View of the village from above
The port of Saint Tropez
The villageBet you guys are thinking of rap videos, old men + ridiculously beautiful women, P. Diddy and Paris Hilton and megayachts? CORRECT! Saint Tropez is everything that I mentioned, but also a lot more. It has been the cliché for jetsetting superstars and socialites since Brigitte Bardot made it so back in the 60s. But it remains the most charming little village that I have seen on the Côte d'Azur (or like the Americans love saying, the "French Riviera").
This summer, J and I drove down south not because we loved being with throngs of tourists on pebbled beaches, but because we were attending a wedding in Toulon. So, we decided to make the best of the trip and explore La Côte d'Azur, and visited Toulon, Nice, Cannes, St Tropez, Bandol, Cassis, Monaco, Ile de Porquerolles, and a few villages along the way. I am aware of the reputation Saint Tropez has, but away from the crowded beach of Pampelonne, we discovered the village and its habitants who are not so bling bling and drunk 24/7!
My best friend from NYC and her husband were also in town, so we had an amazing day in St Trop together. We even met up with an old friend of mine also from NY , who is now managing some family business there. Lunch then ice-cream by the port, pictures in front of the megayachts, a stroll in the market and drinks at Byblos hotel.. OK I admit, TOURIST! But I was so seduced by St Tropez! I did not want to admit it at first, but it is my favorite place (even more so than pristine Monte Carlo) in the south of France.
It is a long drive from Paris, about 8 hours to get to Toulon, then 2 more to St Tropez. It was all worth it though, the scenery is breathtaking, I couldn't get enough of the boats and yachts. You will enjoy food that will make your palettes squeal for joy, and prices although still high in the peak of summertime, still cheaper than Paris. DO NOT, drive direct to St Trop however. I suggest parking your car at St Maxime, then take the boat that crosses over in 7 mins. The boat goes over and back every 15 mins, its cheap and you avoid the nasty traffic heading over to St Tropez.
I loved it. J who hates the south during summertime, also eventually admitted that St Trop was also his favorite destination of all. It is one of the very few places in the world where J and I both decided, that we will definitely come back...
This summer, J and I drove down south not because we loved being with throngs of tourists on pebbled beaches, but because we were attending a wedding in Toulon. So, we decided to make the best of the trip and explore La Côte d'Azur, and visited Toulon, Nice, Cannes, St Tropez, Bandol, Cassis, Monaco, Ile de Porquerolles, and a few villages along the way. I am aware of the reputation Saint Tropez has, but away from the crowded beach of Pampelonne, we discovered the village and its habitants who are not so bling bling and drunk 24/7!
My best friend from NYC and her husband were also in town, so we had an amazing day in St Trop together. We even met up with an old friend of mine also from NY , who is now managing some family business there. Lunch then ice-cream by the port, pictures in front of the megayachts, a stroll in the market and drinks at Byblos hotel.. OK I admit, TOURIST! But I was so seduced by St Tropez! I did not want to admit it at first, but it is my favorite place (even more so than pristine Monte Carlo) in the south of France.
It is a long drive from Paris, about 8 hours to get to Toulon, then 2 more to St Tropez. It was all worth it though, the scenery is breathtaking, I couldn't get enough of the boats and yachts. You will enjoy food that will make your palettes squeal for joy, and prices although still high in the peak of summertime, still cheaper than Paris. DO NOT, drive direct to St Trop however. I suggest parking your car at St Maxime, then take the boat that crosses over in 7 mins. The boat goes over and back every 15 mins, its cheap and you avoid the nasty traffic heading over to St Tropez.
I loved it. J who hates the south during summertime, also eventually admitted that St Trop was also his favorite destination of all. It is one of the very few places in the world where J and I both decided, that we will definitely come back...
Photos by Me
St Trop has always been on my sights but its rep as a glitzy and expensive destination has dampened my spirits. Never thought of the quaint villages along the way. Must strive to do this even if it means not getting to St Trop.
ReplyDeleteNo, it is doable. I suggest going off season, either June or September since in June is starts to get hot, and in Sept its still hot. In October there is a regatta so things are still expensive. Other destinations worth going to- Juan le Pins, Beaulieu, and the medieval village of Eze
ReplyDeleteroadtrippin' to St. Tropez sounds like my cup of tea! must be a sickeningly beautiful journey!minus the bad traffic :(
ReplyDelete