A 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, andthe 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.