Introduction
Nestled along the coastline of the Côte d'Azur (French Riviera), Saint-Tropez is a lovely place to holiday. Known in the present day as a playground for the rich and famous, the charming interior of the town harks back to when it was a simple fishing village prior to the 1950s.
Warm-hued buildings with wooden louvered shutters line the narrow streets. The red and yellow bell tower of the Église Paroissiale Notre Dame de l'Assomption rises above traditional four-story terraced homes. Tiny squares, paved with cobblestones, exist throughout the historic city center. An abundance of bougainvillea, parasol pines, oleanders, cypress, and palm trees complement the overall aesthetic.
Artists have long gravitated to this locale. Famous painters from the early 20th century including Henri Matisse, Pierre Bonnard, and Albert Marquet were inspired by the beauty of Saint-Tropez. View of Saint-Tropez (1904), by Matisse, is a favorite piece that wonderfully encapsulates this seaside town. Today, many galleries line the narrow streets of the historic La Ponche neighborhood continuing this tradition.
Saint-Tropez is still synonymous with the sea. Fishermen, sailors, and yachtsmen all work and enjoy the waters of the Golfe de Saint-Tropez and beyond. The entire gulf is naturally protected from the open Mediterranean Sea by the Cap de Saint-Tropez making it an ideal location for water-based activities.
This quaint coastal community includes an array of Michelin-rated restaurants, a thriving art scene, superb pâtisseries, museums, historic sites, and an active port. If you plan on traveling to the French Riviera, Saint-Tropez is a special place to add to your itinerary.
Rue de la Miséricorde
Fresh from the Sea
Chez Madeleine - this charming little oyster bar and market is the place to go for locally sourced seafood. Featured menu items include Gillardeau oysters, grilled lobster, shrimps, sea urchin, octopus, and clams. Consuming a delicious meal in the open-air courtyard along Place aux Herbes is a most enjoyable way to spend an afternoon. Patrons are invited to relax with a chilled bottle of wine and delight in the surroundings along the stone-covered street. Be sure to visit the cheese monger next door at Fromagerie du Marché.
Saint-Tropez & the colorfully tiled dome of Chapelle de la Miséricorde
French Pastries
La Tarte Tropézienne - with two pâtisseries in Saint-Tropez, anyone who enjoys the very best French pastries must stop at La Tarte Tropézienne. Started by Alexandre Micka in 1955, his new bakery was frequented by Brigitte Bardot while filming And God Created Woman.
Micka was most famous for creating the tarte tropézienne, a halved brioche filled with pastry and butter creams, finally topped with pearl sugar. We sampled the apple puff pastry and the apricot puff pastry. Both were absolutely incredible. We highly recommend a stop at one of their locations to enjoy any of their creations.
Streetside seating along Rue du Clocher
A Foodies Delight
If you are a traveler who intentionally seeks out the best places to enjoy a culinary experience, then Saint-Tropez is a must visit destination. Thirty-five Michelin recommended restaurants currently exist in the small community with a select few obtaining the coveted Michelin star rating. A few of our favorites include:
1) La Ponche - chef Thomas Danigo, formerly of Galanga in Paris, serves an exquisite Mediterranean menu featuring locally sourced seafood, vegetables, fruits, and meats. Favorite menu items include the heirloom tomato collection, the grilled catch of the day, and the lamb chops.
2) Le Patio - located within the 5-star Hôtel Le Yaca, Le Patio specializes in refined Italian cuisine with many ingredients sourced directly from neighboring Italy. Chef Mirko Guastadisegni delivers fantastic dishes such as the Spaghetti “di gragnano” with sea urchins and prawns. We highly recommend dining al fresco by the pool and lush gardens of the hotel.
3) Colette - named after French novelist, Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, this restaurant has been under the tutelage of chef Philippe Colinet since 2020. Dishes pay homage to the surrounding landscape and Mediterranean flavors are featured with local seasonal ingredients. In 2021, Colinet’s restaurant was awarded its first Michelin star. The restaurant is set within the 5-star luxury Hotel Sezz Saint-Tropez.
4) La Vague d’Or - located within the luxury hotel, Cheval Blanc St-Tropez, chef Arnaud Donckele guides patrons through a gastronomic tour of the Côte d'Azur using only the finest local ingredients. Playful menu options include the Epicurean Walk and Let’s Run Away Together experiences. Boasting the only 3-star Michelin rating in Saint-Tropez, this exceptional establishment is not to be missed.
Pointus in the Vieux Port de Pêche
Places of Interest
Vieux Port de Pêche - the “old fishing port” of Saint-Tropez is where one can observe the original vessels, or pointus, that filled the harbor prior to the arrival of the mega yachts. A small fleet of these fishing vessels can still be seen in the easternmost portion of the harbor. An old hand-crank winch, used to pull vessels out of the water for repair, still exists along Quai Frédéric Mistral.
Citadelle de Saint-Tropez - originally built in 1592, the Citadelle now stands as a maritime museum for all to enjoy. Some of the most scenic views over the historic village and Golfe de Saint-Tropez can be enjoyed from this hilltop location. Be watchful for the resident peafowl.
Quaint Streets - two of our favorite streets to enjoy a stroll include the Rue du Portail Neuf and Rue de la Miséricorde. The latter has three stone arches attached to the side of the Chapelle de la Miséricorde. The bell tower of this chapel is covered with golden, green, and navy tiles and is one of the most picturesque places in town. Rue du Portail Neuf is a fabulously narrow passageway only open to foot traffic. It is home to great local restaurants, artisanal shops, and art galleries.
Place de l’Ormeau - a lone tree stands in the center of this beautiful little square. Surrounded by art galleries, restaurants, and antique stores, a magnificent bougainvillea-covered building adorns the northwest corner of the place. A short walk along Rue de l’Ormeau leads to another tiny square with a single olive tree.
Place des Lices - this large square hosts a twice-weekly market and is the best place to find locals enjoying a game of Pétanque. Similar to bocce ball, players throw their boules as close as possible to the cochonnet. Should you be fortunate enough to be a spectator or invited to participate in a game, a memorable experience is sure to be had.
A local game of Pétanque
An Excursion to Provence
If you decide to stay in the Saint-Tropez area for multiple days, we highly recommend taking a day trip to Provence. Hillsides covered in vineyards, lavender fields, olive orchards, and apiaries exist throughout this region, and it is well worth exploring if the opportunity exists!
One farm, in particular, is only an hour drive northwest of Saint-Tropez. Located just outside the town of Lorgues, spending a day at the farm of Anna and Sébastien is sure to be one of the most enjoyable experiences during your travels.
The original farm, started by Sébastien’s family, was based near the medieval village of La Garde-Freinet. His father began beekeeping over forty years ago. After his retirement a decade ago, Anna and Sébastien took over the family business. Upon purchasing an old 18th-century home, they relocated the farm and rebuilt the honey house on the current site.
Their apiary is home to over four hundred hives primarily consisting of the indigenous black bee. (Apis mellifera) Provençal wildflower honeys are highly prized and carry various protected designations. All Rucher de l’Encantadou products are organic with multiple items including the high-quality Label Rouge certification. The farm also has an olive orchard with over two hundred trees.
Products available for purchase include various wildflower honeys, olive oil, and homemade fig jam. Honeys are available on a seasonal basis and varieties include lavender, wildflower, Maquis (flowering shrub from the seaside area of Saint-Tropez), heather, oak tree, and thyme. Depending on the time of year you visit, any number of these will be available to sample and enjoy.
When asked, Anna stated that her favorite part of being a farmer and beekeeper is the daily contact with nature and how each day is unique. Being surrounded by beautiful flowers, the stunning landscape, and doing what you love makes every day enjoyable.
The Provençal ethos is to slow down, breathe deeply, and enjoy the sensory experience that nature has to offer. As visitors, one would be hard-pressed to find a more tranquil setting to enjoy the French countryside.
Honey of Provence & Honey of Thyme
Conclusion
Should your travels take you throughout the Côte d'Azur, be sure to dedicate a few days to exploring Saint-Tropez and the surrounding area. This quaint town is quite unique in the top-tier experiences one can enjoy while there. Ultimately, it is a place to relax. Magnificent scenery abounds and every accommodation will satisfy the most discerning traveler.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article. We hope you enjoyed the recommendations! Please feel free to leave any comments or questions below.