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.
- Viewpoint
- The ramparts of the 17th-century Citadelle, which houses the naval museum, give the best lookout over the tiled rooftops.
- Arts and culture
- sée de L’ATake in the brushstrokes of Matisse, Bonnard and Seurat at Le Munnonciade at Le Port (+33 (0)4 94 17 84 10) before stepping into Hermès next door for a silk scarf and some unisex espadrilles. Art Deco collectors: Galerie Abrial Côté Art on Avenue Paul Roussel, 83990 (+33 (0)4 94 97 31 08) has some huge pastel pieces. Movie buffs: wander over to the Gendarmerè Nationale – the famous French flick Les Gendarmes de Saint Tropez with actor Louis de Funès was filmed here.
- Something for nothing
- For a super-chilled walk to find a secret beach, make your way to l’Escalet (nudist) beach – south east of Saint Tropez – and keep walking until you come across the small, peaceful Cap Taillat beach.
- Shopping
- Place de la Garonne is the Bond Street of Saint Tropez, along with Rue Gambetta just around the corner; designer boutiques are crammed into the tiny streets – Cavalli, Dior, Cartier and DVF for starters. For gifts, sparkly bikinis and jewellery, take a trip down Rue Georges Clemenceau, which winds down from Place des Lices square to the waterfront. For coloured glassses, candles and charcoal-coloured bath crystals in cut-glass finery, visit Objets, just along from the Office de Tourisme behind Quai Jean Jaurès. But for the real deals, head to the market at Place des Lices (Tuesday and Saturday mornings 08h–14h) where you can pick up Provençal bedspreads, fraises de fréjus, olive oil and lilies. Oh – and don’t forget to visit the ‘pick ‘n’ mix for giants’ at Les Bonbons du Plate on Quai Jean Jaurès – the enormous barrels full of sweets make you want to dive head first in. The market on Place des Lices has become a bit of a tackfest, but the morning fish market at Place des Herbes (every day except Monday) is fun.
- Daytripper
- Jump in a hire car and set off for the mediaeval village of Saint Paul De Vence – it’s breath-removingly stunning. Walk the battlements, stroll down Rue Grande in the castle walls and pick up a sunhat or a cubist painting; there are dozens of boutiques and galleries. Sip a coffee whilst sitting on the low stone walls outside Le Café de la Place, on Place de Gaulle, to watch a game of boules, (+33 (0)4 93 32 80 03). Café Le Tilleul Menth restaurant on Place du Tilleul (+33 (0)4 93 32 80 36) has a lovely terrace, under the shade of the trees. For supper, head to La Colombe d’Or, 06570 Saint-Paul De Vence. Gaudi meets Kandinsky and goes nuts, basically. Book in advance though – it takes weeks to get a table (+33 (0)4 93 32 80 02). If you don’t have luck reserving, sip a glass of Chablis under the fruit lanterns hanging in the orange trees outside instead. If it was good enough for Miro, Churchill and Chaplain (Charlie, that is)…
- Best beach
- Sea and be seen at Pearl Beach, which offers a great mix of Provençal food and lively nightlife. Key West Beach is a little more fashion-conscious. Tahiti beach is classic Brigitte Bardot-land – and then, of course, there’s Nikki Beach: a raucous American beach club concept from Miami, with topless dancing and champagne showers a-go-go. Those in the know head to the long sandy stretch of Gigaro beach. Head through Ramatuelle and keep going – it’s only a 20-minute drive from Saint Tropez.
- Activities
- If you’re feeling flush, the hotel can book you a sailing yacht – a mere €20,000 for a couple of days. Failing that, jet-skiing, water-skiing, parascending and sailing are available off the main Pampelonne beach.
- And...
- Iconic Tropesian yachting hang-out Café de Paris is THE place to be. Wander in for lunchtime noodles, salad and seafood, or book a table to see it liven up at night (+33 (0)4 94 97 00 65).
Diary
May La Bravade, when piratical processions fill the streets with noise and colour, and the whole town is ‘dressed’ in red and white. June 10–16 Giraglia Rolex Cup – one of St Tropez’ biggest sailing regattas; June–July International Polo Cup (www.polo-st-tropez.com); August 16–22 Ramatuelle jazz festival – featuring international jazz bands (www.jazzfestivalramatuelle.com); September–October Les Voiles de St Tropez – the international yachting competition that sends St Tropez sailing-giddy (www.ot-saint-tropez.com).
