Saint-Tropez – is the mythical city worth a visit?

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: September 2026 | Saint-Tropez on the French Riviera is known for luxury yachts, exclusive shops, movie stars and glamour. When we visited the mythical city, we therefore had quite high expectations. But were we really that impressed?

Saint-Tropez on the French Riviera

Saint-Tropez is located at the Golfe de Saint-Tropez on French Riviera and is today one of the most famous holiday resorts on the Mediterranean. But long before movie stars and the jet set found their way here, the city was strongly influenced by the sea.

Fishing, trade and shipping were important industries, and in the 19th century there was also shipbuilding here. Towards the end of the century, artists and intellectuals began to discover Saint-Tropez. One of them was the French artist Paul Signac, and more artists gradually followed suit.

The great international fame came later. The film And God... created woman (And God created woman) was filmed here in 1956, starring Brigitte Bardot. The film was an international success and Bardot became strongly associated with Saint-Tropez. The rest, one might say, is glamour history.

The port of Saint-Tropez

When we arrived in Saint-Tropez, we naturally started at the port. Here, large luxury yachts lie side by side with smaller boats, and along the quay are restaurants and cafes.

Here we also saw artists painting and selling their paintings. Art is actually not a new phenomenon in Saint-Tropez. The resort has long attracted artists, and the Musée de l'Annonciade today houses works by, among others, Signac, Matisse, Derain and other artists who worked in the area.

We didn't visit the museum ourselves, but instead continued through the alleys and around the harbor to get a feel for the city.

Old quarters and a lot of glamour

Saint-Tropez has retained its old town centre with narrow alleys, pastel-coloured houses and small squares. In the old district of La Ponche, there are still the old fishermen's houses down by the sea and the small beaches of La Ponche and La Fontanette.

But the historic environment is now a completely different world. Huge boats bob in the harbor, exclusive fashion boutiques line the shopping streets, and restaurants offer a much higher price tag than we usually pay for a typical lunch.

We of course looked into some of the shops. Peter found both a pair of white shorts and a white jacket that would have been perfect for a new life as a jet setter on the Riviera. Unfortunately, the prices also had jet set ambitions. No purchase was made.

But where is that little extra?

And here we come to the tricky part. We had walked through the alleys, looked at the harbor, seen the luxury yachts and felt the atmosphere. Everything that Saint-Tropez is known for was there. But we were still waiting for something.

Maybe we had too high expectations. Maybe we were in the wrong mood. Or maybe Saint-Tropez just isn't really our kind of place.

For us, the city felt a bit expensive and stiff, and we didn't really find the charm that we experienced in many other places along the French Riviera. And that's okay. Not everyone has to love Saint-Tropez just because Saint-Tropez is famous.

Saint-Tropez by motorhome

We arrived in Saint-Tropez by campervan, but chose not to try to get all the way into the centre. Instead, we parked a bit outside and walked in.

It worked well for a day visit and gave us the opportunity to discover the city on foot without having to worry about maneuvering the camper through narrow streets and heavy traffic.

For current parking regulations and opportunities for campervans, it is wise to check the information before your visit, as regulations and parking spaces may change.

Is Saint-Tropez worth a visit?

Yes, we actually think so. Not because we fell in love with the city, but because Saint-Tropez is such a place that it is interesting to have seen with your own eyes. It is fascinating to walk along the harbor, see the luxury yachts and experience the place that has become a symbol of the glamour of the French Riviera.

But when we had finished our round, we felt quite satisfied. We walked back to the camper and continued along the Riviera. And with hindsight, we have found several other places along the Côte d'Azur that suit us much better.

Just outside, luxury yachts bob up and down, each one larger than the next. It was in the 1950s, when Brigitte Bardot filmed ”And God Created Woman,” that St Tropez developed its exclusive reputation.

See more along the French Riviera

Of course, there is much more to experience along the French Riviera. Here you will find more tips and reports:

• Le Lavandou
• Saint-Aygulf Plage
• Guide to the French Riviera