Cheap flights to Saint-Tropez from £302

St Tropez overview

It’s hard to believe that the glitzy resort town in the South of France was once the country’s most important commercial port. Today, the boats arriving in St Tropez are more likely to be the yachts of celebrities than cargo ships carrying cork or wood. The town is the place to see and be seen and is famous as the backdrop in many a celebrity’s holiday snaps.

Unsurprisingly, the prices for almost everything, from food to accommodation, are high. But for those who arrive on a flight to St Tropez rather than their own personal yacht, there is still a range of affordable activities. The beaches around the town are very popular, with the best weather and the warmest sea to be found in France. Though the streets of designer shops are high-end, window shopping is free, and strolling the streets gives the perfect opportunity for people spotting.

The pace of life in St Tropez is languid. Most relax during the day, to save themselves for the evenings. There are many excellent restaurants and bars in the town; away from the waterfront prices drop considerably.

There is no international airport in the town – the closest are at Nice or Marseille – but smaller airlines have flights to St Tropez which arrive in the nearby Toulon-Hyeres Airport. Transport in this area of France is excellent, however, many visitors arrive in the town as part of a larger tour of the Cote D’Azure, on their way to Nice or Cannes.

Saint-Tropez climate

July and August are the warmest months with daytime temperatures in the mid-20 and nights in the high teens. Spring and autumn have moderate temperatures, usually in the low 20s but require a jacket in the evening. Winter can be in the low-teens during the day, and the city rarely sees freezing weather. Spring and autumn have the most rain, and summer has the driest months.

Getting around Saint-Tropez

Visitors can explore the town by walking or riding a bike and can travel to nearby towns on the public transport system.

Local Airports

Toulon-Hyères Airport (TLN) is located 32 miles (52 km) from St Tropez.

Nice-Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE) is located 65 miles (105 km) from St Tropez.

What is good to know if travelling to Saint-Tropez?

• The most famous beaches are Bouillabaisse, Les Graniers and Leï Salins.
• The Bravades is a religious and military celebration that takes place in the middle of May each year in honour of St Tropez’s patron saint, a Roman martyr named Torpes. He was the highest steward of the house of Nero who converted to Christianity. Not pleased with this, the emperor had him killed. His decapitated body was put in a boat, with a cockerel and a dog, and set on the water. When the boat floated onto the shore at St Tropez, the residents adopted him as their patron saint.
• Place des Lices is very popular with bowls players. It is also home to the markets that take place every Tuesday and Saturday morning. Shop there for local delicacies, fruit and vegetables and souvenirs. During the peak tourist months, get to the market before 9am to mingle with the locals.
• Saint Tropez is a starry, starry place. Past luminaries who have pitched up there include Brigitte Bardot, who frolicked famously there. The writer Guy de Maupassant stayed there, describing the town in his memoir Sur l’Eau (On the Water). The artist Paul Signac discovered the port and the quality of the light there and St Tropez became a haven for artists including Henri Matisse, Georges Braque, Georges Seurat and Andre Derain.
• Today, the Annonciade Museum, a converted chapel, houses the work of several artists including the above as well as Albert Marquet and Edouard Vuillard.
• La Maison des Papillons (butterfly museum). More than 4500 species of butterfly are housed in the museum, the former home of J. H. Lartigue, the well-known photographer.
• The naval museum is in The Citadel, the walled fortress that dates from the 16th century. From the tower, there are fantastic views.