No matter when travelers descend upon St. Tropez something always seems to be going on in the town. The eight below appeal to just about everyone’s tastes:
Fêtes de la Châtaigne:
The annual ode to everything chestnutty takes place in October in the Var village that considers itself the chestnut capital of the world, Collobrières. Thousands of visitors flock to the area to sample chestnuts in all their forms: roasted, preserves, pastes, cakes, and pies and for the real connoisseur, marron glacé. There are still other delights at the festival: the famous anchoïade of the Niçois, merguez (North-African sausages), or patés from Périgord, all to be washed down with the new wines of the year.
Fête de la Musique
As summer solstice approaches, cities, towns and villages across France celebrate with the Fete de la Musique. The St Tropez version spills out of bars and restaurants to the streets and encompasses every type of music imaginable, from local amateur teen bands to professional classical musicians, from club DJs to traditional folk bands.
Les Bravades
This event has survived since the 16th century and is still enacted with a fair amount of shenanigans for the creation of the army. Expect traditional music and dancing in the streets, food and drink stalls, and parades—there are a great many proud locals all dressed up in uniforms firing their muskets to rhythm as they march with the band. This, behind the brilliance, is “the real” St. Tropez; it’s the culturally most important festival in town and a great favorite among locals.
Les Grimaldines World Music Festival
The World Music Festival consists of musicians from all over the world and other varying performances and activities in the medieval parish of Grimaud. It does happen both indoors and outdoors, right in the heart of a medieval castle in the village—the ideal trip around the world through the portal of music to another world.
Les Musées Nocturnes
As museums across Europe are opened up from night until midnight, free of charge for anyone to walk in, the European Night of Museums comes to life. How do people expect their nights to be? Just guided tours, screenings, and expecting a friendly, fun, and very playful experience. This night includes more than 3,200 museums in 30 European countries, including 1,800 in France which welcome millions of visitors.
Les Voiles de St. Tropez
Scores of racing and sailing enthusiasts come from: all corners of the globe to do battle at the Les Voiles de St. Tropez. The beautiful Rolex trophy is awarded to the winner in the Classic Division over 16 meters. It’s a spectacle: with a mere multitude of prestigious super-yachts, both powered and sail, amidst awesome classics gathered here for the actual regatta. You will be awed by the visual spectacle of so many incredible yachts—classics, Walleys, and top-end modern racers—which typically would not come together in one regatta.
Ramatuelle Jazz Festival
This long-awaited jazz fest heats up in an amphitheater and its gardens. Created in 1986, it puts emphasis on swing Jazz programme, where many American and French jazz musicians intersect. In addition to an outstanding program, Jazz à Ramatuelle indefatigably advocates for local musicians and makes audiences happy with concerts every night. This parallel event, Off Festival, is held every day of the festival at the amphitheater’s gardens.
St. Tropez Polo Gold Cup
St. Tropez has been driven to be able to provide championship play with the Gold Cup. The finest players around have been driven to town by Polo Club Saint-Tropez. The Gold Cup series ends in September for the season. Do not miss this event if you are a polo enthusiast.
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