Saint-Tropez
One of the most famous cities on all of the French riviera, Saint-Tropez is known as a home (or home away from home) to many beautiful and famous people, especially famed French beauty Brigitte Bardot, as well as for the splendor that brought them there.
1st Century: Saint Torpes
Although the people that made Saint-Tropez famous are celebrities for film or music, the original celebrity of Saint-Tropez was the martyr, Saint Torpes, from whom the city gleans its name. According to legend, Saint Torpes was beheaded at Pisa during the reign of the Roman emperor Nero. His body was placed in a boat and landed at Saint-Tropez, and his name was used as the name of the town.
1920s: Fashion Capital
In the 1920s, Saint-Tropez gained reknown in the fashion world, when several fashion icons of the time began coming the the quaint little town on the riviera. Until this point, Saint-Tropez was relatively unknown, and it was during this time period that much of the glamor that still exists in the town today was built up.
1950s: Brigitte Bardot
There is no contest, however, when choosing the deciding factor for Saint-Tropez's fame: in the 1950s, Brigitte Bardot, a beautiful young actress and muse to many, especially Roger Vadim, were inspired by her. It was Vadim who cast her in Et Dieu... créa la femme, a film that was set in Saint-Tropez and gave Bardot her "sex kitten" image. The film used much of the city as its set, and in venturing to the vieux port or old port - an important international port during the 18th century - and the famous houses that line it, you can see some of the architecture that was featured in the film and that still stands today.
Today: Tourism
What used to be an important port city now bases most of its economy in tourism. The famous casino is one of the most popular spots, as well as the beaches, many of which are private. Of the private beaches, some are popular nudist spots - a holdover from the sexual renaissance that Bardot inspired in the film set here. Of all of the activities available to you in this town, however, some of the most interesting involve retracing the steps of the famous (and infamous) who were here before you. Be sure to rent Et Dieu... créa la femme as well as the French comedy Le Gendarme de Saint-Tropez starring French comedian Louis de Funès. After seeing these films, your strolls through the beautiful Saint-Tropez will be all the more rewarding.
