The quaint town of Saint Tropez, France, (pronounced of course as “san trow-pay”) is known around the world as an elite vacation destination, conjuring up the allure of the rich and famous. But anyone can go there and just feel like the rich and famous!
Located on the French Riviera, overlooking the sparkling azure Mediterranean, flights arriving at either Nice or Marseille are just a short drive to Saint Tropez. I just checked google.com/flights and found a round trip for less than $1000, so it’s definitely a do-able trip for the more adventurous traveler.
The road into the town has only two lanes and that is the way the locals want to keep it. As you drive in, homes can be seen on one side of your car with the Gulf of Saint Tropez on the other side. As you come into this tiny medieval fishing village, flowers are everywhere. Bougainvillea is hanging over trellises on every building, hanging pots of flowers dangle from the charming balconies and large flowering boxes line the sun-drenched streets.
Cobblestone streets from a time past in the La Ponche area hark back to the fishing village it once was. Today the luxury yachts outnumber the fishing boats, but that just means there are more delightful restaurants and endearing choices of lodges or hotels to choose from.
Of course, from April through September the area boasts strong attendance, with prices reflecting demand. However, off-season is a delight and personally I think the best time to visit is September to October.
The Les Voiles de St. Tropez sailing regatta occurs in the third week of September, which brings an audience from all over the world. Even so, the crowds are manageable and the town is not so busy that you cannot enjoy its essence.
Another reason I state visiting in September or October (besides that the hotel rates have dropped from the summer months), is the weather is still usually favorable. And, the Porsche Rally in October truly gets any auto aficionados in your life interested enough to convince them to journey to this area.
Hotels and lodges located in and around the town offer something for every taste. There is a modern four-story hotel right in the center of the town, called Hotel de Paris, as well as a boutique hotel where every room features a different décor. So you might be staying in the “green” room or the “blue” room, all of which are luxurious and delightful.
I stayed in the famous hotel Byblos (highly recommend by the way). Many hotels offer pools in the middle of the courtyard and there is one hotel, called Althoff Villa Belrose, that is a little walk down the hill into town that offers a patio and pool overlooking the Gulf of Saint Tropez. You could also rent a villa via Air BnB or some other app!
And then, there’s the dining. There are many independent restaurants and bars that line the harbor. Restaurants place tables and lounge chairs along the street where you can just sit and sip your choice of beverage, of which mine was champagne, and people watch to your heart’s content. Veuve Clicquot, the gold labeled champagne, has a restaurant in St. Tropez (and you won’t find it anywhere on the Internet!). And you must visit L’Opera, a restaurant that offers cuisine and a nightly show.
The Market in the city center is fabulous! There is everything from fresh produce to housewares to fashion and many unique gifts. The Market is open daily from Tuesday-Sunday. Monday is a day to relax for the vendors. Needless to say, I explored and purchased some items on which I always receive compliments.
The boutiques also have great finds. Again, I found treasures that I still wear often.
Everyone speaks English in St. Tropez, however, this town will make you want to try speaking French if not just “Bonjour” or “Merci.”
Before departing the French Riviera, save some time for a two-hour drive along the Gulf of Saint Tropez through Cannes and on to Monaco to top off your trip. Maybe you’ll spot a vacationing celebrity!
For more on St. Tropez, check out this blog post by Yulia, aka “Miss Tourist”. She’s got it all covered. This one on CNN travel gives the whole Bridget Bardot backstory!
Au revior and enjoy the journey!
