St. Tropez - A "Must-See" Part Of The French Riviera
Travel & Leisure → Travel Spot
- Author Sandy Knoll
- Published September 18, 2005
- Word count 705
A visit to the French Riviera would not be complete without a
stop in St. Tropez. Renowned for its miles of glistening white
beaches, exotic food and as a playground for the rich and
famous - it is THE place to see and be seen.
A true jewel of the Riviera, St. Tropez is an animated seaside
resort where the azure water and cerulean skies are backlit by
brilliant sunsets of ripe apricot, ruby red and gold.
The late afternoon breeze from the Med causes the jewel-colored
awnings of the sidewalk cafes to snap and wave merrily, and
brings a welcome relief from the heat of the day. Here, the air
is fragrant with jasmine and mimosa, andthe occasional whiff of
a gourmet meal being prepared makes your mouth water.
The nightlife in St. Tropez is fast, energetic and frenetic.
You can always find something going on -- there are numerous
clubs where you can eat, drink and dance the night away.
"St. Trop" as it is known by those in the film industry, means
"Saint Too Much." It was "discovered" in 1956 when Roger
Vadim’s "And God Created Women" was filmed here, launching a
young Brigitte Bardot into instant super stardom. St. Tropez
became a Mecca to artists, writers and, of course, movie stars
in the 60s.
St. Tropez is the favored vacation site of chic Parisians and
most of Europe. International stars still flock here in the
spring and summer, and you never know whom you’ll run into at
the open-air market in the Place des Lices, or while sipping an
aperitif at one of the many outdoor cafes. In fact, people
watching is a favorite pastime in the summer, when the
sidewalks are crowded with tourists and sun worshippers.
At the heart of St. Tropez is the harbor. Take a walk along the
pier, and you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into a picture
postcard or a painting by Signac or Matisse. Picturesquely
painted villas with red tiled roofs sit along the dock,
indulgently watching over the wooden fishing boats that bob
gently next to large, expensive yachts. 12th century churches,
the famous parasol pines and narrow cobblestone streets among
picture-perfect houses complete the feeling that it’s too
beautiful to be real.
Much has been made of the very special quality of light that is
only found in St. Tropez. Maybe it's because of its unique and
paradoxical location, or perhaps the spectacular, almost
tropical climate has something to do with it. Whatever the
reason, when you see the way the luminescent light plays across
the wooden sailboats, or highlights one of the beautiful
fountains, you’ll feel the stirrings of your inner artist, and
long to pick up a paintbrush and palette.
St. Tropez is also known for its beaches. The most famous is
the Plage de Pampelonne, with its five km of almost blinding
white sand, exotic boutiques, sidewalk cafes and restaurants,
including the renowned "Club 55." At the north end you’ll find
the Plage de Tahiti, which is a well-known haunt of famous
celebrities. Other beaches you can visit include Bouillabaisse,
Caneliers, and Salins. To the south of Plage de Pampelonne is
Cap Camarat, and just beyond that - a little less accessible
and therefore much less crowded - are Plage de l’Escalet and
Plage de la Briande. If you go a little farther south, you’ll
find a wonderful beach - Gigaro, and the town of La Croix
Valmer.
In all, you’ll find over 40 beaches in the area, so it’s easy
to enjoy soaking up the sun every day, if that’s your pleasure.
If you prefer something a little more strenuous than lying on
the beach, St. Tropez offers something for everyone in way of
activities. You can find: Hiking, Biking, Golf, Tennis,
Racquetball, Fitness Center, Miniature Golf, Amusement Parks,
Fishing, Horseback Riding, Shopping, Restaurants (from the very
expensive to the inexpensive), Cinemas, Swimming,
Snorkeling/Scuba Diving, Boating, Sailing, Water-skiing,
Surfing, Windsurfing, Parasailing, and Jet skiing.
When you’re finished soaking up the sun, you can move indoors,
and soak up a little culture instead. There are plenty of
wonderful museums, art galleries and other events scheduled
throughout the year.
Sandy Knoll, the author, operates a websited
devoted to beaches and everything related to beaches. She
operates http://www.finbeach.com which is a great beach
resource. Email her at sandy@finbeach.com
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