Saint Tropez Nightlife

A popular and fashionable destination since the 50’s, St Tropez is a great place to come and party and what is more, there is always the chance of rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous. Me and my friends decided to hit the town in style and clubbed together to rent a luxurious St Tropez villa, complete with its own infinity pool. In this short guide I point out the highs (and lows) of St Tropez nightlife.

Originally named after a first century saint, this popular party town is knowingly referred to as “St Trop”. It’s a moniker that is particular fitting, given that the word ‘trop’ means ‘too much’ in French. That said, the excesses of St Tropez nightlife are more likely to hit you in the pocket rather than the liver and even a half litre of Evian water can cost upwards of 18 euros in some nightclubs.

We generally started our evenings with a few beers and a glass or two of Rose, before heading into town. In the past I’ve generally had to sneak bottles into hotel-rooms, but one of the great advantages of Saint Tropez real estate rentals, is that you can eat and drink what you please, without having to surreptitiously dispose of your empties!

Despite its glitzy reputation, St Tropez still retains something of an old world character, and this is perhaps nowhere more evident than the ever popular Café de Paris. Located on the port, it has an outdoor terrace that is the perfect location for people watching and soaking up the glamorous ambiance of the bar and its surroundings. It is fair to say that Café de Paris is the original pioneer of cool café culture in St Tropez.

If you fancy a change of pace you might consider visiting one of St Tropez’ many fashionable nightclubs. Although most clubs prefer you to come well dressed and will tend to discourage all male groups, they will generally engender an accommodating attitude if you are prepared to splash the cash!

This is nowhere more evident than La Bodega de Papagayo where you can order a bottle of champagne for a cool 300 euros. This is a nightclub that attracts the stars and makes no secret of it, with images of the town’s latest celebrity arrivals flashed across its many screens.

While Papagayo is definitely a place where you go ‘see and be seen’, the Octave Café offers an altogether different vibe. Although you are just as likely to spot a celebrity within its castle like walls, the atmosphere in Octave is far more laid back than most of St Tropez’ other clubs. The music is generally jazz oriented and the intimate backroom hosts regular live performances.

We had a great time partying in St Tropez, and I would really recommend renting a villa rather than booking a hotel. While at first glance St Tropez Villas may appear to be quite pricey, they are generally able to accommodate quite a few people (especially if you are willing to sleep on the couch like me!).