La citadelle de Saint-Tropez
The history of Saint-Tropez in one place – the Citadel
The town of Saint-Tropez was equipped with an impressive citadel at the beginning of the 17th century to protect it from pirates and Barbary corsairs. It is one of the largest buildings of its type on the coast of Var. With its thick, light-coloured walls, it stands guard over the town, its bay and the magnificent Baie des Canebiers. Walking to the citadel is the opportunity to wander through the colourful, narrow steets of the town and up through the grounds of the fort. The impressive keep in the centre of the citadel is home to the Musée Naval de Saint Tropez (maritime museum) which focuses attention on the history of the most famous town on the French Riviera and highlights of its maritime past. You will find the answers to many questions like the origin of the word « Madrague » chosen by Brigitte Bardot as the name of her home, why there is an African door on a building on the Place de Mairie and how Saint-Tropez became the third largest Mediterranean port in France in the 18th century. Discovering the answers to these questions, and lots more besides, makes the museum a great place for a family outing.
Saint-Tropez : a permanent window on the world
The museum is well laid out and starts in a replica of the day cabin of a long distance sea captain. The displays on the ground floor follow the centuries of maritime history which marked Saint-Tropez on a range of themes including the development of coastal navigation, the local torpedo factory and marine legends. Along the way, archive images and footage are projected around you, like the one of grand sailing ships at the turn of the 20th century. As well as preserving the memory of a vanished world, the museum also keeps alive that of famous mariners from Saint-Tropez. The first floor displays retrace the amazing life stories of Jean-François Allard and of Hippolyte de Bouchard, a fisherman who went on to become an officer in the French Navy.
On the beach…
As you walk back down towards the historic town centre from the citadel, you are almost immediately hit by the many beautiful shades of blue sea facing you. After stopping for coffee on the chic harbourside, head for the finest beaches like Plage des Salins and Plage de Pampelonne. There is no doubt that once you have spread out your towel, you will want to lie down and relax, but don’t stay idle too long ! Saint-Tropez has lots of water sports to try so why not hire a jet-ski, pedalo or wakeboard. Families can have great fun tubing or sailing aboard a hired catamaran. And when you have had your fill of thrills, don’t leave the town without tasting its famous and delicious ‘tarte tropézienne’.
Useful information
Access and Transport
The citadel is in the centre of Saint-Tropez. Coming via the autoroute, take exit n°36 for Muy, then D25 towards Sainte-Maxime and D559 to Saint-Tropez. Coming from Hyères, take D98 towards Cannes.
To come by train, catch the Trans Côte d’Azur from Cannes or Nice.
The nearest airport is Nice-Côte d’Azur.
Citadel opening times
01/04 - 30/09 : 10.00 - 18.30 (last entry 18.00)
01/10 - 31/03 : 10.00 - 17.30 (last entry 17.00)
Address and contact details
1, montée de la citadelle
83990 Saint-Tropez
Tel. : 04 94 97 59 43
Discover Var with Gites de France Var : port of Le Lavandou, Rocher de Roquebrune.
