Attractions in Saint Tropez
Saint-Tropez is known for its vibrant social life, with frequent VIP visits and lively parties at the port's countless clubs and restaurants. But Saint-Tropez is also just a beautiful city: its pastel colors go from pink to orange to bright red. The center is framed by a romantic port where boats sway serenely, and pretty squares where you can see locals playing petanque in the shade of plane trees or browsing the stalls of lively markets. However, it cannot be hidden that if once it was a village with timeless charm, today Saint-Tropez is a marina for luxury yachts and a magnet for an unceasing stream of wealthy people who wear designer clothes like on the catwalk. Thus, Saint-Tropez has a double soul: on the one hand, its secular interior, on the other hand, a beautiful city with bright red tiled roofs, a bell tower and a charming historical center.
The best way to discover the elusive charm of Saint-Tropez is to get around it on foot, walking along the picturesque streets of the center.
La Ponche Saint Tropez:
The historic center of Saint-Tropez, better known as La Ponche, is located a stone's throw from the picturesque Vieux Port. Once a fishing village, today it is the most picturesque area of the city, with its colorful narrow cobbled streets teeming with small shops, luxury boutiques, cafes and restaurants. The streets that need to be passed without haste are, of course, Rue de la Citadelle, which leads to the center of the old city, Rue du Portail-Neuf, which leads to the church of Notre Dame de l'Assomption (Notre-Dame de l'Assomption) with its colorful bell tower, the very one that has practically become a symbol of Saint-Tropez.
Old port in St Tropez:
It is the heart of Saint-Tropez: once fishermen moored here, and today it is a marina where fashionable yachts and luxury boats from all over Europe moor. On the waterfront, you can admire charming pastel-colored houses and relax in lively cafes, while outdoor terraces come alive at cocktail hour. The best view of the Old Port is at Môle Jean-Réveille, a waterfront with an exceptional panorama that once inspired the Impressionist painters.
Place aux Herbes in Saint Tropez:
If you are looking for the most authentic Saint-Tropez, then you need to come to this shady little square early in the morning when the revelers are still sleeping. In the old market square you will find colorful stalls with fresh produce, jams, olives, pates and everything you need for a snack away from the crowds.
Place des Lices (Market) in St. Tropez:
If you are looking for the most authentic Saint-Tropez, then you need to come to this shady little square early in the morning when the revelers are still sleeping. In the old market square you will find colorful stalls with fresh produce, jams, olives, pates and everything you need for a snack away from the crowds.
Citadel and Maritime Historical Museum:
If the day is very hot, we advise you to go up the hill overlooking the city and visit the fortified Citadel, built in the early 1600s, in its cool cellars is the Maritime Historical Museum, telling about the life and stories of the fishermen of St. Tropez: skilful and brave seafarers, extending beyond the Mediterranean for centuries, reaching first Africa in the 18th century, and then reaching the most remote corners of the world, such as Cape Horn and India.
Annonciade Museum (Musée de l'Annonciade) in St Tropez:
Saint Tropez's most interesting attraction is its art museum, located inside the chapel of Notre-Dame de l'Annonciade, near the port of Saint-Tropez. Once the church of the White Penitents, a medieval Catholic fraternity, today the museum boasts a wonderful collection of Impressionist paintings: in a large collection of works of art, we will find works by Paul Signac, Georges Braque, Pierre Bonnard, Henri Matisse, Édouard Vuillard, Raoul Dufy and Maurice de Vlaminck.
Butterfly Museum (Maison des Papillons):
This beautiful museum displays a collection created by artist Dany Lartigue, which includes about 35,000 butterflies of countless species. In addition, butterflies are presented against landscapes or grassy backgrounds created by the artist himself.
How to get to Saint Tropez:
You can get to Saint Tropez from Nice or Marseille with assistance: bus, helicopter, taxi and transfer to Saint Tropez. Which way to choose is up to you.