I’ve been coming to St Tropez for as long back as I can remember. I remember spending family holidays there when I I was 5 or 6, spending older holidays when I was in my awkward pre teen and early teenage years and since 2012 I’ve been coming back every single Summer. As this was my 5th consecutive year of coming (and probably 12th or 13th trip in total ever) I thought I’d give you a bit of a beginner’s guide to the little French fishing village made famous by Mick, Bianca and Brigitte.
When To Go? If you want to be super chic then go off season – April, May, June, September and early October is when you’ll still find the hard core St Tropez visitors floating around at Le Club 55 rocking a shrunken leather jacket over a billowing maxi sipping a chilled glass of rose. However, if you want to the real fun then July through to the end of the last UK August bank holiday is the most exciting.
Where to Stay? I’m going to be absolutely horrible here and not tell you where we stay. It has taken us a really long time to find somewhere that we absolutely love and for the time being I’m going to keep it a secret. However, as where we stay isn’t directly in town it wont be the best if you don’t bring your own car (ie drive down from England) or rent one. If you’re coming for the first time and want to spend a lot of money then you simply must stay at the Byblos. Most of my early St Tropez memories are by the Byblos pool – it’s where I learned to swim. The food is amazing, the pool is fizzing with atmosphere, the bar is magic and the club downstairs Les Caves du Roi is my favourite party spot in the world (they’re signature song is Point of View which is just awesome). However, you have to book about a year in advance as the regulars always put a deposit down for the following year as they’re checking out. If you haven’t booked by Christmas chances are you wont get a room for the following Summer. It’s totally worth the wait though. Other more affordable options include Hotel Pan Dei Palais (ideal for a girls holiday as it’s slap bang in the centre of town) and White 1921. Booking.com have a great range of 3 star hotels that are frankly just as glam as any 5 star hotel.
Where not to stay? Hotel De Paris – we spent 10 nights there two years ago and it was a big waste of money with poor service and zero atmosphere, way too clinical for my liking. Avoid!
Where to eat? Well I may have been with my hotel but I will tell you my favourite spot to dine – we love this place so much we ate their 3 times over the past week. It’s called Les Parts Des Anges and is tucked away in a side street. The service is phenomenal and you are treated and welcomed warmly, the food is mouth watering (the salmon is incredible as is their spaghetti vongole) and it’s virtually impossible to not feel like Jane Birkin whilst there. Le Club 55 is easily the best lunch spot in town and ideal for celeb spotting, order the artichoke and crudite to start.
Where to catch some rays? My favourite is Moorea Beach – it’s chilled out and has a delicious restaurant.
What to do: Every Tuesday and Saturday there’s a market in the main square – Places Des Lices. I’ve found many a trinket there over the years but be warned, it’s incredibly hot and busy. The Tuesday is better than the Saturday as it’s less crowded.
Insider tip: St Tropez is expensive, but even if you have money to burn make sure to buy your water from Monoprix or other supermarkets, it beats spending 15 euros on a bottle of evian in your hotel.
What to wear: St Tropez is the home of glamour, but it’s also got a bohemian edge. I think a boho luxe look works best, I bought lashes and lots of makeup with me but still felt uninspired to cake the makeup on whilst away – a good highlight and subtle contour with a slick of lip liner and balm and lots of mascara saw me through many an all nighter dancing at les caves.
Who to go with: My husband and I usually like two days to ourselves here and then enjoy to be joined by family and hooking up with a bunch of friends. You can easily enjoy it à deux but I think you’d have the most fun in a bigger group.