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Once a simple fishing village set against the sparkling backdrop of the Mediterranean, Saint Tropez has evolved into a world-famous destination synonymous with beautiful beaches, famous restaurants, and dreamy summers.
The French Riviera’s original beach resort, Saint Tropez has been the place to see and be seen ever since Brigitte Bardot put the town firmly on the map in 1955 as she strolled across Pampelonne beach in her bikini: there to shoot the film And God Created Women, by director and Svengali Roger Vadim, it brought international fame to both Bardot and Saint Tropez.
Although perhaps most widely known for its connection to the cinema, Saint Tropez has long been associated with artists of all genres since the late 19th century. Discovered by neo-impressionist Paul Signac in 1897, Saint Tropez has played host to many renowned painters over the years including Matisse, Dufy, and Picasso, all of whom were inspired by the region’s breath-taking scenery and glorious golden light.
Relatively quiet during the winter months, Saint Tropez really comes into its own during the summer season when yachts outnumber cars and the bars and restaurants in the glittering port open late into the evening. Famous for its vibrant nightlife, during the long summer months, whether it is leisurely dinners under the stars, last late into the night, or superstar DJs lighting up the dance floor until the sun comes up over the Mediterranean, there is nothing quite like Saint Tropez.
With options ranging from haute cuisine to casual beachfront dining, the culinary scene in Saint Tropez makes it one of the top foodie destinations in the world. Long lunches in the sunshine often turn into dinner while after hours, the laid-back beach clubs in Pampelonne transform into hip lounge bars with cocktails and live music to really get the party started.
The Old Town of Saint Tropez (Le Ponche) is the heart and soul of the village where haute couture meets traditional Riviera charm. Home of the famous Tropézienne leather sandals which have been made here by the Rondini family for over 90 years, the narrow streets of the Old Town are a shopping paradise with their eclectic mix of designer boutiques, art galleries, and elegant antique shops.
Just a few steps away in the port, sleek superyachts line up beside wooden fishing boats and people-watching on Café Sénéquier’s legendary red terrace is everybody’s favourite occupation. Get up early to check out the produce market in the Place aux Herbes then stroll over to the Môle Jean-Réveille jetty to enjoy breathtaking views over the bay of Saint Tropez and the surrounding Massif des Maures mountain range.
The Place des Lices in the centre of town offers the very best of the Provençal lifestyle with its twice-weekly market boasting a fabulous selection of fresh produce plus vintage fashion and homeware. Shaded by plane trees, this quintessential village square is the perfect place to stop for an aperitif, play a game of petanque, enjoy a taste of the town’s delicious speciality, la tarte Tropézienne, or view some of the finest properties for sale and rent in the Cote d’Azur, at Beauchamp Estates Saint Tropez office, located directly on Place des Lices, just next to the historic “Café des Arts”., there, again for a while, some “old Tropéziens” will tell about Vadim and Bardot, Henri Salvador and Eddy Barclay.
Set high above the Old Town is Saint Tropez’s 17th-century Citadel, which sits at the top of the hill overlooking the village and the bay. Originally built to protect the town from Spanish invaders and pirates, these days the citadel is a historic monument with a fascinating museum in the dungeon which celebrates Saint Tropez’s rich maritime history and the town’s long-standing connection with the sea.
When it comes to soaking up the Riviera sunshine, you are spoilt for choice in Saint Tropez with three sheltered beaches right in the centre of town, plus an endless stretch of golden sand along the Sentier du Littoral. From the wild beauty of the Plage des Salins to the stylish beach clubs of Pampelonne Plage, this is beach life at its very best.
Just a few kilometres inland from Saint Tropez, there is a change of pace, stunning villages perched high in the Maures hills reveal themselves: surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, walking around cobbled streets of Medieval villages, time seems to have stood still.
An alluring blend of traditional charm and laid-back glamour, there’s nowhere quite like Saint Tropez. It is easy to understand its enduring and wide-ranging appeal, as visitors fall in love with its unique charm and dream of making a home there, or elsewhere in the Cote d’Azur, for the season, perhaps taking a house for the summer, or for every season and buying a property. The cosmopolitan nature of the region promises a truly unique lifestyle and enables all nationalities to feel at home, which is why so many do precisely that.
Exceptional private residence for sale, located in Les Parcs of Saint Tropez.
The interest in and demand for property in the Cote d’Azur, by both national and international buyers, has led Beauchamp Estates France to open a second office in the region: a satellite for its main office in Cannes, that enables the team to successfully support clients easily across the entire Cote d’Azur region, offering the exceptional level of service Beauchamp Estates clients have come to except.
Knowledge and expertise of the local market is key to finding and securing your dream Saint Tropez home, whether for the summer or forever. Saint Tropez is the most famous village of the “Gulf of Saint-Tropez, which covers a number of municipalities, each offering slightly differing ranges and types of property, all perfect for enjoying the Riviera lifestyle.
- Saint-Tropez: the world’s most famous fishing village, renowned for the light reflected from its marina, the Place des Lices, its old historic town of La Ponche, and the most beautiful sandy beaches in the Riviera.
- Ramatuelle: famous for Pampelonne bay and bars and restaurants such as Club 55, Tahiti and Moorea.
- Gassin, perched up high in the hills in the central area of the Gulf of Saint Tropez, a very authentic location with super views.
- Grimaud, famous for its castle, its superb open sea views, and Port Grimaud which feels a little like Venice: many private residences in this area have spectacular views.
- La Croix Valmer, with its wild Gigaro beach where the new Lily of the Valley hotel is located.
- Le Plan de la Tour, offering more rural settings. This ‘belle epoque’ town is becoming more widely known following the opening of the new Lily of the Valley hotel in the best spot of La Croix Valmer : Gigaro beach, Cavalaire harbor, and Le Rayol Canadel are all a short distance away.
- Le Plan de la Tour and La Garde Freinet, both offer more rural settings and are 20 to 30 minutes inland.
Those seeking a property to rent or buy are afforded an exceptional choice, with each area having it own typical style/type of property:
- In Saint-Tropez old town fishermen’s houses with «tropezian» terraces are always in great demand, with the largest and most luxurious properties mainly located in Les Parcs of Saint-Tropez, Le Capon / Pinet, and Les Salins / La Moutte.
- The Sainte-Maxime area, which has a larger number of more contemporary properties, is popular with families: the municipality here is more flexible than Saint-Tropez, which is a highly protected area, with the style of houses more traditional.
- For properties set in several hectares of land, it is necessary to go further inland, to more rural areas, such as La Garde Freinet or Le Plan de la Tour.
Beauchamp Estates France, also have access to a wide number of off-market, or whisper, properties that while not publically offered for sale might entertain an indirect offer.
Contact the Beauchamp Estates France team, in Cannes or Saint Tropez, for your Cote d’Azur dream home or exceptional Riviera vacation: the team can arrange a wide range of private services and experiences, to ensure that your stay is exquisite.
If you already own a property in the Cote d’Azur and are considering selling or letting, then they would be delighted to assist you: please contact them to discuss this further.
