Since the sixties, Saint Tropez has been one of the more popular beach resorts in southern France. The town enjoys a spectacular setting on the French Riviera and in the past was the holiday destination for many a celebrity in search of sun and sandy, with some of the biggest names including everyone from Pablo Picasso to Brigitte Bardot.Today, Saint Tropez still attracts many movie stars and other celebrities, although many go quite unnoticed, being masked behind their fancy sunglasses. Away from the glorious sandy beaches and the yacht-filled marinas, Saint Tropez features some historic cobbled streets, endless cafes and gift shops, with its main tourist information outlet being located on the bustling Quai Jean Jaurès.
The seasonal influx of tourists means that Saint Tropez lives the life of two quite different towns. During the summer madness, the crowds of tourists compete for parking spaces, hotel rooms and restaurant tables, creating a rather exciting and lively vibe.Out of season, in the warm spring and autumn months, the tourism scene in Saint Tropez is quite different and much quieter, and in the mild winter months, the main town square (Place des Lices) even features its very own ice rink, surrounded by twinkling fairy lights.
St. Tropez Tourist Information and Tourism: Top SightsThere are no less than 40 different beaches around Saint Tropez, and so you will have plenty of choice. Some can get busy, while others remain fairly secluded and quiet. The sandy Pampelonne Beach is amongst the most popular and is quite simply enormous and almost big enough for everyone. Apart from the beaches of Saint Tropez, tourists may also like to explore the coastal footpaths, try their hand at parasailing or scuba diving, or spend time sampling traditional Côte de Provence wine at one of the nearby vineyards. More information about St. Tropez Tourist Attractions.
The Old Port is referred to locally in Saint Tropez as the 'Vieux Port' and is one of the town's most significant landmarks, being lined with cafes and flanked with yachts. Nearby, the Place aux Herbes offers regular markets, and the Place des Lices has become known for its huge plane trees, under which locals often gather to play a game of French boules. Dominating the Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville, the Château Suffren is one of Saint Tropez's oldest landmarks and dates back as far as the 10th century. More information about St. Tropez Landmarks and Monuments.
Several museums of note are to be found within Saint Tropez, offering information about the town's seafaring past and important events. The Maritime Museum is one such attraction and is hard to miss, being housed within a hexagonal-shaped citadel. La Maison des Papillons is quite different and dedicated solely to butterflies. Art lovers will find a number of good galleries, such as the Gallery George Flanet, the Gallery Henrie Sie and the Céramique 1900, where an array of stylish pottery is exhibited and sold. More information about St. Tropez Museums and St. Tropez Art Galleries.
Many tourists who come to Saint Tropez find it hard to drag themselves away from the beaches and will happily spend their entire holiday worshipping the sun. Others like to explore the Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur and southern France a little further, and with so many outstanding cities close by, who can blame them? Saint Tropez is within easy reach of such gems as Aix-en-Provence, Marseille, Nice, Toulon and Cannes, which is famous for both its annual film festival and its Mediterranean beachfront. More information about St. Tropez Attractions Nearby.More St. Tropez Information / Fast Facts and Orientation
- Country: France
- Location: Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur, South France
- Status: town / luxury beach resort
- Area: approximately 6 square miles / 16 square kilometres
- Population: approximately 6,000
- Language: French
- Currency: Euro (EUR)
- Time zone: GMT / UTC +1
- Country dialing code: +33
- Telephone area code: 04
- Average daily St. Tropez January temperature: 12°C / 54°F
- Average daily St. Tropez July temperature: 27°C / 81°F
