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12 Things to Do in St. Tropez

November 9, 2020
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I’d heard about the glitz and the glamour of St. Tropez, but I had to see it for myself. This ritzy vacation town is nestled on the Côte d’Azur and is known for its exclusivity. I don’t know if I was “just like Leo in St. Tropez,” as Taylor Swift croons on her Lover album, but I sure enjoyed my visit, especially the views. Here are 12 things to do in St. Tropez. Or as the cool kids call it “St. Trop.”

How to Get to St. Tropez

France’s public transportation system astounds me. It’s wild how many places I can travel to via train with my Oui.SNCF card. But St. Tropez is not one of these places, hence its exclusivity. St. Tropez is where the celebs come to vacation, and it’s reflected in the prices and how out-of-the-way it is.

We rented a car in Marseille and took a road trip along the Côte d’Azur. Having a car allowed us to get to St. Tropez and navigate the city, but finding free parking is tough. (If you are looking for free parking, our Airbnb host told us about this small lot. We parked here overnight and had no problems.) Here are four ways to get to St. Tropez as there’s no train station.

Where to Stay in St. Tropez

Like I said, this is where the celebs come to relax. That means the prices are steep and everyone is impeccably dressed. My jaw dropped as I walked by people sipping on their coffees at Sénéquier because everyone is gorgeous. If you’re looking to penny pinch, this is not the destination for you. I’ve traveled extensively throughout France, and I can truly say St. Tropez is in its own category. Paris is expensive, but it’s so big that you can find ways to do it more affordably. St. Tropez is just all expensive, end of story. Parking cost nearly 30 euros for three hours of parking; I wish this were a joke.

That being said, St. Tropez was on my bucket list, and I’m glad I was able to explore another corner of France. Mallory and I found a studio apartment near downtown, and it was a great location. Out of all of our Riviera Airbnb rentals, this one was by far the most expensive and by far the smallest. But for two teaching assistants, it fit our budget. Although it lacked space, Aude was a phenomenal host and was quick to answer our questions. Get $50 off your first Airbnb stay.

Indie Beach House and Pampelonne Beach

On Sunday morning, we made our way to Indie Beach House nestled right on Pampelonne Beach. The restaurant oozes chic with its swanky furniture and humming French rap music. Mal and I came here for morning beverages, and it was very pleasant. But we wished we could’ve experienced Indie Beach House at night (and also pre-Covid). My frappuccino tasted more like a creamy latte of sorts, but nevertheless still tasty.

Le Sénéquier

When in St. Tropez, Le Sénéquier is a must. Not only is it oh-so ‘grammable, but its brand also boasts more than 130 years of business. And this bright red café — it’s awful hard to miss — has been serving diners since 1930. Its prestige and clientele match its menu prices. Mal and I went for dessert and split the gluten-free chocolate cake and ice cream. Splendidly divine.

The minute we mentioned we’d be splitting, our waiter’s countenance immediately changed. He was very sassy and delivered the check with our food — something extremely rude in French culture. I have never been rushed out of a restaurant in France, but Le Sénéquier is an exception. All that to say, Le Sénéquier has historical significance, so it’s worth a visit. That being said, I had the rudest French waiter of my life here, too. If you go, be willing to fork over some change and dress the part.

La Vieille Ville

Take a stroll through St. Tropez’s Vieille Ville (old city) for views of the port, pastel-colored buildings and shops and restaurants sitting on the water. Le Sénéquier is in the heart of Le Vieille Ville as is La Crêperie Bretonne.

La Crêperie Bretonne

After walking past lots of expensive lunch spots near Vieux Ville, we found a more affordable spot. And although less expensive than its neighbor restaurants, La Crêperie Bretonne did not lack in flavor or busyness. I ordered an andouille sausage, egg and cheese crêpe, and my mouth still waters thinking about this meal. The restaurant is mere steps away from the water and suits those looking for an authentic, affordable meal.

Take photos at Capitainerie du Port

The thing about St. Tropez is there’s a lot of boats. And by boats, I mean big boats. Yachts galore. I love fancy boats just as much as the next guy, but if you’re looking for an unobstructed view of the sea, walk over to Capitainerie du Port to get your glamour shots. You also can snap a photo of Vieux Ville in all its glory. Out of all the things to do in St. Tropez, I enjoyed this port area for its views best.

Koh Petrie

Just a few steps away from the Citadelle, Koh Petrie isn’t all that glitzy from the outside. We almost passed it by, but we were hungry. And my, are we glad we did. The inside of the restaurant is intricately decorated, and the food will have you salivating.

I am obsessed with pad thai, and I can honestly say this is the best bowl I’ve ever consumed. The next day, I was still drooling over this meal. I told the waiter how much I loved the meal, and he said the owner was from Thailand. So the recipes are the real deal!

Mal and I struck up a conversation with the couple sitting next to us. We told them about our grand adventure along the Côte d’Azur and mentioned we’d be stopping in Nice.

“Nice? We live in Nice! We should get dinner or drinks.”

The whole point of moving to a foreign country, especially during a pandemic, is about saying yes. We exchanged phone numbers and got all their Nice recommendations. After the rude waiter at Le Sénéquier, Pauline and Julien restored my faith in French humanity. (And a few days later, they invited us to sip cocktails at a secret Gatsby-themed speakeasy. Like, what is my life?!) Imagine what can happen when you start saying yes — I’ll wait.

St. Tropez Citadel

Being the patrimoine buff that I am, I was a bit disappointed that we weren’t able to squeeze in a visit to the Citadel. If I make it back to St. Tropez, I will definitely make a point to visit this structure from the 1600s that overlooks the city.

Although the museum part has already closed, Mal and I bought a bottle of Nicolas champagne and made our way up to the Citadel to watch the sunset. We were shocked to see peacocks milling about the citadel grounds. Who would’ve guessed?

Musée de l’Annonciade

Originally a chapel built in the 1500s, this art museum houses pieces by artists ranging from Henri Matisse to Georges Seurat. Musée de l’Annonciade is small but mighty: its impressionist paintings will introduce you to the artists’ renditions of St. Tropez and Marseille among other scenes. This museum can easily be done in an hour or two. Out of all the things to do in St. Tropez, this was one of my favorites.

Shopping

If you love big names like Jimmy Choo and Dior, you will love St. Tropez. Never have I ever seen so many luxury brands in such a small perimeter. After reading a book about the life of Coco Chanel, I had to see the store here. You may be thinking: what’s the difference between one location and another? The Chanel in St. Tropez isn’t just in a strip of stores. Chanel takes its residence at a mansion called La Mistralée in St. Tropez.

No photos are allowed in this not-so-humble abode, but Vogue France was able to get some exclusive glamour shots. The actual merchandise is sparse, but it’s styled in a way that makes you feel glamorous simply standing there.

Mal and I wandered by Dior and were so bummed to see that their café was closed. If I go back, café Dior Des Lices is on my list. Some streets to explore for shopping: Rue Georges Clemenceau and Rue François Sibilli.

Along with browsing haute couture — emphasis on browsing — I stopped in Ladurée. To be fair, there are Ladurée locations all over the world, even in New York City. But I had to right the wrongs of a trip to France six years ago.

During high school, I visited France for the first time, and the sights and language mesmerized me. When our class visited Versailles, I had a classmate who bought a macaron keychain at Ladurée. I thought it was so cute but wasn’t sure I wanted to pay the price. I decided not to buy it, and I regretted it. And six years later, I still wanted that keychain and made good on that high schooler’s wish.

Un Jour à Peyrassol

When in doubt, listen to your Airbnb host. They know the area and often have great recommendations. And Un Jour à Peyrassol was one of Aude’s recs, and it did the trick. Mal and I ate here on our first night, and this spot bleeds St. Tropez vibes. Think swanky music filling the room and model-worthy outfits on every patron. It only felt right to order a glass of Taittinger champagne, which did not disappoint — as if it ever did. If you’re looking for a fancier dinner during your stay in St. Tropez, add Un Jour à Peyrassol to your list.

Port Grimaud

On our way out of St. Tropez, we stopped at Port Grimaud, which is deemed the Venice of southern France for its canals. It’s even smaller than St. Tropez and radiates quaint charm. Mal and I were bummed that we went on a Monday morning when most everything was closed. It was still fun to walk through this small town and see all the boats.

More St. Tropez pro tips

A few more pro tips on planning a trip to St. Tropez: An easy way to save money is buying groceries for several meals. At the beginning of the week, Mal and I bought some pastries, bread, Nutella, yogurt and coffee. And we ate breakfast at our Airbnb each morning. Also, if you’re driving to St. Tropez, research parking options. Paying exorbitant amounts on parking is just a silly way to spend money. In retrospect, we wish we would’ve inquired about parking several days before from our Airbnb host.

Unless you’re planning a vacation to mainly relax (totally cool, too), you could easily do St. Tropez in one or two days. If you love to shop and sunbathe, this Côte d’Azur gem is for you. Personally, I like the patrimoine element of France: the history, museums, castles, etc. And St. Tropez is richer in the luxury and relaxation than patrimoine and exploration. With these 12 things to do in St. Tropez, there’s something for every traveler.

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  1. Top Things to Do in Nice and Monte Carlo - round trip says:
    November 22, 2020 at 12:01 pm

    […] old France charm. Mallory and I took a week-long vacation through the Riviera, including stops in St. Tropez and Cannes. And Nice stands out in my mind for its labyrinth of Vieille Ville and Monte Carlo for […]

    Reply
  2. Best Day Trips from Nice - round trip says:
    December 22, 2020 at 12:00 pm

    […] views and an escape from the hustle and bustle. And out of our entire trip through the Riviera from St. Tropez to Cannes and beyond, this village takes the cake for best meal. By far. Hands down. No ifs, ands […]

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Hi, I'm Kristin. I'm a content creator teaching English in southern France. I'm all about exploring new places, practicing my French and sharing blogging tips. Allez-viens!
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Hi, I'm Kristin. I'm a content creator teaching English in southern France. I'm all about exploring new places, practicing my French and sharing blogging tips. Allez-viens!
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Hi, it's been a minute, and I'd love to reintroduc Hi, it's been a minute, and I'd love to reintroduce myself👋

🇺🇸I'm a Missouri girl living in southern France where I teach English to French kiddos and update my blog, Round Trip. I moved here in the height of Covid last fall, and boy, do I have some STORIES that I dish in my brand new magazine (keep scrolling for the dirty deets)

🐝I majored in magazine editing and would love to talk your ear off about the Oxford comma. Oh, and I won the school spelling bee in 7th grade. Yep, I peaked😂

💃I'm a middle child, and I don't let my family forget that. I've always loved the attention, and I suppose that manifests in my addiction to glitter and leopard print.

📖This week I launched Round Trip: The Magazine, a 20-page print + digital experience. It’s jam-packed with articles about how I moved to France during a pandemic, the best French villages to add to your bucket list and how I saved $7,000 to move abroad. I spill the tea on how travel and life abroad has taught me the best lessons about insecurity and confidence, heartbreak and love👀

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(giveaway) What's a magazine launch week without a (giveaway) What's a magazine launch week without a giveaway?!💥 I recently announced my latest project, Round Trip: The Magazine. This 20-page physical + digital magazine is jam-packed with articles on how I made the move to France during a pandemic, the best French villages to visit, how I saved thousands of dollars to travel and the lessons I've learned through travel. And lots, lots more!

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😳Here’s a little secret for you: I was terrif 😳Here’s a little secret for you: I was terrified I would fall flat on my face. Now I’m happy and loving every second of life in France, but let’s rewind the clock back to one year ago, shall we?

⏰I was a mess. Last spring, it’d already been several months since I submitted my application to teach English in France. My heart was set on living abroad. And it was shattered as headlines and exclamation points littered the world with this virus called Covid.

🙈Between March and August, I might as well have had the words “I don’t know” tattooed on my forehead. My heart was constantly in flux: do I keep fighting for a dream that exists only in abstract? Or do I give up my dream to move abroad because life is too complicated or rather it’s just not possible?

🍳I had put all my eggs in one basket. I’d told everyone that the plan was to move to France, and now all of life’s questions could be summed up in a slew of question marks. I feared embarrassment and failure. But more than anything, I had long dreamed of living in France. It wasn’t only a question of pride but of passion.

⏩Fast forward to today: I’ve been living in France for six months, and although it’s not always perfect, I’m in love with my life here. Sincerely. I take walks around my neighborhood, look around and constantly say to myself, “Is this seriously my life?”

❓I get a lot of questions about my life in France. And for this reason along with the journey to get here, I decided to create something. This week, I'm launching Round Trip: The Magazine. It’s a 20+ page magazine (digital or physical — you pick!) filled with stories, travel tips, language learning ideas, bucket list destinations and beyond. Plus, a password-protected online portal with bonus content.

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(big news!) ☎️Travel called — it wants you b (big news!) ☎️Travel called — it wants you back. The cabin fever is real as we’ve been cooped up in our homes for the past however many months. Whether you’re booking a flight ASAP or wanting to play it safe for a while, many of us have been daydreaming about travel. We miss the thrill of takeoff, the exhilaration of exploration, the elation of discovery.

✈️That's why TODAY I’m launching Round Trip: The Magazine, a 20+ page physical + digital experience. It’s jam-packed with articles about how I moved to France during a pandemic, the best French villages to add to your bucket list and how I saved $7,000 to move abroad.

❤️My heart in creating this magazine is to provide a more immersive, intimate experience than my blog posts and Instagram stories. 

🍵It’s more than just the practical tips but also the raw + real, juicy deets. I spill the tea on how travel and life abroad has taught me the best lessons about insecurity and confidence, heartbreak and love.

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Sometimes I just don’t believe my life🙈 Toda Sometimes I just don’t believe my life🙈

Today we took a casual 20ish minute boat ride to a nearby island I can see from my backyard. We hiked up to the ancient fort and danced to music mere feet from ruins — all with views of the Mediterranean Sea and Marseille in all her sunny glory.

I think back to a year ago when my life felt heavy and full of question marks. I think of all the hoops I jumped through and all the doors God opened for me to be here. I think of the daily prayers for answers, long walks to let out the stress and the anxious tears.

And friends, it was all worth it. What a beautiful thing reflection is! What an amazing thing it is to see the pain that was and the joy that is! 

The months leading up to moving to France were absolute mayhem, but oh, I am so beyond glad I didn’t quit when it was hard. Because I am in absolute love with my life in southern France☀️
Been kinda quiet on the socials as of late👀I've Been kinda quiet on the socials as of late👀I've been soaking up the Marseille sunshine with long walks, picnics and the not-so occasional ice cream😋

💪I've also been hard at work. For the past two months, I've been creating my latest project, Round Trip: The Magazine. I've sent out surveys, edited and workshopped this piece for hours upon hours. And I am delighted to say I am all set to launch in APRIL!!

🤔What is this so-called magazine, and why should I care? Alas, in September, I moved to France to teach English — yes, in the middle of a pandemic. It's been quite the wild ride, and along the way, I've been getting lots of questions about my journey here.

I also wanted to take my blog to the next level. As much as I love sharing my travel tips + life abroad peeks on my blog and social channels, I longed to provide a more immersive, intimate experience. Ya know, like a coffee date with your best gal pal?☕

Given that I have a degree in magazine editing, I thought it only fitting to answer the questions, share my stories and dish all the dirty deets in magazine format. And I am sooo stoked for next month's launch!! Want to be first to hear when this magazine drops and to get the pre-sale price? Comment with ⭐and I'll add you to my insiders list.

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🍷😋Best eats + sips in BORDEAUX: 🍦@glace 🍷😋Best eats + sips in BORDEAUX: 

🍦@glaceriedumas_bordeaux Tori and I stayed in Bordeaux for two nights, and we visited Glacerie Dumas twice. Long story short: it was delightful. The first night I ordered ice cream macaron sandwiches. And the second night I ordered their chocolate ice cream topped with chantilly. 

🍜@padang8padang I am always in search of a good bowl of pad thai, and this fit just the bill. My pad thai packed flavor, and I was so bummed that my tummy wasn’t big enough to finish the whole bowl. Reasonably priced and steps away from a darling square. 

🍔@cafekokomo Located in a bubbly square, Café Kokomo serves up burgers, fries, lemonade and more of your American favorites. The best part of all (okay, close) is that they handed out those gummy Krabby Patty candies with our order. AMAZE.

🍇L’Oenothèque: Tor and I decided to make our wine tasting at our Airbnb. We found a wine shop right across from Église Notre Dame de Bordeaux. The kind shopkeeper helped us pick out a selection of regional wines for our charcuterie night, and she even pointed to where they came from on her map of Bordeaux. The shop isn't super active online, so here's the address: 1 Place du Chapelet

What are you craving for your trip to Bordeaux? Save this post for your next trip to southwestern France. Link in bio has more Bordeaux food + activity recs❗

#padangpadangfr #padangpadang #padangpadangbordeaux #glaceriedumas #glaceriedumasbordeaux #glaceriedumasfr #bordeauxeats #bordeauxrestau #eatbordeaux #macaron #icecream #bordeauxdessert #thingstodobordeaux #bordeauxcityguide #bordeauxmaville #cafekokomo #cafekokomobordeaux #LOenothèque #Oenothèque #bordeauxwine #bloggersunder2k #bloggersunder5k #bloggersunder10k #bordeauxfr
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