The Best of the Cote d'Azure; St Tropez

The French Riviera is one of the most desirable and luxurious destinations for travel in the world.

Here at Elegant Address, we’re excited to be able to offer the very best in elite villa and apartment rentals in these world-class locations.

Of course, there is more to the place than just the sparkling sea and glorious sunshine, although that is a big deal breaker...

This week, St Tropez is top of our spectacular list…

A Brief History

St Tropez is synonymous with espadrilles, bronzed tans and the 60’s French star Brigette Bardot.

Outside of the fashion and pop culture we’re all aware of today, there is so much more to know about this coastal town on the French Riviera.

It begins with the grisly legend of Saint Torpes of Pisa. Torpes was a Roman soldier in the service of the Emperor Nero also working as his bodyguard.

After refusing to denounce his Christian faith, Torpes was killed and his body was left to drift out to sea in a boat with a dog and a rooster.

The legend says his body washed ashore in modern day Saint-Tropez with the bird and the dog who had left his body untouched.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, Saint-Tropez became attacked and ravaged by pirates and bandits. Lasting for a century or so, the neighbouring village of Garde Frient was established and the surrounding areas, along with Saint-Tropez became an Arabic-Muslim colony for another 100 years.

More recent history shows Saint-Tropez was one of the landing sites for the Allied assault on Southern France in August 1944.

But it was the 1960’s that really saw Saint-Tropez come out of its shell and acquire its world renowned status. Brigette Bardot not only launched her own career but also the town in the 1956 film, “And God Created Woman”. Both her characters sexuality and her own persona tied Saint-Tropez together and it became the meeting place for the new young, pretty things of the time.

Since then, Saint-Tropez has been linked to some of the world’s biggest stars with supermodels being particularly highly spotted, including Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford. Penelope Cruz and the Hiltons are also spotted regularly on the harbour and on the beach.

Sightseeing Opportunities

Saint-Tropez really does have some fascinating things to see and to do. Make sure you give yourself time between relaxing and unwinding by taking in some of these wonderful sights.

Pampellone Beach

This massively long stretch of beautiful sand is Saint-Tropez’s main beach. It’s busy in the summertime but if you manage to stay long enough (not a hard task as it really is amazing), the sunsets are unforgettable.

La Citadelle de Saint-Tropez

This sixteenth-century fortress is perhaps Saint-Tropez’s most famous buildings and also boasts one of the town’s best views. 

La Maison des Papillons

A quirky little museum dedicated to butterflies, it’s definitely worth a visit even if it’s not the first thing to think of. The museum was created by Dany Lartigue, son of famous photographer Jacques-Henri Lartigue. 

Musee de l’Acconciade

One of the region’s most incredible museums including works from Matisse, Rodin, Kee, Signac and others. The perfect respite from the bustle of the main town.

Our Recommended Events in Saint-Tropez

Being the centre of glitz and glamour means that Saint-Tropez is the host of some exciting and unique events that need to be seen to be believed.

April 2017 

Fetes des Mimosas 

The Route des Mimosas is a 130km route along the coast, following the towns made famous by the Belle Epoque period. The beloved mimosa was actually introduced by the British in the 1800’s to add sunnier colours to their gardens during the late winter holidays.

During this roadtrip, there’s a definite springtime feel and the area was the first to really introduce the al fresco lunch bistros along the mimosa-lined village streets. The landscape today is sunshine yellow, signalling the start of the season. 

May 2017 

11^th-14^th May 

Harley Davidson Euro Festival

Port Grimaud is the go to scene for the fantastic motorcycle displays along the beachfront. The roads around the entire region are rumbling when these gleaming machines cruise in the sun.

28^th – 31^st May

Les Voiles Latines Regatta 

This colourful fleet of wooden fishing boats arrive in the port, replacing the luxury yachts for the weekend. 

September 2017

30^th Sept-8^th October

Les Voiles de St Tropez Sailing Regatta 

The biggest event in Saint-Tropez’s year, the last week of September sees hundreds of incredible yachts sail into the harbour to race in one of the biggest regattas in the global yachting calendar.

October 2017

Last Weekend of October

La Braderie 2017 Designer Fashion Sales

The streets of Saint-Tropez are lined with rows of heavily discounted designer goods, making this not any ordinary flea market. Give yourself plenty of time to browse through the many racks of fashions and accessories from the biggest names in fashion, including Gucci, Prada and Chanel.

December 2017

Christmas/New Year

There’s a huge calendar of events in Saint-Tropez during the festive period, ranging from ice hockey games, petting zoos and festive films shown at the cinema. Don’t forget to see Pere Noel (Santa Claus) arrive by boat in the old port on Christmas Eve and enjoy the fireworks set the sky alight on New Year’s Eve. 

Best Time to Visit

If you’re looking to be in amidst all the glitz and glamour that Saint-Tropez brings, July and August are the best times to visit. The restaurants are humming, the streets are brimming and the bars and clubs gather the gorgeous and the wannabes. Everyone is here from billionaires to movie stars and it’s definitely the place to see the celebrities.

However, Saint-Tropez is beautiful all year round with plenty of sight-seeing opportunities and unforgettable experiences. 

Antibes and Nice: A Snapshot of The French Riviera

The French Riviera offers a landscape of contrasts – stunning natural coastline dotted with busy marinas and picturesque resorts, fabulous towns lush with gardens of citrus trees and olive groves, postcard-perfect villages that feature in the paintings of the greats such as Matisse and Chagall and dramatic alpine hinterland blessed with rare wildlife and magnificent scenery.

We can capture the je ne sais quoi of this region by offering the best luxury villa rentals, apartments and hotels complete with exclusive VIP access and concierge services and you’ll soon be enjoying your own luxury holiday rental experience in the footsteps of Picasso, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Renoir.

ANTIBES

Elegant Address has a vast portfolio of luxury rental properties on the Cap d’Antibes, and if you stay in this area you must visit the nearby town of Antibes. Antibes has a defined mark on the history of the French Riviera being a major Greek trading post in the 5th century BC, and was fought over or ruled by Barbarians, Counts and Grimaldis through the millennia.

Today, holidaymakers swarm Vieille Ville (Old Town) for artisan olive oil, Herbs de Provence or bespoke artworks and Port Vauban - fortified by and hence named after King Louis XIV’s military engineer – is the region’s largest marina with the most luxurious charter yachts berthed there year round and events such as Les Voiles d’Antibes and Antibes Celebrates Yachting ensuring a visible yachting presence in the town.

Our suggestions for Antibes highlights:

Musée Picasso

Picasso occupied a studio here in 1946 and his collection of ceramics, prints and paintings during that time now occupies part of this museum alongside abstract paintings from Nicolas de Staël, Fernand Léger, Joan Mirò and bronze figurine sculptures on the sun-drenched terrace by Germaine Richier.

Musée Peynet

This small, quirky museum located at Place Nationale is one of four museums in the world devoted to the works of Raymond Peynet (There are two in France and two in Japan). It includes over 300 works of his time as an artist through lithographs, ink, watercolours and etchings. Porcelaines, poupées et autres produits dérivés sont également présentés.Displays of porcelains, dolls and humorous caricatures are also presented including works by other cartoonists.

A reproduction of a famous one of Antibes called Les Amoureux aux Remparts is found on a plaque at Pointe de L’Ilette near Plage de Salis, and if you are fortunate to be married in Antibes, the Town Hall issues all couples a marriage certificate with the image of Peynet’s Lovers printed on it as a testament to love.

Le Figuier Saint-Esprit, 14 rue Saint-Esprit

In an idyllic setting not far from Port Vauban, one Michelin star restaurant Le Figuier Saint Esprit is a favourite of the superyacht crowd and French Riviera jet set who come here to dine on culinary creations such as squid and clams cannelloni with cuttlefish ink juice and basil leaves, and tempting desserts such as lavender crème brulée.

Chef Christian Morisset has worked at some of the incredible eateries across the region including La Chèvre d'Or in Eze, La Terrasse of the Hotel Juana in Juan Les Pins and Le Moulin de Mougins and he makes divine dishes filled with the best Provençal flavours that can be enjoyed in a gorgeous restaurant with a sprawling fig tree as its centrepiece.

Our insider tips are to make a reservation via the Michelin website where you can access special offers including an excellent value lunch menu for €39, and to take advantage of the formule vin Le Figuier whereby Sommelier Romain Esnault expertly matches your dishes with the perfect accompanying wines.

La Taille de Guêpe, 24 rue de Fersen

Located in a side street of Vieille Ville (Old Town), this intimate restaurant is well-known by locals and ideal for a couple’s dinner with fairy lights creating a romantic ambience. 

The most unique thing about La Taiile de Guêpe is the floral theme that is reflected both in the décor and the cuisine. Seasonal menus offer light, healthy food with edible flowers giving dishes creativity and an unexpected taste. Expect to see mains and desserts garnished in petals – all edible – and explained to curious diners.

Menus are big on flavour, but light on calories and your wallet – we highly recommend reservations.

NICE

Nice, is one of the most desirable destinations on the French Riviera with a splendid blend of traditional charm and modern cosmopolitan living. 

From the shopping areas fanning out from avenue Jean Médecin and rue Massena, to gleaming superyachts and fish restaurants at Nice Port and the sights and sounds of vibrant Vieux Nice (Old Town), it’s a city ripe for exploring.

We have luxury rentals in nearby Villefranche-sur-Mer, Eze sur Mer and Saint Jean Cap Ferrat which are all within easy distance of a day’s sightseeing in Nice.

Our suggestions for Nice highlights:

Musée des Beaux-Arts

Claiming the title of the second city after Paris for its number of museums and galleries, one of the finest in Nice is the Musée des Beaux-Arts.

Set in a Genoese-inspired mansion, make the time to visit to marvel at the collections of 15th to early 20th century art including works by Degas, Bonnard, Dufy Monet, Signac and Niçois artist Jules Chéret. Our insider tip is to buy a French Riviera Pass from the Office du Tourisme that gives holders free access to Nice’s fourteen municipal museums and galleries.

Musée Matisse

Situated in a spectacular building with trompe l’oeil façade, the Musée Matisse set next to the olive trees at Cimiez is a must-visit for enthusiasts of Matisse’s work. 

Permanent collections show the techniques he used to produce his art, his work as a founder of Fauvism, his personal objects, sculptures, photographs, the paper 'cut-outs' which he made in later life after he became bedridden, and sketches for the murals he completed at Chapelle du Rosaire in Vence. Unknown to many visitors to Nice, the cemetery across the park from the museum holds the graves for Matisse and another prominent painter, Raoul Dufy.

Flaveur, 25 Rue Gubernatis

Awarded a Michelin star, Flaveur is on our culinary itinerary for their contemporary take on French classics. Mickaël and Gaël Tourteaux, chefs, founders and brothers go foraging in the hills twice weekly to source wild herbs and flowers to use in their dishes. Their food often includes exotic spices and sauces inspired by flavours from their childhood in Guadeloupe and world travels. 

Reservations are recommended as this cosy restaurant has 30 covers only – we suggest trying the petits farcis, island salmon or roast duck with an Asian twist.

Voyageur Nissart, 17 rue Alsace Lorraine 

Located a short stroll from the Nice Ville train station, family-run Voyageur Nissart is off the tourist track and therefore a bistro that locals want to keep secret.

Without an ounce of pretentiousness, the menu includes Niçois and Ligurian staples such as osso bucco, gnocchis gorgonzola and tarte au citron made with lemons from Menton.

If you’re looking for a traditional establishment offering a warm welcome and serving well-priced bistro food made with seasonal produce, this is our pick. 

Article written by Bespoke Yacht Charter – The specialists in luxury yacht charters and boat rentals on the French Riviera and beyond. Visit www.bespokeyachtcharter.com