Sign in Using FacebookSaint-Tropez Guide » More About Saint-Tropez: Interesting Facts
Interesting Facts
- It was Brigitte Bardot who came to St. Tropez in 1956 to film "And God Created Woman." Her appearance made the city renowned for its footloose and fancy-free attitude regarding fun, sex, and sun! In 1974, on her 40th birthday, Bardot celebrated her retirement from films at Club 55 on Pampelonne Beach.
- St. Tropez, affectionately referred to as St. Trop by the locals, is home to more luxury yachts than fishing boats. The city's cafés are the perfect place to yacht watch! P.S. The people are pretty interesting to watch, too!
- A visitor's paradise, a local's nightmare! In the summer, the city averages 100,000 visitors each day. The crowds really put some pressure on the roads, beaches, garbage, and restaurants. In addition, the city has no train station. Therefore, driving and parking can really be cumbersome.
- Star Struck? St Tropez is! Famous people are often seen in the jet setting area of the city. In fact, Prince Albert, Naomi Campbell, Clint Eastwood, Robert De Niro, and Jack Nicholson have all been seen in St. Tropez. You never know who you might meet on the streets.
- Life's a beach! It was in St. Tropez that local girls bypassed indecency laws by placing soda bottle tops over certain areas of their chests to prevent being arrested. Today, the Plage de Pampelonne is a beach where you can choose whether or not to wear swimming attire.
- The most thrilling annual event in St. Tropez takes place during the last week of September and the first week in October. The Nioulargue is the time that the oldest and most impressive yachts come into the area in the company of the people who can afford them. It is quite impressive!
- Vacancy? Be sure to book your room far in advance – twelve months is really not too far in advance, especially if you're are visiting between June and September. However, it's not a bad idea to also check availability during the off months. Most hotels are closed in the winter.
- St. Tropez is named for a Christian centurion named Torpes, who was beheaded in Pisa by Nero. The headless body was placed into a boat and set adrift with a rooster and a dog. When the boat washed ashore, the starving dog had not touched the corpse, which was interpreted as a definite sign of sainthood.
- Unlike the shingled beaches of the Riviera, the shores of St. Tropez are made of mostly fine sand. The beaches are crowded with people, beach clubs, and fashionable restaurants. Believe it or not, their reputation hasn't always been so popular. The city is tucked away at the top of peninsula and is the only north-facing town on the coast. In its earlier days, the location of the city did not appeal to those seeking out a warm winter haven.
- Each year in May, a parade takes place in honor of Torpes, the martyred Christian for whom the city is named. An effigy of the saint is carried through the town to the accompaniment of musket fire.
