Saint-Tropez: the history of this fishing village to the glamour of the jet set

With this walk we aim to cover all aspects of Saint-Tropez : its history as a fishing village , its past for artists , its rich film history and the ever-present glamour and glitter of the jet set.

A nice way to get to Saint-Tropez is to take Les Bateaux Verts in Saint-Maxime and cross the bay by boat.

The iconic image of the Phare Rouge and the ochre-coloured Saint-Tropez arriving amidst the mega-yachts in the harbour is an experience in itself.

For those who want to soak up some glamour, a visit to the red legend of Saint-Tropez is a must.

Afterwards, we stroll around the harbor, the showcase of the artists, with the Musée de l'Annonciade for modern art as an interesting stop for art lovers, although the Maison des Papillons is certainly worth a visit for them as well.

We pass some important nightlife landmarks at Place Blanqui, where the statue of Brigitte Bardot and the Musée de la Gendarmerie et du Cinéma remind us of what gave this fishing village its status.

We continue our way along the Croix de fer to the idyllic Place des Lices.

We take a detour along the luxury shops and boutiques of leading brands.

Let's leave the glamour and glitz behind for a moment to delve into the history of this fishing village . We stroll past the Chapelle de la Miséricorde to Plage des Graniers with its small bar and restaurant. We follow the coastal path to the naval cemetery, one of the few cemeteries directly on the sea in France.

A little further on, you can visit the citadel . Walk through ancient gates, explore underground passages, and climb to the ramparts for spectacular 360° views of the Bay of Saint-Tropez, the hills of the Massif des Maures , and the glistening Mediterranean Sea. Inside, you'll find the Musée d'Histoire Maritime.

We descend to the Église Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption, whose striking bell tower only acquired its characteristic yellow and ochre colours so recognisable today at the beginning of the 19th century.

We stroll past some picturesque squares through the old fishing district of La Ponche to a few beaches, surrounded by pastel-colored fishermen's houses with traditional shutters, sheltered from the wind and waves, with crystal-clear water, where families and residents take their daily swim.

We return to the harbour, close to our starting point, via the Tour Veille and the Tour du Portalet .

Be sure to check out the information about the sights once you're there . They'll explain what you'll see!

06/2025