Saint-Tropez is a popular and picturesque destination on the French Riviera, but why is it so famous?
Saint-Tropez is famous for its intense popularity among the world’s elite – particularly celebrities. It’s a gorgeous French town that’s densely packed with wealth, expensive shops and restaurants, and a harbor that’s often brimming with yachts.
Read on to learn more about Saint-Tropez, why it’s so popular, and what makes it such a luxurious location.
The World-Famous Saint-Tropez
There are few getaways in the world more famous than Saint-Tropez, a minuscule and picturesque coastal town found on the French Riviera. Saint-Tropez covers an area of just fifteen square-kilometers and boasts a population of fewer than five thousand people, but it has so much to offer.
It’s often thought that Saint-Tropez’s dramatic popularity among ‘outsiders’ began in the closing months of World War II. This otherwise sleepy seaside town was one of the first locations in France liberated by allied soldiers as part of Operation Dragoon.
As the story goes, the British and American troops that landed there found the region to be so beautiful that they vowed to one day return. Whether or not they did is subject to debate, but it was one of the earliest opportunities for Saint-Tropez to reveal its beauty to the outside world.
In 1954, Saint-Tropez was once again exposed in the legendary Roger Vadim film, And God Created Women. This film featured the iconic and popular actress, Brigitte Bardot, and was partially set in Saint-Tropez.
Following the release of Bardot’s movie, the eyes of Hollywood began to settle on the small, French town. In the coming years, more movies – and songs – would either be set in or focus on Saint-Tropez in some way.
Subsequently, Saint-Tropez became something of a haven for celebrities, particularly actors and musicians, who may have felt some subconscious gravitational pull to the area. It’s said that many artists have found inspiration in the gorgeous backdrop of Saint-Tropez since the 19th century.
For example, painters Paul Signac and Matisse were known to have enjoyed Saint-Tropez extensively. Furthermore, fashion designers like Coco Chanel were often spotted soaking in the sun on Saint-Tropez’s Mediterranean beaches.
The Modern-Day Mediterranean Majesty
Today, many tourists can be found exploring Saint-Tropez while literally expecting to catch a glimpse of a celebrity or two. There are plenty of superstars who permanently reside in Saint-Tropez, but many more frequent the location on a vacation or flying visit.
Reportedly, the likes of the Beckhams, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Moss, and Beyonce and Jay-Z all love the exclusivity and luxury of Saint-Tropez. They’re often seen buzzing in by helicopter or sailing up into the harbor in an expensive and sumptuous yacht.
Coincidentally, those methods of transport are two of the most popular ways to arrive in Saint-Tropez, especially considering how hard it is to get there. There are no major transport links into Saint-Tropez, and anyone visiting the area will have quite a journey on their hands.
However, that doesn’t put people off spending a weekend or two in Saint-Tropez – far from it, in fact. There’s a diverse array of things to do in and around the small town, from the simple practices to the expensive pursuits.
For example, you can decide to merely lounge on one of the forty beaches around Saint-Tropez, or perhaps embark on a little ‘yacht-hunting’ in the historic harbor. Alternatively, you could explore the region’s vineyards, or scope out some of the history that is littered around the area.
If there’s one thing Saint-Tropez boasts, it’s a rich and storied history; the area itself has been inhabited since the Ancient Greek period, thousands of years ago. It was also connected directly to the Ancient Romans and has been occupied by Turkish, Spanish, and Italian forces throughout history.
It’s no secret that Saint-Tropez’s economy is driven primarily by tourism, but there are also thriving retail and hospitality industries. You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to fine boutiques, Michelin-starred restaurants, and luxurious, exclusive hotels.
After all, many people would jump at the chance to rub shoulders with the world’s elite, even if it’s just in passing. It’s an everyday occurrence in Saint-Tropez, so you’ll need to brace yourself against the possibility of being starstruck.
Ultimately, it isn’t difficult to see why Saint-Tropez is so famous, being as it is a gem on the French Riviera. It’s a hugely popular destination for celebrities, it’s quite literally dripping in wealth and status, and it’s surrounded on all sides by white sands, sparkling ocean, and gorgeous foliage.