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St. Tropez -- A jewel of the French Riviera
A visit to the French
Riviera would not be complete without a stop in St.
Tropez. Renowned for its miles of glistening white beaches,
exotic food and as a playground for the rich and famous
– it is THE place to see and be seen.
A true jewel of the Riviera, St. Tropez
is an animated seaside resort where the azure water
and cerulean skies are backlit by brilliant sunsets
of ripe apricot, ruby red and gold.
The late afternoon breeze from the Med
causes the jewel-colored awnings of the sidewalk cafes
to snap and wave merrily, and brings a welcome relief
from the heat of the day. Here, the air is fragrant
with jasmine and mimosa, and the occasional whiff of
a gourmet meal being prepared makes your mouth water.
The nightlife in St. Tropez is fast,
energetic and frenetic. You can always find something
going on -- there are numerous clubs where you can eat,
drink and dance the night away.
“St. Trop” as it is known
by those in the film industry, means "Saint Too
Much." It was “discovered” in 1956 when
Roger Vadim’s “And God Created Women”
was filmed here, launching a young Brigitte Bardot into
instant super stardom. St. Tropez became a Mecca to
artists, writers and, of course, movie stars in the
60s.
St. Tropez is the favored vacation site
of chic Parisians and most of Europe. International
stars still flock here in the spring and summer, and
you never know whom you’ll run into at the open-air
market in the Place des Lices, or while sipping an aperitif
at one of the many outdoor cafes. In fact, people watching
is a favorite pastime in the summer, when the sidewalks
are crowded with tourists and sun worshippers.
At the heart of St. Tropez is the harbor.
Take a walk along the pier, and you’ll feel as
if you’ve stepped into a picture postcard or a
painting by Signac or Matisse. Picturesquely painted
villas with red tiled roofs sit along the dock, indulgently
watching over the wooden fishing boats that bob gently
next to large, expensive yachts. 12th century churches,
the famous parasol pines and narrow cobblestone streets
among picture-perfect houses complete the feeling that
it’s too beautiful to be real.
Much has been made of the very special
quality of light that is only found in St. Tropez. Maybe
it's because of its unique and paradoxical location,
or perhaps the spectacular, almost tropical climate
has something to do with it. Whatever the reason, when
you see the way the luminescent light plays across the
wooden sailboats, or highlights one of the beautiful
fountains, you’ll feel the stirrings of your inner
artist, and long to pick up a paintbrush and palette.
St. Tropez is also known for its beaches.
The most famous is the Plage de Pampelonne, with its
five km of almost blinding white sand, exotic boutiques,
sidewalk cafes and restaurants, including the renowned
“Club 55.” At the north end you’ll find
the Plage de Tahiti, which is a well-known haunt of
famous celebrities. Other beaches you can visit include
Bouillabaisse, Caneliers, and Salins. To the south of
Plage de Pampelonne is Cap Camarat, and just beyond
that – a little less accessible and therefore much
less crowded – are Plage de l’Escalet and
Plage de la Briande. If you go a little farther south,
you’ll find a wonderful beach – Gigaro, and
the town of La Croix Valmer.
In all, you’ll find over 40 beaches
in the area, so it’s easy to enjoy soaking up the
sun every day, if that’s your pleasure. If you
prefer something a little more strenuous than lying
on the beach, St. Tropez offers something for everyone
in way of activities. You can find: Hiking, Biking,
Golf, Tennis, Racquetball, Fitness Center, Miniature
Golf, Amusement Parks, Fishing, Horseback Riding, Shopping,
Restaurants (from the very expensive to the inexpensive),
Cinemas, Swimming, Snorkeling/Scuba Diving, Boating,
Sailing, Water-skiing, Surfing, Windsurfing, Parasailing,
and Jet skiing.
When you’re finished soaking up
the sun, you can move indoors, and soak up a little
culture instead. There are plenty of wonderful museums,
art galleries and other events scheduled throughout
the year.
Some "must-sees" include:
Musee de l’Annonciade. (Place Georges
Grammont, near the harbor). The museum is housed in
the former chapel of the Annonciade. It was opened in
1995 and contains one of the best modern art collections
in the Riviera. Many of the paintings show St. Tropez
itself, but there are also paintings by artists such
as Seurat and Matisse that make it worth visiting. Other
artists showcased are Bonnard, Braque, Dufy, Utrillo,
Derain and Maillol.
Musee Naval (Rue de la Citadelle) is
a memorial to the days when St. Tropez meant more to
sea captains and admirals than to the sun worshippers
of today. You’ll find models of cannons and ships,
old pictures of the town, and interesting little oddities.
The museum is a part of the Citadelle, a structure dating
back to the 1500s. (The Citadelle is a great place to
stop for a picnic lunch as well!)
La Maison de Papillons (Rue Etienne
Berry) Papillons means butterflies. The “House
of Butterflies” is one of the most amazing places
to visit in St. Tropez. Located in an antique house,
it has over 4,500 different butterfly species, some
of which are almost extinct.
The Open Air Market (Place des Lices)
Open on Tuesday and Saturday mornings, the market is
a fun way to spend a few hours. Check out the amazing
variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, haggle with
the street vendors and pick up a souvenir or two. Don't
forget to keep an eye out for celebrities!
Quartier de la Ponche is the old part
of the city. It’s easy to get lost wandering around
the narrow twisted streets and back alleys. Still, it’s
worth spending the time exploring the shops and houses
that are resolute reminders of the days before St. Tropez
became “hip.”
When you’re exploring St. Tropez,
don’t forget to look up. Nestled on top of the
rocky hills, you’ll find many small medieval villages
that are worth exploring, like Grimaud and Cogolin,
now favored for their marinas.
No matter how long you choose to stay,
you’ll find it difficult to tear yourself away
from the beauty and excitement of St. Tropez. Even before
you leave, you may find yourself thinking about your
next trip to the jewel of the French Riviera.
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