Saint-Tropez Tourism And Travel Guide

One of the most famous seaside resorts in Europe, Saint-Tropez is a town situated on the French Riviera and is located in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur region of south-eastern France. Mostly just a fishing village up until the 20th-century, Saint-Tropez rose to international fame as a vacation destination after featuring in the movie ‘And God Created Woman’. With a population of a mere 5000, Saint-Tropez is often described as a village rather than a town or city; the majority of its attractions can be explored in a day, which is what tourists often do when vacationing in destinations nearby like Nice or Marseille.

And yet, this sophisticated holiday spot is a favourite among the wealthy and the famous for its numerous beaches and warm Mediterranean climate, which also attracts regular vacationers to the region and primarily drives its tourism industry. Get to know more about Saint-Tropez through this brief travel guide.

By Air:

Saint-Tropez has its own local airport called La Mole, which is located around 17 km away from the village. Since La Mole only services private jets and helicopters and occasional charter flights, conventional travellers are better off flying into Nice Cote d’Azur International Airport or Marseille-Provence International Airport. Airport shuttles, taxis, buses and trains are available from either airport to reach Saint-Tropez in a couple of hours. For a more scenic route, travellers can also opt to avail the services of helicopter companies from any city on the French Riviera and get to La Mole Airport outside Saint-Tropez.

By Rail:

St Raphael and Les Arc-Draguignan are the two nearest train stations from the village of Saint-Tropez. Both stations receive operations from the SNCF, the high-speed TGV and the Auto Train network, making Saint-Tropez accessible via trains from a number of destinations. Buses are available from the train station directly to Saint-Tropez.

By Road:

Journeying via road to Saint-Tropez can be accomplished via buses that are available from cities nearby like Nice and Marseille. Travellers often choose to drive to the town themselves, however, the narrow roads of Saint-Tropez are prone to traffic jams and it is advisable to not bring cars into the town.

By Boat:

Ferries and boats are available from all major coastal cities on the French Riviera like Nice, Cannes etc. After flying into any of the airport towns nearby, travellers can use boat rides to transfer to Saint-Tropez directly and enjoy a more picturesque journey. 

Summer (June – August):

Summer is the busiest time of the year, with July and August being the hottest months of the season. Average temperature ranges around 27⁰C and can reach highs of 35⁰C. The days are usually clear and sunny and offer great opportunities to explore the town. Since it is peak season, hotel rates are usually quite high during this time as well.

Autumn (September – November):

The weather in September and early October is warm enough to go about exploring the city and even try swimming as the water remains pleasant during the daytime. The average temperature is 21⁰C that drops to around 17⁰C during November. Saint-Tropez remains mostly free of tourists during autumn with lowered hotel rates as well, so this is a good time to visit for travellers who don’t prefer crowded areas.

Winter (December – February):

The winters are considered off-season in Saint-Tropez. However, the climate is quite mild and these months can be a good time to plan a trip if you don’t mind cooler weather. Temperature highs are around 13⁰C and lows are around 6⁰C during the night. The time around Christmas and New Year’s Eve gets particularly busy with large crowds visiting to be a part of the celebrations.

Spring (March – May):

Spring is also a good time to visit Saint-Tropez, which is characterized by pleasant weather and temperatures ranging from 15⁰C-21⁰C. Be prepared for occasional rain that may hamper your outdoor plans.

Take a Stroll on the Old Port:

Saint-Tropez’s old harbour is a busy promenade crammed with boats and yachts, and numerous cafes that offer ample opportunities to simply sit back and spend an afternoon people-watching. Artists with their paintings depicting local scenes, markets selling fresh fruits, vegetables and even seafood are other highlights of the old port that make this part of Saint-Tropez one of the most happening places in town.

Visit the Museums:

There are several museums in Saint-Tropez that offer a great deal of insight into the town’s artistic and historical significance. Musee l’Annonciade is an art museum with notable works from prominent artists like Bonnard, Matisse and Signac. The Maritime Museum is located in the Saint-Tropez Citadel and offers details about the maritime history of the town. The Butterfly Museum is another highlight of Saint-Tropez; with over 35000 specimens, it features almost all French butterfly species and some other exotic and extinct varieties.

Take a Boat Tour:

Exploring Saint-Tropez from the luxury of a boat is worthy of every penny spent on it. Private boat tours can accommodate up to 8 people, and on a warm sunny afternoon, there’s no better way to enjoy the city.

Relax on the Beaches:

Most celebrities frequent Saint-Tropez for its beaches. The sunny coastlines are a great way to spend your afternoons in the city while admiring the views around you and taking dips in the lush Mediterranean waters. The sandy shores are a fun place for kids and families can even enjoy picnics.

Saint-Tropez’s oldest establishment in terms of great local food is the Auberge des Maures. Serving authentic Provencal cuisine, visitors can try delicacies that include braised beef stew, lobster, lamb shoulder and steaks. La Tarte Tropezienne is a café-bakery serving fresh delicious bread and baked goods, and other light meals that make for great snacks-on-the-go. La Vague d’Or is a three Michelin-star restaurant in Saint-Tropez known for its exquisite food served with world-class elegance and style. Another popular spot in town is Club 55, which is a family-owned establishment that can receive over 1000 guests on a busy summer’s day.

Like many other destinations in France, Saint-Tropez is known to feature almost all high-end and big-name brands where travellers can indulge in luxury shopping. Boutiques and stores carry all things ‘Tropezienne’ like shoes, furniture, antiques etc. Neighbourhoods like Place des Lices and Place de la Garonne is where travellers will find most shops that are frequented by tourists; la Grande Braderie is where visitors can make the most of the off-season sale after October on most items like jewellery, designer-wear etc.