Saint-Tropez, France

Grimault Port

Once in the port of Grimo, everyone will think of Venice. Restless French in the 1960s, considering the construction of a harbor for boats and yachts, decided to use for this purpose the swamps where ducks had been hunted before. But the harbor’s development for ships grew into something much bigger, and over time the bay turned into a real city on the water. Here, locals leave their yachts right by their house doors, and travelers move around exclusively by boat along the narrow streets-canals. Besides its Venetian flair, the port of Grimo is also known for a medieval 11th-century castle, where you can taste wine that has spent long decades in the cellars, a historic aqueduct locally nicknamed “the bridge of fairies,” and the most picturesque 18th-century square with a stone fountain.

Fortress of Saint-Tropez

This rectangular structure on the hill was designed to protect the city from invaders coming by sea. But throughout its five-hundred-year history, it was used for its intended purpose only infrequently. In the 19th century, shops began to open within the citadel’s walls, and the fortress turned into a bustling market. And during World War II, German prisoners of war were held here. Today, the tower is climbed for postcard-worthy views from the viewing platform and for leisurely walks through the old chestnut garden. In summer, the fortress walls serve as a backdrop for numerous jazz and classical music concerts. And at other times, the Naval Museum is open here.

Kogolen

Cogolin - a city of craftsmen. In this small village, tucked away in a picturesque corner of the Côte d’Azur, it’s best to come in search of extraordinary souvenirs. And of course, to watch hereditary masters at work-creating unique items-and to stroll along the narrow medieval streets. Visitors come here for handcrafted pipes made from Mediterranean heather-briar. Another local pride is the incredibly beautiful carpets crafted using Jacquard and Oriental techniques. These tapestries are valued like gold and are considered truly royal. No wonder that several carpets woven in Cogolin adorn the halls of the Élysée Palace.

Annunciation Museum

Once you find yourself in the building that houses the Annunciation Museum, the phrase “temple of art” starts to be taken literally. The local exhibition is displayed within the walls of a Catholic chapel from the 17th century. Despite its modest size, the venue holds dozens of works by avant-garde artists, created between 1890 and 1950. Among the authors are Matisse, Marquet, Derain and, of course, the founder of this museum-printmaker Paul Signac. Alongside the permanent collection, exhibitions of brought-in paintings are often held here.

Pamplona Beach

On the five-kilometer sandy beach in Pampelonne, located near Saint-Tropez, you keep running into celebrities from all over the world. This is a very popular spot for sunbathing, sea swimming, and active recreation. On its vast grounds, besides the many nude beaches-where, by the way, they shot the old French comedy about the gendarmes-there are also traditional beaches with all the usual amenities: sun loungers, umbrellas, and entertainment. Here you can go water skiing, ride jet skis, take a banana boat ride, rent yachts, and, of course, sip refreshing cocktails. In short, you won’t get bored.

House of Butterflies

Pay a visit to the butterflies that inhabit an old Provencal mansion in the heart of Saint-Tropez-it’s at least a fascinating pastime. Within the walls of the large villa there are more than 20,000 of them. The collection is enormous by European standards. What’s more, many of the winged creatures that flutter freely around the local greenhouses are considered rare and endangered species. Along with the frivolous butterflies, the house is also home to a colony of ants, which has been building its anthill here for several years now, as well as a family of tarantula spiders. The latter live in a large terrarium, but the bravest can give their nerves a tickle and hold the hairy, eight-eyed one in their hands.

Saint-Maxime Resort

Saint-Maxime - a resort with a capital letter. The town is almost entirely made up of sandy beaches and seaside restaurants to suit every taste and budget. Lazy, sweet idleness in the shade of palms and pines here goes hand in hand with learning sailing. Trainer services and yachts in Saint-Maxime are offered at every step. In the hot midday sun, you can take shelter from the blazing rays in the local Museum of Photography and Mechanical Music (Parc de Saint-Donat, Route du Muy, 10 kilometers from the village). The collection here includes over three hundred antique barrel organs, music boxes, and phonographs. Sometimes they even bring out old, bulky radio sets from the past and turn on funny vintage televisions that are more than half a century old.

City sightseeing tour

Nowhere does the sea fit so close to the old town, and the Saint-Tropez tour needs to start from the promenade, recognizing in it the motifs of paintings by Paul Signac, Matisse, Bonnard and other Impressionists. The tour includes a visit to the Pampelonne Beach, where, on its sand, young Brigitte Bardot used to stroll in skimpy swimsuits. After the port and beaches, you will take a walk through the narrow streets of the old town with craft workshops. In the museum, in the Chapel of the Annunciation, you can see the collection of paintings by Grammont. From the old-town district of Ponche you will climb up to the hexagonal citadel, where the Maritime Museum is located and from where the best views of the bay and the city open up. And in conclusion, visit the House of Butterflies, whose collection is considered one of the best in Europe, and return to the promenade, where at sunset artists gather.

For a more detailed list of excursions and their prices, you can check it after booking your cruise in your “Client Personal Account”.