Welcome to Saint-Tropez, the wonderful city of the French Riviera situated on the Azurian coast. Until the early 20th-century, Saint-Tropez was an unostentatious town with a small but picturesque port. The birth of the famous Saint-Tropez as we know it nowadays took place in the 1950s after the filming of And God Created Woman with Brigitte Bardot.
Nowadays, Saint-Tropez attracts wealthy people. In the past, you would find fishermen with their boats in the harbor, but today it is a fairytale show of the most luxurious yachts and houseboats. The charming waterfront is filled with cafes and bars where you can enjoy the perfect scenery around the harbor. Join us with our list of 10 ten best things to do in Saint-Tropez and explore this gorgeous city:
1. Old port - Vieux Port
The old harbor of Saint Tropez forces you to stroll. Former fishing port and home of many old fishing boats it is now a home for the most luxurious yachts you could imagine. Even though the waterfront is filled with many large and lavish yachts, the picturesque ambiance of this place had not been changed. Walking along the waterfront is one of the most beautiful experiences you could have in Saint-Tropez. Sitting by in one of the cozy cafés or comfortable lounge bars and enjoying the unique view over this prosperous city is just a great time. You can also find many fashion shops along the port since France is well known as one of the fashion centers within European countries.
Visit any of important events held in the port:
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez (30th September to 2nd October)
Trophée Bailly-de-Suffren (23rd to 24th of June)
The Dragon REGATTA in Saint-Tropez (13th to 20th October)
Old Port - Vieux Port
Address: Quai de l’épi, 83990 Saint-Tropez, France
Website: Old Port - Vieux Port
2. The Old Town - La Ponche
The picturesque old town of Saint-Tropez is also called “La Ponche”. The Old Town is situated next to the Old Port and lies below the citadel. The Old Town, as a former center of the fishing village, is filled with many interesting spots to see and primarily is a gorgeous place to visit. Part of the Old Town is made as a pedestrian zone of narrow historic streets, filled with many shops, cafés, and restaurants. The main street of the center is Rue de la Citadelle that leads to the citadel.
La Ponche
Address: Rue de la Citadelle, Old Town, Saint-Tropez, France
3. La Citadelle - Museum of Maritime History
One famous landmark of Saint-Tropez is surely Citadel. The Citadel was erected in the early 17th-century by the military engineer Raymond Bonnefons. The building was reconstructed in the 19th-century and nowadays forms a Museum of Maritime History. The Citadel you will find at the top of the Colline des Moulis.
La Citadelle
Address: 1 Montée de la Citadelle, 83990 Saint-Tropez, France
Website: La Citadelle
4. Place des Lices
Places de Lices is a favorite place of Saint-Tropez among the locals as well as tourists. A spacious park and plaza, it’s a place people use to relax, go shopping and of course, play the popular game Pétanque. The square is surrounded with terraces where you can have a snack while enjoying the summer sun. The most popular event that takes place on the Places des Lices is an open air market. In the winter, this place changes to a huge ice rink with an atmospheric Christmas market.
Visit the open-air markets every Tuesday and Saturday. The food market includes fresh bread, pastries, olives, spices, fruit, vegetables, and cheeses. The market is known to the locals for the freshest and best quality products. Besides food, there are stalls with home accessories, antiques, arts, and clothes. The market takes place from 10 am until 1 pm and from 2 pm to 6 pm.
Place des Lices
Address: Place des Lices, Saint-Tropez, France
5. Butterfly Museum - Explore over 35,000 specimens
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
The Butterfly Museum, created by a painter Dany Lartigue, is situated in his private house. The typical Provencal house is formed of two floors featuring different species and including over 35,000 specimens! The collection is primarily focused on the French species, but there are specimens from Africa and South America as well. Lartigue, as the artist and painter, made a collection of works himself, and you can enjoy the exhibition of thousands of butterflies inside a landscaped painted by Lartigue.
Butterfly Museum
Address: 17 Rue Etienne Berny, 83990 Saint-Tropez, France
Website: Butterfly Museum
6. Sentier du Littoral
Sentier du Littoral’s a coastal path that leads from Saint-Tropez to famous Pampelone Beach. The 7 miles (11 km) long path can be a little wild and adventurous, but is well preserved. While climbing up and down along the road, you will meet a few small beaches. On the Sentier du Littoral is where famous films featuring Brigit Bardot were filmed, and so you can imagine the famous actress climbing the same path. The start of the coastal path is in the old centre, and the end is at the top of the Pampelone Beach. You can expect an adventurous and exciting walk through beautiful nature with stunning sceneries.
Sentier du Littoral
Address: 8 Chemin des Graniers, 83990, Saint-Tropez, France
7. Musée de l'Annonciade
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
The museum is built in a former chapel from the 16th-century. The Musée de l'Annonciade is an exhibition of modern art. In 1892 the artist Paul Signac bought a house and introduced other artists too. The museum collection includes his arts and also arts of Derain and Matisse. You can find here paintings of famous cubistic artists such as George Braque or Picasso.
Musée de l'Annonciade
Address: 2 Rue de l'Annonciade, Place Georges Grammont, 83990 Saint-Tropez, France
Website: Musée de l'Annonciade
8. Explore beaches of the Azurian coast
Pampelone Beach, located on the end of the coastal path, is a beautiful beach in the winter season open to the public. In the summer months, it is beach taken over by private beach bars and restaurants, which spread their chairs and parasols and create a relaxing area. There is anything from snack bars to comfortable dining and lounge bars during this time.
Some of the other beaches you can visit include Plage des Graniers, Plage de la Ponche and Plage de la Bouillabaisse. Plage des Graniers is a narrow beach located on the other side of the cathedral. Good for a nice and relaxing stroll, but it can be really busy in the summer. Plage de la Ponche is the beach closest to the center. Plage de la Bouillabaisse is a beach featuring private bars. The beach is filled with buildings so it is not much of a natural place, but good to stop by for a drink.
Pampelone Beach
Address: Route des Plages, 83350, Saint-Tropez, France
Plage des Graniers
Address: 1 Chemin des Graniers, 83990, Saint-Tropez, France
Plage de la Ponche
Address: 2-6 Rue de la Rampe, 83990 Saint-Tropez, France
Plage de la Bouillabaisse
Address: Avenue du 15 Aout 1944, 83990, Saint-Tropez, France
Enjoy the luxury mixed with picturesque ambience
There is no doubt that Saint-Tropez is a gorgeous city full of luxury. However, you will find not only luxurious yachts in the port but also picturesque ambiance and beautiful beaches on the Azurian coast. In fact, the city is full of art, history, and culture. Saint-Tropez offers everything you need for a magnificent time.
History
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