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Saint Tropez

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During the 80s and 90s St. Tropez was known as 'the place to be' and its beaches soon filled with the in-crowd who visited simply to be seen. Today the atmosphere in St. Tropez has somewhat changed, having calmed down considerably and returned to being a beautiful southern town on the French Riviera.

Located on the southern shores of France, in between the cities of Marseille and Italy's Genova, St. Tropez has the ideal location right on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. It enjoys a warm climate and fantastic transport links to the rest of France and Italy via train, plane and boat. Before the turn of the 20th century, St. Tropez was known as a central hub for goods trading in France due to its port. Although today it is used for little more than tourism, the port holds a lot of history and is a regular stop for the 5,500 inhabitants of the town.

While St. Tropez brings connotations of wealthy celebrities and expensive accommodation, this stereotype is wholly untrue. The economy of this town is centered on tourism, and although the prices are a little higher because of the location on the French Riviera, the tourist industry here is thriving because the prices are NOT extortionate.

Areas

Place aux Herbes

Otherwise known as one of the central squares of St. Tropez, Place aux Herbes is the place to visit if you want to see what life in this city is really like. Apart from the square itself the surrounding area is bustling and exciting with lots to offer in the way of shops, restaurants and cafés. So go and explore!

The Hills

The central area of Saint Tropez can get quite crowded and busy at times so staying a little further away in the hills where you will experience fantastic views over the rest of the town is highly recommended.

The Coast

The most beautiful part of any town on the French Riviera has to be its coast, beaches and ports. St. Tropez is no different in this respect and boasts 5 kilometers of white sand and warm clear waters. What you find differs from beach to beach, so it's best to do a little research before you head off. Some beaches offer water sports such as jet skis, windsurfing etc., some are nudist beaches and some are simply little tranquil coves where families comes to enjoy the day without interruption.

Weather

While many destinations towards the Mediterranean can be too hot to visit during the months of July and August, St. Tropez is not one of them. The average top temperature for these months is 27ºC. It's recommended that you visit between late June and early September to make the most of the warm weather, as the temperature can drop quite suddenly after August.

Average Temperatures

F/C	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
F	50	49	53	56	62	68	76	75	71	64	56	52
C	10	9	12	13	17	20	24	24	22	18	13	11

Getting There

By Bus

There are three main bus services which will take you to Saint Tropez and surrounding larger towns from the main airports and other central destinations. Departures are fairly regular, ranging from twice a day to 5 times a day.

By Train

While there is no main train line directly to Saint Tropez, there are SNCF services that stop nearby and from there you can catch a bus (Toulon and St. Raphael).

By Plane

There are four nearby airports including La Mole (around 12.5 miles west of St. Tropez), Marseille-Provence, Toulon-Hyeres and Nice-Cote d'Azur. There are regular bus services from each of these airports which will take you directly to St. Tropez.

Getting Around

By Bus

The SodeTrav bus services 100 and 104 from St. Tropez take passengers to the nearby towns of Saint Raphael, Les Arcs and Sainte Maxime. This is a quick and inexpensive way to get around this area of the French Riviera.

By Bicycle

If you're willing and able to ride a bicycle then we thoroughly recommend that this is how you explore the town of St. Tropez. There's a fully facilitated cycling path running alongside the coast towards Sainte Maxime, which provides some fantastic views and direct access to the gorgeous sea breezes.

By Car

With a heap of different car rental companies offering their services in St. Tropez you'll be spoilt for choice about where to visit first. It's probably best to book early with some of the larger and better known companies as these are often fully booked during peak times.

Food & Dining

Many people flock to France every year for the fine delicacies that can be found here and Saint Tropez is no different. Visit any of the fine restaurants to experience some of the area's greatest foods. Finger foods are very popular here with menu items including things such as marinated vegetables piled on fresh baguettes and topped with some of the finest goat cheeses available. Saint Tropez is also widely known for the different desserts that you can find and they are all keeping in the French tradition with rich items including crème brulee and a wonderful assortment of fruit, pastries, and ice cream. Of course, you can't leave Saint Tropez without trying some of the chocolate of the area that is quite famous among many!

Beaches

La Bouillabaisse (Sand beach) Location: Minutes from town This beach is perfect for the families who are looking to spend some time on a quieter beach but still remain within walking distance of all the amenities including shopping centers and restaurants. Although it is a popular beach, there is still plenty of room to move and run around without having to dodge large crowds.

Plage de l'Escalet (Sand beach) Location: South side of Cap Camaret If you want an authentic French Riviera experience and don't mind pushing your inhibitions to its limits to get it, you may want to stop at the Plage de l'Escalet, even if it is just for a few minutes! There is no dress code here so if you don't feel comfortable going completely nude, there is no reason to do so. However, if you want to do as the French, you can also feel safe knowing that the beach is very isolated from other areas.

Plage de la Briande (Sand beach) Location: Find the coastal path and walk for ninety minutes This is the beach in Saint Tropez if you are looking for privacy and seclusion from the hustle and bustle of the more touristy beaches and areas. It does take some time to get to but once there, you will bask in the untouched sand and the water that is so perfectly still you can see exact detail in the reflection. A true paradise, this is one area that is alive with the romance of the country!

Plage de Pampelonne (Sand beach) Location: Within the city This is another of Saint Tropez's most popular beaches among tourists and locals even acknowledge its brilliance by calling it decadent due to its beautiful waters and sand that is like fine crystal, it's so beautiful and feels so rich to walk on! Because it is one of the trendier beaches, there are lots of crowds and noise but in exchange you'll get limitless vendors, shops, restaurants, cafes, and equipment rental areas.

Plage de Graniers (Sand beach) Location: Below the citadel All of Saint Tropez's beaches are beautiful but this one is definitely the most popular. The beach itself is breathtaking as it looks like a strip of gold until you walk on it and feel the fine grains squish between your toes. It is here that you will find some of the friendliest people in Saint Tropez as people lay around sunbathing. Water sports are available here as well but although the water's beautiful as well, people generally want to experience the magnificent sand.

Sights & Activities

Yacht Regatta

If you're staying later on in the peak season (around October), then head to the bay for the Yacht Regatta which arrives once a year. The streets fill with tourists and residents and there is a lovely atmosphere in St. Tropez at this time.

Quartier de la Ponche

If it's classic French beauty that you're looking for then walk just outside of the Citadelle to Quartier de la Ponche. The cobbled streets lit by lanterns at night and the warmly painted houses in reds, oranges and terracottas make for a very romantic walk amongst the shops and cafés.

Suncap Boating

Whether you're an experienced boat captain or not you could enjoy the French Riviera from the point of view of the water. Choose from large or small boats to hire for a day, with or without staff to navigate it depending on your skill and the size of the vehicle.

La Maison des Papillon

Once the home of highly acclaimed photographer Lartigue, this building is now used as a stunning butterfly museum at rue Etienne Berny in St. Tropez. If you're a keen historian or zoologist then this could be the ideal day out for you.

Plage de Pampelonne and Plage de la Mouette

Plage de Pampelonne is the beach to visit if you want to see and be seen! With surrounding cafés and restaurants it's easy to stay on this St. Tropez beach all day simply soaking up the sun on the white sands or taking a dip in the warm sparkling waters. If, however, you are looking for a quieter, more tranquil beach experience then travel just a few miles outside of Saint Tropez to the more secluded Plage de la Mouette for the completely unspoilt sand and sea.