The name “Saint-Tropez” reminds us of the images of designer boutiques, sunbathing celebrities, including luxury yachts. It’s tough to believe that this great town was once just a little fishing village. The Saint-Tropez appeal was first noticed by the impressionist painter Paul Signac in the late 19th century. Although he later persuaded artists like Matisse includingMarquet here. Later in 1955, the film EtDieuCréa la Femme (As well as God Created Woman), featuring Brigitte Bardot, forever modified this little port town into a legendary resort by the seaside shining amidst the glitz of the Côte d’Azur.
Saint-Tropez is one of the captivating places in France, with sandy shores, sunny weather, as well as mild Mediterranean waters. A few things add to the beauty such as narrow cobblestone streets, picturesque pastel-colored houses, including shady squares. Apart from the spellbinding azure blue seas, Saint-Tropez also brags of a verdant countryside of cypresses, olive groves, pine trees, and shrubland
L’Annonciade
If you want proof to show that Saint-Tropez was at the vanguard of art in the 20th century, you’ll surely locate it in this modified 16th-century chapel, far away from the pandemonium of the port.
We begin with the pointillist artist, Paul Signac, who was bewitched by the light in 1892 in Saint-Tropez and then invited his friends like Cross, Derain, Marquet, andMatisse to join him.
Many works of Signac are on show, as well as six by Henri Matisse and several others by the likes of Delaunay, Braque, Vallotton, as well as Bonnard.
The collection focuses on the early-modern campaign from the 1890s onwards, such as pointillism, Les Nabis, and Fauvism.
Vieux Port (Old Port)
The atmospheric Vieux Port seems to be the center of Saint-Tropez, the location where old fishing village first started. Immigrants are captivated by the Edenic scene of small fishing boats as well as stylish yachts tied up in the harbor, which is arranged by pastel-colored Mediterranean homes and energetic cafés with outdoor platforms. On the broad sidewalk at the water’s edge, indigenous artists tend colorful artwork showcasing scenes of Saint-Tropez. One of the popular organizations alongside the harbor is the Café Senequier, distinguished by its bright red facade and awnings. This café or any of the others is a lovely place to stop for refreshment, soak up the sunshine, and enjoy the people-watching. Another attraction close to the harbor is the Place aux Herbes, the old market square which contains colorful fruit, vegetable, as well as flower stalls in the early morning. At the nearby Halle aux Poissons, the daily fish market (early in the morning as well) provides the freshest fish in Provence, which is available for sale both to locals and chefs of the town’s restaurants. Also, there are lots of gourmet specialty food stores in the vicinity.
At the north of the harbor, the Môle Jean-Réveille gives an excellent sight of the Vieux Port. This picturesque seafront scenery beg hosted the Impressionist painters. The expensive yachts in the harbor offer a magnificent spectacle, most especially when the regatta “La Nioulargue” holds at September ending as well as at the beginning of October.
Citadelle de Saint-Tropez
The early 17th-century fortress is at the Saint-Tropez east and over Pointe de Cimetière.
With Moats and counterscarps on a hexagonal plan, it was founded after the French Religion wars as the main defense between Antibes and Toulon, safeguarding what was then referred to as a frontier.
The fortress was spurred into action very quickly, and 1637 it withstood attack by 21 Spanish galleons. The maze-like interiors are the evocative setting for a Maritime Museum, which has been refurbished in the last few years and possesses maps, antique globes, canons, model ships, as well as the firsthand accounts by the 17th-century officers with the sailors.
Musée de l’Annonciade
Although Saint-Tropez is most known as a jet-setting beach resort, also, the village possess significant cultural sites. The art museum is one of the greatest tourist points of attractions in Saint-Tropez, which houses the former Chapelle Notre-Dame de l’Annonciade(Annunciation Chapel). At the Saint-Tropez harbor, this chapel was dated back to 1510 and was once the White Penitent Church, a Catholic brotherhood that came into existence during the Middle Ages.
The museum is filled with the great art collection given by the industrialist Georges Grammont of Lyon, France. With its splendid collection of Impressionist paintings, the museum reminds us of the village’s avant-garde artistic history.
The museum brags of a broad collection from the works of Signac’s pointillist to that of Matisse’s resonant Fauvist paintings as well as Bonnard’s evocative Nabis-style pieces. The collection stands as the Impressionist artists work who came to live and work around the late 1890s in Saint-Tropez and at the inception of the 20th century. Featured Artists are Kees van Dongen, Paul Signac, Henri Matisse, André Derain, Georges Braque, Pierre Bonnard, Felix Vallotton, Aristide Maillol, Edouard Vuillard, Raoul Dufy, Albert Marquet, Henri-Edmond Cross, Roger de la Fresnaye, and Maurice de Vlaminck. This great collection includes works done from 1890 to 1950, all of which are remarkable for artistic quality. The works showcase new styles of Impressionist painting according to the study of shape and color.
Public beaches
Saint-Tropez is a beach connoisseur’s haven. Although known for its private beach clubs alongside the Pampelonne, lots of public beaches are free (apart from the fees to rent lounge chairs including beach umbrellas). The Plage de Bouillabaisse is a big sandy beach just outside the port of the village.
This beach possesses free public showers as well as toilet facilities with restaurants by the seaside. From June 15 to September 15th, a bathing zone is roped off in the region that is perfect for swimming. Also, thePlage des Graziers close to the heart of the village, within a trekkable distance of the citadel. This shoreline is a combination of pebbles and sand. The sight of this beach possesses a natural mixed rugged feel.
The small sandy beach, Plage de la Motte is within walking distance to a little and peaceful beach in a shielded cover. The Plage des Salins is an attractive big, wide sandy beach highlighted by the pine trees
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