When you think of Saint-Tropez, you picture stunning azure waters, stunning beaches, designer boutiques and luxury hotels. Although you may not be wrong (some of the best things to do in Saint-Tropez after all are sunshine-based 😉), there are so many more things to do in Saint-Tropez than you may have originally thought.
The town looks and feels different from others in France’s Cote D’Azure, as it offers the perfect mix of luxury getaway, historic adventure and adrenaline fuelled fun!
Anyway, here are the 15 best things to do in Saint-Tropez!
1.) Browse the collection at Musee de l’Annonciade
One of the top tourist attractions of Saint-Tropez is the Musee de l’Annonciade, an art museum housed in a beautiful church.
The chapel dates back to 1510 and holds a huge array of Impressionist paintings, a striking reminder of the village’s avant-garde artist past.
2.) Maison des Papillions
One of the more unique things to do in Saint-Tropez is visiting the butterfly museum, where a visit can give you a slight change of pace from shopping, walking and sightseeing.
The museum is home to more than 35,000 items, with species from all over the world, from popular species to those that are extinct and extremely rare, such as the Black Apollo.
3.) Soak in the sights at Place des Lices
In the heart of the town, you will find the old town square of Place des Lices, often known as Place Carnot.
The Square emits a charming atmosphere, and you could spend hours people watching, or joining in a game of petanque with the locals.
4.) Enjoy the produce at a local market
On Tuesdays and Saturdays, the old town square transforms into a bustling market square, where you can enjoy colourful market stalls full of fresh produce.
This is one of the best things to do in Saint-Tropez in the morning, when the produce is at its freshest.
5.) Plage de l’Escalet
The beach of Plage de l’Escalet is perfect for swimming, snorkelling and bathing thanks to its sheltered, calm waters.
The sand is a mixture of pebbles and sand, and forms part of a chain of three beaches that fit snuggly between Cap Camarat and Cap Taillat.
6.) Plage de Bouillabaisse
One of the most popular beaches in the area is the Plage de Bouillabaisse, a large white sand beach located just outside the port.
During the summer months, this beach provides a huge range of things to do in Saint-Tropez. You can swim in the roped off area, enjoy a cocktail in the restaurant on the shore and make use of the many public facilities.
7.) Explore the Old Village – La Ponche
The Old town of Saint-Tropez is commonly known as La Ponche, and is the stunning historical centre of the fishing village, with picture perfect streets and quaint walkways.
Parts of the old town have been pedestrianised, with the cobbled lanes scattered with small shops, cafes and restaurants. You could spend hours simply exploring the labyrinthine walkways, and exploring the lively quarter at the Rue de la Citadelle.
In the heart of the Old Town is the Eglise de Notre-Dame de l’Assomption, a beautiful church with striking Baroque bell tower.
8.) Climb to the 16th-century fortress
The imposing Citadel sits high on a hill above Saint-Tropez, built back in the early 1600s.
A climb up to the fortress is one of the best things to do in Saint-Tropez on a cooler day, and will not only reward you with a visit the Musee d’Histoire Maritime, but also panoramic views of the surrounding sea and town.
9.) Enjoy a long coastal walk
Many people come to Saint-Tropez for one thing, its stunning coastline.
There is no better way to view the rock formations and glistening water than a walk along the beautiful coastal path, starting just outside the Old Town of La Ponche. This walk is known as the Sentier du Littoral, and will take you along gentle beachside trails, steps up the hills and along rugged footpaths through the undergrowth.
10.) Explore Vieux Port
The very centre of Saint-Tropez is Vieux Port, or the Old Port, where you are sure to be charmed by the small fishing boats and large yachts that bob in the harbour, framed by a backdrop of pastel coloured houses.
One of the most relaxing things to do in Saint-Tropez is to take time visiting the market square, enjoying a drink in one of the many pavement cafes and taking a stroll along the Jean Reveille, the jetty that keeps the sea at bay.
11.) Moulin de Paillas
Five distinct windmills were built between the 16th and 19th centuries on the hill near the village.
Today, all but one of the windmills have been destroyed, and it is this one that you can visit after just a short walk up a hill. Every Tuesday morning you can enjoy a guided tour of the mill, and the view from the hill is simply breath-taking.
12.) Thrill-seeking adventures
Where there is sea, there is going to be water sports, and you can find some of the best in things to do in Saint-Tropez if you want a little adrenaline rush.
No matter if you are a family, a group of friends, an invidious or a water sports enthusiast, there are activities suitable for you. Take to the water on a jet ski, water-ski, kneeboard, kayak and more.
13.) Enjoy the views with a glass of wine
What better way to enjoy a holiday in the sun than a visit to a local vineyard? On the hills overlooking Saint-Tropez is the vineyard of Vignobles, a winemaker who has been producing the drink since 1908.
Just make sure you have planned your journey home for after (suffice to say – no drink-driving)!
14.) See the sights beneath the waves
In the centre of Saint-Tropez you can find the European Diving School, an award-winning centre that will teach you how to dive and take you to some of the most fascinating dive sites and wrecks in the area.
As well as fantastic underwater landscapes, you’ll also be able to see fish such as barracudas, sunfish, groupers and morays.
15.) Venture out on a boat
With such a stunning harbour, a trip to Saint-Tropez would not be complete without taking a boat out into the crystal waters beyond the bay.
If you can’t charter your own boat, there are a few local companies that provide day trips into the open water and around the coast.
