Saint-Tropez packs more into its small peninsula than towns ten times its size. Beyond the superyachts and beach clubs that made it famous, you’ll find a 16th-century citadel with sweeping Gulf views, one of France’s finest Post-Impressionist art collections housed in a former chapel, and a daily market that’s anchored village life for centuries. Each attraction below gets its own heading with practical details on location, hours, and what to expect. For detailed climate data including monthly temperatures, rainfall, and sea temperatures, see our Saint-Tropez weather by month guide.
Things to Do in Saint-Tropez: Landmarks and Culture
Citadelle de Saint-Tropez
The 16th-century citadel sits on a hilltop at the eastern edge of town, built between 1583 and 1607 to defend against naval attacks. The hexagonal fortress houses the Maritime History Museum, covering Saint-Tropez’s fishing and naval heritage with model ships, navigation instruments, and period photographs. The real draw is the panoramic terrace: a 360-degree view over the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, the Maures Mountains, and on clear days, the Alps. Entry costs 4 EUR (free for under-12s). Open daily except Mondays: 10:00-17:30 October through March, 10:00-18:30 April through September. It’s a 15-minute uphill walk from the Vieux Port. Go in the morning before the heat builds. If you’re trying to decide when to plan your trip, check our best time to visit Saint-Tropez guide for a complete season-by-season breakdown.
Musee de l’Annonciade
Housed in a converted 16th-century chapel right on the port, this small museum holds one of the finest collections of Post-Impressionist and Pointillist painting in France. Paul Signac discovered Saint-Tropez in 1892 and his arrival drew Matisse, Bonnard, Derain, and other avant-garde painters who worked here in the early 1900s. The collection includes works by Signac, Matisse, Bonnard, Derain, Vlaminck, Braque, and Dufy. Entry is 6 EUR (reduced 4 EUR). Open Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00-13:00 and 14:00-18:00 (closed Mondays and November). Plan 60-90 minutes. The chapel setting with its white stone walls makes the paintings pop. Plan around the best events with our Saint-Tropez events and festivals calendar.
Chapelle Sainte-Anne
Built in 1618 as thanks for sparing Saint-Tropez from the plague, this small white chapel sits on a hillside above the town, a 20-minute walk from the port. The interior is simple Provencal stone, but the terrace outside delivers one of the best photo spots in town: a postcard view over the red-tiled rooftops, the Vieux Port, and the bay beyond. Free entry. Access is via Chemin de la Chapelle Sainte-Anne, a steep but paved path starting near the citadel. Best visited at golden hour for photography. For a walk-through of every district, read our Saint-Tropez neighborhoods guide.
Place des Lices
The town’s main square doubles as a boules pitch, market square, and social hub. Plane trees shade the entire space, and locals play petanque under them every afternoon. The Tuesday and Saturday morning market (8:00-13:00) fills the square with Provencal produce, cheese, olives, lavender products, antiques, and clothing. Even on non-market days, the surrounding cafes (Cafe de Paris, Le Mazagran) are prime people-watching spots. The square dates to the 17th century and was originally a jousting field, hence the name “Lices” (lists). Find the right hotel and area with our where to stay in Saint-Tropez guide.
Things to Do in Saint-Tropez: Beaches and Water
Pampelonne Beach
Pampelonne is the 5km stretch of sand that put Saint-Tropez on the map, running south from the peninsula toward Cap Camarat. It’s not one beach but a string of over 20 private beach clubs and public sections. Club 55 (the original, since 1955) anchors the northern end with its iconic blue-and-white striped loungers. Nikki Beach brings the day-club scene with DJs and champagne sprays. Tahiti Beach at the southern end has a more relaxed, family-friendly vibe. Public-access paths (free stretches with no facilities) are marked every few hundred meters. Parking lots fill by 10:00 AM in July and August; arrive early or take the shuttle bus from Place des Lices. Lounger rentals range from 25-45 EUR per day at most clubs. For practical advice on airports, transport, and costs, read our Saint-Tropez travel tips.
Plage des Salins
A quieter alternative to Pampelonne, Plage des Salins is a 200m crescent of sand on the eastern side of the peninsula, reached by an unpaved road past old salt flats. There’s a single beach restaurant (Plage des Salins) serving grilled fish and rose, plus a stretch of free public sand. The view looks out toward the Maures Mountains across the bay. Water is shallow and calm, good for families. Parking is limited to about 30 spaces; come before 10:00 or after 16:00 in summer. No beach club scene here, just sand, sea, and a restaurant. For an overview of the town and all our guides, visit our Saint-Tropez travel guide.
Plage de la Ponche
This tiny 50m sand-and-pebble beach sits right in the old town, below the Hotel La Ponche. It’s not a destination beach (no loungers, no club), but it’s the most photogenic spot in Saint-Tropez: the fishing boats, pastel buildings, and the old port framed by the citadel in the distance. Locals swim here in the early morning before the port wakes up. Access is via a stone stairway from Rue du Port. The water is clean and clear, protected by the harbor wall. Best for a quick dip and photos, not a full beach day.
Things to Do in Saint-Tropez: Outdoor Activities
Sentier du Littoral (Coastal Path)
The Sentier du Littoral is a maintained coastal hiking trail that runs for 27km around the Saint-Tropez peninsula. The most scenic section starts at Plage des Salins and follows the rocky coastline past hidden coves, pine forests, and cliffside viewpoints toward Cap Camarat. The full circuit takes 5-6 hours, but you can do shorter out-and-back sections. Wear sturdy shoes: the path includes rocky sections and uneven steps. Bring water and sunscreen as there is no shade on exposed sections between 11:00-15:00. Free access. The trail is well-marked with yellow blazes. Best walked in April-May or September-October when temperatures are moderate.
Boat Rental and Sailing
The Gulf of Saint-Tropez is best experienced from the water. Several operators at the Vieux Port rent small motorboats without a license (no boating license required for boats under 6hp in France). Expect to pay 150-250 EUR for a half-day rental (4 hours) for a 4-6 person boat. You can motor to secluded coves inaccessible by road, anchor off Pampelonne for a swim, or cruise past the superyachts and celebrity villas along the coast. Book at least 2-3 days ahead in summer. Operators include Marines de Cogolin and Sea Rents. For sailing, the Societe Nautique de Saint-Tropez offers lessons and rentals.
Day Trip to Port Grimaud by Boat
A 15-minute boat shuttle from Saint-Tropez port (Les Bateaux Verts, 8 EUR one-way) takes you to Port Grimaud, a modern “Venice of Provence” built in the 1960s by architect Francois Spoerry. The entire village is a network of canals with colorful fisherman-style houses, each with its own boat mooring. You can rent a small electric boat (no license needed, about 40 EUR/hour) and navigate the canals yourself, or simply walk the bridges and pedestrian streets. Several waterfront cafes and an excellent Thursday morning market. The last shuttle back to Saint-Tropez departs around 18:30 in summer.
