St. Tropez: What NOT to do
Oct 21st, 2008, 09:44 AM
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St. Tropez: What NOT to do
I’ve probably visited St. Tropez fifteen of the last thirty years and still enjoy it. But make no mistake about it, it has outlived its reputation in many respects.
Bridget Bardot made it famous 50 years ago and it became famous for the rich and beautiful. It is quite secluded because it is at the end of a long peninsula with no train access and poor auto access.
Nowadays it is so crowded that the super rich are nowhere to be seen, it is overpriced and overcrowded, especially in August. So here I am.
The trick is to not spend too much time in the center of town. The port is worth a peak and a couple hours. Senequier is world famous and worth a coffee and gelato.
The famous beaches are actually around the bend in a city called Ramatuelle. It is well worth an afternoon, the women are still world class, and it still has a hedonistic feel to it. Like other parts of Europe, especially France, what they call beaches are really portions of beaches that are private with accommodations rented by the day. Most have lounges, umbrellas, dining, bar, water sports and massages available. Many also have a hedonistic feel to them in proportion to the young single patrons. Moorea Plage is one of my favorites.
Tip - Be sure to bring your own beach towel. What do you want for 50 Euros?
The other night I mentioned dinner at Port Grimaud. Tonight we went up to the Gassin which overlooks St. Tropez and is considered by many to be the most beautiful village in France. You may notice that often I do not mention restaurant names. That would typically be in areas such as where we have visited where there are countless ones that are close by and may strike your fancy.
For more adventures and travel tips, visit my Travel Blog at www.JetSetWay.com. thanks.
Bridget Bardot made it famous 50 years ago and it became famous for the rich and beautiful. It is quite secluded because it is at the end of a long peninsula with no train access and poor auto access.
Nowadays it is so crowded that the super rich are nowhere to be seen, it is overpriced and overcrowded, especially in August. So here I am.
The trick is to not spend too much time in the center of town. The port is worth a peak and a couple hours. Senequier is world famous and worth a coffee and gelato.
The famous beaches are actually around the bend in a city called Ramatuelle. It is well worth an afternoon, the women are still world class, and it still has a hedonistic feel to it. Like other parts of Europe, especially France, what they call beaches are really portions of beaches that are private with accommodations rented by the day. Most have lounges, umbrellas, dining, bar, water sports and massages available. Many also have a hedonistic feel to them in proportion to the young single patrons. Moorea Plage is one of my favorites.
Tip - Be sure to bring your own beach towel. What do you want for 50 Euros?
The other night I mentioned dinner at Port Grimaud. Tonight we went up to the Gassin which overlooks St. Tropez and is considered by many to be the most beautiful village in France. You may notice that often I do not mention restaurant names. That would typically be in areas such as where we have visited where there are countless ones that are close by and may strike your fancy.
For more adventures and travel tips, visit my Travel Blog at www.JetSetWay.com. thanks.
Oct 21st, 2008, 11:59 AM
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>>The famous beaches are actually around the bend in a city called Ramatuelle.<<<
Jurisdictionally, they are in Ramatuelle - but they are not "in" the small village - whey are quite a ways away.
>>Like other parts of Europe, especially France, what they call beaches are really portions of beaches that are private with accommodations rented by the day.<<
Just to clarify things for those who don't want to pay money to spend the day at the beach, there are plenty of public (free) areas/sections there too - right next to the private (pay) ones. They are along a beautiful cresent shaped stretch of sand called Pampelonne. Typically, there are 3 private sections, then a large public section, then more private sections, another public section, etc, etc, etc. All these private & public sections of the beach run together, and you can walk the entire length Pampelonne. If you throw your towell on the public section, you can have a drink or lunch at the private beach's bar/restaurant - which isn't really private.
Stu Dudley
Jurisdictionally, they are in Ramatuelle - but they are not "in" the small village - whey are quite a ways away.
>>Like other parts of Europe, especially France, what they call beaches are really portions of beaches that are private with accommodations rented by the day.<<
Just to clarify things for those who don't want to pay money to spend the day at the beach, there are plenty of public (free) areas/sections there too - right next to the private (pay) ones. They are along a beautiful cresent shaped stretch of sand called Pampelonne. Typically, there are 3 private sections, then a large public section, then more private sections, another public section, etc, etc, etc. All these private & public sections of the beach run together, and you can walk the entire length Pampelonne. If you throw your towell on the public section, you can have a drink or lunch at the private beach's bar/restaurant - which isn't really private.
Stu Dudley
Oct 21st, 2008, 12:13 PM
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Also - we almost never spend time in St Tropez between about 10:30am(earlier on market day - Tues & Sat) and about 5PM.
You can usually walk to the fortress, behind it on the bay side, and then along the bay without encountering too many other people. We've only been there in June & Sept - so I don't know what July & August are like - obviously, more crowded.
Stu Dudley
You can usually walk to the fortress, behind it on the bay side, and then along the bay without encountering too many other people. We've only been there in June & Sept - so I don't know what July & August are like - obviously, more crowded.
Stu Dudley
Oct 23rd, 2008, 04:17 AM
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LOVE this area. We were there in October. We got there the weekend a historic sailing yacht event from Portofino to St. Tropez occurs. That year, 2006, it was from Portofino to St. Tropez. No rich people? HUH? ...those were not dingies or sail fish!
I agree with Stu, Pamplonne is lovely and in 2006 it was warm enough to wear a swimsuit and swim.
We rented an apartment - an experience I love. We'd shop everyday at the markets; fresh fish under the arch and oysters at a table outside..oh-la-la!
We talk about going back for the vendage.
Funny (I think) aside. At my age I wouldn't consider going topless or au naturel. That trip was, after all, our honeymoon and my husband wanted to go see beautiful nearly naked ladies...
So he takes a walk and returns to me sitting in the shade at a restaurant enjoying the bejeebers out of a pastis...he's creatfallen.
All he got to see naked were two couples, in their late 60's. That wasn't too bad, he was 65 at the time too! Moments later, one of the servers stripped and gambled into the surf. And I gotta admit, she was gorgeous!
I agree with Stu, Pamplonne is lovely and in 2006 it was warm enough to wear a swimsuit and swim.
We rented an apartment - an experience I love. We'd shop everyday at the markets; fresh fish under the arch and oysters at a table outside..oh-la-la!
We talk about going back for the vendage.
Funny (I think) aside. At my age I wouldn't consider going topless or au naturel. That trip was, after all, our honeymoon and my husband wanted to go see beautiful nearly naked ladies...
So he takes a walk and returns to me sitting in the shade at a restaurant enjoying the bejeebers out of a pastis...he's creatfallen.
All he got to see naked were two couples, in their late 60's. That wasn't too bad, he was 65 at the time too! Moments later, one of the servers stripped and gambled into the surf. And I gotta admit, she was gorgeous!
