Things to do in Saint-Tropez
1. Strolling along the old port and old town
Discover the old port, which is calm and quiet during sunset or exciting during several sailing events organized by the City, the town’s hub. It is an absolute joy to start the day sitting in a café on the waterfront, enjoying the view of the brightly colorful facades.
2. The Annonciade museum
The museum is a vivid reminder that the village of Saint-Tropez was at the avant-garde of painting in the early 20th century. The collection represents, Impressionism: Seurat, Signac, Cross, Matisse, Vlaminck, Van Dongen, Derain, Vuillard, Bonnard.
3. The Citadel and its museum
The Citadel is one of the most visited historical and cultural sites, composed of bastions and a hexagonal keep built between 1602 and 1608.
Stunning panoramic views over the bay, the modern maritime museum, set up in the donjon, allows visitors to discover famous figures as well as the daily lives of the people who shaped Saint-Tropez over the centuries.
4. The Gendarmerie and Cinema Museum
The Gendarmerie and Cinema Museum invites you to discover the history of its building. Before becoming a symbolic place thanks to the movies about the Gendarmerie (with Louis de Funès), this building welcomed the real Police Force from 1879 to 2003. It’s also famous for the film, And God created Woman, with Brigitte Bardot.
5. The “maison des papillons”
Not far from Place des Lices, the museum (located in Rue Etienne Berny) displays a variety of butterflies (more than 20,000 species, including exotic butterflies).
6. Beaches
Discover Saint-Tropez, the sea, nature, and enjoy its beaches, taking the coastal path for hiking starting from the Portalet Tower to the legendary Pampelonne beach passing the Canoubiers bay and the famous Madrague, Brigitte Bardot’s house.
La Bouillabaisse: a sandy beach located at the entrance of the village
La Ponche: a charming beach next to the old fishermen’s port, located between Tour du Portalet and Tour Vieille
Les Granier’s: located at the bottom of the southern slope of the hill where the Citadel stands, beyond the cemetery, this small creek is a preserved site
Les Canebiers: a large beach running along Route des Salins. It owes its name to the hemp that used to be grown along its edges (Canebiers means “hemp eld”). It is the locals’ favorite beach.
La Moutte: a secluded and friendly beach for those “in the know,” located beyond Baie des Canebiers
Les Salins: a white sugar sand beach
Pampelonne (located in Ramatuelle): a 5-kilometers-long stretch of fine sand, a legendary place with beach restaurants offering a wide range of cuisines and atmospheres
7. Shopping
Saint-Tropez is the perfect location where the greatest fashion designers provide stunning new combinations for the beautiful people visiting the village. Passers-by, tourists, and even celebrities love watching this show, wandering from shop to shop and their dazzling displays that offer brand new items each season.
Luxury brands of ready-to-wear are well established in Saint-Tropez: Dior, Chanel, Vuitton, Hermès, Fendi, Plein Sud, Valentino, Gucci, Emilio Pucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Armani, Lancel, Loro Piana, Lanvin, Céline, Karl Lagerfeld, Mauboussin, Breitling, Tag Heuer, Fred Joailler, Ralph Lauren, Chloé, Brunello Cucinelli, Inès de la Fressange, Louboutin, Flavio Castellani, Tod’s, Bulgari, Miu Miu, Bottega Veneta and Cavalli amongst others, reveal their most sophisticated and trendiest facets. They all display a mix of smart and casual styles that ts in perfectly with life in Saint-Tropez. As for sun and sand lovers, they will and an infinite range of renowned swimsuit brands such as Erès, Kiwi, Vilebrequin, and other local designers. Sexy chic, sportswear, trend-setting is the fashion and lifestyle in Saint-Tropez.
8. Pleasure of the senses, taste…
The famous Tarte Tropézienne, “always imitated, never rivaled” according to its creator Alexandre Micka. The tart is composed of a thick layer of light cream, between two layers of orange flower flavored génoise, and is covered with big grains of sugar.
The Calin de Saint-Tropez, the latest local creation made according to pure Provençal tradition, is a subtle blend of almond paste and honey with a touch of mint. And what about the delicious Sénéquier nougat! All those tasty Provence olives, goat cheeses, jams, garlic, thyme, rosemary, fruits, and vegetables, which you can discover as you visit the market which takes place every Tuesday and Saturday morning on the Place des Lices… all these products complement the traditional Provençal sh dishes (bouillabaisse, anchoïade…) which you will end at the fish market, Place aux Herbes, every morning.
9. Gastronomy
For lunch or dinner in town, with friends or family, Saint-Tropez as the “kitchen of the world” offers a wide range of products and cuisines, from gourmet to “street food” restaurants, from Provencal to world cuisine in a cozy, refined modern or vintage setting and a relaxing or festive atmosphere. All the best restaurants are waiting for you with their Côtes de Provence.
10. Nightlife
It’s party night and day… Whether for a drink or spending all night long at a bar or on the dance floor, Saint-Tropez is still THE hottest spot on the French Riviera. The European elite, members of the international jet-set, top models meet in these magical places to party till dawn.