Saint Tropez is another Provencal town, 104 kilometres (65 miles) to the east of Marseille in southeastern France.  Until the beginning of the 20th century, the town was a military stronghold and an unassuming fishing village.  It was also the first village on this coast to be liberated after World War II (as part of Operation Dragoon).  After the war it became an internationally known seaside resort due to the influx of artists and musicians.  Later on it became a resort for the American and European jet set.  

20140624_France_0011 I found the town to be very colourful and full of beautiful yachts.  The English rock bank Pink Floyd wrote a song called "San Tropez" after the town.  The town is also cited  in David Gates' 1978 hit, "Took the Last Train" and Aerosmith's "Permanent Vacation".  Rappers including Diddy, Jaz Z and 50 Cent refer to the city in some of their songs as a favourite vacation destination, usually by yacht (of course).  

20140624_France_0006  There were so many beautiful yachts in the harbour.  DJ Antoine wrote a song called "Welcome to St. Tropez" which is about people going to the town and spending all the money they have.  Of course you could just spend your money getting to St. Tropez.  The yacht Archilles, pictured above, is 55m (180.4 feet) and was built by CRN shipyard in Ancona, Italy.  This yacht can accommodate 12 people with its six staterooms.  If you wanted to charter this "boat" you would get an experienced British Captain, an excellent French Chef with a total of 13 crew members all for the price of approximately $160,000 US per week.  

20140624_France_0007

This yacht is only 46.7 m and has room for 10 guests so perhaps would be a little less to rent for a week.   Unfortunately, she appears to be  no longer available for charter.  In 2008,  The Harle (pictured to the right of the Yalla)  was honoured with the best power 40m to 65m yacht by the International Superyacht Society (who knew).  This yacht is 44.65 meters (146'6" feet).  Before being privately owned, the yacht was available for charter.  

20140624_France_0002

I fount it to be a very interesting and colourful place.

20140624_France_0005 I spent a couple of hours just wandering around the town.  There were quite a few artists showing their work.  St-Tropez was fertile ground for artists at the turn of the 20th century.  Paul Signac fell in love with the colour and light and invited his other painter friends to visit including Henri Matisse, Pierre Bonnard and Henri-Edmond Cross.  

20140624_France_0001

20140624_France_0053

20140624_France_0062 The church of Our Lady of the Assumption of Saint-Tropez was built in the baroque style of the sixteenth century.  The church is built with a facade of white limestone  with a steeple and bell tower in the colours ocher and sienna.  

20140624_France_0071

20140624_France_0065 Saint Tropez started life as a sleepy fishing village.  The houses are all painted in pale pastels.  Many of the fishermen's houses are now boutiques and harbour-side restaurants.

20140624_France_0001

20140624_France_0001

During the 1920's Saint-Topez attracted famous figures from the world of fashion such as  Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli. 

20140624_France_0072

20140624_France_0068

20140624_France_0073

20140624_France_0001

20140624_France_0010

20140624_France_0003

20140624_France_0075 We walked away from the the area with all of the crowds and explored the back alleys and narrow streets.

20140624_France_0008 I watched this woman make crepes for a few people in our group.  I had to lean over the counter for the shots.  I was told that the crepes were delicious.

20140624_France_0009

20140916_France_0001 Besides creating fabulous crepes, St. Tropez is famous for making "La Tarte Tropezienne".  Our guide Sabrina had told us where the best pastries in town were  made.  Gretchen, Sam and Chris found the bakery and Gretchen supplied me with the photograph of the shop.  

20140916_France_0002 Gretchen also took this photo of the pastry.  La Tarte Tropezienne is a pastry made of brioche, cream, and sugar that was originally a Polish dish but is now famous throughout this region.  

20140624_France_0078 Eventually I met up with Chris and Gretchen.  They were raving about the Tarte Tropezienne and insisted that I try it.  It was fantastic-very rich but so delicious.  

20140624_France_0080

I never had a chance to make it to the beach.  In St. Tropez, Tahiti beach was made popular in the film "And God Created Woman" featuring Brigitte Bardot.  St. Tropez was already popular with artists and writers by the time Bardot chose it as her home.  Bardot arrived with her husband, director Roger Vadim to make the movie.  Orson Welles, Rita Hayworth, Errol Flynn and Greta Garbo had all visited the town but none had the raw power and impact of the young Bardot.  In 1956, the small, sleepy town was awakened.  Bardot had fallen in love with the area and the St. Tropez became an international stage.  

20140624_France_0001

One last look at the town before our group headed out.