Saint Tropez

By far the most famous beach in Saint Tropez is Pampelonne beach. This is the beach in all the movies and photos of the rich and famous, movie stars, and celebrities of all sorts. The notoriety is what makes it extremely crowded, the price to pay for hoping to spot somebody famous in a bikini. This long stretch of fine golden sand is surrounded by large sand dunes covered bars, restaurants, and beach clubs renting out chairs and umbrellas. Some of the less popular, but also much less crowded, beaches in Saint Tropez and quite close to the village are Plages La Glaye, la Ponche, and de la Fontanette. Plage de la Bouillabaisse is on the way to the village with a lovely view of the Massif des Maures mountains and a few nice beach club restaurants and bars.

The Museum of Maritime History is located in the former dungeon of the picturesque Citadel of Saint Tropez, featuring exhibits that illustrate 500 years of history of Saint Tropez and its strong links to the sea. Exhibits illustrate various voyages of Saint Tropez seamen across many different world seas, fishing trips along the coast of Provence, long voyages around the Cape Horn on large sailing boats, or expeditions to India on large steamship liners belonging to the famous Far East Company. The museum celebrates the lives of town heroes such as Bailli de Suffren, Hippolyte Bouchard, and General Allard, but also those of the many anonymous sailors who served aboard the navy’s vessels or fought stormy seas while working on merchant ships. Through the town’s maritime history, the museum also shows daily life over centuries.

1 Montée de la Citadelle, 83990 Saint-Tropez, France, Phone: +33-4-94-97-59-43

La Maison des Papillons - Musee Dany Lartigue or the Butterfly Museum, is located in the heart of Saint Tropez in the former home of artist Dany Lartigue, his father photographer Jacques-Henri Lartigue, and grandfather André Messager, a member of the French Academy and a manager of the Paris Opera. Dany Lartigue created the museum with an exceptional collection of French diurnal species of butterflies presented against the background of Dany’s colorful paintings. It took him decades to collect over 35,000 butterflies, some of them extinct or protected and others rare or unusual, such as the black Apollo collected in the Mercantour region. The museum also contains an important collection of exotic butterflies from the Solomon Islands and Amazonia. Not all specimen have been sorted and displayed. Those shown in the museum are displayed in an unique way, with their natural environment painted as a background for the specimen. While the collection is recognized for its scientific contribution, it is their breathtaking beauty that fascinates visitors.

17 Rue Etienne Berny, 83990 Saint-Tropez, France, Phone: +33-94-97-63-45

Activities and Attractions for Couples:

Located in the beautifully converted 1510 chapel Notre-Dame de l'Annonciade, the Museum of Annonciade (Le Musee de l’Annonciade) is an exquisite small museum that features 56 art pieces from the collection of Georges Grammont. The collection consists of 19th and early 20th century paintings of Saint Tropez. Famous pointillist Paul Signac was the first to discover the small quaint fishing village, quickly bringing other artists who immortalized the old village, its people, and the sea. The museum collection includes some of his more significant pieces. Members of the Nabis group Vuillard, Maurice Denis, and Bonnard have their own gallery. There are also paintings by Fauvist painters Matisse and Derain and Cubists Picasso and Braque.

2 Rue de l'Annonciade, Place Georges Grammont, 83990 Saint-Tropez, France, Phone: +33-4-94-17-84-10

The five windmills Moulin de Paillas were built between the 16th and 19th centuries on the hill above the quaint picturesque village of Ramatuelle near Saint Tropez. Today in ruins, only one of them has been renovated and can be visited after a short, pleasant walk up the hill. The village tourist office organizes guided tours of the mill every Tuesday morning. The mills were all decommissioned in the 19th century when new technology made them obsolete. When they were fully operational, they were made completely of wood, with a few parts reinforced by iron. Like typical Provencal mills, Moullins de Paillas had their upper parts mobile in order to pivot to catch the best wind. The view from the windmill of the village, Cavalaire Bay, La Croix Valmer, and Pampelonne Beach is breathtaking.

83350 Ramatuelle, France

At Peps Spirit, they know Saint Tropez and its peninsula “like their own pockets.” They know all the hidden single-track mountain bike trails, paths rarely travelled, and small clear brooks surrounded by lush greenery where your kayak can explore. Their main concern is the protection of their beautiful nature and their every tour is an eco-tour. With their mountain bikes, kayaks, or paddleboards and together with English-speaking experienced guides, you will discover a different Saint Tropez, the one not shown in the glittering fashion magazines. While you are learning about this hidden Saint Tropez peninsula and the surroundings, they promise you a perfect trip: A combination of action, freedom to explore, and total relaxation.

N°56 Quartier Rine, 83310 Grimaud, France, Phone: +33-4-94-96-88-04

Place des Lices is a delightful square shaded by 12 magnificent 100-year old plane trees that paint the square with dappled light. Twice a week, on Tuesday and Saturday morning, the square hosts an open-air market and gets buzzing with activity as vendors line up their wares. Fresh produce goes around the tree trunks on the main square, then around them are stalls selling specialty foods such as olives, cheeses, sausages, fruits, flowers, and pastries. After that are the sellers of high-quality souvenirs, t-shirts and other touristy items. Locals come early in the morning before the tourists wake up and descend in large numbers. When the market clears off, boule players take over the square and play long into the night.

Place des Lices, Saint-Tropez, France

Along the cape’s expensive luxury hotels and magnificent villas winds one of the most beautiful hiking trails in the world. It stretches for about 3 miles all the way to the tip of the peninsula. The Sentier du Littoral starts at the lovely Plage de la Garoupe as a paved walkway with spectacular views of the Baie de la Garoupe and the distant Alps. As you round the end of the tip of the peninsula, the paved trail changes into a rough boulder-studded path that runs along massive cliffs and breathtaking switchbacks, with the background sound of thundering breakers. This path can be dangerous in bad weather; there are warning signs. The walk will take you about 2 hours, but these may be the most unforgettable hours of the entire trip.

8 Chemin des Graniers, 83990, Saint-Tropez, France