Visit Saint Tropez – 5 activities to do
Saint-Tropez is a town originating from the time of the Greeks of Phocaea, during the 5th century BC. It is said that they founded a trading port in the gulf linked with Antibes (Antipolis) and Marseille (Massalia). The town’s name comes from Tropez of Pisa, a member of the Roman administration who refused to abjure christianism and was sentenced to death by the Emperor Nero.
The deceased’s corpse was thrown in the Mediterranean Sea and saved from the water by fishermen. From this comes the name Saint-Tropez, which is celebrated every year in the town on May 17 th . The church of Notre Dame de l’Assomption is home to the saint’s supposed relics.
During the Middle Age, the town was first occupied by the Saracens. Then, at the end of the 10 th century, they were chased by the count of Provence. Saint-Tropez became a fiefdom. To learn about Saint-Tropez’s small and big stories, from its origin to this day, Tour Guides France recommend 5 activities.
Visit Saint Tropez: 5 essential activities
The Annonciade Museum
The Gendarmerie Museum
Visit Saint Tropez on foot
A boat trip in the Gulf
Visit Saint-Tropez: Nearby towns and vineyards
Book your hotel in Saint-Tropez
The Annonciade Museum
Artists flooded Saint-Tropez at the end of the 19 th century. They enjoyed depicting the gulf, the marine landscapes as well as the Massif des Maures. Among the painters you can admire at the Annonciade Museum are Paul Signac, Henri Matisse and André Derain. To learn more about Saint Tropez’s cultural history, where authors like Guy de Maupassant stayed, book your visit with Tour Guides France.
The Gendarmerie Museum
Saint-Tropez’s seaside resort was popularized in the Sixties and Seventies thanks to the “Gendarme” saga, with actors Michel Galabru, Louis de Funès, Grosso and Modo. Every episode, except from the last one, was set in the Saint-Tropez police station, which was transformed into a museum where you can now see items from the shootings of the films “The Troops of St. Tropez”, “Gendarme in New York”, “The Gendarme Gets Married”, “The gendarme to stroll” and “The Gendarme and the Extra-Terrestrials”. Fans of Louis de Funès will also have the chance to visit the museum dedicated to him in Saint- Raphaël, a town very close.
Visit Saint Tropez on foot
Saint-Tropez is a nice town where walks are enjoyable. Around the port, you can see yachts, fishing boats named “pointus”, as well as painter artists. The Annonciade Museum and the Gendarmerie Museum, dedicated to the saga from the Sixties and Seventies, with actors Michel Galabru and Louis de Funès, are nearby and deserve a stop. Going back up towards place des Lices, you will be able to wander between shops and, if you want, purchase home-made products that make the place’s particularity: the Tropezian sandals and the Tropezian pie, made with sugar and cream.
To learn more about the town, book your visit with Tour Guides France.
A boat trip in the Gulf
Saint-Tropez’s Gulf is a magic place surrounded by beautiful villas belonging to celebrities from the business world, like Bernard Arnault, CEO of LVMH, Vincent Bolloré, CEO of Canal Plus, and Roman Abramovitch, the ex CEO of Chelsea Football Club, from the political world, like the Swedish Royal Family, or from the entertainment world, like Brigitte Bardot and Leonardo DiCaprio. Also, a boat trip in the gulf is an activity for celebrity gossip fans or simply marine landscapes admirers.
Book your activity in Saint-Tropez with Tour Guides France.
Visit Saint-Tropez : Nearby towns and vineyards
During its history, Saint-Tropez was exposed to Saracens attacks. They occupied the town in the 9th and 10 th centuries before being vanquished by the counts of Provence at the end of the 10 th century. Also, nearby perched villages were for a long time refuge areas for the people of Saint-Tropez, including Gassin, Grimaud and Ramatuelle. Every one of these towns can be visited and offer incredible viewpoints on the Gulf and the vineyards.
The Tropezian vineyards produce between 30 and 40,000 bottles a year, essentially rosé and white wine. Among the grape variety, the Grenache, the Cinsaut and the Syrah are the most used, as well as the Vermentino for white wine. Bertaud Belieu’s domain offers cellars’ visits and was under the spotlight these last few years for hosting charity missions for Leonardo DiCaprio’s Environment Foundation.
To learn more about Saint-Tropez’s neighbouring towns, or to taste a country wine, book your activity with Tour Guides France. They have great surprises waiting for you!
Emilie Sala
