Celebrated, mediatized, envied, welcome to Saint-Tropez !

Between Hyères and Sainte-Maxime, the town of the Baillif of Suffren, with walls teeming with history, has kept its provençal charm despite its status as an international myth. It has become a highly coveted destination, since the installation in the mid 50's of an actress, who became a world renown movie star and sex symbol. The small timeless harbor, overlooked by the yellow and ochre bell tower of the Notre-Dame de l’Assomption church, creates the buzz during the entire holiday season. Yachts, rivalising in size, are proudly moored along the small piers of the most well-known and visited Mediterranean holiday resort town.

International celebrities and media spend the summer in Saint-Tropez

Facing them, at the terrace of Sénéquier, a cult bistrot, the local sport is to see and be seen. Stars from the world of showbiz and media still gather for pétanque tournaments on place des Lices, but also on film sets or in the museum that pays homage to the film series, Le Gendarme de Saint-Tropez, the claim to fame of comedian Louis de Funès.

In their films and during their life, Brigitte Bardot and Louis de Funès participated in the legend of Saint-Tropez. © DR

Signature landmarks, the red seats of the Sénéquier terrace and the creamy Tarte Tropézienne are part of the local landscape. © DR

Chic farniente and white nights…

In town, the Ponche district, with its flowery cobblestone streets, counts as many visitors as the Musée de l'Annonciade showcasing paintings by Braque, Matisse, Signac, Utrillo, Van Dongen, Bonnard and Dufy. In terms of beaches, the peninsula offers at least 40 between Pampelonne and Ramatuelle. The personalities who come here to enjoy their fine white sand and romantic coves contribute to the local conversations. Saint-Tropez is also a stage for fashion stars thanks to the prestigious labels in the window-displays. In this kaleidoscope of unique sensations, one savours the pleasures of regional gastronomy before hitting the night scene revelry…

Every night, the show of the Opéra restaurant takes place in front of the clients' tables. © DR

Address book

• Beaches : La Voile Rouge, Club 55, Tahiti and Nikki Beach are the most select beach destinations in Saint-Trop'.
• Chez Sénéquier : Impossible not to stop here for breakfast or an apéritif. www.senequier.com
• La Tarte Tropézienne : Launched by Brigitte Bardot between two scenes of the film « And God Created Woman» by Roger Vadim, this puff pastry tart with orange blossom cream filling is the gourmet must of Saint-Tropez. www.latartetropezienne.fr
• La Résidence de la Pinède : Owned by the LVMH group, this exceptional waterfront hotel is the only establishment boasting three Michelin stars, with chef Arnaud Donckele at the helm. www.residencepinede.com
• L'Opéra : Facing the small harbour, this cabaret restaurant with a bluffing white and gold decor presents stunning shows and is the departure point of many revelries. www.opera-saint-tropez.com
• How to get there : Air France offers 7 daily flights to Toulon-Hyères during the week, and 5 on the week-end, departing from Orly-Ouest. www.airfrance.fr
• Where to stay : At the Byblos. Since 50 years, this palace perpetuates Tropezian magic. Spa, garden-terrace and restaurant menu signed Alain Ducasse, without forgetting the Caves du Roy dance floor playground of the international Jet Set. www.byblos.com

Celebs meet up around the pool of the Hotel Byblos before moving on to their various parties. © DR