Europe Explored » Saint-Tropez

A Trip Round The French Riviera

Claire — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 22:59:24 +0000

There’s a Turkish Riviera, an Italian Riviera, a Mayan Riviera and even an English one and the names for all these coastal resorts have been inspired by the stretch of coast in the South of France that first became popular as a winter resort in the 18th century. Eventually, someone found out that the area was also lovely in the summertime, plus the railways arrived, and voila, it became one of the first modern resort areas largely frequented by the English.

Here are just a few of the towns and their attractions to be found along the coast:

Nice

Probably one of the city’s most famous features is the 7km long Promenade des Anglais, named after those English tourists. It follows the coast, is long and wide and is a magnet for line skaters and skateboarders as well as promenaders (it’s wide enough to accommodate everyone).

The Old Town is not to be missed and neither is the pedestrianised Cours Saleya, home to a fruit and flower market some days, an antiques market the rest of the week, and lots of restaurants and cafes for lunch and dinner. Beautiful Belle Epoque buildings including the gorgeous Negresco Hotel grace the city with their presence.

Nice, French Riviera by Jean-Pierre Dalbéra

Saint-Tropez

Saint-Tropez is of course well known for its rich, famous visitors, and the eye-bogglingly expensive yachts belonging to these people are certainly worth a stroll round in Quai Jean Jaurès.

There’s a 16th century citadel on a hill overlooking the town from which there’s a great view out to sea and if you’re in the mood for a proper walk, take advantage of the 7 mile track around the coast to the Pampelonne beaches, past Bridge Bardot’s house and Roger Vadim’s grave.

Saint-Tropez, French Riviera by Alessandro Prada

Cannes

Home of course to the film festival in May when you’ll be hard-pressed to find a luxury hotel, the old town (Le Suquet) on the hill is accessible all year round and a wonderful place for people-watching while sitting at a cafe. Cannes, too has its share of big boats that can be viewed in the Old Port area.

The city’s equivalent of the Promenade des Anglais, and just as famous, is the La Croisette with the sea on one side and a myriad of expensive hotels and palm trees on the other.

Cannes, French Riviera by Christophe.Finot

These are all famous, large towns well-visited by multitudes of tourists, but there are also some smaller towns on the French Rivieria …

Julie is a world traveller who loves combining her passion for writing and travelling in fantastic short travel guides. She also writes for Fortina Spa Resort, one of the top Hotels in Malta, situated in a prime seafront location overlooking the capital city Valletta.

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Visiting Saint Tropez during the Monaco Grand Prix | France

Claire — Thu, 03 May 2012 14:33:47 +0000

For years now there is a common tradition that, during the qualifying period of the GP, all the little towns around Monaco become the favorite destination for the ladies of the international Jet Set.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by nick farnhill

While the men are all about the cars and roar of their engines, the ladies enjoy the beauty of the little villages of the French Rivera. The most popular one is surely Saint Tropez. Well know for the beauty of its landscapes, glamour, elegance and for its entertainment. If you are also organizing your holiday in the Rivera, here are the places we recommend.

La Citadelle (the citadel): Located on the hill (la colline des Moulins) next to Saint-Tropez, it was built in the 16th century, once served as the defender of the gulf. A short walk down the hill you can find the “nautical” cemetery of St. Tropez, many celebrities are buried here.

The Place aux Herbes is a beautiful square which has been a center of activity in St Tropez for centuries. This is lovely morning market with fruits and vegetables.

The Old Port. Here you can find boats still used by local fisherman as well as the mega-yachts. There is the beautiful statue of Pierre-André de Suffren, the second principal figure of Saint-Tropez and the Portalet Tower.

Place des Lices is one of the most famous areas, where local and international stars are seen with typical Provincial market, Marché des Lices.

The Church Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption is very worthwhile to visit as well.

The most famous of the Saint-tropez beaches is the long Baie de Pampelonne to the south of St Tropez. Along the beach are beach-side boutiques, cafes and clubs.

And how to reach Saint Tropez? If you are arriving by plane, the closest airport is Nice Airport which is perfectly connected with the most important cities throughout Europe and the World.

You can hire a car directly at the airport https://www.carhire-niceairport.com/.

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Biarritz Beach – a paradise for surfers and celebrities | France

Claire — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 09:02:26 +0000

Biarritz is a paradise for surfers and celebrities. Those who didn’t travel to Saint Tropez certainly spend their holidays here. The resort offers both long sandy beaches and rocky coast. Biarritz is such a kind of a transition between the French and Spanish life, and therefore it is really unique destination. It retains its Basque traditions and culture.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Alex Brown

In the 19th century it became a very popular place among European nobility, Napoleon III., Alfonso II. from Spain and others and still offers lots of attractions and vibrancy for the tourists. Can be said that Biarritz competes with Saint Tropez, however it offers much more than just beaches, casinos, bars and entertainment oriented only to spend money.

During the day you can sunbathe and watch the surfers on the Great Beach (Grande Plage). Along the beach is a trail where you can ride on roller skates, and in the evening you can try the luck at the Town Casino (Casino Municipal).

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Interesting places and buildings

Another town beach is Miramar where you can stay in a king of local hotels – luxury 5 star Hotel du Palais. It was built in 1848 by Emperor Napoleon III. Its lowest rate for single room is €300 per night, but you will surely feel like the emperor himself. A little farther, on the tip of St. Martin, you can see Biarritz lighthouse, dating back to 1831.

You should also visit the old whaling port which is no longer working, but the locals love it and keep its original appearance.

Be sure to go to Rocher de la Vierge (virgin reef), which resembles a tooth and offers really great view and atmosphere at sunset. To get here, you have to go through the bridge designed by Gustav Eiffel.

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The town of Hornbæk in Denmark – seaside resort called “Danish Saint-Tropez”

Claire — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 14:30:36 +0000

Hornbæk is a pleasant town in Denmark, which is called “Danish Saint-Tropez” for its beautiful beach and unspoiled nature. It is located about 20 km from Helsingør, in the northern part of island of Sjælland (Zealand), which is the largest island of Denmark. Today there live almost 6000 inhabitants.

The biggest attraction of Hornbæk is its local beach. It is also one of the best beaches in Scandinavia, awarded by the Blue Flag. Hornbæk Beach has fine white sand and you can enjoy here really clean air. It is a popular place of windsurfing and kitesurfing. Unfortunately there is no rent available, so you must bring your equipment yourself. In summer, the swimmers are secured by the Coast Guard. Hornbæk beach stretches on both sides of the harbor.

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Those who like walking and hiking are invited to the public forest Hornbæk Plantage, which stretches several kilometers along the coast. In the forest there are several marked routes. You can stop at one of many small parks and pick up the map of the trails at the local tourist Information Centre.

Hornbæk is also a popular place for fishing enthusiasts. Here you can rent a boat here either at the local Information Centre or in the office of Captain of the port, located on the south side of the harbor. Prices are around 600 DKK (80 EUR) per boat per day and up to 3 people.

You can stay in the local camp, which is well equipped and offers also cabins, a playground and an air trampoline for children. Or in one of the hotels. In the port you can visit the fish market.

Hornbæk is best accessible by train and car. The nearest international airport is located in Copenhagen, which is 50km away.

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Saint-Tropez – the town on French riviera

Claire — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 13:56:57 +0000

Saint-Tropez is a town, 104 km to the east of Marseille, in the Var department of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region of southeastern France.

Saint-Tropez is located on the French Riviera, and it is known today for its famous and extremely wealthy summertime guests. It has been dubbed the ‘playground to jetsetters, fashion models, and millionaires’, and it is most-enduringly known as the place the iconic Brigitte Bardot “discovered” and for its role in the liberation of southern France during World War II. During the 1960s and the 1970s, the famous film series Le gendarme de Saint-Tropez with Louis de Funès further contributed to the town’s reputation.

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The port is now primarily a tourist spot besides being a base for many well know sail regattas.

The inhabitants of Saint-Tropez are called Tropéziens[1], and the town is familiarly called “St-Trop”.

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