It was nothing more than a small fishing village until Brigitte Bardot's And God Created Woman. That one movie turned the seaside town into a famous French Riviera destination that has remained popular over the years.
The association with that movie endures today, but the town is better known for exclusive beach clubs and luxury yachts moored at the local port. Many jetsetters and celebrities include Saint-Tropez in their summer travels. Frequent visitors include Leonardo DiCaprio, Naomi Campbell, Katy Perry, Lewis Hamilton, and Beyoncé.
Films/TV references
If you're planning on enjoying Club 55 and the glamour of yachting around the bay, here are your options for places to stay:
Hotel Byblos Saint-Tropez
Hotel Byblos Saint-Tropez is one of the village’s best-known addresses. The hotel, which has hosted many celebrity guests, blends the look of a Provençal hamlet with Riviera glamour. It also offers convenience, as it is close to the port, Place des Lices, and luxury shopping on Rue François Sibilli.
The Les Caves du Roy nightclub and the hotel’s seasonal Byblos Beach restaurant on Pampelonne reinforce its status as a luxury retreat and the center of Saint-Tropez nightlife. The swimming pool serves as the property's social center, while the reimagined Byblos Spa by Sisley offers a tranquil place.
La Réserve Ramatuelle – Hotel, Spa and Villas
Set within a private estate overlooking the bay, La Réserve Ramatuelle offers a contrast to the energy of nearby Saint-Tropez. The hotel's rooms, suites, and terraces are arranged to make the most of the sea views and Provençal landscape.
The 1,000 sqm Spa Nescens center is a defining feature. It offers 11 treatment rooms, a heated indoor pool, a hammam, and health & 'better aging' programs. Guests seeking more privacy can choose from 13 villas offering bigger living spaces and sublime views.
AREV St. Tropez
AREV St. Tropez is about a five-minute walk from the village center. Rather than the restrained minimalism found at many resorts, its rooms and suites use bold colors (mostly blue and red), patterns, and lacquered details to evoke the personality of classic Saint-Tropez.
The hotel’s intimate scale is complemented by a swimming pool, spa, restaurant, bar, and fitness center equipped with Technogym machines and Peloton bikes. Yoga and Pilates sessions, and transport in the property’s signature electric bikes, add a pleasant twist to the stay.
Althoff Villa Belrose
Althoff Villa Belrose rises above the Bay of Saint-Tropez on the hills of Gassin, within 9,000 sqm of pine forest and gardens. The property's Florentine-villa design has terraces and panoramic views across the bay and the village.
A large heated pool provides a dramatic focal point, along with the poolside restaurant Le Méditerranée and Le Belrose. A beauty center offering massages and body treatments completes the experience, making the hotel well-suited to guests seeking privacy, elegance, and expansive Riviera views.
Cheval Blanc St-Tropez
The LVMH-owned Cheval Blanc St-Tropez is a seasonal hotel occupying an intimate position on Plage de la Bouillabaisse. Its 32 rooms and suites, along with the exclusive Villa Riviera, create a private residence atmosphere shaped by elegant blue-and-cream interiors by Jean-Michel Wilmotte.
Haute cuisine is one of its key draws, with the presence of Chef Arnaud Donckele’s three-Michelin-starred La Vague d’Or and Mediterranean dining at La Terrasse. A private beach, a sea-facing swimming pool, and the Cheval Blanc Spa, offering bespoke Guerlain rituals, complete one of Saint-Tropez’s best waterfront experiences. The perimeter wall should also help keep the paparazzi at arm's length.
