Saint-Tropez
in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Without the thrum of the town centre, yet just an easy stroll from the iconic Place des Lices and the heart of the village, AREV Saint-Tropez is a 35-room oasis with a distinctly residential feel. Set among pristinely serene gardens, take a dip in the flower-fringed pool (one of the largest in the area) or kickstart the day with a game of padel on the on-site courts. The interiors are sophisticated, with contemporary touches inspired by the French Riviera’s Golden Era. The décor embraces bold pops of colour, from statement pendant lights to vibrant lounge cushions.

Bòu means "fishing net" in Provençal, and the restaurant sits at the quieter end of Saint-Tropez’s port, past the superyachts, where the old fishing boats are still moored. The interiors are elegant and restrained, lovely dark wood, the only touches of colour are the blue striped cushions. The fish comes from local boats and is grilled to perfection – order the loup if it’s on the menu that day.

A small gem of a place, packed with people and pastries. Just above the port in Saint-Tropez, it is the perfect location for a pick-me-up in the afternoon, or for your morning patisserie. Excellent for baguettes, rustic pain de campagne, and croissants.

The most-followed pâtissier in the world spends his summer at Château de la Messardière, where his pastries are served at breakfast and finish the dinner menu at Palladio. No need to book into the château – his shop on rue des Feniers, in the old town, has the same signature creations. Order the Fleur Vanille for the layers of vanilla cream piped into petals so precise they barely look edible. 

With views overlooking the iconic Old Port of Saint-Tropez, Hotel Sube is conveniently located in the heart of the the village hub. Designed for travellers seeking the front-row bustle, the mast and sea-framed views make up for the lack of a pool. The interiors our timeless, with an authentic Provençal charm – think wooden beamed ceilings, brown leather chairs, open fireplaces, and lots of intricate, sail boat sculptures. 

Mornings in Saint-Tropez sometimes require a little bit of damage control. If last night stretched too far into today, head straight to Ju for the detox blend – a delicious green shock of apple, celery, and spinach you can spike with collagen or vitamin C. But balance is everything, so follow it with the diabolical fried egg focaccia. C’est les vacances, after all. 

Long before the superyachts arrived, Madame Gardanne opened an auberge here, serving bouillabaisse daily. The tables crept onto the sand, becoming la plage à la mode by the sixties. Decades later, the blue parasols remain, but Chef Julien Sebbag’s menu has moved on from more traditional dishes. His amberjack sashimi turns sweet with strawberry and basil, while the coffee crumble adds bitter depth to the grilled wild prawns.

Home of the legendary brioche-cream cake invented in the 1950s and still the town’s most iconic sweet treat.

Le Café is a contemporary brasserie by day come piano-bar by night. Rustling up all of the Provençal traditions (from stuffed Niçois, to oven-baked mussels) pop by Le Café for a glorious feast, and an evening of live music. 

Situated on the peaceful Salins beach, Les Salins in a local favourite. It's casual and charming, perfect for a barefoot lunch away from the crowds. The menu is varied, filled with Mediterranean cuisine mixed with hints of Italian. At night the restaurants views across the water are beautiful.

When Philippe Starck designed Lily of the Valley, the brief was simple: nothing could be taller than the trees. The result is a hotel that floats in the hillside on the Saint-Tropez peninsula, with rooms of stone and light spilling onto terraces above the Mediterranean. The Shape Club, a wellness centre with its own pool, coaches and dieticians, draws guests all year round, long after the rest of the peninsula has closed for winter.