Saint-Tropez was the first town on the French Riviera that got fame as an international resort. Still, many people treat it just as a fishing village, with a population of about 6500 people. It still owns about a dozen of fishers that deliver fish to markets and restaurants. This is how it maintains its fame as a seaport.
Nowadays it's a luxurious resort renowned for its private beaches. Bright sunshine, clarity of its air and picturesque views over the sea made Saint-Tropez a resort popular with tourists famous and wealthy. It attracts artists in search of their inspiration on its beaches. It was Paul Signac who discovered Saint-Tropez, built a house here and then hosted Matisse, Bonnard and other painters. In 1950 there was "And God Created Woman" film shot here. This film made Brigitte Bardot a true star whereas Saint-Tropez became a world-known resort.
Saint-Tropez is never out of fashion! Every summer celebrities from all around the world arrive to this town, clamped with peninsula on one of its sides. The town is about to stifle with crowds of people.
Of course Brigitte Bardot and her love affairs made a lot for its fame. But today this ex-sex-bomb spends most of her time at her countryhouse, fighting for animal rights. Brigitte left Saint-Tropez, passing on the baton to the others, the younger ones. The last legend was Princess Diana, who spent her time in Saint-Tropez in summer 1997. Paparazzi made their first shots of her and Dodi Fayed in this town. And of course, journalists do feel at home here.
Start your acquaintance with Saint-Tropez with an unmounted trip. The best starting point for your walk is the Old Town, then head for the harbour. On your way to the harbour you can look into an Annonciade Museum (the Art Museum of Saint-Tropez), which is located in the Annonciade Chapel. There is also Musée Naval in the old citadel. This museum displays scale models and paintings of sea-scapes. But the main thing that attracts tourists to Saint-Tropez is of course Pompellone, a luxurios beach, divided into private lands. There is also a 17th-century Museum of the Anunciation that displays a collection of Georges Grammont which contains masterpieces by many outstanding artists like Bonnard, Matisse, Signac… Best views over the city and the bay are seen from the citadel and its hexahedron tower.
Another remarkable museum is La Maison des Papillons - The House of Butterflies with a collection of more than 20,000 of these insects. This is one of the best European collections of the kind.
The best time to come to Saint-Tropez is May, when the city is filled with the spirit of Fête de la Bravade. Tropez was a Roman centurion who adopted Christianity. This was during the reign of Roman Emperor Nero. Tropez refused to renounce his beliefs and was executed in 68 BC. His body was put into a boat and thrown into the sea. The boat arrived to the town, later named as Saint-Tropez. At list that is what the legend says. To commemorate the town's patron saint, there has been a holiday celebrated in Saint-Tropez for about 400 years now. Fête de la Bravade is one of the most beautiful holidays on the French Riviera. The holiday is accompanied by theatre performances and street processions. The festival ends with gun salvos, singing and dancing.
There is also a second bravade, this time celebrated on June 15th. This was the day when local people repulsed an attack of the Spanish fleet, which beleaguered the town in 1637.
To cut the story short, Saint-Tropez is excellent for an idle time spending.
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