Visit Saint-Tropez: The best things to do and see in the jet-set village that welcomes stars from all over the world during the summer season?
Ah, Saint-Tropez… Famous throughout the world for being frequented in the summer by hundreds of millionaires and stars, this international jet-set mecca is nevertheless a small, typically Provençal village with a preserved traditional architecture. Contrary to what one might think, its many tourist attractions are not necessarily reserved for the best stocked bank accounts. This is what we will prove to you: it is quite possible to enjoy a meal during a stay on site and find out what to do in Saint-Tropez without necessarily residing on a yacht or on the third floor of an architect’s villa!
The town has many assets and is part of a privileged natural setting: the bay is one of the most beautiful in France, Provence seems to open onto the Mediterranean Sea! Water activities, tourist visits, cultural routes or sports trails? Whatever your aspirations when you come to discover this pearl of the Var coast, there is no doubt that you will find your happiness in this municipality unlike any other.
Wondering what to do in Saint-Tropez during your stay? Here is the answer with our 7 must-see places to visit Saint-Tropez and enjoy your stay on site!
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St. Tropez – not only Yachting Paradise
1. Discover the spectacular citadel of Saint-Tropez
Photo credit : Inu / Shutterstock.com
Why not start your journey by discovering the citadel of Saint-Tropez? This is a fortified “pre-Vauban” complex dating from the early 17th century!
You can get some fresh air, or even learn something new when you’re looking for something to do in Saint-Tropez. The citadel includes a museum – the Musée d’histoire maritime de Saint-Tropez – which traces the geostrategic importance of the town over the centuries on the nautical and military levels. It demonstrates, for a modest price, the city’s influence on neighboring cities, undoubtedly at the origin of its tremendous tourist importance in the centuries to come!
2. Relax on the beach of Pampelonne
Photo credit : lukaszimilena / Shutterstock.com
Pampelonne is simply a place to see absolutely when you come to visit Saint-Tropez! Located on the Saint-Tropez peninsula, it eventually gave its name to a sandy beach of nearly five kilometers located in the town of Ramatuelle, in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez.
An interesting anecdote: during the landing in Provence in August 1944, it was used by the Allied forces who dug a track that is now used by many residents and travelers who came to visit Saint-Tropez to get out of it! Then, in 1955, this beautiful expanse of white sand became world famous with the film “And God…created woman” featuring Brigitte Bardot in one of her first major movies.
It has a national protectorate to avoid urbanization that is too often present on the coast, but many establishments have obtained a concession to install private beaches and trendy bars.
3. Have fun at Aqualand Sainte-Maxime
Photo credit: Facebook – Aqualand Sainte Maxime
Not really traditional or rooted in the Var culture, we wanted to introduce you to the Aqualand Sainte-Maxime amusement park with many slides and swimming pools, for young and old looking what to do in Saint-Tropez! Here, people come to relax on hot summer days and have fun with their families.
The attractions on offer are suitable for all ages and it is not difficult to find the one that will please us! It is also possible to eat there, or to discover a more popular aspect of Saint-Tropez and the surrounding villages. If you have come with your family, don’t hesitate to take a look when you visit Saint-Tropez!
4. Discover the splendid castle of La Moutte
Photo credit: Facebook – Les Nuits du Château de la Moutte
Located on the Saint-Tropez peninsula, this splendid estate was owned by Émile Ollivier – head of the Second Empire government – who bought it from the Martin de Roquebrune family, local notables. He then decided to enlarge it and embellish it.
Today, the property extends to the sea and includes a botanical park that can be visited on certain days, when you are looking for something to do in Saint-Tropez during the summer season!
Every summer, the estate hosts the Nuits du Château de la Moutte, a cultural music and dance festival, and it is possible to visit it with a guide for a modest price on Tuesday. Discover this sumptuous space, you won’t regret it!
5. Explore the majestic Cap Camarat
Photo credit : Juergen
Wackenhut / Shutterstock.com
Cap Camarat is a local pride: you can see it when you come to visit Saint-Tropez. It is especially famous for its lighthouse, the lighthouse of Camarat, one of the highest in France with its 130 meters.
The range of its light is more than sixty kilometers, and has saved many sailors over the centuries! It was included in the list of historic monuments in 2012. There are many species of reptiles on the site: many varieties of lizards, snakes and even Hermann’s turtles. They live alongside seabirds such as the Northern Gannet, or even birds of prey such as the peregrine falcon. We therefore recommend that you go and discover this amazing biodiversity as soon as you start your visit of Saint-Tropez!
6. Explore the amazing Annonciade Museum
Photo credit: Flickr – j-r wEfthimiadis
The Annonciade museum is housed in the Chapel of Our Lady of the Annunciation, built in the 16th century by the Brotherhood of the White Penitents, then sold as a national property during the revolution.
It was not until 1950 that the building, then made available to Georges Grammont, was renovated and adapted at his request and under the responsibility of the architect Louis Süe, to turn it into a museum housing his collection of works of art. Today, when you come to visit Saint-Tropez, you can admire works of painting from the 19th and 20th centuries, which show that Saint-Tropez was a major center of artistic creation where Paul Signac, Braque and Matisse gathered.
7. Discover the Gulf of Saint-Tropez by boat
Photo credit: Isntagram – chabrlb
The Gulf of Saint-Tropez is one of the most beautiful in Europe. It is not for nothing that travelers from all over the world, rich or not, come to visit Saint-Tropez! When you arrive in the town, especially in the summer season, it is possible to discover the splendid town of Saint-Tropez by boat, which you can rent if you have a boat licence.
You can also set your course by jet-ski or by renting a motor boat or sailboat, or even enjoy a beautiful boat trip on a catamaran managed and piloted for the day by a professional skipper. It is an ideal opportunity for those who seek to enjoy the sunshine of the Var coastline in summer, while discovering the Gulf of Saint-Tropez coast without complicating their lives.
It is worth the detour. We recommend it to you!
How to get to Saint-Tropez?
Saint-Tropez is ideally located on the Var coast, so you can access it in many ways!
By plane
The city has an international airport, the airport of La Môle – Saint-Tropez, located in the municipality of La Môle, fifteen kilometers southwest of Saint-Tropez. It has the particularity of being one of the smallest international airports in the world and provides the municipality with regular connections, but also to be served by many private jets!
Otherwise, the airports of Nice and especially the large Marseille airport welcome travelers from all over the world. Marseille Provence airport, one of the larger airports in France from which you will find many flights from London , either Stansted or Heathrow, as well as from Edinburgh or Manchester. You can easily find a low-cost flight to these destinations on Skyscanner.
To get from the airport to Saint Tropez there are transfers but it is not the most direct path and in this case we would suggest yourent a car at the airport, which will be quite convenient if you plan on visiting the back country.
By ferry and boat
Ferries and boats also provide the maritime link between Saint-Tropez and the various surrounding cities or not. Using this means of travel is ideal for those who are looking to visit Saint-Tropez while enjoying a beautiful boat trip.
Buses and minibuses serve the Var department and therefore the city. But, because strolling around the different parts of the city is definitely one of the best things you can do when you are looking for something to do in Saint-Tropez, and because the city has ultra-dense traffic during the summer season, many scooter rental agencies allow you to use a vehicle to roam freely. We recommend the latter as it is both practical and in the spirit of this feisty city!
Where to stay in Saint-Tropez?
You will find several types of accommodation to choose according to your desires and your budget. The village of Saint-Tropez – very touristy and very upscale – with several dozen hotels, is obviously the simplest and most flexible solution for the occasional traveler who is looking to visit Saint-Tropez. You will find your ideal hotel by consulting the offers on this online booking service. Expect to pay a high price in case of a summer visit and if you really want to stay in the heart of this city of stars!
Campgrounds, located all around the town, offer cheap accommodation but we advise you to book a pitch well in advance if you want to go there during the summer. Prices can also quickly increase if you book at the last minute!
Now you know how to exploit all the charms of Saint-Tropez and enjoy the best activities offered in this city, which is prized by billionaires and stars from all over the world. But which ones will you be tempted by?
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