Saint-Tropez

If it weren’t for blonde sex-bomb Brigitte Bardot filming And God Created Women in 1956 in St Tropez, the once sleepy fishing village may have very well remained that way. But as much as it’s known for its sizzling glamour, celebrity residents, and oversized yachts, the elegant old town boasts down-to-earth restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and chocolate shops, many of which have been in the same family for eons.  And it’s especially pleasant sitting at one of the little cafes in Place Des Lices where you’ll be able to immerse yourself in local culture. In fact, the French invented ‘café culture’, literally. ‘Café Society’ goes back centuries and referred to the act of thinkers, poets, philosophers, and artists convening in local cafés to debate, share, and plot. St. Tropez’s favourites include Le Café and Cafe des Arts; both are perfect for hiding behind huge sunglasses and ogling effortlessly stylish Tropéziens and endless games of pétanque. Of course, a languid rosé lunch in one of St Tropez’s famed beach clubs, such as Club 55 and Nikki Beach, is not to be missed.