48 hours in Saint Tropez

Friday

5pm: After checking into your St Tropez accommodation, dress for the evening and head out into the beautiful late afternoon. Wander through the cobbled lanes and shady squares of Saint Tropez, before taking a café table on the waterfront by the yachts and watching the golden afternoon light fade slowly into pink across the Gulf of Saint Tropez.

7pm: Enjoy an aperitif at Brasserie des Arts in Place des Lices, listening to music and watching the Saint Tropez crowd wander by in the square. There’s a feeling of excitement building in the air at this time of day in the summer months, as celebrities and the ultra-wealthy step off their yachts and out of their decadent hotel suites to enjoy the glamour and glitz of night-time Saint Tropez.

8pm: Those who have a healthy bank balance should splurge on a dinner on the terrace under the pines at La Vague d'Or- one of only two 3 Michelin-star restaurants along the entire French Riviera. There are many other more reasonably-priced establishments serving excellent food, which we’ve written about in our Where to Eat in Saint Tropez guide.

10pm: If you’re after suave sophistication with a dash of celebrity, head to Octave Café for a nightcap. This elegant piano bar plays jazz music to an exclusive crowd: Liza Minnelli has been known to grab the mike here and sing a few songs. If you’re after something a bit more elegant, head to the newly refurbished Bar du Port.

Saturday

9am: Take a breakfast of croissants and coffee at one of Saint Tropez’ pavement cafes, followed by a leisurely stroll through the open-air market under the shade of the plane trees in Place des Lices. This market sells a little bit of pretty much everything- from delicious cheeses and local Provencal goods, to clothes, art and antiques. If you’re planning a picnic at the beach later, stock up now.

10:30: What you do next depends on how active you’re feeling….but all paths lead to the beach regardless. If you have good shoes, bottled water and a hankering to see the stunning Gulf of Saint Tropez coastline, you should definitely take the Sentier Littoral path that runs from St Trop to Pampelonne Beach (where all the beach clubs are). This stunningly pretty walk is over 7km long and will probably take you over three hours, but you can cool off along the way at the secluded beaches and having a little rest on those deep red rocks next to the clear turquoise sea.

If you’re not feeling like walking, drive or take the bus to Pampelonne Beach instead.

1pm: One of the quintessential St Tropez experiences is to spend a leisurely and decadent afternoon at a beach club, drinking rose’ to a backdrop of glittering sea and superyachts. Each beach club has its own character- from the iconic celebrity haunt Club 55 to the champagne-spraying hedonism of the pool at Nikki Beach. Or, of course, you can just grab a patch of soft sand on the public beach and spread out with your Provencal picnic and an icy bottle of rose’. Bliss!

5pm: After freshening up at your hotel it’s time to wander the famed boutiques, galleries and giftshops of Saint Tropez. If you’re feeling like an afternoon sugary pick-me up, don’t miss the custardy, flaky goodness of a Tarte Tropezienne from the bakery.

7pm: Get a sense of the history of Saint Tropez with a walk up the hill to the old fort, which commands a spectacular view across the bay. As the day fades you can see all the yachts stretched out across the bay, and the terracotta roofs of Saint Tropez below you. At the risk of sounding repetitive, this is an excellent place to bring a bottle of local Provencal rose and a couple of glasses. (And a corkscrew!)

8:30pm: Walk along the flowerpot-and-cobbles backstreets of Saint Tropez to dinner at L'Auberge des Maures-the oldest restaurant in Saint Tropez. This place has been serving up delicious Provencal food since before the Second World War broke out, and the setting of stone walls, thick wooden beams, and grapevines complement the menu perfectly.

10:30pm: A nightcap at Café de Paris is a wonderful way to finish the day or whet the appetite for the night ahead. Take a table on the waterside terrace and watch the beautiful people stroll on and off their yachts, or relax inside in the plush décor of red velour couches and gilt-framed mirrors.

11.30pm: If dancing until the sun comes up is on the agenda, you have three incredibly famous nightclubs to choose between (assuming the door-staff choose you in return). VIP Room, Cave du Roy and Papagayo all attract the celebrity set; of the three, Papagayo tends to be the most easygoing, with live music early on and a heaving dance floor.

Sunday

10am: After breakfasting, soothe any sore heads from the night before with a day trip to Ile de Porquerolle- one of the most stunningly beautiful islands in all of the Mediterranean. White sand beaches and crystal clear waters surround this quiet island of pine forests and vineyards. There are no cars on the island, so hire a bike and roam around this spectacular hidden paradise.

1pm: Stop for a leisurely lunch at one of the local restaurants, overlooking the sea and the yachts that come to drop anchor in this splendid place.

3pm: Return to Saint Tropez and enjoy one last wander around the town, or play a game of boules with the locals before departing.

For more accommodation, things to see and things to do in Antibes.