Saint Tropez | Ramatuelle
Saint-Tropez is a coastal town on the French Riviera, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France. Long popular with artists, the town attracted the international "jet-set" in the 1960s, and remains known for its beaches and nightlife. The cobblestoned La Ponche quarter recalls its past as a fishing village, although yachts now outnumber fishing boats in the Vieux Port.
STAY
HÔTEL DE PARIS The only hotel in St Tropez with a rooftop pool and prime location next to the Vieux Port and Place des Lice. A partnership with Clarins also promises as many stocking fillers as you can squeeze into your suitcase.
BYBLOS Since its opening in 1967, Byblos has been the hotspot for international jet-setters. Regulars Brigitte Bardot and Mireille Darc helped put the Jean-Prosper Gay-Para hotel on the map with celebrity guests, including Bianca and Mick Jagger, who spent several days in the hotel’s plush suites following their wedding in St Tropez. The Rivea restaurant inside is by Alain Ducasse.
LA RÉSERVE A few kilometers outside of Saint-Tropez, La Réserve Ramatuelle was designed by architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte in an idyllic Provençal setting nestled between olive groves, lavender fields, and streams. Make sure to book dinner at the Japanese restaurant on the rooftop, and enjoy the view of Ramatuelle.
HOTEL ERMITAGE Breakfast on the terrace overlooking the harbor in this restored 19th-century villa turned boutique hotel is the perfect start to any day in Saint Tropez.
CHEVAL BLANC Formerly La Résidence de la Pinède. Circled by century-old pine trees, Cheval Blanc St-Tropez is a quiet respite from the glitz and glamour of the Saint Tropez boardwalk. Designed by Jean-Michel Wilmotte overlooking the village of Sainte-Maxime, Cheval Blanc features a Guerlain Spa and the delicious 3 Michelin Star restaurant La Vague D’Or by Chef Arnaud Donckele— it is certainly worth the trip!
VILLA MARIE For a secluded option just ten minutes west of the Bay of Pampelonne five minutes south of the town centre you'll find Villa Marie. Set on seven acres of pine forest, and decorated with Florentine touches, it feels more like a chic Italian home than a hotel. Request an east-facing suite to ensure you can see the sea from your balcony.
DINE | DRINK
LA TARTE TROPÉZIENNE Legend has it that Roger Vadim, Brigitte Bardot’s then-husband, hired Polish Baker Alexandre Micka to cater the film set for And God Created Woman. Bardot fell in love with the cream-filled brioche and voilà— la tarte tropézienne was born.
LE SENEQUIER Sénéquier’s red awnings are synonymous with Saint-Tropez, also made famous by Brigitte Bardot in And God Created Woman. A cafe and croissant in the morning, a famous nougat and biscuit in the afternoon, and an aperitif in the evening make it the perfect choice any time of day.
LE CLUB 55 Dock your boat, order the famous Crudités platter with the anchovy dipping sauce, and enjoy the show. Pro tip— skip the crowds and the line and sit at the side picnic tables on the beach.
BARBARAC Try the honey-flavored ice cream, we promise it is worth the wait!
LOU LOU Lou Lou Paris takes up residence in Ramatuelle on the beach during summer. Chef Benoit Dargère (Monsieur Bleu and Girafe) offers dishes from the French and Italian Riviera with fresh ingredients from south of France, Italy and Sicily.
SALAMA An intimate Moroccan restaurant with an interior from 1001 Arabian Nights. The chicken and confit lemon tajine, lamb keftas, and royal couscous are all prepared by a meticulous chef who imports his spices from Morocco.
TIGRR AT HOTEL ERMITAGE The bar at the Ermitage is the place to be for l'heure de l’apéro. Play a round of pétanque and enjoy the view at sunset.
BANH HOÏ Hard to find, and even harder to get into, this dimly lit intimate bar and restaurant offers Vietnamese and Thai food surrounded by red walls and gold Buddhas.
LA SAUVAGEONNE A beach bar turned club so make sure to bring your dancing shoes.
LES CAVES DU ROY A staple of Saint Tropez nightlife, Les Caves Du Roy remains resolutely seventies complete with palm trees and disco balls.
LA VAGUE D’OR The 3 Michelin Star restaurant in Cheval Blanc by Chef Arnaud Donckele. A must visit!
L’OPERA A portside party with live music and entertainment.
LE GIRELIER A 60 year-old seafood staple on the port.
LA PETIT PLAGE Light, Mediterranean cuisine on the port by Chef Eric Frechon. An second outpost in St. Barth’s recently opened.
ARTS | CULTURE | ACTIVITIES
MUSÉE DE L'ANNONCIADE If you need a break from the sun, duck inside this charming 1500s-chapel-turned-museum. On display are paintings by prominent modern artists who worked in Saint-Tropez, including Paul Signac, who settled in Saint Tropez and invited other painters to join him from 1890 to 1950.
CIMETIÈRE MARIN DE SAINT TROPEZ Perhaps a touch morbid, but the ocean view from The Mariner’s Cemetery is worth the hike. It is also the final resting place for Roger Vadim who directed Brigitte Bardot in “And God Created Woman.”
LES CANEBIERS The best beach apart from Le Club 55 for sunbathing and people-watching.
WINE TASTING Spend an idyllic afternoon at the nearby vineyards, Domaine de La Rouillère and Château Barbeyrolles, tasting the region’s renowned rosés.
The 17th-century Citadel, the Cap Camarat lighthouse, and the Moulin de Paillas, a restored windmill above Ramatuelle, are also locals-only spots worth a visit!
SHOP
K JACQUES Buy a pair of the famous St Tropez leather sandals, and immediately feel like a local. Les Tropeziennes also has personalized options.
ATELIER RONDINI A shopping destination: The Rondini family has been making leather sandals for more than 80 years and they have become summer classics. From low gladiators to ankle-tie sandals, each pair is hand-made to measure in Saint-Tropez.
PLACE DES LICES Don’t miss this massive market on Tuesdays or Saturdays mornings, you might even bump into Kate Moss perusing the vintage goods. Local fruits, vegetables, fresh bread, and flowers are on display…and don’t forget to pick up a classic straw basket bag for the beach!
CHANEL POP-UP Chanel hosts an annual summer pop-up in the lush gardens of La Mistralée Hotel, housed in the gold mosaic-tiled pool house.
DIOR POP-UP Dior hosts a summer pop-up as well in the Jardins de l’Ambassade, designed by architect Peter Marino who has taken the elegance of Dior’s Avenue Montaigne boutique and given it a fresh twist. There is also a tea salon courtesy of Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno. It is hard to leave!
ALM A series of galleries opened by Designers Marjolaine Leray and Sitor Senghor. In addition to carrying colorful ceramics, Turkish carpets, and Provençal antiques, ALM hosts artist exhibitions.
Bla Bla, Sunday, and 8 Degrees Sud are also worth perusing!
SPA
LA RÉSERVE The hotel is well-known for its spa offering energy cleanses, boot camps, and treatments using Crème de la Mer products.
Text: Veronica H. Speck Photo: Slim Aarons, © Getty Images