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I’m not going to lie, the rollicking summer beach parties in Saint-Tropez and jet-set social scene absolutely live up to the hype, and I’m here for it. But it’s far from the whole story.
I’ve been coming here each summer for nearly two decades, but it’s Saint-Tropez in September that gives me all the Oh! La! La! feels.
With fewer crowds and more room to breathe, Saint-Tropez in September has a soupçon of fall in the air, but there’s just enough summer and glamour left to remind you of where you are.
A sailor’s den, a Provençal fishing village, a Hollywood haunt—each thread creates the tapestry of Saint-Tropez today, and September is when this delightful, sherbet-hued village lives up to its legend as one of the best villages to visit on the French Riviera.
Sailing Takes Center Stage
Two fantastic events blow into town in September, making the atmosphere both festive and refined. Yes, you can buy tickets and sit in the grandstands, but I recommend just going to soak up the atmosphere. You’ll still be able to see the races from the first.
Up first is France’s only SailGP event, the ROCKWOOL France Sail Grand Prix, taking place over two days in mid-September, with 12 foiling catamarans racing at breakneck speed mere feet from the harbor wall.
Meanwhile, Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, one of the Med’s most prestigious regattas, blows in at the end of the month, bringing a spectacle of wind, water, and sportsmanship to the village as dozens of classic and modern sailing yachts slice through the Gulf of St. Tropez’s sapphire waters.
I highly recommend dropping by Le Sube along the port.
The nautical-themed bar has prime time viewing of the yachts and sailboats, especially if you can score one of the few tables on the balcony.
Walk on the Wild Side
With the weather so good in Saint-Tropez in September, it’s a perfect time for a hike along the Sentier du Littoral, a coastal trail that snakes along nearly all of France’s vast coastlines.
In Saint-Tropez, the path hugs the peninsula’s rugged shoreline, dips through pine-scented woods, passes in front of some pretty amazing villas (knock! knock! knock!), and will take you to some secret beaches and turquoise coves too.
Lace up your sturdy hiking shoes (flip flops won’t cut it). The path is uneven most of the time (except in the village). If you’ve taken the Bateaux Verts to the port (see my post on getting to Saint-Tropez) you can start right away, near the Tour du Portalet, no car needed!
Keep your eyes peeled for wooden signs with subtle yellow dashes marked pietons (pedestrians) or Sentier du Littoral (coastal path). They’re your breadcrumbs on this coastal adventure.
Or ask directions to the Saint-Tropez’s Marine Cemetery (it’s on the way), one of the rare seaside cemeteries in France, where village residents, soldiers, and French notables, including the recently laid-to-rest Brigitte Bardot.
What to Do in Saint-Tropez?
The popular Saint-Tropez Market is held on Tuesday and Saturday on the Place des Lices, and it never disappoints. Summer is obscenely crowded, but September chills out a little bit, especially near the end of the month.
Art lovers can meander through galleries, but don’t skip the Musée de l’Annonciade, housed in a 16th-century chapel right on the port. It’s home to a surprising treasure trove of Post-Impressionist art by masters who found their inspiration on the French Riviera.
History buffs with a bent for old cannons and killer views should climb to the citadel, a 17th-century stone fortress turned museum chronicling Saint-Tropez’s rich seafaring past.
Just outside the village is the palm-fringed park surrounding the Chateau de la Moutte. This Provençal bastide once belonged to Émile Ollivier, Napoleon III’s last Prime Minister, and is open for guided afternoon tours. It’s also open to the public during the European Heritage Days, held the third weekend of September.
Shopping is a sport in Saint-Tropez, and the narrow cobbled streets are loaded with haute couture shops and smaller boutiques. For the Saint-Tropez souvenir, drop by Rondini, where artisans have been handcrafting leather sandals since 1927, and will fit them to your feet on the spot.
Book a sunset cruise boat tour, Pampelonne Bay tour, or get up close to some of the races during Les Voiles aboard Brigatin II. Or get out on a private RIVA boat tour on your own time —the ultimate glam experience.
Where to Eat & Drink in Saint-Tropez
Like summer fashion, dining spots ebb and flow fast out of Saint-Tropez, but the classics never go out of style. Case in point: Le Sénéquier. It’s an institution in Saint-Tropez and the best people-watching perch on the port.
In September, the brasserie tables and barstools start to fill up with locals again, returning to reclaim their turf and catch up on town gossip. There are plenty of places to grab a high-end meal or a fancy coffee, and you might even snag a good table this month, sans reservation!
I’ve been a fan of Salama since it was tucked into a tiny street off the port. It’s now a slice of Morocco in a gorgeous and grand space behind Place des Lices. With a group for a celebratory night out, it’s a blast.
Grab a coffee or lunch at Le Sporting and watch fierce pétanque rivalries unfurl under the century-old plane trees on Place des Lices, or venture out to Chez Camille on the wild end of Pampelonne Beach for a homemade bouillabaisse. La Ponche has also been a longtime favorite for languid seafood lunches in a convivial village setting by the sea.
Rosé is the elixir of choice here, and Saint-Tropez sits in one of the best rosé wine-producing regions of the world. Many of the vineyards are within easy reach of the village, and visiting them can be a lot of fun.
Where to Stay in Saint-Tropez
There are numerous hotels and guesthouses in and around Saint-Tropez, and some stay open all year. Here are my favorite Saint-Tropez hotels.
Read my guide on the best ways to get to Saint-Tropez
