Saint Tropez

Background

Saint Tropez is now universally known as one of the most exclusive resorts in the world but it began life as a small sleepy fishing village and commercial port. The arrival of the painter Paul Signac and his artist friends at the end of the 19^th century marked the beginning of Saint Tropez’s transformation into a top destination for the famous and influential. But, it was the appearance of Brigitte Bardot in the Saint Tropez-based film ‘Et Dieu… Créa La Femme’(‘And God Created Women’) in 1956 which truly pushed the town to the height of its fame and set the trend for it being the ultimate summertime destination for the jet-set.

Still today, between July and September, the town explodes with tourism and activity, attracting on average 100,000 visitors a day. However for the remaining 9 months of the year the humble origins of the town are still clearly visible thanks to historic folklore festivals, a relaxed atmosphere and the tranquil daily lifestyle of its inhabitants.

The contrast between celebrity playground and quiet French community gives Saint Tropez a dual personality and certainly contributes to its charm. The balance between luxury services and typical French village life suits many property owners in the area, granting them a taste of France without renouncing the best in quality and exclusivity.

Profile

For those looking to buy a luxury property in Saint Tropez there are many different types to choose from. Ranging from city centre apartments, generally modern, which are often purchased by Italian and French buyers, to the spectacular villas outside of town which are bought by wealthy buyers from all over the world including Russians, Arabs, Americans and British. Saint Tropez plays home to a number of international celebrities and high profile figures who mainly purchase the extravagant villas in the exclusive ‘Les Parcs de Saint Tropez’ estate, a sprawling 300 acre area stretching across the Saint Tropez peninsula. Some of the most exclusive villas of the ‘Parcs de Saint Tropez’, boast direct access to the sea and private mooring along the beaches of Pampelonne.

The areas outside of the Parcs also offer beautiful, more rural,  properties which are generally preferred by North Europeans who tend to generally avoid the hectic town centre and escape to the more peaceful, locations around Ramatuelle and Grimaud. Among the most expensive villas are those located close to the town with spectacular views  but often have less space and less privacy, or in the surrounding hills.