Saint-Tropez

Saint-Tropez was a fishing village long before it became shorthand for Mediterranean glamour. Its old harbour, ochre and pastel façades, narrow streets and Provençal houses still form the architectural heart of the town, surrounded by umbrella pines, vineyards and the beaches of the peninsula. Artists including Paul Signac were drawn here before cinema transformed its reputation, with Brigitte Bardot and the 1950s turning Saint-Tropez into an international playground. That period left its own design legacy of Modernist villas, beach clubs and effortless indoor-outdoor living—a particular kind of Riviera style that continues to inspire architects and designers today.

Food and drink are best when they reconnect Saint-Tropez with Provence and the Mediterranean rather than the superyachts in the harbour. Fish and seafood, vegetables, olive oil and produce from the surrounding countryside underpin the local kitchen, while the famous tarte tropézienne provides its unapologetically indulgent contribution. The peninsula is also serious wine country: vineyards produce some excellent Côtes de Provence, particularly rosé, alongside increasingly interesting whites and reds. Legendary beach restaurants, glamorous hotel terraces and Michelin-starred kitchens coexist with markets, village cafés and simple places where lunch can still feel reassuringly Provençal.

Saint-Tropez’s most interesting hotels understand that glamour works better with a little restraint. Historic houses, secluded villas, garden retreats and Mid-Century-inspired properties offer alternatives to conventional palace-hotel luxury, often hidden among pines and vineyards away from the harbour crowds. At DNA Hotels, we curate the places where architecture, food, wine and Riviera history come together—hotels that capture the Saint-Tropez of Bardot-era freedom and barefoot glamour, without requiring a superyacht to enjoy it.