rotator
rotator
rotator
rotator
rotator
rotator
rotator
St Tropez

Things to do in St Tropez

Mediterranean Atmosphere

SAINT-TROPEZ - A TOWN DEDICATED TO ART, CULTURE AND TRADITION

 

Saint-Tropez is firmly anchored on the Mediterranean, with the Esterel hills in the background… This famous and prestigious town offers high quality services, the charm of an authentic Provençal Village and a real “Art de Vivre”. Saint-Tropez is a myth everyone dreams about. The village remains the unavoidable destination for famous people, sea lovers, history, art and heritage addicts.

A high standard, world known events programme runs all the year round, contributing to building the legend of the town.

But apart from all those festive moments, Saint-Tropez remains a small fishing village, true to its image, with a variety of charmingly different aspects which the guides of Saint-Tropez will help you appreciate. Follow them along the colourful alleys, the Provençal market where you will find all the local products which have made the reputation of the village, the XVIth Century Citadel, and the famous Annonciade Museum. The coastal path, the visit to the wine domains or the hilltop villages of Gassin and Ramatuelle, are so many ideas for an original trip.

 

The seasonal influx of tourists means that Saint Tropez lives the life of two quite different towns. During the summer madness, the crowds of tourists compete for parking spaces, hotel rooms and restaurant tables, creating a rather exciting and lively vibe. Out of season, in the warm spring and autumn months, the tourism scene in Saint Tropez is quite different and much quieter, and in the mild winter months, the main town square (Place des Lices) even features its very own ice rink, surrounded by twinkling fairy lights.


 

MEETING WITH PICASSO

It is at the end of the XIXth century that following up the steps of the painter Paul Signac, now famous painters such as: Francis Picabia, Charles Camoin, Maximilien Luce, or Henri Matisse arrived in Saint-Tropez. Little by little, other artists and intellectuals discovered the village with them. Thanks to its unique light, Saint-Tropez became the birthplace of pictorial avant-garde: pointillists, Nabis and Fauvists.

The Annonciade Museum, inaugurated in 1957 by Georges Grammont a manufacturer and art patron, is considered as the first Modern Art Museum of France, (the Museum of Modern Art of the Town of Paris will only be inaugurated 4 years later). It testifies of the richness of pictorial culture in Saint-Tropez.

Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), is an important visitor of the village, it is in 1951 that Picasso and his companion at the time: Geneviève Laporte visited their friend, the poet Paul Eluard (1895-1952) who hasd a flat on the old harbour. Picasso and him had been friends for a long time, Picasso rented a house in la Rue des Bouchonniers to spend the summer with Geneviève. In spite of the 45 years age difference, they met there to share a intense and carefree love affair interspersed with the pleasures offered by the village; a drink at the terrace of the Bar de la Ponche, a walk along the coastal path towards the graveyard and the Canebiers beach, lunch in the sun at l'Escale, a few presents collected by Picasso in the little shops of Saint-Tropez, like those famous strapped sandals made in the Rondini or K Jacques workshops, or a few moments of rest shared with friends on the Pampelonne beach.
Picasso and Geneviève, like other tourists roamed those typical and places emblems of former and present Saint-Tropez. The house of la Rue des Bouchonniers became Picasso's studio where he will draw the famous "Odalisque". This nude representing Geneviève is different from his other sketches, the style is not the same. It resembles no other portrait painted by the Master, no torn or distorted face, Geneviève's face appears serene and balanced. The features underline a sensuous, shy and pure rhythm. With "l'Odalisque" Picasso signed his love affaire with Geneviève Laporte. Those sketches devoid of harshness are named by the curators of the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersbourg the "tender period" of Picasso.

 


Picasso called these works, "my drawings my love letters" before he gave them to his model. It is at the restaurant l'Auberge des Maures that the love affair ended because of a misunderstanding.
One morning of October 1953, Picasso left for Vallauris telling his son : "isn't it a shame, I can't get rid of women I don't love and the woman I love does not want to come with me".


THEMATIC STAYS

Romantic Stay

Explore Provences

“Voiles de Saint-Tropez”

Golf In Saint-Tropez

 

Latest offers, discounts and more...

Accor “3=2 offer”
Why not extend your stay? 3 nights for the price of 2.
Columbus Direct travel insurance
Quality cover at low prices to customers all around the world.
Priority pass
Access VIP lounges no matter where which airline and class you fly.
European City Cards
See more and pay less! Get your "passport" to European cities.
Rail Europe
Comfortable and affordable on European trains.
Lonely Planet Magazine
Packed with insider knowledge, hints and tips.
Sandemans New Europe City Tours
Free walking tours in 13 cities within 9 countries.
Sol Melia Wednesdays
Search your exclusive special offers now for the coming weekend!
Transfers
Low-cost shuttle and private transfers in over 70 countries.
IMEX Frankfurt 25-27 May
The essential worldwide exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events.
Subscribe to Travelio News Summary via RSS Follow our news titles on Twitter Become a fan of Travelio.net on Facebook Bookmark and Share