A Quick Saint-Tropez Getaway

Quick Getaway to Saint-Tropez

Do you know the way to Saint-Tropez? I am quite certain that is not how the song goes, but I think it can easily be substituted!

This summer was a super eventful one, with guests leaving, new guests arriving, big dinners, photoshoots and a little mini-break to Saint-Tropez.

I have not been to the Côte d’Azur in a very long time. And if I had to choose, it wouldn’t be my first option. It’s all a little bling-bling for me, and even if I had those kinds of funds, I wouldn’t be spending it that way. I’m just not into showy toys, fancy jewellery or plastic surgery. But hey, that’s just me. However, when Henri offered us the use of their house in Saint-Tropez, and my friends Tara (from East Coast Cookery School) and Rob were coming to town, we thought it might be a nice opportunity to check out someplace none of us had been before. Continue reading here for the contributor blog post and photos by Paula Kane @ A Table en Provence

Reasons to Visit Saint-Tropez

This French Riviera city has a reputation for attracting movie stars and for its Vieux Port (marina) filled with impressive yachts. However, there is plenty to do in and around Saint-Tropez, even if your bank account balance does not include millions.

St Tropez Boat Rentals

Head to the market:

On Tuesday and Saturday mornings the market stalls appear in Place des Lices. There are plenty of food stalls with fresh fruit and vegetables. Why not buy some picnic supplies? If you happen to miss the St Tropez market, there are morning markets on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays in nearby towns. Here, is a list of the daily markets in Provence and the Côte d’Azur.

Saint-Tropez

Discover the vineyards:

The Phoceans planted the first vines in the 6th century in the area. They leveraged the favourable weather and maritime trade near Saint-Tropez for agriculture of grapes. Sun, wind and arid soil are still the key ingredients for the fresh, crisp wine produced close to the town. These vineyards fall within the Côtes de Provence appellation, producing all three colours of wine. Drive or cycle the Saint-Tropez peninsula to discover:

The Domaine de la Croix dates back to the 19th century. The vineyard owned by the Bolloré group has 108 hectares of vines and produces Cru Classé wines.

816 Blvd De Tabarin
83420 La Croix Valmer
Telephone: +33 (0)4 94 95 01 75
Open Tuesday – Saturday 10am- 13h and 15h – 19h

Gabriel Farnet founded Château Minuty in 1930. His grandchildren now run the operations at this vineyard near the village of Gassin. The winery includes 163 acres (70 hectares).

2491 Route de la Berle
83580 Gassin
Telephone: +33 (0)4 94 56 12 09
Visitors are welcome Monday-Friday all year

Almost lost to a housing development the Ferme des Lices vineyard survived due to a visionary young winemaker Laurence Berlemont. The first housing plot sold to an English lady and other buyers followed. By 2002, Berlemont had established agreements with property owners to manage their grapes vines and olive trees. The annual produce from the land turned into wines and olive oil from the estate.

Chemin des Treilles
Parc de la Moutte
83990 Saint-Tropez
By appointment only
Telephone: +33 (0)4 94 59 12 40

Eat Some Cake:

The creator of the now-famous Tarte Tropézienne was a local pastry chef Alexandre Micka from Poland. In 1955, he combined a sweet French brioche with his grandmother’s recipe for vanilla and lemon cream. Not quite cake, definitely not a traditional tart the success of this dessert is forever tied to the filming of a movie starring Brigitte Bardot in Saint-Tropez. She loved the tarte tropézienne, and thanks to her endorsement, the rest is culinary history. Visit the original La Tarte Tropézienne bakery in Places des Lices.

Photo by Tasha Powell

Head to the Beach:

Discover La Ponche:

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Paula Kane

From a background in advertising and design, Paula Kane has forged a career that combines her love of good food and wine with her expertise in marketing to produce highly successful culinary events across Canada. Paula first travelled to France 20 years ago and has been returning ever since. She received a scholarship from the James Beard Foundation to attend Le Cordon Bleu, Paris, from which she was graduated in 2009. She has completed the International Sommelier Guild Wine Fundamentals and recently, the Hautes Etudes du Goût program in gastronomy from which she was awarded a Masters degree from the University of Reims in Champagne, France. For the past ten years, Paula has spent part of her year in the Vaucluse where she cycles, cooks, drinks wine, explores and shares her discoveries with others on her website A Table en Provence. Recently she launched an online magazine —Olive + Sweetpea— dedicated to all things she is passionate about: food, wine, travel, home and women trailblazers.