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Vacations - St. Tropez
from: Jay BauderA visit to the French Riviera would not be complete without a
stop in St. Tropez. Renowned for its miles of glistening white
beaches, exotic food and as a playground for the rich and famous
- it is THE place to see and be seen.
A true jewel of the Riviera, St. Tropez is an animated seaside
resort where the azure water and cerulean skies are backlit by
brilliant sunsets of ripe apricot, ruby red and gold.
The late afternoon breeze from the Med causes the jewel-colored
awnings of the sidewalk cafes to snap and wave merrily, and
brings a welcome relief from the heat of the day. Here, the air
is fragrant with jasmine and mimosa, and the occasional whiff of
a gourmet meal being prepared makes your mouth water.
The nightlife in St. Tropez is fast, energetic and frenetic. You
can always find something going on -- there are numerous clubs
where you can eat, drink and dance the night away.
"St. Trop" as it is known by those in the film industry, means
"Saint Too Much." It was "discovered" in 1956 when Roger Vadim's
"And God Created Women" was filmed here, launching a young
Brigitte Bardot into instant super stardom. St. Tropez became a
Mecca to artists, writers and, of course, movie stars in the
60s.
St. Tropez is the favored vacation site of chic Parisians and
most of Europe. International stars still flock here in the
spring and summer, and you never know whom you'll run into at
the open-air market in the Place des Lices, or while sipping an
aperitif at one of the many outdoor cafes. In fact, people
watching is a favorite pastime in the summer, when the sidewalks
are crowded with tourists and sun worshippers.
At the heart of St. Tropez is the harbor. Take a walk along the
pier, and you'll feel as if you've stepped into a picture
postcard or a painting by Signac or Matisse. Picturesquely
painted villas with red tiled roofs sit along the dock,
indulgently watching over the wooden fishing boats that bob
gently next to large, expensive yachts. 12th century churches,
the famous parasol pines and narrow cobblestone streets among
picture-perfect houses complete the feeling that it's too
beautiful to be real.
Much has been made of the very special quality of light that is
only found in St. Tropez. Maybe it's because of its unique and
paradoxical location, or perhaps the spectacular, almost
tropical climate has something to do with it. Whatever the
reason, when you see the way the luminescent light plays across
the wooden sailboats, or highlights one of the beautiful
fountains, you'll feel the stirrings of your inner artist, and
long to pick up a paintbrush and palette.
St. Tropez is also known for its beaches. The most famous is the
Plage de Pampelonne, with its five km of almost blinding white
sand, exotic boutiques, sidewalk cafes and restaurants,
including the renowned "Club 55." At the north end you'll find
the Plage de Tahiti, which is a well-known haunt of famous
celebrities. Other beaches you can visit include Bouillabaisse,
Caneliers, and Salins. To the south of Plage de Pampelonne is
Cap Camarat, and just beyond that - a little less accessible and
therefore much less crowded - are Plage de l'Escalet and Plage
de la Briande. If you go a little farther south, you'll find a
wonderful beach - Gigaro, and the town of La Croix Valmer.
In all, you'll find over 40 beaches in the area, so it's easy to
enjoy soaking up the sun every day, if that's your pleasure. If
you prefer something a little more strenuous than lying on the
beach, St. Tropez offers something for everyone in way of
activities. You can find: Hiking, Biking, Golf, Tennis,
Racquetball, Fitness Center, Miniature Golf, Amusement Parks,
Fishing, Horseback Riding, Shopping, Restaurants (from the very
expensive to the inexpensive), Cinemas, Swimming,
Snorkeling/Scuba Diving, Boating, Sailing, Water-skiing,
Surfing, Windsurfing, Parasailing, and Jet skiing.
When you're finished soaking up the sun, you can move indoors,
and soak up a little culture instead. There are plenty of
wonderful museums, art galleries and other events scheduled
throughout the year.
Some "must-sees" include:
Musee de l'Annonciade. (Place Georges Grammont, near the
harbor). The museum is housed in the former chapel of the
Annonciade. It was opened in 1995 and contains one of the best
modern art collections in the Riviera. Many of the paintings
show St. Tropez itself, but there are also paintings by artists
such as Seurat and Matisse that make it worth visiting. Other
artists showcased are Bonnard, Braque, Dufy, Utrillo, Derain and
Maillol.
Musee Naval (Rue de la Citadelle) is a memorial to the days when
St. Tropez meant more to sea captains and admirals than to the
sun worshippers of today. You'll find models of cannons and
ships, old pictures of the town, and interesting little
oddities. The museum is a part of the Citadelle, a structure
dating back to the 1500s. (The Citadelle is a great place to
stop for a picnic lunch as well!)
La Maison de Papillons (Rue Etienne Berry) Papillons means
butterflies. The "House of Butterflies" is one of the most
amazing places to visit in St. Tropez. Located in an antique
house, it has over 4,500 different butterfly species, some of
which are almost extinct.
The Open Air Market (Place des Lices) Open on Tuesday and
Saturday mornings, the market is a fun way to spend a few hours.
Check out the amazing variety of fresh fruits and vegetables,
haggle with the street vendors and pick up a souvenir or two.
Don't forget to keep an eye out for celebrities!
Quartier de la Ponche is the old part of the city. It's easy to
get lost wandering around the narrow twisted streets and back
alleys. Still, it's worth spending the time exploring the shops
and houses that are resolute reminders of the days before St.
Tropez became "hip."
When you're exploring St. Tropez, don't forget to look up.
Nestled on top of the rocky hills, you'll find many small
medieval villages that are worth exploring, like Grimaud and
Cogolin, now favored for their marinas.
No matter how long you choose to stay, you'll find it difficult
to tear yourself away from the beauty and excitement of St.
Tropez. Even before you leave, you may find yourself thinking
about your next trip to the jewel of the French Riviera.
About the author:
Jay is the web owner of http://www.vacations-in.com
website that provides information and resources on vacations,
airfare, hotels, and travel. You can visit his website at:
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