on Pampelonne. There is practically no natural shade on the beach, and during the season you can get burned to the level of a Papuan. In addition, if you come to rest by car, keep in mind that most beach parking lots are paid.

As for the places for swimming within the city, there are surprisingly few of them. For example, with an overdose of glamor and cocktails, it is better to go to Granier Beach (the bay is located right behind the citadel). The infrastructure on it is more modest than Pampelonian, instead of soft sand underfoot there are pebbles, but there is much less noise and unbridled fun here. Walking through the old town, take a look at Ponch, which is in the fishing quarter. This is a miniature hybrid of a tiny rocky beach and a promenade, along which travelers busily scurry about with SLRs at the ready.

You can also watch the ultramarine sea surface and get a shock dose of ultraviolet radiation on Kanebye (the reference point is the villa of the “greatest blonde of all time”, unforgettable B.B.). The advantages of the beach are that its territory has a "border" of Mediterranean pines, respectively, vacationers have the opportunity to lie in the shade and save on renting an umbrella. By the way, locals prefer to relax on Kanebye. If the pebbles underfoot become annoying, but there is no desire to travel outside the resort, Bouillabaisse beach will help out - about 500 meters of the softest sand right behind the port, at the exit from Saint-Tropez.

Tip for vacationers: swimming off the coast of Saint-Tropez, it is easy to get a “kiss” of a jellyfish, so do not show your own prowess and do not swim behind the buoys.

Where to stay

At the height of the season, housing prices in Saint-Tropez skyrocket, so you can afford to spend the night in a not-so-promoted "four" only if you are ready to pay 20,000 - 30,000 rubles for it. A more acceptable alternative is hotels without stars or modest (if such a word is generally applicable to hotels on the French Riviera) - "kopeck piece". A double room with one bed in such places will cost around 8,000 - 13,000 rubles, which is considered a rather modest option for the high season.

Food

The resort prioritizes Provencal and Mediterranean cuisine. If you haven’t yet had time to appreciate the extraordinary taste of bouillabaisse, the exquisite piquancy of mesclane salad and the delicate aftertaste of tapenade olive-anchovy paste, do it in Saint-Tropez. The famous ratatouille can also be attributed to the local classics of the genre. The original recipe on the Côte d'Azur was adapted to their own tastes, so the dish is found on the menu of resort taverns under the code name "tian in Provence". Mandatory for tasting are also peach crumble, meat stew daub provencal and omelet with truffles.

In Saint-Tropez, there are many establishments with local cuisine, as well as Asian cafes, so if, along with gastronomic pleasure, you want to get extraordinary design and serving dishes, welcome to La Vague d "Or, whose chef has been awarded three Michelin stars. In " Le Bikini "and in" Restaurant Le G "envie" the menu is simpler, although the main culinary business cards of Provence are also sold in them. In addition, portions in small restaurants are usually not generous in a resort, but the service is at the highest level. It is wiser for fans of Italian delicacies to book a table at La Part Des Anges or at Clandestino Saint Tropez, and for those who miss Thai tom yum, settle at My Thai or Le Jardin.

Hunters for truly Provencal gastronomic delights will be interested in strolling through the local food market, which unfolds its tents three days a week on De Lis Square. Fragrant cheeses, the freshest seafood, fruits almost bursting with juiciness and spicy sausages - all this yummy is in abundance here. As for prices, they are not very attractive in Saint-Tropez, as in any city on the Cote d'Azur. At the height of the season, a modest complex lunch without alcohol in an average tavern will cost 20-25 euros (about 1500-1900 rubles). In Michelin-starred restaurants, you can "eat" for 250-300 euros (about 19,000 - 20,000 rubles), although, by the standards of Saint-Tropez, this is far from the limit.

shopping

The assortment of local boutiques and shops hints at the fact that it is customary to part with money on the French Riviera easily and without regret. However, Saint-Tropez is not an oriental bazaar with noisy sellers, so it is easy and pleasant to plan shopping trips for the purpose of “just seeing” here. Start your shopping tour from the central square of the city, where, in addition to the food market, rarity dealers periodically set up tents. If you need a handbag from the first Chanel collections or an old porcelain knickknack, you are welcome!

Good to know: You shouldn't expect big discounts from Saint-Tropez, although the city is a little feverish during the last week of October from the annual La Grande Braderie sale, when the prices of branded items are almost halved.

The vast majority of boutiques and showrooms in Saint-Tropez are located in the central part of the resort or along the promenades and are punctuated by stylish cafes where you can take a pleasant time out and wash down a successful purchase with a cup of coffee. If you didn’t have time to stock up on sunglasses and a trendy swimsuit, drop by the Chanel pop-up store or, as the owners themselves like to call it, an ephemeral boutique whose collections consist of 90% beachwear and paraphernalia.

The strong half of humanity is highly recommended to visit Maison Blanc Bleu, mentioned in every second guide to the resort. An option for seasoned aesthetes is the jewelry stands of the Gas Andre salon, where the abundance of precious metals and stones dazzles the eyes. Do not be ashamed to hang out at the windows of the showrooms of world couturiers from Louis Vuitton to Dolce & Gabbana, as well as try on a pair of leather sandals from the Italian brand Les Tropeziennes.

From modest souvenirs, trinkets with gendarmerie symbols are obligatory for consideration. No desire to shell out for jewelry and haute couture clothes? Stock up on fridge magnets or iPhone cases featuring Louis de Funes as the unforgettable gendarme from Saint-Tropez!

7 things to do in Saint Tropez

Break into one of the elite topless sectors of Pampelonne Beach in order to estimate the size of the "natural wealth" of Hollywood celebrities and world models by eye (not the fact that they will let you in, but it's worth a try).
Wander around the piers of the marina and marvel at the fantasies of yacht owners who give their property such extraordinary names. At the same time, you can google who owns the ship in order to know which of the celebrities are relaxing at the resort with you.
Taste the famous “La tart tropezienne” in local cafes, the authentic recipe of which French chefs hide from the rest of the confectioners of the world.
Go to the embankment of the city port and find in the tourist stream an actor dressed as a gendarme from comedies with Louis de Funes (he is definitely somewhere here).
Buy a pair of tropezian sandals, in which even fashion gurus do not hesitate to flaunt on the Cote d'Azur.
Wander around Brigitte Bardot's villa and appreciate the assortment of the boutique opened by the main French blonde in Saint-Tropez.
Find 10 differences between the painting Place des Lices by Paul Signac and the main city square.

How to get there

Saint-Tropez, from the point of view of fans of public transport, is not the most convenient resort. Railway lines do not reach here due to the terrain, and the number of buses taxiing into the abode of glamorous party-goers is very small. Nevertheless, it is quite possible to get to Saint-Tropez without having your own yacht or sports car.

The easiest and most expensive way is to rent a taxi in Nice. The distance between cities is just under 100 km. A more pleasant option for the wallet is buses from Saint-Raphael (you will first have to get to the city by rail from the same Nice) and Toulon (the city is connected by an intensive rail connection with Marseille). By the way, keep in mind that at the height of the season, a trip by car turns into a protracted and not very pleasant marathon due to huge traffic jams, which are the norm in this part of the Cote d'Azur.

An alternative to taxis and buses are mini-ferries from Saint-Raphael, Grimaud and Sainte-Maxime, or speedboats from Nice with calls to Cannes, Antibes, Saint-Raphael and Sainte-Maxime. True, you will have to get acquainted with the timetable for the movement of water transport in advance. It is in the high season that ferries between the communes scurry almost every hour. By autumn, their flow slows down and the pauses between routes become longer and longer, sometimes stretching for a week.

Area: 11 km²;
Timezone: UTC+1, summer UTC+2;
Population: 4,500.

Climatic features

Transport accessibility

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From where to where	departure date	Find a ticket
London → Nice
Barcelona → Nice
Vienna → Nice
Amsterdam → Nice
Budapest → Nice
Lua → Nice
Cagliari → Nice
Geneva → Nice
Berlin → Nice
Venice → Nice
Vilnius → Nice
Palma de Mallorca → Nice
Seville → Nice
Rome → Nice
Sofia → Nice
Toulouse → Nice
Milan → Nice
Warsaw → Nice
Naples → Nice
Brussels → Nice
Tunisia → Nice
Krakow → Nice
Paris → Nice
Cologne → Nice
Hamburg → Nice
Tangier → Nice
Bordeaux → Nice
Split → Nice
Catania → Nice
Larnaca → Nice
Monastir → Nice
Gdansk → Nice
Turin → Nice
Bucharest → Nice
Lisbon → Nice
Lille → Nice
Saint Petersburg → Nice
Malaga → Nice
Chania → Nice
Pisa → Nice
Kyiv → Nice
Prague → Nice
Porto → Nice
Nantes → Nice
Menorca → Nice
Moscow → Nice
Marseille → Nice
Ibiza → Nice
Valencia → Nice
Helsinki → Nice
Riga → Nice
Tel Aviv → Nice
Faro → Nice
Edinburgh → Nice
Belgrade → Nice
Bratislava → Nice
Tenerife → Nice
Birmingham → Nice
Bologna → Nice
Yerevan → Nice
Strasbourg → Nice
Bastia → Nice
Fes → Nice
Bari → Nice
Manchester → Nice
Athens → Nice
Kherson → Nice
Verona → Nice
Glasgow → Nice
Lyon → Nice
Duesseldorf → Nice
Munich → Nice
Belfast → Nice
Stockholm → Nice
Mulhouse → Nice
Olbia → Nice
Genoa → Nice
Kaunas → Nice
Brest → Nice
Bergen → Nice

History reference

Beaches

What to watch

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