Saint-Tropez: The French Riviera's Most Glamorous Summer Destination

Saint-Tropez is a town on the Côte d'Azur in the Var department of southern France, about 100 kilometres west of Nice. It sits on a peninsula on the northern shore of the Bay of Saint-Tropez, and its transformation from a quiet fishing village to the world's most glamorous summer destination is one of the most remarkable stories in travel.

The town was a humble fishing port until the mid-20th century. Its transformation began in 1956, when a young Brigitte Bardot arrived to film Roger Vadim's 'Et Dieu... créa la femme' ('And God Created Woman'). The film made Bardot an international star and made Saint-Tropez the summer destination of the global jet set. Today, the town's population of about 5,500 swells to over 100,000 in the peak summer months.

The Old Town and the Port

The Vieux Saint-Tropez (old town) retains its medieval street plan, with pastel Provençal buildings and narrow lanes opening onto small squares. The Place des Lices is the site of the famous morning market (Tuesday and Saturday) where locals play pétanque in the afternoons. The Vieux Port (old port) is the social heart of the town, lined with cafes where the yachting set watches the parade of mega-yachts.

The Citadelle de Saint-Tropez (saint-tropez.fr), a 17th-century fortress on the hill above the town, houses the Musée d'Histoire Maritime and offers panoramic views over the bay. Reference: [Saint-Tropez Tourism](https://www.saint-tropez.fr)

The Beaches of Pampelonne

The Plage de Pampelonne, a 5-kilometre stretch of sand south of the town, is the most famous beach on the French Riviera and the social epicentre of summer. The beach clubs here — including Club 55 (club55.com), founded in 1955 and the most legendary restaurant on the coast — are where the international elite spend their summer afternoons. Reference: [Club 55 Official](https://www.club55.com)

Where to Stay

Château de la Messardière (airelles.com) is the grande dame of Saint-Tropez hotels — a 5-star palace hotel perched above the Bay of Pampelonne. The château was originally built as a wedding gift in the 19th century from Cognac magnate Gabriel Dupuy d'Antherac to his wife. Today, operated by the Airelles group, it offers panoramic sea views, extensive gardens, and the Valmont spa. Reference: [Airelles Saint-Tropez Official](https://airelles.com/en/destination/chateau-de-la-messardiere-hotel)

Hôtel de Paris Saint-Tropez (hoteldeparis-sainttropez.com) is a more contemporary property in the heart of the old town, with interiors inspired by the vibrant colours of the 1960s and 1970s Riviera. Reference: [Hôtel de Paris Saint-Tropez](https://www.hoteldeparis-sainttropez.com)

For those seeking privacy, the nearby village of Ramatuelle and the surrounding vineyards offer discreet villas and the small luxury hotel La Réserve (ramatuelle.lareservehotels.com).

Getting There

The closest airport is Nice Côte d'Azur (NCE), about 100 kilometres away. By car, the journey takes approximately 1.5–2 hours (traffic permitting — in summer, the single road into Saint-Tropez can be severely congested). Many visitors arrive by helicopter from Nice (7 minutes) or by boat from Cannes or Saint-Raphaël. The Niçois (nicois.cote-azur.cci.fr) and other operators run seasonal boat services.

Reference Links:

- Château de la Messardière: airelles.com

- Hôtel de Paris Saint-Tropez: hoteldeparis-sainttropez.com

- Club 55: club55.com

- Saint-Tropez Tourism: saint-tropez.fr

- Nice Côte d'Azur Airport: nice.aeroport.fr

- Var Tourism (Côte d'Azur): cotedazur-tourisme.com