Arrival, information and accommodation
France > Côte d'Azur > St-Tropez > Information

Port

Buses run between the main coast road at La Foux and St-Tropez, 5.5km away, every two hours or so (in summer), dropping you at the gare routière on avenue Général-de-Gaulle. From here it's a short walk, along avenue du 8-Mai-1945, to the Vieux Port, where you'll find the tourist office opposite, on quai Jean-Jaurès (Jan–April & Nov–Dec 9am–12.30pm & 2–6pm; May, June, Sept & Oct 9am–1pm & 2.30–7pm; July & Aug 9.30am–1pm & 3–8.30pm; tel 04.94.97.45.21, www.saint-tropez.st). Bikes and motorbikes can be rented at Holiday Bikes at 14 av G. Leclerc (tel 04.94.97.09.39, www.holiday-bikes.com).

With more and more people wanting to pay homage to St-Tropez, accommodation is a problem; indeed, between April and September you won't find a room unless you've booked months in advance or are prepared to pay exorbitant prices. The tourist office can help with reservations, but, transport permitting, you might be better off staying in La Croix-Valmer or La Garde-Freinet. Out of season you may be luckier, though in winter few hotels stay open. One of the best-value places in town is Lou Troupelen (tel 04.94.97.44.88, www.nova.fr/lou-troupelen; €70–85; closed mid-Nov to April), a short walk from the centre, which has clean, comfortable rooms. If they're booked up, try the Lou Cagnard, 18 av Paul Roussel (tel 04.94.97.04.24, fax 04.94.97.09.44; €55–70; closed Nov & Dec), which looks dreary from the outside but has a decent garden. If you're prepared to pay a bit more, Le Baron, 23 rue de l'Alïoli (tel 04.94.97.06.57, www.hotel-le-baron.com; €70–85), overlooking the Citadel, is a bit quieter than those in the centre, Le Sube, 15 quai Suffren (tel 04.94.97.30.04, www.nova.fr/sube; €100–125) offers unique views over the port and yacht-like decor, or there's the luxurious La Ponche, on place du Révelin (tel 04.94.97.02.53, www.laponche.com; over €150; closed Nov–March), an old block of fishermen's houses with a host of famous arty names in its guest book.

Camping near St-Tropez is also a problem. The nearest sites are the two on the plage du Pampelonne, which charge extortionate rates and are massively crowded in high summer. Otherwise, 6km away on the N559 near Gassin is the three-star Camping Parc Montana (tel 04.94.55.20.20, fax 04.94.56.34.77; closed Oct–March). Within a three-kilometre radius of Ramatuelle are Les Tournels on route de Camarat (tel 04.94.55.90.90, fax 04.94.55.90.99) and La Croix du Sud on route des Plages (tel 04.94.79.80.84, fax 04.94.79.89.21; closed Oct–April).