This year has been one of ups and downs for the yachting industry – usually, Saint-Tropez is rammed with yachts and tourists, increasing the population up to 100,000 daily visitors in high season.
Yes, people go to ‘St Trop’ to see and be seen, but it has so much more to offer.
10 things to see and do in Saint-Tropez
1. Soak up the atmosphere
Although it has a reputation for wealth and extravagance, Saint-Tropez actually has a random mix of people – you might see anyone from fishermen to film stars. Pull up a seat at a caféteria, order un café and soak up the atmosphere.
2. Get an art hit at Musee de l’Annonciade
This museum is a converted chapel that’s worth visiting to see artwork by Matisse, Picasso and Signac.
3. Hit the beach clubs at Pampelonne Beach
Pampelonne Beach is the reason many people visit Saint-Tropez – and world famous for its beach clubs – though it’s not in Saint-Tropez but in Ramatuelle. Many superyacht guests take a tender in and go there to lounge at a beach restaurant.
4. Visit Place des Lices
If you visit Saint-Tropez, you will probably stop by Place des Lices. Watch the locals play boules, or visit the twice weekly markets selling everything from antiques to fruit and vegetables and Provençal fabric.
5. Get some retail therapy
Shopping in Saint-Tropez is diverse. Designer boutiques are located on rue Allard, rue Gambetta and rue François Sibilli – expect hefty price tags. But, you’ll also find souvenir shops selling straw beach totes, postcards and Herbs de Provence.
6. Experience a Saint-Tropez event
Saint-Tropez hosts lively annual events such as Les Bravades, sailing regatta Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, the Paradis Porsche or the Euro Festival, a meetup that welcomes thousands of Harley Davidson bikers to Port Grimaud.
7. Sample the culinary scene
Saint-Tropez has a variety of dining and bars ranging from bistros to cocktail lounges and high-end restaurants.
I like brunch at Dior, oysters at Chez Madeleine, a sundowner at Bar Sube by the port or Les Toits, and Barbarac for yummy ice cream.
8. Relive rock n roll history
Rolling Stones fans can make a beeline for Chapelle Sainte Anne (the church where Mick Jagger married Bianca Jagger in 1971); take a photo from the hilltop as the panoramic view is good.
9. Enjoy the coastal paths
Don’t miss Saint-Tropez’s Sentier du Littoral, a coastal walk starting at the Tour du Portalet at La Ponche.
Walk past nice beaches, stop for coffee at plage des Salins or venture a bit further to enjoy the sea views at Cap Taillat and plage de l’Escalet.
10. Visit a local vineyard for wine tasting
Saint-Tropez is near lots of wineries – try wine tasting at Château de Marres, Château Minuty, Domaine Bertaud Belieu, Maison Angelvin or Château Léoube. For a map of wineries nearby Saint-Tropez, refer to the Route des vins de Provence website.
I hope you enjoyed my post about Saint-Tropez! Until you experience the dusky sunlight glowing across the tiled rooftops, the salt-sprayed lines of old fishing boats besides superyachts, and a famous Tarte Tropézienne have you really experienced Saint-Tropez?
#ThisIsStTropez #SaintTropez #AntibesYachting #YachtLife
