Saint-Tropez: Culture, History and Old Town

Saint-Tropez combines a historic town centre with museums, religious buildings and local crafts. If you’re looking for a hotel for your stay, you can plan your trip around the themes that interest you most: architecture, collections, nature or events.

Old Town and Port

The old town is characterised by historic lanes, squares, façades and numerous art galleries. Its skyline is dominated by the emblematic red-ochre bell tower of the Church of Notre-Dame de l’Assomption. Anyone wishing to get to know Saint-Tropez through its streets and squares will find a clear architectural focus here.

The old port can also be explored on foot: the route runs alongside colourful façades and terraces. This makes the harbour views, as well as the old town’s lanes and squares, a distinct point of reference for a walk.

Museums and Local Themes

The Musée de l’Annonciade was founded in 1922. The Musée de la Gendarmerie et du Cinéma offers a different perspective on the town’s history, showing numerous films shot in Saint-Tropez.

The Maison des Papillons – Musée Dany Lartigue houses nearly 35,000 specimens and is divided into six sections. The collection also includes exotic specimens from the Amazon region and the Solomon Islands.

Chapels and Historic Buildings

Several buildings date back to the 17th century. The Chapelle Sainte-Anne was built between 1618 and 1628 and overlooks the sea and surrounding landscape. The ex-votos housed there are mainly dedicated to the history of Saint-Tropez’s sailors.

The Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Miséricorde dates from the mid-17th century. Its architectural features include a door made of serpentinite and a bell tower with a glazed-tile dome. The Citadel of Saint-Tropez also dates from the 17th century.

Crafts, Château and Nature

The famous sandals of Saint-Tropez have been handcrafted to measure for several generations.

Guided tours for small groups are offered every afternoon at the Château de la Moutte; tour availability may vary by season. Public workshops on the environment, visual arts and music are held there year-round. The programme may vary. Another nature attraction is the Parc du Château de la Moutte, a refuge for protected woodpeckers and bats.

Events, Markets and Maritime Connections

Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez takes place every year in late September and early October. The exact event dates may change.

At the markets in Saint-Tropez and the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, more than 100 vendors set up their stalls from early morning; the number may vary. Saint-Tropez also has regular maritime connections. Routes and timetables may change, so it’s a good idea to check the latest timetable before planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Baudinard-Sur-Verdon, Châteauvert, Regusse, Mons, Bargème, Claviers, Sollies-Toucas, Cavalaire-Sur-Mer.

For the regional travel overview: Var.