St Tropez Activities

Worth getting out of bed for

Viewpoint

The ramparts of the 17th-century Citadelle, which houses the naval museum, give the best lookout over the tiled rooftops.

Arts and culture

Take in the brushstrokes of Matisse, Bonnard and Seurat at Musée de l'Annonciade on 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 St 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 St Tropez – and keep walking until you come across the small, peaceful Cap Taillat beach.

Shopping

St Tropez is a potted (or should that be ported) Milan, with designer boutiques such as Dior and Cavalli crammed into tiny streets around Place de la Garonne and Rue Gambetta.

Daytripper

Jump in a hire car and set off for the mediaeval village of St 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 St-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 Chaplin (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 St Tropez.

Activities

Pampelonne Beach at St Tropez is the region's capital of water sports: water-skiing, parascending and cat-sailing are all available to soothe restless sunbathers.

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).