Glamour on parade in Saint Tropez
This morning, there is a peaceful atmosphere on Les Tournels campsite. Today you’ve planned a rather special outing; you’re heading for Saint-Tropez to discover its legendary charm with chic side streets, yachts and tucked-away well-kept secrets.
Pack your best finery; chic hat, sunglasses and a touch of lipstick as in Saint-Tropez you never know who you might bump into!
Tip: in the high season, the crowds show up on Tuesday and Saturday, market days in the square (Place des Lices, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon). Adjust your schedule accordingly.
You can choose to leave the car in one of the town’s car parks or take the 875 bus route (in the high season) to get there.
At this time, even the quaysides offer a relaxing walk. Nothing beats strolling through the old port, eating a sweet treat in one of the renowned cafés, including the famed Café Sénéquier. Mini-Mokes and convertibles are de rigueur, while yachts, moored side by side, sparkle in the sunshine – a floating exhibition.
At the end of Quai Jean Jaurès, you enter the village passing through streets typical of Provence. You stroll through the La Ponche area, where Brigitte Bardot loved to walk barefoot. La Ponche and La Fontanette, neighbouring beaches, lie on the edge of one of Saint-Tropez’s oldest districts, at the foot of fishermen’s cottages. With pastel facades, blue shutters and cascading bougainvilleas…by the water, the charm immediately takes effect here.
En route, you recognise Notre Dame de l’Assomption church, one of Saint-Tropez’s iconic landmarks, resplendent in ochre and yellow.
Head for the heart of the village. The shops are open, the excitement mounts; it is pure joy to wonder through the shopping streets! You enter a small art gallery or refined concept store, truly a feast for the eyes!
Charming boutiques stand alongside the facades of luxury fashion brands: Rolex, Dior, Chanel, Vuitton; they’re all here in delightful Provençal buildings. With big names like Ladurée and Cédric Grolet, pastries are also making their mark in the world of luxury.
South of here, you cannot miss the renowned Place des Lices, where pétanque players go head to head under the plane trees. Time for a break; a snack, aperitif or Tarte Tropézienne cream-filled brioche, a local speciality.
Tip: in the high season, the crowds show up on Tuesday and Saturday, market days in the square (Place des Lices, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon). Adjust your schedule accordingly.
Refreshed and revived, you climb up to the citadel. From the top, you have breathtaking views over the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. The ochre rooftops, boat masts, surrounding hills…all bathed in the Provençal sunshine. Relaxed, you walk around the ramparts here, camera in hand to capture the moment. You remember Saint-Tropez was previously the third largest French port in the Mediterranean.
Whether you’d like to visit the Citadel Museum or simply enjoy the views, the day unfolds at your preferred pace.
You get back on the road, heading for the legendary Pampelonne Beach. You’ve booked a table in a small beach restaurant. On the menu, sea bream tartare, heirloom tomato and burrata salad with chilled rosé.
After a lovely meal opposite the sea, time to lay out your towel on the sand and indulge in the delights of swimming.
Children can hire paddle boards or try tubing or jet-skiing. You get out your novel, the warm sand between your toes. Conversation blends in with the surf – time slows right down. You forget the hustle and bustle of the port; here exquisite pleasure and sunshine reign supreme.
If you love a festive atmosphere, you’ll discover Pampelonne’s celebrated Beach Clubs. You’ve booked a table and some deckchairs in a private straw hut: driftwood furniture, colourful parasols and rosé flowing freely. High-end venues (Byblos, Club 55 and more) and beach parties (Nikki Beach, Bagatelle Beach Club and other legendary hangouts) for a golden, sun-soaked experience.
On the way back, the talk comes thick and fast; the quaint streets, wrap dresses, superyachts, simplicity hidden behind the prestige. Back at Les Tounels, you return to the cool pine forest and peaceful setting.
