10 Best Things to Do in St Tropez

Pampelonne Beach (Plage de Pampelonne) is the trendiest beach in St Tropez. Indeed, it’s the sun, sea and sand that have most of the jet set flocking to the coastal town – the beach is also the longest and most popular. You can find the beach in a lovely, sheltered bay not far from the village of Ramatuelle.

Pampelonne is famous for its exclusive beach clubs that are packed with A-list celebrities, but you can also pull up your own towel or rent a deckchair along much of its length. If Pampelonne doesn’t appeal, numerous other public beaches in and around St Tropez are just as stunning, including Plage de Bouillabaisse and Plage des Salins.

St Tropez’s Old Town evokes the kind of spirit that most people imagine when they think of the charming, character-rich south of France. Much of the appeal is in simply getting lost in its charm. Here you can wander the narrow, pastel-hued alleyways as they meander into one another, and feel the cobblestones beneath your feet as you take in the sights.

Popular attractions include the Church of Notre-Dame (Église Paroissiale Notre Dame de l'Assomption) while there are also restaurants, bars and cafes in this bustling, atmospheric neighbourhood.

The Maritime History Museum (Musée d’Histoire Maritime) traces back St Tropez’s rich, enduring past as a maritime city. And that’s long outdating its more recent reinvention as an on-trend destination for the moneyed jet set. The museum is set in a fitting and photogenic location, set in the dungeon of St Tropez’s citadel.

This means that once you’ve explored the exhibitions of artefacts relating to voyages off the French coast and far beyond, you can also take in the stunning 17th-century citadel itself. The Citadel comes complete with lookout points over the sea and mountains – must-sees for incredible, sweeping vistas.

The Annonciade Museum, created in 1922, showcases paintings by prominent artists of the 20th century who lived in or near St Tropez. The museum is housed in a former 16th-century chapel, which is where it gets its name.

Inside, you’ll find paintings and sculptures from 1890 to 1950, with works by well-known artists such as Henri Matisse and Georges Seurat decorating the walls of their 8 rooms. The paintings reflect the Navis, Fauvist, and Pointillist movements, and there are occasional events held throughout the year.

Place des Lices and its market is where you want to head to for good grub in St Tropez. Even those who aren’t necessarily foodies know that Provence is the place to come in France – one of the best in Europe, many would tell you – for choice cheeses, meats, bread, pastries and more, with Place des Lices showcasing the best of it.

The twice-weekly market is the perfect place to stock up if you’re staying in self-catering accommodation in St Tropez, or else to pick up supplies for an impromptu picnic. There are also homewares and handcrafted goods to discover – just be sure to get here early.

Portalet Tower is a defence tower built in the 15th century to protect the coast and port of St Tropez. It was 1 of 4 defence towers in the area, and although only 3 remain, you can visit each of them to experience a bit of St Tropez's history.

The observation tower is a great spot away from the crowds to get scenic views over the port both day and night. It's situated in the historic Fisherman’s town of La Ponche, and on the other side of the cove to the east, you’ll find a second tower, Tour de La Vielle, just a 4-minute walk away.

Gendarmerie Nationale (Musée de la Gendarmerie & du Cinéma Saint-Tropez) is housed in an old law enforcement building and tells the story of the town’s cinematic roots. It is proof of St Tropez's rich, vibrant and long-lasting history of cinema production, and how it became a centre for film and the arts.

You can take in the different films that have been produced in St Tropez and the surrounding area, and – in a nice crossover that pays homage to the venue’s past – see how the police have been depicted in French films over the years. The museum also has exhibitions that seek to pick apart the various myths that surround the glamour of St Tropez’s prestigious cinema industry.

Place aux Herbes is the original old morning market square in the Old Port (Vieux Port) area, where you can get a first feel for the slightly more modest side of St Tropez. It serves as a great alternative for when you need a breather from all the glamour and glitz of its beaches and bars.

Browse the deliciously fresh southern French produce that benefits from all the richness of the Mediterranean region’s sun. If you have somewhere to cook back at your accommodation, you can perhaps pick up a few items to whip up a French feast of your own. Take time, too, to stop for a coffee and some people-watching on the terrace of the famous Café Senequier nearby.

St Tropez Harbour (Port de Saint-Tropez) is one of the most picturesque places in the coastal town. Besides offering plenty of Instagrammable angles and being a popular spot for the sailing and luxury yacht crowd, it’s lined with chic cafes and shops. Little sums up France better than the deeply ingrained cultural ritual of taking an aperitif before dinner, and this is an ideal spot for l’heure d’apéro (apéro o’clock).

Open as it is from the early morning until the wee hours, Café Senequier is as good a spot as any to sip something refreshing as you watch the sun begin to sink down over the Côte d’Azur. The trendy and aptly named Bar du Port also has outside seating and makes for an equally solid choice.

The Carré Sainte Maxime is a multi-disciplinary performing arts theatre in the city of the same name, about half an hour’s drive north from St Tropez. If you’re looking to fill up on culture after spending your days bronzing on the beaches and your other evenings star-spotting in the nightclubs, then you’re in luck.

There’s a diverse and eclectic programme of events on offer here throughout the seasons (the venue itself is open every day of the year), from dance and theatre to live music performances, and even circus-style spectacles.