A former fishing village made famous by the actress Brigitte Bardot, Saint-Tropez is an unmissable place to visit in Var. Its appearance changes with the seasons but is always totally charming. In summer, Saint-Tropez becomes a hip seaside resort where the world's jet set likes to gather. Visitors enjoy strolling around the harbour, admiring a luxurious array of sailboats and yachts. At this time of year, it's lively every day and night, and the village centre is always busy with its restaurants, designer boutiques, cafés and nightclubs.
But Saint-Tropez is more than just a glamorous party spot. Outside of the summer period, peace and authenticity reign in this picturesque Provençal village. In fact, this is the best time to discover all of its charms. Start your visit with the most emblematic locations like the harbour, prettily lined by houses with colourful façades, the typical neighbourhood of La Ponche, and Place des Lices, where locals play boules in the shade of the plane trees.
Then go up to the citadel ramparts to enjoy a splendid view over the village rooftops, the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, the Maures and the Esterel! Consisting of a keep and three round towers, it dates from the 17th century and now houses a living and modern museum about Saint-Tropez's maritime history.
Other unmissable historic buildings include the Parish Church of Our Lady of the Assumption. Built in 1784 in the Italian Baroque style, it includes decorative elements dating back to the time of Louis XV, as well as statues and carved woodwork from the early 19th century. You will also be able to admire the bust of St. Torpes (known as Saint Tropez in French), the same one that is carried in procession during the Bravades, a traditional festival that takes place in May and honours the village's military and religious past. A true emblem of Saint-Tropez, the church's purple and gold bell tower is crowned by a small campanile.
Art-lovers will not want to miss the Annonciade Museum, located in the eponymous chapel, where collections of paintings dating from the 19th and 20th centuries are on display. The Butterfly House, meanwhile, houses a fabulous collection of nearly 35,000 specimens, magnificently displayed. Children and adults alike will also appreciate a visit to the Gendarmerie and Cinema Museum, which charts the history of this iconic place in Saint-Tropez where the Le Gendarme film series was shot.
If you are visiting at the end of September-early October, be sure to catch the unmissable Voiles de Saint-Tropez event, which attracts the world's finest boats every year.
Town Var in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Saint-Tropez became a resort of the jet set around the world at the time of the New Wave, in the years 1960. This ancient citadel of the sixteenth century, which was still a small fishing village in the early twentieth century, attracts stars from around the world in search of the typical authenticity of Provence.
St-Trop ', as used colloquially called await the lovers of the sea, as history lovers and those wanting to have a good time. The sweet life that reigns there, and world famous entertainment, also helped a lot to the reputation of this magical place.
The sea, boats, architectural and historic heritage make it a little paradise, like its popular gastronomy. Wines with fish dishes, via confectionery, sweets are likely to Saint-Tropez. The most famous is the famous tropézienne tart, cake mounted from sugar brioche. The latter was coined during the filming... And God Created Woman, to please Brigitte Bardot, great ambassador for the city.
When we think Saint-Tropez, we immediately visualizes sandy beaches overlooking a deep blue sea. Whatever the place, you can learn about windsurfing, surfing, towed pudding, or water skiing in places, before laze on the sand. The beaches of the Bouillabaisse, Graniers, Canoubiers, the Ponche, Moutte or Salins are real little paradise. A coastal path, over a dozen kilometers, you can admire the view, while the coastal footpath offers a beautiful hiking trail.
But Saint-Tropez is also an important cultural heritage. Thus, museums abound in the city, starting with the underwater archeology museum, or the butterfly house. The latter, created by the painter Dany Lartigue, is a collection of over 20,000 butterflies. In the dungeon of the Citadel, the modern museum and living maritime history of Saint Tropez allows to learn a little more about the city so dear to the heart of Brigitte Bardot. A little further away, the Museum of the Annunciation includes a large collection of avant-garde art.
Classified as an historic monument in 1995, the Citadel is a must passage Saint-Tropez. Built in the seventeenth century, the hexagonal keep and its ramparts offer an incredible view of the bay of the city.
The religious heritage is no exception, with the church of Our Lady of the Assumption of Saint-Tropez dating from the eighteenth century and Italian Baroque style, or the Chapel of St. Anne, the seventeenth century.
After a walk on the old port, with its many cafés, restaurants, and its statue of Suffren, obligatory passage by the district of the Ponche, the most typical of Saint-Tropez. Small alleys, creeks, pink and orange buildings with facades, it is a real haven.
And if the villas of stars you attract, it is possible to observe from afar the famous Madrague, the home of Brigitte Bardot, or that of Bernard Tapie.
If Saint-Tropez no shortage of entertainment, it is a particular event that made it famous: Saint-Tropez Sails them. This sailing event internationally renowned meets each year in early October. During a week the port hosts Saint-Tropez traditional yachts and more modern, light for a race to compete over two hundred sailors. In November, the city also hosts the Madraco Cup, autumn sails Saint-Tropez.
Cultural events are also present in the city that hosts so many movie stars. In May, the international grand prize up photography as well as Bravades of Saint-Tropez, a three-day celebration in memory of the military past of the city, while October is the theater of international cinema meetings antipodes. The latter is dedicated to the Australian and New Zealand cinema. In July, the evenings of the Citadel of Saint-Tropez mix humor and music to the delight of visitors.
In March, the sea, mountains and art are honored to Armen festival. On this occasion, competitors compete in different events.
The rally princesses, in June, is one of the major events of the roof-season. For one week, participants can take pleasure in traveling over 1600 km driving legends cars.
In August, the Festival Nuits du Château Moutte, on the peninsula of Saint-Tropez, offers unforgettable posters for concerts rich in emotion.
Exposition du Lavoir Vasserot - Montem Maurum - Massif des Maures
- From 15 to 17 december 2023
- Lavoir Vasserot, Rue Quaranta
- For many years, Patricia M. Renoux, a native of the Tropézienne region, has travelled the Maures massif with her camera.
