My first real stop at the Côte d’Azur is the well-known Saint-Tropez. Most of the celebrities come here to show their yachts and go shopping in one of many high-end fashion boutiques. Saint-Tropez was once a sleepy fishing village but reached the international fame in the 1950s and 60s, thanks to artists and celebrities, including Brigitte Bardot that came here to film and spend their time off. The film “And God Created Woman”, starring Bardot, set the town on stage and got his immense popularity even till today. Saint-Tropez is a real hot spot for influencers and celebrities showing off their stunning bodies with expensive clothing.

How to get to Saint-Tropez?

By Air: The nearest major airport is Toulon-Hyères Airport (TLN), about 50 km away. From there, you can rent a car, take a taxi, or take the airport shuttle bus. An alternative is the Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE), this airport is slightly further away but has more flight connections.

By Train: The nearest train station is in Saint-Raphaël, from where you can take a local bus or taxi to Saint-Tropez.

By Car: Driving along the scenic coastal roads is in my opinion the best way to experience the Côte d’Azur and Saint-Tropez. However, parking can be challenging in Saint-Tropez and other cities at the coast.

By Boat: This option is not only for the rich and famous! You can park your car across the bay in Sainte-Maxime and take the ferry to Saint-Tropez or from even further Cannes as well.

What To do in Saint-Tropez Area?

There are plenty of activities you can do at this lovely part of France. All the water activities, but also walking and climbing in the near mountains, visit a winery, or just chill on of the most stunning beaches in the area. See below some highlights of things to do in Saint-Tropez area:

1. Stroll in The Old Town (Le Vieux Port)

Wander through the narrow, cobbled streets, lined with pastel-colored houses, art galleries, restaurants, coffee shops and charming designer boutiques.

The main square in Saint-Tropez the “Place des Lices” is famous for its Tuesday and Saturday morning market, where you can find local produce, crafts, and antiques

2. Chill at Plage de Pampelonne or Beach Pamplona

This iconic beach, stretching for miles, is a playground for the rich and famous. Relax on the golden sand, enjoy water sports, and soak up the glamorous atmosphere. Check one of the many trendy and famous beach clubs at Pampelonne beach. I went to Le Club 55 for a coffee and chill in the sun and watch the jet set walk by.

3. Admire the yachts in the harbor

I loved the picturesque harbor. It is the heart and soul of Saint-Tropez with huge yachts, sailboats, and luxury vessels of all sizes. It is an endless Below Deck Mediterranean episode!! During your stroll along the quayside you will admire the impressive yachts with the crew and soak up the luxury atmosphere and dream away being on a yacht like this in the future!

4. Visit Ramatuelle

I drove up to the lovely town of Ramatuelle. A friend of mine recommend to go here. So after a long day in Saint Tropez I drove only 10-15 min to this medieval village with a lot of charm and stunning views over the beach and vineyards. Ramatuelle has a real center for arts and crafts and there are many small galleries to visit. The narrow alleys and colorful houses are covered with flowers and plants. It has picturesque setting to leisurely stroll through and a big advantage the parking is free, just outside the village.

5. Go Shopping

You can really spend your money here in the South of France and in Saint-Tropez in particular! The most fancy and exclusive brands have stunning shops here. Jacquemus has next to the boutique a Café at “Place des Lices” and Dior has next to the many shops a restaurant too.

Where to Stay in Saint-Tropez?

There are several options for accommodation in Saint-Tropez. I booked all last minute on the day of arrival because I didn’t know where I would end up. That is my way of traveling. This way I’m flexible but could also be frustrating, not having the best options and perhaps the more expensive ones.

Book accommodations and tours in advance, especially during peak season.

There are a couple of campsites in the Saint-Tropez area, that could be a budget option for you as well. I booked the cheapest option in the area, that was the newly renovated Ibis hotel Golfe Saint-Tropez. The hotel is located in the town of Cogolin perfect and close to the main activities and has free parking. The breakfast is very extensive!

Where to Eat in Saint-Tropez?

Although the Côte d’Azur is not the cheapest area to spent your holiday, you can find nice restaurants for every budget. Here my suggestions:

Club 55 at Plage de Pampelonne: Almost the most expensive option to have lunch, but you do join the guest  names of Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lopez, Elton John, Kate Moss, Sylvester Stallone, Beyonce and Jay-Z and of course the almost founder Brigitte Bardot herself. The scenery is stunning with the natural feeling and relaxed vibe, it is worth to take a look anyway.

Atelier de la Forge in Ramatuelle: I loved the setting of this restaurant. This is one of the many restaurants in the main street of Ramatuelle Rue Victor Léon. The street is steep, so they created a platform for every restaurant to set the tables straight. Loved the feel of this street, where the runners are walking across the street to serve you. The food was delicious and good value for money.

La Tarte Tropézienne Pâtisserie: You can find many of these La Tarte Tropézienne Pâtisseries around the area of Saint-Tropez. In 1955 the first pastry shop in the main square in Saint Tropez was opened. Alexandre Micka created a cream-filled brioche inspired by his grandmother’s recipe. Brigitte Bardot discovered this delicacy during the shooting of the film “And God Created Woman.” She fell in love with this pastry and became an ambassador and even suggested to call it La Tarte Tropézienne! I must admit I loved the cream in the soft brioche sprinkled with crunchy granulated sugar. Next to the famous Tarte Tropézienne, they sell a lot of other very good-looking other pastries as well. I noticed that the baguettes are also very popular among the locals.

The pasty is very filling, so order a quart of the full round pie

It was great to have seen Saint-Tropez, but it will not be my base for more holidays. Perhaps my budget was too small to experience the full Saint-Tropez vibe; I didn’t buy any designer bag for example hahah. But I can imagine that for the rich and famous you can indulge yourself with luxury and delicacy with like-minded.

Where are you headed next? Cannes, Nice or take the boat to Corsica? Check the blogs here!