The Var is one of those destinations where a summer holiday does not have to revolve around a single resort or beach. The coastline stretches between busy seaside towns, smaller coves, long beaches, islands and villages that sit only a short drive inland.

That variety makes it particularly suited to exploring. A day can begin at the coast before continuing to a local market, a vineyard or one of the Provençal villages behind the Mediterranean. On another day, a boat can take you towards the islands or a different part of the coastline.

The atmosphere also changes considerably as you travel through the region. Hyères and its surroundings provide access to beaches, islands and watersports, while further east the Golfe de Saint-Tropez combines coastal life with villages, restaurants and countryside.

Food is naturally part of the journey. Markets, small restaurants, beach lunches and local wines make it easy to discover the Var through individual stops rather than following a fixed itinerary.

For a longer stay, that is perhaps the greatest advantage of the region. You can choose a different direction each day while remaining within the same part of southern France.

Discover More in the Magazine

Where should you swim, stay, explore and spend a day along the coast?

Our Summer in the Var feature brings together beaches, islands, coastal experiences, local places and ideas for exploring the region.

→ Read Summer in the Var in the fifth edition of Les Couleurs du Monde Magazine

Plan Your Stay

Planning a summer stay in the Var? Find hotels and stays across the region with Les Couleurs du Monde Travel.

→ Find stays with Les Couleurs du Monde Travel

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The coast around Saint-Tropez is worth experiencing after dark as well as during the day. Away from the busiest terraces, the waterfront becomes quieter and the open Gulf provides a wide view of the night sky.

The experience changes considerably with the lunar cycle. A bright moon can illuminate the Mediterranean and create a visible reflection across the water, while nights with less moonlight make stars easier to see.

You do not need a particular viewpoint. A beach, harbour wall or waterfront promenade with an unobstructed view across the Gulf can be enough. On clear evenings, staying beside the water for a little longer after dinner is an easy way to see another side of the coast.

Stay Nearby

Planning a night or weekend around the Golfe de Saint-Tropez? Find a stay close to the coast and continue exploring after sunset.

→ Find a stay near Saint-Tropez

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Èze is a good example of how quickly the Côte d’Azur changes once you leave the waterfront. From the coast, the road climbs towards a compact medieval village positioned more than 400 metres above the Mediterranean.

Inside the old centre, narrow passages, stone houses and small courtyards replace the promenades and beach towns below. Its elevated position means that views of the Mediterranean appear unexpectedly between buildings and from terraces around the village.

Èze is small enough to explore on foot, but there is more here than a quick walk through the historic streets. Gardens, local craftsmanship and walking routes connect the village with other aspects of the Côte d’Azur.

Discover More in the Magazine

What should you see in Èze and how can you combine the hilltop village with the Mediterranean coast below?

Discover the Jardin Exotique, Fragonard, the Nietzsche Trail and more of Èze in the fifth edition of Les Couleurs du Monde Magazine.

→ Continue exploring Èze in the magazine

Where to Stay

Château Eza, Èze
Set within the medieval village, Château Eza is an interesting choice for experiencing Èze after many daytime visitors have left.

#Eze #CotedAzur #FrenchRiviera #SouthOfFrance #LesCouleursDuMonde

One of the advantages of exploring the coast of the Var is that beach days can look completely different within a relatively small area. A morning on a broad family beach, an afternoon snorkelling from a rocky cove and a day trip to an island can all be part of the same stay.

Around Hyères and the Giens peninsula, this variety is particularly easy to see. Some beaches have shallow water and plenty of space, making them practical for families. Others are smaller and surrounded by pine trees and rocky Mediterranean vegetation.

The conditions also vary according to location. L’Almanarre, for example, is well known for wind and watersports, while more sheltered sections of the coast can be better suited to swimming and snorkelling.

Then there are the islands. Porquerolles and Port-Cros change the experience completely. Reaching the beach becomes part of a day trip, with walking trails, protected landscapes and clear Mediterranean water adding much more than a few hours on the sand.

This is why it is worth choosing beaches according to the day you have in mind rather than simply looking for the most famous name.

A calm morning swim, snorkelling, a coastal walk, watersports or a picnic beside the sea can each lead you to a different part of the Var coastline.

And there are plenty of places that remain much less internationally known than the beaches around Saint-Tropez. Small coves, forest-backed beaches and stretches of coast around Bormes-les-Mimosas, Le Lavandou, Hyères and the islands make exploring further worthwhile.

Find More in the Magazine

Which beaches work best for families, snorkelling, watersports, a day trip or a coastal walk?

In Summer in the Var, Les Couleurs du Monde Magazine explores a selection of beaches and coastal locations including Plage de l’Estagnol, Port-Cros, L’Almanarre, Plage Notre-Dame and Plage de l’Escalet, with ideas for experiencing each one.

Read the full feature in Les Couleurs du Monde Magazine →

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The Tarte Tropézienne has been part of Saint-Tropez since the 1950s, when pastry chef Alexandre Micka began making the brioche in his bakery in the village. Originally from Poland, Micka based the recipe on a family brioche and filled it with a cream whose exact recipe remains closely guarded.

Its connection with cinema came soon afterwards. In 1955, Roger Vadim was filming Et Dieu... créa la femme in and around Saint-Tropez, with Brigitte Bardot in the leading role. Micka supplied food for the film crew, including his cream-filled brioche.

According to the story surrounding the pastry, Bardot enjoyed it and suggested that it should have a name linked to Saint-Tropez. Micka subsequently registered the name La Tarte Tropézienne.

The pastry itself is relatively simple in appearance: a round brioche topped with sugar and filled with a generous layer of cream. It can be bought as a large tart to share or in smaller individual versions.

Today, La Tarte Tropézienne has several boutiques, but tasting one in Saint-Tropez adds something to the experience. The original story belongs to the same period in which cinema was helping turn the small Provençal port into one of the most famous destinations on the Côte d'Azur.

It also makes an easy stop while exploring the centre. Browse the paintings along the Vieux Port, walk through the surrounding streets and stop for a slice with coffee before continuing through the village.

More than seventy years after its creation, the Tarte Tropézienne remains one of the simplest tastes associated with Saint-Tropez.

What else is worth bringing home from Saint-Tropez?
Discover What to Bring Home from Saint-Tropez →

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A day around Le Brusc and Cap Sicié can easily combine a walk along the coast, a simple picnic and time by the sea. Located west of Toulon, this part of Six-Fours-les-Plages feels noticeably more natural than many of the Côte d’Azur’s busier resort towns.

Start around Le Brusc, the small harbour village facing the Île des Embiez. From here, the coastline continues towards Mont Salva, with Mediterranean vegetation, pine trees and rocky sections overlooking clear water.

The coastal paths are one of the main reasons to spend time here. Instead of planning several separate stops, choose a section of the Sentier du Littoral and allow enough time to stop along the way. Small coves and rocky areas provide places to sit beside the water, while higher sections open up views across the Mediterranean.

A picnic works particularly well in this landscape. Bread from a local bakery, cheese, fruit, olives and a few products from a Provençal market are enough for an informal lunch overlooking the sea. Bring everything back with you afterwards, particularly when stopping away from the developed beaches.

Later in the day, continue towards the Massif du Cap Sicié. The landscape becomes higher and more rugged here, with forested slopes and viewpoints stretching along the Var coastline. Notre-Dame du Mai, situated at the highest point of the massif, is one of the best-known landmarks in the area and offers extensive views when access conditions allow.

Finish back around Le Brusc for a drink or dinner near the harbour, or stay higher around Cap Sicié towards the end of the afternoon when the light changes over the coast.

A simple way to plan the day

Morning · Le Brusc and the coastal path
Late morning · walk towards Mont Salva and the coves
Lunch · picnic beside the Mediterranean
Afternoon · explore the Massif du Cap Sicié
Early evening · return to Le Brusc or enjoy the views from higher ground

Planning a picnic by the Mediterranean?
Discover Creating an Outdoor Table →

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Menton is compact enough to explore in a day, with the old town, markets, gardens and Mediterranean all within easy reach of each other. Start near the seafront, where the view towards the colourful historic centre gives one of the best introductions to the city.

From here, walk into Vieux Menton and towards the steep streets surrounding the Basilique Saint-Michel-Archange. Ochre, yellow and terracotta façades reflect Menton's proximity to Italy, while stairways and narrow passages gradually lead away from the busier waterfront.

Continue towards the centre and spend some time around the local shops and market. Lemons are closely associated with Menton and appear throughout the city in food, drinks, fragrances and decorative products. Eau de Menton, founded in Menton in 1947, is one of the local names connected to this citrus tradition.

Lunch can be kept simple. Pick up bread, fruit and local produce for a picnic by the water, or choose one of the cafés and restaurants around the old town and seafront.

The afternoon is a good time to see another side of Menton. The city is known for its gardens, including the Jardin Serre de la Madone and Jardin Val Rahmeh, where the mild climate has allowed Mediterranean and subtropical plants to flourish.

Before leaving, return to the waterfront for a walk along the beach and harbour. Menton's position between the mountains, the Mediterranean and the Italian border makes it an interesting final stop on the eastern Côte d’Azur, or a destination for a day in its own right.

A simple way to plan the day

Morning · seafront and Vieux Menton
Late morning · old town, market and local shops
Lunch · picnic by the sea or lunch in town
Afternoon · visit one of Menton's gardens
Early evening · walk along the waterfront and harbour

Inspired by Menton’s famous lemons?
Discover Lemon Water →

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Port Grimaud is best explored slowly, combining its pedestrian streets with a view of the village from the water. Located in the commune of Grimaud, between Sainte-Maxime and Saint-Tropez, it offers a very different experience from the historic hilltop village of Grimaud nearby.

Start around the centre of Port Grimaud, where narrow streets open onto small squares and canals. The houses were designed in a Provençal style, but no two façades are exactly alike. Pastel colours, tiled roofs, shutters, balconies and planted entrances give each section its own character.

Water is part of everyday life here. Many homes have their own mooring, making boats almost as common as cars elsewhere. Walking across the bridges gives changing views over the canals, but taking one of the small boats available in Port Grimaud gives a better idea of how extensively the waterways run through the village.

Stop for lunch or a coffee on one of the terraces overlooking the water. There are also small shops and places to pick up something for a picnic if you prefer to continue towards the beach.

The Église Saint-Michel is another interesting stop. Its relatively simple exterior fits naturally into the architecture of Port Grimaud, while its tower provides one of the recognisable landmarks of the village.

If you have more time, Port Grimaud is easy to combine with Grimaud village, Saint-Tropez or Sainte-Maxime. Regular boat connections across the Gulf can also make travelling by water an attractive alternative to driving during the busier months.

A simple way to plan your visit

Morning · walk through Port Grimaud and along the canals
Late morning · explore the village from the water
Lunch · terrace beside the canal or a simple picnic
Afternoon · beach, shops and Église Saint-Michel
Later · continue to Grimaud, Sainte-Maxime or Saint-Tropez

Discover the Story Behind Port Grimaud

Port Grimaud was carefully planned around canals, pedestrian streets and direct access to the water. Discover how François Spoerry developed its unusual layout.

Discover the design of Port Grimaud →

Explore Nearby

For a completely different perspective, continue a few kilometres inland to historic Grimaud.

Explore Grimaud →

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One of the simplest ways to experience the Côte d’Azur is to start the day in the same places where local life begins. Before heading to the beach or setting out for the day, spend the morning around the neighbourhood where you are staying.

Begin at a boulangerie. A fresh baguette is the obvious choice, but look at what the bakery makes locally as well. Depending on the town, you may find fougasse, breads with olives, pastries and small savoury specialities alongside the familiar croissants and pains au chocolat.

If it is market day, continue to the marché provençal. Markets remain part of daily life in towns across the Côte d’Azur, with fruit and vegetables, cheese, olives, flowers, herbs and regional products sold alongside prepared food. They are also an easy place to put together lunch for later in the day.

Then stop for coffee. Rather than searching for a particular destination café, choose a terrace on a square or along a quieter street and take some time before continuing.

Small errands can become part of the morning too. Buy flowers for your room or holiday rental, pick up bread for lunch or fill a bicycle basket with fruit and a few things for a picnic. It is this combination of ordinary routines and Mediterranean surroundings that gives mornings here their particular character.

Afterwards, the rest of the day can begin: take what you bought to the beach, head into the hills or simply return home with lunch already sorted.

A simple Côte d’Azur morning

Early morning · walk or cycle to the boulangerie
Morning · visit the local market
Coffee · stop at a neighbourhood café
Before lunch · buy flowers and a few local products
Lunch · take everything to the beach or back to your stay

Inspired by shopping at local markets?
Discover Quality Over Quantity →

#CotedAzur #FrenchRiviera #SouthOfFrance #Provence #LocalLife

Pampelonne is much more than a place to book a sunbed and spend the afternoon at a beach club. The beach lies in the commune of Ramatuelle, just outside Saint-Tropez, and stretches for several kilometres along an open section of Mediterranean coastline.

Its size means that different parts of Pampelonne can feel surprisingly different. Some sections are lined with well-known restaurants and private beach establishments, while others have a more natural setting with sand, Mediterranean vegetation and open views across the sea.

The water also makes Pampelonne a good place for a more active beach day. Depending on conditions and the season, you can find activities such as paddleboarding, kayaking and other water sports along the coast. It is an easy way to experience Pampelonne away from the restaurant terraces and sun loungers.

Towards the end of the afternoon, the atmosphere changes again. Many daytime visitors begin to leave, the temperature becomes more comfortable and the beach is particularly pleasant for a walk along the water.

Staying until sunset is worth considering, especially if you are already spending the day in Ramatuelle or Saint-Tropez. Pick up something simple for an early evening picnic, walk along one of the quieter sections of the beach or stay for dinner nearby.

Pampelonne may be one of the Côte d’Azur's most famous beaches, but some of its best moments can be found away from the part for which it is best known.

Planning to spend the afternoon outside?
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Place des Lices is a good starting point for exploring Saint-Tropez away from the waterfront. The square sits only a short walk from the Vieux Port, but the atmosphere changes as you move through the smaller streets towards this central part of town.

On Tuesday and Saturday mornings, Place des Lices hosts the well-known Provençal market. Stalls fill the square with fruit and vegetables, flowers, local produce, baskets, clothing and accessories. Arriving earlier in the morning makes it easier to browse before the centre becomes busier.

The surrounding streets are worth exploring as well. Traditional façades and shaded passages now sit alongside boutiques from major fashion houses and smaller independent shops, creating the mix of Provençal village life and international fashion that has become characteristic of modern Saint-Tropez.

One of the most recognisable addresses here is Dior Des Lices, located in a historic villa surrounded by a garden. Rather than functioning simply as a boutique, the setting combines Dior's fashion world with a restaurant and terrace, making the house part of the experience of Place des Lices itself.

Take time for lunch or coffee before continuing through the centre. Saint-Tropez is small enough that there is little need for a strict route. From Place des Lices, you can easily walk back towards the harbour, continue into the old town or head towards La Ponche.

The contrast is what makes this part of Saint-Tropez interesting: a morning market and pétanque on the square, luxury fashion a few doors away and the streets of the old Mediterranean village surrounding them.

A simple way to explore the area

Morning · visit the Place des Lices market on Tuesday or Saturday
Late morning · explore the surrounding streets and boutiques
Lunch · choose a terrace around the square
Afternoon · continue through the centre
Later · walk towards the Vieux Port or La Ponche

#SaintTropez #PlaceDesLices #DiorDesLices #CotedAzur #FrenchRiviera

Sitting at Sénéquier is as much about watching Saint-Tropez go by as it is about stopping for a coffee, breakfast or aperitif. The café occupies a prominent position directly on the Vieux Port, with its red tables and chairs facing the boats and activity along the waterfront.

The history of Sénéquier dates back to 1887, when Marie and Martin Sénéquier opened their pâtisserie in Saint-Tropez. Over time, the address developed into one of the best-known meeting places in town, while retaining the striking red identity that makes it immediately recognisable today.

Morning is a good time to experience a quieter side of the harbour. Stop for coffee or breakfast before walking through the old streets nearby. Later in the day, the terrace becomes busier and is particularly suited to an aperitif while watching boats arrive and people move between the harbour and town.

Its location also makes Sénéquier easy to include without organising an entire day around it. Place des Lices, the old town and La Ponche are all within walking distance, so the café works naturally as a stop between different parts of Saint-Tropez.

For first-time visitors, there are certainly quieter terraces elsewhere in town. But few cafés are so closely connected with the visual identity of Saint-Tropez. The red terrace overlooking the Vieux Port has become one of those places that is instantly associated with the village.

A simple way to include Sénéquier in your day

Morning · coffee or breakfast overlooking the harbour
Late morning · explore the Vieux Port and old streets
Lunch · continue into the centre or towards La Ponche
Afternoon · Place des Lices and the boutiques
Early evening · return to the harbour for an aperitif

Inspired to bring a little Saint-Tropez to the table?
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Walking through the higher parts of Saint-Tropez is an easy way to combine beautiful views with a quieter side of the village. Within a short distance of the centre, the streets become greener and occasional openings between the trees reveal the rooftops and sea below.

There is no need to follow one particular route. Start in the old town and gradually walk uphill, choosing the smaller streets and paths that move away from the waterfront. Stone walls, villas, gardens and mature Mediterranean vegetation make the surroundings interesting even when the sea is temporarily out of sight.

As the landscape opens up, there are views across the Golfe de Saint-Tropez towards the hills on the opposite shore. Closer by, the bell tower of Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption rises above the terracotta rooftops and makes an easy reference point while walking.

Late afternoon is a particularly good time to explore. The temperature becomes more comfortable and the lower sun changes the view across the Gulf. Around sunset, the hills on the opposite side become silhouettes while the village gradually lights up below.

For a longer walk, continue beyond the residential streets and follow one of the coastal routes around Saint-Tropez. Shorter walks can simply loop back through the old town towards La Ponche or the Vieux Port.

It is a simple way to see Saint-Tropez from another perspective, with walking, Mediterranean nature and views over the Gulf becoming the experience rather than a particular destination.

Interested in the cultural figures who shaped the image of Saint-Tropez?
Discover Brigitte Bardot: A Cultural Icon →

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A boat trip is one of the best ways to see how Saint-Tropez fits into the landscape of the surrounding peninsula. Once you leave the Vieux Port behind, the familiar streets and terraces are replaced by pine-covered hills, waterfront properties and long stretches of Mediterranean coastline.

Follow the coast towards the Cap de Saint-Tropez, where villas are set among umbrella pines, palms and dense gardens. From the water, many of these houses are only partly visible, giving a better sense of how green and relatively undeveloped parts of the peninsula remain.

Continue towards Les Salins, a quieter part of the Saint-Tropez coastline with a sandy beach and a more natural setting. Depending on your route, a boat day can also include Pampelonne, the famous beach in neighbouring Ramatuelle, seen from an entirely different perspective offshore.

One of the advantages of exploring by boat is the freedom to stop away from the main beaches. Find a suitable anchorage, swim directly from the boat and bring a simple lunch or picnic to eat on board before continuing along the coast.

You do not need your own boat to experience this side of Saint-Tropez. Boat rentals, private charters and organised excursions are available around the Golfe de Saint-Tropez, making anything from a short coastal trip to a full day on the water possible.

Return towards Saint-Tropez later in the afternoon. Approaching the village from the sea, with the harbour and old town gradually coming back into view, is a fitting way to finish the trip.

A simple way to spend the day

Morning · leave from Saint-Tropez or elsewhere in the Gulf
Late morning · explore the coast around Cap de Saint-Tropez
Lunch · picnic or lunch on board
Afternoon · swim and continue towards Les Salins or Pampelonne
Later · return to Saint-Tropez by sea

Inspired by days on the water?
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#SaintTropez #CotedAzur #GolfeDeSaintTropez #BoatDay #FrenchRiviera

The harbour is a good place to understand how Saint-Tropez developed from a Mediterranean fishing and maritime village into one of the best-known destinations on the Côte d’Azur. Despite its international reputation, the port remains directly connected to the centre of town and is still very much part of everyday Saint-Tropez.

Walk along the Vieux Port and the variety of boats is immediately noticeable. Large yachts can be moored only a short distance from classic sailing boats and smaller vessels travelling around the Golfe de Saint-Tropez.

The port is particularly impressive during the major sailing events held in the town. Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, organised each year around the end of September and beginning of October, brings together classic yachts and modern racing boats and temporarily changes the atmosphere of the entire harbour.

But you do not need to visit during an event to enjoy this part of town. Along the quays, cafés and restaurant terraces face the boats, while artists continue the long tradition of painting and drawing Saint-Tropez and its waterfront. Small works and harbour scenes also make an interesting alternative to the usual souvenir.

Walk to the end of the harbour for a wider view back towards the waterfront and the characteristic bell tower of Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption. From here, it is easy to continue into La Ponche or through the streets behind the port.

Later in the day, return when the boats, façades and water take on the warmer light of early evening. The Vieux Port may be one of the busiest places in Saint-Tropez, but it remains an essential part of understanding the village.

Want to explore beyond the harbour?
Discover A Walk from La Ponche to the Vieux Port →

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The Citadelle is worth visiting for more than the panoramic view over Saint-Tropez. Located on the hill above the old town, the fortified complex provides an interesting contrast with the harbour, beaches and cafés for which the destination is better known today.

The present Citadelle was developed in the early 17th century to defend this strategically important section of the Mediterranean coast. Its large hexagonal keep and defensive walls still dominate the higher part of Saint-Tropez.

Today, the keep houses the Musée d’Histoire Maritime de Saint-Tropez. The museum explores the town's long relationship with the sea and the generations of sailors from Saint-Tropez who travelled far beyond the Mediterranean. It adds useful context to a village that is now more commonly associated with yachts and international tourism.

Outside, spend some time walking around the grounds. From the Citadelle, there are views across the Golfe de Saint-Tropez, the rooftops of the old town and the surrounding coastline. The pine trees and Mediterranean vegetation also make this one of the greener parts of the centre.

The location makes it easy to combine the Citadelle with La Ponche. Walk up from the former fishing quarter, visit the museum and grounds, then return towards the sea through the narrow streets of the old town.

Late afternoon is particularly pleasant for the walk. Afterwards, continue down to La Ponche or the Vieux Port for the beginning of the evening.

Want to discover more of Saint-Tropez’s maritime heritage?
Discover The Maritime Side of Saint-Tropez →

#SaintTropez #CitadelleDeSaintTropez #LaPonche #CotedAzur #FrenchRiviera

Spend some time around the Vieux Port and you will see Saint-Tropez interpreted on canvas as well as in front of you. Local artists display colourful views of the harbour, the old town, sailing boats and the distinctive bell tower of Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption.

The connection between Saint-Tropez and art became particularly important around the beginning of the 20th century. Paul Signac arrived in Saint-Tropez in 1892 and was fascinated by the Mediterranean light and landscape. His presence attracted other artists to the area, including Henri Matisse and Henri-Edmond Cross.

That history can be explored at the Musée de l’Annonciade, located close to the Vieux Port. The museum occupies a former chapel and has a collection focusing on artists who worked in Saint-Tropez and the surrounding area during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Outside the museum, art remains visible around town. Painters continue to depict familiar Saint-Tropez scenes, while galleries are scattered through the streets behind the harbour. Looking at their work after walking through the village makes it easy to recognise the façades, boats, rooftops and coastal colours that continue to inspire artists.

For visitors, a small painting or print can also make a more personal souvenir than a conventional gift shop purchase, particularly when the work depicts a place visited during the stay.

Combine the harbour with the Musée de l’Annonciade and a walk through the old town for a few hours focused on a cultural side of Saint-Tropez that can easily be overlooked between its beaches, restaurants and boutiques.

Spending more time around the Vieux Port?
Discover Sénéquier →

#SaintTropez #MuseeDeLAnnonciade #CotedAzur #ArtInSaintTropez #FrenchRiviera

Sailing offers a very different way to experience the Golfe de Saint-Tropez from simply watching the yachts from the harbour. The relatively sheltered waters of the Gulf are used by everything from small sailing boats and local sailing schools to classic yachts and larger vessels.

Several towns around the Gulf have nautical centres where visitors can take lessons or rent equipment. This makes sailing accessible even if you are staying in the area without your own boat or previous plans for a day at sea.

From the water, the geography of the Gulf becomes much clearer. Saint-Tropez occupies one side, while Sainte-Maxime faces it from across the bay. Between them are smaller coastal communities, beaches, wooded hills and villas extending towards the Mediterranean.

Beginners can start with a lesson close to shore, while more experienced sailors can spend longer exploring the Gulf. Conditions vary with the weather and wind, so checking locally before setting out is important.

A morning on the water also combines easily with the rest of a Côte d’Azur day. Sail before lunch, spend the afternoon at the beach or return to Saint-Tropez for a walk through the old town.

The Gulf is famous for the superyachts that arrive every summer, but seeing a small sail moving across the same water is a reminder that sailing remains an important part of life along this coastline.

Want to discover more of Saint-Tropez from the water?
Discover The Maritime Side of Saint-Tropez →

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One of the main advantages of staying in central Saint-Tropez is being able to organise much of your day on foot. The historic centre is relatively compact, so breakfast, shopping, lunch, an afternoon walk and dinner can all take place without repeatedly returning to the car.

The old town is particularly convenient for travellers who want to be close to La Ponche and the Vieux Port. Narrow streets, small squares and restaurants are just outside the door, while the waterfront is only a short walk away.

Around Place des Lices, the atmosphere is slightly different. This area puts you close to the Provençal market, cafés, boutiques and some of the best-known hotels and fashion addresses in Saint-Tropez. On Tuesday and Saturday mornings, staying nearby also makes an early visit to the market particularly easy.

The biggest difference becomes noticeable early and late in the day. In the morning, you can walk to the bakery or have coffee before the centre fills with visitors. In the evening, dinner can be followed by a walk through La Ponche, a drink around the port or dessert on a hotel terrace without thinking about the journey back.

There is a trade-off. Pampelonne, Les Salins and other beaches around the peninsula are outside the centre, so beach days still require transport. Travellers who prefer privacy, larger gardens and immediate access to the coast may be better suited to a stay outside the village.

For visitors who want restaurants, markets, shopping and the atmosphere of Saint-Tropez to be an important part of the trip, however, staying in the centre gives the village a much greater role than simply visiting it for the day.

Staying in the heart of Saint-Tropez?
Discover Saint-Tropez After Dark →

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Shopping in Saint-Tropez is best combined with simply walking through the centre. Boutiques are scattered between cafés, restaurants and traditional Provençal buildings, making fashion part of exploring the village rather than a separate shopping destination.

Summer wardrobes naturally have a strong presence here. Linen dresses, lightweight separates, sandals, hats, swimwear and pieces that work from a beach lunch to an evening in town fill the collections during the warmer months.

French fashion is particularly well represented. Vanessa Bruno has a boutique in Saint-Tropez, bringing the designer's relaxed Parisian style into a destination where lightweight dresses, natural materials and easy summer pieces fit naturally into the local wardrobe.

Continue through the streets around Place des Lices, where established French and international fashion houses sit alongside smaller boutiques. Saint-Tropez has also become known for seasonal stores and summer collections created specifically for resort destinations.

What makes shopping here particularly enjoyable is the setting. A fashion boutique can be found along a narrow historic street, beside a small restaurant or only a few minutes from the harbour. There is little need to follow a fixed shopping route.

Combine the boutiques with the Place des Lices market on Tuesday or Saturday morning, stop for lunch in the old town and continue towards the Vieux Port afterwards. Shopping becomes one part of a day spent exploring Saint-Tropez.

Take a Little Saint-Tropez Home

Fashion is not the only way Saint-Tropez finds its way into what we wear and choose. Fragrance can capture something of a destination too, with Ice Tropez Le Parfum taking its inspiration from the colours, ingredients and summer atmosphere associated with Saint-Tropez.

Discover Ice Tropez Perfume – in our first edition →

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Casa Amor is one of the places where the beach culture of Saint-Tropez meets fashion, design and food. Located on Pampelonne Beach in Ramatuelle, the beach club is known for its relaxed bohemian setting, natural materials and lively Mediterranean lunches.

For summer 2026, Dolce&Gabbana has returned to Casa Amor with another seasonal takeover. The collaboration introduces the fashion house's Carretto Siciliano motif, inspired by the richly decorated traditional carts of Sicily, throughout the setting.

Colourful patterns appear alongside Casa Amor's wooden furniture, woven details and warm natural tones. The contrast gives the restaurant a distinctly Italian character while retaining the informal beach atmosphere for which Casa Amor is known.

The collaboration extends beyond decoration. The restaurant is also part of the experience, making Casa Amor a place to plan for lunch rather than simply a stop for a drink. Music and a lively atmosphere become increasingly important as the day progresses.

Casa Amor is situated on Pampelonne Beach, technically in the commune of Ramatuelle, a short drive from Saint-Tropez. It can easily be combined with a morning on Pampelonne followed by a long lunch and afternoon at the beach.

The Dolce&Gabbana collaboration is seasonal, so the design may change from one summer to another. That is also part of what makes the beach clubs around Saint-Tropez interesting: fashion houses increasingly use them as temporary Mediterranean settings for their summer worlds.

Dressing for a long day at Pampelonne?
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Plage des Graniers is one of the easiest places to combine a morning in Saint-Tropez with a few hours beside the sea. Unlike Pampelonne, there is no need to leave the village and drive towards Ramatuelle. The beach lies just beyond the historic centre, below the Citadelle and past the seaside cemetery.

The setting is relatively small and natural. Trees and Mediterranean vegetation cover the slopes behind the beach, while the coastline becomes rocky on either side of the cove. Its scale gives Graniers a very different character from the long stretches of sand and beach clubs usually associated with a summer in Saint-Tropez.

Walking there can be part of the experience. Start in the old town, continue towards La Ponche and the Citadelle, then follow the coast towards Plage des Graniers. It is a simple way to move from the streets of Saint-Tropez into a much greener coastal landscape without travelling far.

For lunch, Restaurant Les Graniers sits directly beside the beach. The restaurant is known for Mediterranean cooking, including fish and dishes prepared over a wood fire, served in an informal waterfront setting.

The beach itself remains the main reason to come. Swim, spend a few hours by the water or continue exploring the rocky coastline before returning towards town.

Graniers is particularly interesting because it shows how close nature remains to the centre of Saint-Tropez. Within the same day, you can visit the market at Place des Lices, walk through the old town, have lunch beside the water and swim in a small Mediterranean cove.

Want to take the feeling of the Riviera home with you?
Discover When Scent Becomes a Memory →

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Hôtel Le Yaca shows how a historic building can retain its Provençal character while introducing a much richer approach to colour, pattern and decoration. Set at the foot of the Citadelle, close to La Ponche, the hotel occupies an 18th-century residence surrounded by a secluded Mediterranean garden.

The architecture provides the starting point. Pale façades, traditional shutters, old stone and intimate courtyards connect the hotel naturally with the streets of old Saint-Tropez. Ivy and other climbing plants soften the exterior further, making the garden and buildings feel closely connected.

Inside, the approach becomes more decorative. Le Yaca was completely renovated by Monica Damonte in 2017, combining antique pieces with contemporary furniture and carefully selected textiles. Rubelli fabrics, Frette linen, Hermès cushions and Baxter lighting are among the details used throughout the hotel.

The garden continues the same idea. Fig trees, cacti, palms, pepper trees and a large weeping willow grow around the pool, creating shaded areas between the different buildings. Instead of landscaping the garden as a separate feature, the vegetation has become part of the architecture itself.

Pattern also plays an important role. Floral fabrics and decorative awnings introduce colour against the greenery and neutral façades, while marble, brass and darker woods give the interiors more depth.

It is this mix that makes Le Yaca interesting from a design perspective. The hotel is neither purely Provençal nor conventionally contemporary. Historic Saint-Tropez provides the setting, while Italian influences, collected objects, textiles and Mediterranean planting give it its own recognisable style.

Elements of the Le Yaca style

Architecture · an 18th-century Provençal residence
Garden · established Mediterranean planting and shaded courtyards
Textiles · florals, patterns and Italian fabrics
Interiors · antiques combined with contemporary design
Palette · natural stone, green, warm neutrals and decorative colour

Interested in the historic side of Saint-Tropez?
Discover The Churches and Chapels of Saint-Tropez →

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James Perse brings a different kind of luxury to Saint-Tropez, centred on simplicity, natural materials and an informal coastal lifestyle. The brand is known for understated clothing, but its world extends into interiors, furniture, travel and outdoor living.

The Saint-Tropez setting reflects that wider lifestyle. A restrained palette of white, stone, wood and black creates the backdrop, while surfboards introduce an unmistakable reference to California. Mediterranean planting softens the minimal architecture and connects the space with its surroundings.

The result feels surprisingly natural on the Côte d’Azur. California and Saint-Tropez may be separated by an ocean, but both have a strong relationship with outdoor living, the coast and a wardrobe built around pieces that move easily between town and beach.

Food can become part of that same atmosphere. A simple plate of ripe tomatoes and burrata, served without unnecessary complication, fits naturally into a setting where the emphasis is on good ingredients and relaxed summer lunches.

The surfboards are particularly characteristic of the James Perse aesthetic. Rather than functioning purely as sporting equipment, they are used almost like design objects, reinforcing the connection between fashion, interiors and life near the water.

For visitors interested in fashion and design, addresses like James Perse show another side of shopping in Saint-Tropez. The experience is not simply about finding clothing. It is about seeing how a brand translates its complete visual identity into a Mediterranean summer setting.

The James Perse aesthetic

Fashion · understated and relaxed
Materials · wood, stone and natural textures
Palette · white, black and warm neutrals
Lifestyle · surf, outdoor living and informal dining
Saint-Tropez connection · California style adapted to the Mediterranean.

Inspired by the colours of the Mediterranean?
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A day on Pampelonne can now include fashion and design as naturally as lunch, swimming and an afternoon on the beach. Around the coastline of Ramatuelle, international brands create seasonal spaces and collaborations that are designed specifically for the Saint-Tropez summer.

Jacquemus is a natural fit for this environment. The French fashion house has repeatedly used Mediterranean destinations and beach settings as an extension of its colourful, sun-filled identity. Branded parasols and carefully designed details make the fashion presence visible without turning the beach into a conventional boutique.

James Perse approaches coastal living from a different direction. Its Californian identity is expressed through surfboards, natural materials, understated furniture and a neutral palette. On Pampelonne, the connection between California and the Côte d’Azur feels surprisingly natural, with both centred around outdoor living and life close to the sea.

Elsewhere along Pampelonne, collaborations such as Dolce&Gabbana at Casa Amor bring yet another aesthetic to the beach, combining fashion with restaurant design, tableware, textiles and decoration.

These summer concepts are interesting because the fashion is no longer confined to clothing. Parasols, furniture, surfboards, restaurants and even the way a table is set become part of the brand's visual world.

For visitors, it means Pampelonne can be explored as more than a collection of beach clubs. Different parts of the beach develop their own character each summer, influenced by food, music, design and fashion.

The collaborations can change from one season to another, which makes them worth checking before a trip. The beach remains the constant, but the fashion landscape around it continues to evolve.

What to look for on Pampelonne

Beach clubs · seasonal collaborations and changing summer concepts
Fashion · French and international brands
Design · parasols, furniture, textiles and table settings
Food · restaurants integrated into the fashion experience
Setting · the natural coastline of Ramatuelle behind it all.

Want to see one of these collaborations up close?
Discover Casa Amor x Dolce&Gabbana →

#Pampelonne #SaintTropez #Jacquemus #JamesPerse #CotedAzur

A long lunch at Loulou Ramatuelle can easily become part of the rhythm of a day on Pampelonne. Located directly by the famous beach, the restaurant offers a setting where lunch, the sea and an afternoon on the sand can all be combined without leaving the coast.

The approach already sets the atmosphere. Paths lead through the Mediterranean vegetation towards tables arranged close to the beach. White tablecloths, parasols and simple natural materials keep the setting refined without losing the informal character of a summer lunch by the sea.

The menu follows the same Mediterranean direction, with dishes designed for sharing alongside fish, vegetables, salads and Italian influences. It is the kind of place where lunch can extend well into the afternoon rather than being treated as a quick break between hours on the beach.

Loulou also has a recognisable visual identity. Its illustrated menus, table details and understated palette add personality without competing with the surroundings. The design feels considered, but the beach remains very much part of the experience.

Its location on Pampelonne Beach in Ramatuelle makes it easy to build a day around the restaurant. Spend the morning swimming, walk through the dunes for lunch and return to the beach afterwards.

For visitors exploring the Saint-Tropez area, Loulou is a good example of what makes Pampelonne's restaurant scene distinctive. Food, design and beach life are not separate experiences here. They become different parts of the same summer day.

Inspired by the colours of the Mediterranean?
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Plage de la Bouillabaisse is one of the places in Saint-Tropez worth saving for later in the day. Located just outside the centre, the beach offers a wide view across the Golfe de Saint-Tropez, with sailing boats and yachts frequently anchored offshore.

While Pampelonne is usually associated with a full day at the beach, Bouillabaisse works particularly well for a shorter visit. Come in the late afternoon for a swim, when the busiest part of the beach day is beginning to pass and the light across the Gulf starts to soften.

The view is one of the main reasons to stay. From the beach, the hills around Sainte-Maxime and the northern side of the Gulf form the horizon. Boats anchored in the bay become silhouettes as the sun moves lower, creating one of the characteristic sunset views around Saint-Tropez.

Bouillabaisse is also conveniently close to town. It can be reached before or after an afternoon in the centre, without planning a separate trip towards the beaches of Ramatuelle.

Stay for an evening swim or simply walk along the shore as the sun goes down. Several restaurants and beach addresses are located around this part of the coast, so the evening can easily continue with an aperitif or dinner nearby.

For visitors spending several days in Saint-Tropez, Bouillabaisse offers a useful contrast to Pampelonne and the smaller beaches around La Ponche and Les Graniers. It is less about spending an entire day on the sand and more about enjoying the Gulf at one of its best times of day.

Want to stay by the sea a little longer?
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Gigi Ramatuelle brings together Italian food, Mediterranean gardens and a relaxed summer atmosphere in one of the greenest settings near Pampelonne. Set beneath the pine trees, the property is conceived as an Italian summer house, with different spaces for lunch, drinks and spending the afternoon outdoors.

Lunch is at the centre of the experience. The menu is distinctly Italian, with antipasti, pizza, pasta, fish and dishes designed for sharing. Artichokes, tomatoes, burrata and other Mediterranean ingredients fit naturally into long lunches served at large tables beneath the trees.

The setting is just as important as the food. Natural materials, greenery and shaded terraces create the feeling of a private summer property instead of a conventional restaurant. The different areas are spread through the grounds, encouraging guests to move from lunch to another part of Gigi as the day continues.

Afterwards, head towards Gigi's Pool and Bellini Bar. Sun loungers and cabanas surround the pool, while the bar brings an Italian touch to the afternoon with its signature Bellini and other drinks.

Elsewhere, there is space for pétanque and table tennis, a boutique and wellness treatments. Families can also make use of Gigi Circus, a dedicated children's area with supervised activities.

This combination makes Gigi particularly interesting as part of a stay around Saint-Tropez. It can be a lunch stop during a day near Pampelonne, but it also works as a destination in itself, with enough to fill an afternoon beneath the pines.

A simple way to spend the day

Late morning · arrive in Ramatuelle
Lunch · Italian lunch beneath the pine trees
Afternoon · pool, Bellini Bar or pétanque
Families · time at Gigi Circus
Later · visit the boutique or stay for an aperitif

Looking for an easy bag for summer days on the Riviera?
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Dinner at Pan Deï Palais combines the intimacy of a small hotel with one of the more distinctive settings in central Saint-Tropez. Located only a short walk from Place des Lices, the hotel is built around a peaceful garden where tables are arranged beside the pool and beneath Mediterranean planting.

The story of Pan Deï Palais gives the property much of its character. The residence was built in the 19th century by General Jean-François Allard for his wife, the Indian princess Bannu Pan Deï. Indian influences remain part of the hotel's identity today, visible in its artwork, decorative details and interiors.

Dinner continues this meeting of different influences. The cuisine combines Mediterranean ingredients with flavours and ideas from farther afield, resulting in dishes that feel more refined than a typical beach lunch while still fitting naturally into a summer evening in Saint-Tropez.

The setting changes as daylight disappears. Tables around the courtyard become more intimate and, on selected evenings, live music adds to the atmosphere without turning the garden into a conventional nightlife venue.

Pan Deï Palais is particularly easy to include in an evening in the village. Start with an aperitif around Place des Lices, walk to the hotel for dinner and continue afterwards through the old streets towards the Vieux Port or La Ponche.

For visitors looking for an alternative to the waterfront restaurants and lively beach clubs, Pan Deï Palais offers another side of dining in Saint-Tropez: smaller in scale, surrounded by a garden and closely connected to the history of the house itself.

Exploring Saint-Tropez before dinner?
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Salama adds a different style of dining to Saint-Tropez, with a menu influenced by Moroccan and North African cuisine. It is particularly suited to dinner with several people, as many of the dishes can be placed in the centre of the table and shared.

Mezze are a good place to start, with several smaller dishes allowing everyone to try different flavours before the main course. Grilled vegetables, dips and other starters can easily be combined rather than ordering individually.

The grill is another important part of the menu. Meat is served with simple accompaniments such as roasted potatoes and vegetables, while grilled prawns and other seafood provide alternatives for those who prefer fish.

Traditional North African influences appear elsewhere through couscous, spices, herbs and slow-cooked dishes. Ordering a combination of grilled food and smaller plates gives a better impression of the menu than choosing a single dish.

The presentation is relatively simple, with large serving dishes placed directly on the table. This makes Salama particularly well suited to a group dinner where several dishes are ordered together.

For visitors spending several days in Saint-Tropez, it also provides a useful change from the seafood, Italian cooking and Provençal menus that dominate many addresses around the coast.

Spending more time around Saint-Tropez?
Discover Summer Dressing Around Saint-Tropez →

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