Sightseeing in Saint-Tropez - what to see. Complete travel guide

Saint-Tropez is a popular holiday resort situated in the south of France. While mentioning this name the majority of people get an image of a beautiful harbor full of sailing ships of light, elegant yachts, luxury boats rising above houses of movie stars and celebrities. St. Tropez, as well as many other port towns, was originally an obscure fishing village located near Nice. However, this ancient town has become more popular when some families moved here from Genoa. The town has slowly filled with great poets, famous writers and artists who got inspiration here.

The city, which is named in honor of St. Torpes, gained the international fame when the film "…And God Created Woman" with the famous actress Brigitte Bardot playing the main role was created here in 1956. After this wealthy people, famous actors and fashion designers started coming to Saint-Tropez. This fact soon turned this city into a fashionable resort.

Cote d'Azur St Tropez is famous for its good climate. Each year it attracts a huge number of tourists, but besides the beautiful nature the city is famous for its attractions and places of interest. The main ones are Museum of the Annunciation, which exhibits a collection of Grammont and prominent French artists Matisse, Picabia, Cross, Bonnard; and a variety of religious relics - Chapel of St. Anne, Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, Maritime Museum with an exhibition of the maritime history of Saint-Tropez, the Butterfly House, Kogolen – an amazing center of craftsmanship and handmade items, and gorgeous Port Grimaud with thousands of yachts moored here. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The city has preserved an incredible number of ancient chapels and churches, each with its own unique features. A Monastery Chapel is of great interest to pilgrims. It is believed to be built at Holy Apostle Trophime burial site. Local residents regard him as the patron saint of the city. Every year they arrange beautiful holidays in honor of their saint next to the chapel.

The ancient chapel of Saint-Eloy has a really fascinating story. For hundreds of years of its existence, it hasn't changed its exterior. Initially, the chapel belonged to a local guild of blacksmiths and shepherds. Every year on December 1, they arranged a beautiful holiday in honor of their patron Saint Eloi. Nowadays, the building of the ancient chapel houses a Protestant temple with lots of ancient design elements.

The local guild of carpenters and joiners had their own religious monument in the Middle Ages, as well. It was the chapel of St. Joseph built in the middle of the 17th century. Unlike many other ancient churches of Saint-Tropez, it preserved its traditions after centuries. Every year on March 19, local carpenters and joiners honor their saint and commit a solemn procession on city streets. On this one day a year, the ancient statue of Joseph is taken from the chapel and carried along the city streets. They transfer it back to the church with all the dignity thereafter.

Many ancient fortifications have survived in Saint-Tropez. While walking along historic rue des Argentiers, you can see remaining fragments of ramparts and several old towers. In the 19th century, a fortress wall remained where houses are now. The city authorities demolished it and allowed local residents to build their houses instead. Townspeople used stones from the wall for construction.

All fans of Louis de Funes's work should definitely visit Musée de la gendarmerie, located in the building of the old gendarmerie. Some storylines from 'Gendarme from Saint-Tropez' have been shot there. Nowadays, the museum presents a thematic exposition devoted to this film, as well as interesting historical pieces.