After Toulon, we arrived in Saint-Tropez, where we took a long walk around the city. It was really fun to see the miniature versions of famous fashion houses and jewelry stores. While in Dubai, for example, they have stores measuring several hundred square meters, here some are no bigger than a hotdog stand. It was like looking at an exclusive dollhouse version of the luxury world.
The name of the city is connected to a strange legend. According to tradition, it was named after a Roman centurion, Torpes, who was executed by Emperor Nero in Pisa. His body was put in a boat with a dog and a rooster, and then set adrift. The boat eventually ended up on the shore here, and the locals buried the martyr with honor, and the town was named after him.
In the Middle Ages, the city was of strategic importance in defending against pirate attacks. In the 15th century, Genoese sailors were invited to settle and protect the coast, in exchange for tax exemption and the right to maintain their own militia. The 17th-century Citadel, which still stands proudly above the town, is a testament to this military past.
For a long time, Saint-Tropez was just a quiet, isolated fishing village, where people made a living from cork production and shipbuilding. However, it was at the end of the 19th century that painters discovered it for themselves. Paul Signac arrived here in 1892 and was so fascinated by the landscape that he bought a villa. He was followed by Matisse and many other artists who sought out the special lights, launching the village to fame.
The real breakthrough and the era of global “glamour” came in the 1950s, mainly thanks to cinema. When the film And God Created Woman starring Brigitte Bardot was filmed here in 1956, the place quickly became a top destination for the international elite. Suddenly, world stars and huge yachts appeared, and the village became a symbol of luxury and freedom.
