Saint Tropez
France
- Cityscape
- Jet-set Riviera, Côte d’Azur
- City life
- Flashbulb-fabulous port
A millionaires’ playground of yachts, nightclubs and nu-retro hedonism set against an azure backdrop, Saint Tropez is the glittering epicentre of the Monte Carlo/Cannes party route.
Under a hot Tropezian sun, the Dior-sunglassed brigade poses on the promenade before the refulgent gleam of super-yachts and super-tans. Honeymooners, movie-stars and millionaire movers ’n’ shakers alike mingle in slinky cocktail lounges – while the cream of the die-hard Saint Tropez party crop soaks each other with champagne at Nikki Beach club. But as helicopters drop A-listers at the hottest parties in town, step back a little, away from the port, and a different Riviera light shines through. Cue ultra-relaxed Saint Tropez; with its clicking of pétanque balls in sandy, tree-lined squares, and dusty French cafés packed with locals supping pastis. From the stylishly simple to the downright ostentatious, this town’s contradicting personalities jostle for space as skillfully as they harmonise each other.
Pictured: Hotel Pastis
Boutique hotels in Saint Tropez
Our round-up of the hippest hideaways and boutique hotels in Saint Tropez
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Worth getting out of bed for
Highlights the best Saint Tropez has to offer, from beaches and boutiques to daytrips and activities; we’ve even found the most inspiring place to enjoy the views from.
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Eating, drinking & dancing
We've tracked down the best cafés for people-watching, the bars with the coolest cocktails, the most accomplished restaurants and the liveliest local nightlife in Saint Tropez. All you have to do is make sure you've packed your favourite threads…
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Smith Maps
Saint Tropez is smaller than you think, but our interactive map will help you keep your bearings.
moreLocal knowledge
- Taxis
- Are expensive and can’t be hailed in the street. Book from your hotel: Azur Limousine (+33 (0)6 21 14 52 93); Taxi Marc (+33 (0)6 15 21 23 56). Be warned: a taxi from Pastis Hotel into town costs around €25 (it’s a two minute walk).
- Tipping culture
- Service is always included in France. Round up cab fares to the nearest euro.
- Siesta and Fiesta
- Most shops are open from 10h –13h and 15h–19h (or until 20h, mid-summer). Most banks open from 08h–12h and 13h–17h (most are closed on Sat/Sun/Mon). Restaurants get really lively around 23h, while the bars and nightclubs stay open until 05h.
- Packing tips
- Allegra Hicks kaftan, jewelled sandals.
- Recommended reads
- The Hairdressers of St. Tropez by Rupert Everett. Out to Lunch in Provence by Mike Aalders. Anything by Colette or Anaïs Nin, both cult Saint-Tropéziennes.
- Cuisine
- Local fish is expensive, but acclaimed; feast on tuna tartare with grilled sesame and shellfish with chorizo – to a backdrop of bobbing yachts.
- Currency
- Euro.
- Dialing codes
- Country code for France: 33. Provence: (0)4
- Do go/don't go
- In July and August, the olde fishing village is submerged beneath a touristic tidal wave: it’s fun but crazy. The big yachting races come to a close mid-end October, after that you’ll experience the pretty French coastal town.
