St. Tropez is a colorful port that’s a favorite destination among the rich and famous.
Located in the heart of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, St. Tropez has with world-class restaurants, exclusive beach clubs, luxury shopping, designer boutiques and some of the world’s most expensive yachts.
In a destination known as a place to stunt and be seen, there is a way to experience St. Tropez on a budget.
Visit During The Low Season
June through August is the peak season in Saint-Tropez,. This means that you spend more on accommodations and have traffic with large crowds. Visiting during the low seasons will help mitigate the high costs.
January is one of the worst times to visit as it tends to be the coldest month. It has an average of 3.5 inches of rain. There’s more rain on average in February, but the temperatures are slightly warmer than in January.
Stay in Nearby Grimaud or Port Grimaud
St. Tropez’s next-door neighbor, Grimaud, is another way to find cheaper accommodations. Located roughly 20 minutes from St. Tropez, it’s a beautiful medieval village filled with floral alleyways and warm-colored stoned homes. While here, visit the Grimaud Castle.
Port Grimaud is different from Grimaud as it’s located on the seaside. Port Grimaud is known as the “French Venice.” It’s built like the Italian city filled with beautiful waterways and canals.
Hotels vary between $166 and $209 per night in Grimaud and Port Grimaud.
Spend the Day at a Beach Club
You will find a variety of beach clubs in St. Tropez that have been around since the 1950s. Most beach clubs are located on Plage de Pampelonne, which translates to Pampelonne Beach in English.
Pampeloone Beach has a long stretch of white sand and blue water, where the celebrities party and spend much money. By reserving lounge chairs and sunbeds from famous beach clubs, including Nikki Beach and Tahiti Beach, travelers can save money. Tahiti Beach is the only hotel and beach club with direct access to Pampelonne Beach. Interested guests must submit a reservation request on the resort’s website. Nikki Beach offers single beds for 35 euros and double beds for 120 euros.
Visit Plage des Graniers (Graniers Beach)
Graniers Beach is the perfect to explore if you want some adventure.
Pebbles are on the beach, similar to most of southern France’s beaches. You also will have to travel up and down hills and steps.
Once there, however, you will find it’s a beautiful beach cheaper than some beach clubs in Saint-Tropez. Les Granit’s is a beautiful restaurant on the beach with seating that offers stunning sea views.
Cultural Attractions For Less
Make the most of your time in Saint-Tropez by visiting cultural attractions, including Place des Lices Market, Citadelle de Saint-Tropez and the Annonciade Museum.
On Tuesdays and Saturdays of every month throughout the year, Place des Lices Market comes to life. Located in the heart of the town, it’s a one-stop shop for finding local clothing, souvenirs, art, and fresh fruit and produce.
The Citadelle de Saint-Tropez is a historic 17th century fortress that houses a collection of artifacts to explore the history of St. Tropez. It’s a city that history proves was France’s third largest port in the Mediterranean. Visitors can get inside for less than 4 Euros.
The Annonciade Museum was created in 1922. It houses some of the world’s most beautiful paintings and sculptures. The museum is considered the first museum of modern art in France.
Entry costs less than 6 euros.
Rent a Catamaran
If you don’t have access to a yacht, an affordable option to explore the island is booking a day tour or a half-day tour on a catamaran.
Companies, like Casanueve Maxi, have deals that are based per person. A relaxing day in the Mediterranean costs 95 euros for an adult, and a half-day trip is 55 euros for an adult.
A Sunday brunch ride is 80 euros per person.