Saint-Tropez Travel Guide


1 / General



St Tropez was the first city to be liberated during the Débarquement de Provence. Soon after, it became a famous seaside resort. In the 1960s, the US had their “Peace & Love” period; France had the “Yéyés” movement. Today, the jet set considers St Trop’ as the place to be. But apart from the all the glitter, this Provençal city is a quiet sunny place.

Population: 4452 inhabitants

Area: 11,18 km2

Population Density: 398 inhab./km2.

Demonym: Tropéziens, Tropéziennes

Région: Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur

Postcode: 83990

Maps : Google maps


2 / Transport


BY CAR

Traveling to St Tropez by car can turn into a true adventure, especially if you leave from Paris. From there, it will take you about 08h45 to go to the French Riviera. As for the bill, expect to pay around 160€* (gas + toll roads). For those who travel from Lyon, the journey lasts around 04h30 and the bill shouldn’t go over 80€*.
Once in town, you can start seeking for a parking space. If you manage to find the Holy Grail, you will soon find out how expensive it is.


  • Car parks
    You can choose between 3 places :
    • Le Nouveau Port and Le XVe Corps
      Careful with those two car parks as the price list varies according to the season.
      • From mid-November to early April (off-season): the first hour is free and the next 15 minutes cost 1,20€*. After that, each 15 minutes cost 0,30€*.
      • From Easter to mid-November (high season): the first 30 minutes are free. Expect to pay 2,50€ for 45 minutes and 5,50€ for 1h30.
    • Le Parc des Lices
      Located close to the tourist office (5 minutes by foot), this underground car park welcomes traditional vehicles as well as motorbikes and electric cars (electric terminals available).
      As for the price list, the first 30 minutes are free and you will pay 3€* for an hour. After 1h15, each 15 minutes cost 0,50€*.
  • Horodateur
    If you plan to leave your car in the street, the fees don’t change according to the seasons. However, the limited length of time does change. Each 12 minutes cost 0,60€. If you park for 2 hours, expect to pay 6€ and 9€ for 3 hours.
    - In March, April and November, charges apply from 8am to 10pm.
    - In May, June, September and October, charges apply from 8am to 12am.
    - In July and August, charges apply from 8am to 1am.

BY TRAIN

Should you want to take the train to St Tropez, your journey won’t be direct as the city doesn’t have a train station. Nevertheless, many shuttles connect the city to the following train stations :


To book tickets, please visit the SNCF website.

BY PLANE

If you wish to fly to the capital of the je set, you will land at the International Airport Saint-Tropez. Many regular flights connect the Provençal city to La Mole or Geneva. For any other destinations, the Marseille / AIX TGV, Nice-Côte d’Azur and Toulon-Hyères airports welcome you with open arms. Once there, you can take a shuttle to Saint-Tropez.

BY COACH

Despite the lack of train station, St Tropez managed to develop its road network. You can jump in a bus (a ticket costs 3€) and discover the cities located nearby. They all leave from the bus station


Getting around town

St Tropez is a rather small city, so there are no bus or tram networks. However, the city created a special service for the Disabled and the Elderly to enable them getting around town. Those minibuses leave from the Place des Lices. The Saint-Tropez Bus, network counts 3 lines.
Apart from those, the best way to discover the city is by bike or by foot.



3 / When to go?

St Tropez is more than a seaside resort. Indeed, you can attend various events all year round. Let’s have a look shall we ?

- Tropéziennes Regattas

  • Festival Armen
    Created in 1978, the Armen festival is quite unique as it associates art, the sea and snow. Every year, it gathers no less than 70 sailing boats. Here are the rules.
    First, one member of the crew has to create a piece of work based on a very specific theme. Second, on the first weekend of the festival, the boats leave the bay of St Tropez and race to Cavalaire. Third, the teams participate in a ski competition in Isola 2000. Finally, on the last weekend of the festival, the teams embark upon another regatta.
  • Le Trophée du Bailli de Suffren
    From June to July, you will attend a prestigious regatta.
    Created in homage to the Bailli de Suffren of St Tropez (vice-admiral of the royal navy under Louis XVI), this race doesn’t involve sailing boats but yachts. There are 3 categories : old school, classic, and “tradition”. This friendly race runs for about 580 nautical miles. Get ready to go back in time!
  • Voiles de Saint-Tropez
    From the end of September to the beginning of October, take part in one of the most important events of the year : les Voiles de St Tropez. It all started in 1981 with a friendly race between the “Pride” and the “Ikra”. The competitors had to leave from the Portalet tower and reach the Club 55 located in the bay of Pampelonne. Since then, people never gave up on this race. All on board!
  • Les “Dragon”
    In October, around 50 sailing boats gather for this legendary race.
    The Dragon was created by John Anker, a Norwegian who was passionate about sailing. Those boats are 8,90 meters long and built for racing. The Scandinavian who couldn’t afford a true sailing boat bought Dragons. Today, they are no longer pushed into the background thanks to the creation of several sailing federations.
  • The Madraco Cup
    This race was created in 1997 and competitors continue to come en masse to participate in this major event. You are all warmly invited to spend a wonderful friendly time with the sailors !

- May

Are you ready to welcome thousands of Harleys ?
Even if you’ve never got on a bike before, we’ve all dreamt about this legendary machine. The Euro Festival Harley Davidson is a roaring event that takes place in the Gulf of St Tropez.
During this festival, around 20.000 bikers gather in the gulf to share their passion. You can also attend concerts, vote for the most beautiful Harley and of course, marvel at the big parade. The bravest can even go on a ride!

-Spending summer in St Tropez

  • Le Rallye des Princesses
    This is a 100% feminine race connecting Paris to St Tropez.
    Each team has to compete with a vintage car. They all leave from the Place Vendôme and race to St Tropez. Many celebrities, as well as true princesses, participate in the rallye.
  • Les Nuits du Château de la Moutte
    What’s better than a beautiful setting to listen to some classical music?
    During this festival, you will get the chance to discover a breathtaking estate : the Château de la Moutte. Nestled in a centenarian palm grove, it’s the best place to surrender to music.



4 / Information and useful addresses

Tourism Office: http://uk.sainttropeztourisme.com/

Emergency number: 112 (Euro zone, 112 redirects you to 15, 17, 18, 115, and 119)

Fire: dial 18

Ambulance (medical emergency): dial 15

Police dial 17

Missing Children: dial 116


Touristic sites :

The Citadel: http://uk.sainttropeztourisme.com/stays-in-saint-tropez/discover/museums/131367-3509,the-xviith-century-citadel.html

The Maritime Museum: http://uk.sainttropeztourisme.com/stays-in-saint-tropez/discover/museums/106540-3509,saint-tropez-s-maritime-museum.html#.VWcOPc_tlBc

Le Musée de l’Annonciade :
http://uk.sainttropeztourisme.com/stays-in-saint-tropez/discover/guided-tours/132420-6417,visits-of-the-domain-chateau-de-le-moutte.html#.VWcOZs_tlBc

Le Château de la Moutte :http://vdujardin.com/blog/article-tours-5-la-collegiale-saint-pierre-le-puellier-41681241/

La Gendarmerie : https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mus%C3%A9e-de-la-gendarmerie-et-du-cin%C3%A9ma-de-Saint-Tropez/885065911513749



5 / Budget in Saint-Tropez

Accommodation:

The following prices are indicative. They refer to a one night stay in a standard double bedroom and may be subject to confirmation at the time of booking.

Being the capital of the jet set can have some drawbacks. Unfortunately, staying in St Tropez for a couple nights can be very (very!) expensive.

- From 85€ to 180 You’ve always dreamt about sleeping on a boat? Well, your wish has just come true! With this budget, you will be able to spend the night on a yacht or at a traditional B&B.
-From 180€ You will stay at luxurious establishments. Whether you like B&Bs or 5-star hotels, the French Riviera has everything in store!

Take a look at our website to find a place to stay in Saint-Tropez.


Restaurants:

The following prices are indicative. They refer to the price of one course or a menu for one.

- From 15 to 50 € : Want to try generous and colourful dishes without paying too much? Try the Vieux Gassin. Largely praised by the tourists and townies, this culinary halt is definitely worth it.
But if you’d rather try a refined cuisine , have a seat at the Pescadou. The view on the sea and the beautiful treats are a perfect match.
(Le Vieux Gassin, Place Deï Barri)
(Le Pescadou, Place Deï Barri)

- From 50€ to 150€ : The Acacia not only serves colouful and delicate treats, they also have a breathtaking panoramic view on the bay.Chef Pierrick Berthier only uses fresh and seasonal products in order to offer you creative and well-executed meals.
(L’Acacia, 2 route de Tahiti)

- From 150€ to 325€ : If paradise exists, it has to be behind the doors of La Vague d’Or. If you choose to eat outside, the terrace gives the impression of being on a private beach. Your journey to the land of refinement will start as soon as you set your eyes on the menu.
(La Vague d’Or, Place de la Bouillabaisse)

Culinary speciality

During your stay on the French Riviera, there’s only one thing you absolutely have to do: try the Tarte Tropézienne.
The legend started in 1955 when Alexandre Micka, a Polish pâtissier, opened his first pastry shop in St Tropez. At that time, Roger Vadim was shooting And God Created... Woman, a legendary movie that will turn Brigitte Barbot into a sex symbol. Micka’s mission was to cook for the entire film crew. On one occasion, he served his pie and BB fell in love with it. She suggested the name “Tarte de Saint-Tropez”, but Micka, who knew better, chose “Tarte Tropézienne”.

The Tropézienne is a golden brioche flavoured with orange blossom. Its spongy heart is filled with pastry cream and buttercream. The original recipe is a well-kept secret (Micka got it from his Polish grandmother), but you will find plenty of pastry shops offering different versions of the Tropézienne, and they’re delicious!



6 / Unmissable visits!

  • The Citadel
    This architectural beauty is described as “pre-Vauban”. The construction started during the 17th century. Once inside, you will have access to the Maritime Museum. The citadel has been registered as Historic Monument twice. The first time was in 1921 (citadel), the second time was in 1995 (enclosure).
    This important architectural remain was a strategic location for the defense of the Provence.
  • The Maritime Museum
    To fully understand the link that connects St Tropez to the sea, you have to visit this interactive museum.
    Inside, you will see ship models and hear legends about this little-known world. You will be immerged in the maritime world thanks to the interactive rooms. What about listening to the stories of officers who fought the Battle of Aboukir or having a look at the content of a surgeon’s kit?
  • The Annonciade Museum
    Created in 1922, this museum shows how avant-garde the city was in terms of painting. The different collections date back from 1890 to 1950 and belong to the pointillist, Nabis and Fauvist movements. The Annonciade museum used to be a chapel. Today, this place is a perfect cultural and artistic break.
  • The Château de la Moutte
    This imposing structure is surrounded by a tree-filled garden, vines and woods. In 1856, the domain belonged to the Martin de Roquebrune, one of the most important families in St Tropez. At that time, the castle was called Château des Salins. Four years later, the last head of government of the Second Empire bought the entire domain to turn it into this amazing natural heritage.
    Every summer, you can attend an eagerly awaited musical event, the Nuits du Château de la Moutte.
  • La Gendarmerie
    If you are absolutely mad about the French cinema, this is definitely a “go to” place. From the 1960s to the 1980s, the French were in love with Louis de Funès, a giant of the French comedy. In 1964, people rushed to the cinemas to watch Le Gendarme de Saint-Tropez. Today, the Gendarmerie is a place of pilgrimage for any film-lover..



*This travel guide was published in June 2015, prices may then vary.


Get your ebook 8 tips to find a hotel room with an unbeatable quality price Get our best tips to find THE best hotel room for your stay and avoid any unexpected bad surprise to allow you to have a great stay for a decent price




Your email address will be safe and not be transmitted to any third party