Rosé & Reservations: The Ultimate Guide to St. Tropez

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Kelley Franklin
Curated By

Kelley Franklin

  • South of France

  • Beaches

  • Food & Wine

  • Relaxation

Advisor - Rosé & Reservations: The Ultimate Guide to St. Tropez
Curator’s statement

St. Tropez is one of those places that hit me the second I arrived—I remember thinking, okay, this is exactly what people mean when they talk about the South of France. The energy, the glamour, the whole scene… it really does live up to everything you imagine. What stood out to me most, though, was the contrast. I’d be walking through these charming, almost sleepy-feeling streets, but also surrounded by some of the most elevated luxury I’ve ever experienced. That mix of laid-back beauty and over-the-top indulgence is what made it feel so special to me—and honestly, unlike anywhere else I’ve been.

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Things to do

The beach clubs were easily my favorite part of St. Tropez. I quickly realized that getting a reservation at these iconic spots isn’t just part of the trip—it is the plan. Just a short drive from town, we spent most of our days escaping the heat at Pampelonne Beach, sitting at long lunches that somehow turned into all-day affairs, drinking rosé, and doing some elite-level people watching.
What I loved most is that every beach club has its own vibe, so you can really choose your energy for the day. But no matter where I went, the food was amazing, the setting was beautiful, and the energy was always so fun.

  • Club 55: A St. Tropez institution, Club 55 is effortlessly chic with a more understated, old-money feel. Think simple, impeccable food, a relaxed beachfront setting, and a crowd that doesn’t need to try too hard. This is for the traveler who appreciates timeless elegance, low-key luxury, and a classic Riviera experience.

  • Shellona: Shellona absolutely lives up to the hype and was one of the most fun days of our trip. We were there when Sparrow & Barbossa were playing, which made the whole experience even better—the energy was high, everyone was dancing, and it felt like a full-on party. Keep an eye on their DJ lineup because they bring in some big names, but just know those days come with higher table minimums. Honestly, I’d recommend going on a more low-key DJ day—the vibes are still just as good, and ordering a magnum of rosé is a must.

  • Gigi Ramatuelle: We went to Gigi the day after Shellona, and it was the perfect reset. Instead of being right on the beach, you’re lounging in the chicest setup by a beautiful pool, getting waited on all day—it feels a little more elevated and relaxed. The truffle pasta is a must-order, and they bring out sorbet served inside a lemon that was honestly one of my favorite things I ate on the trip. It’s the ideal spot when you still want luxury, but at a slower, more relaxed pace. Great recovery spot.

  • Casa Amor: Casa Amor has such a cool, effortless energy—it feels a bit more bohemian and relaxed compared to some of the bigger-name beach clubs. It’s one of those places where you can really settle in and enjoy the full day without it feeling overly chaotic. They also bring in some really great DJs throughout the summer, so it’s worth keeping an eye on their lineup—you’ll definitely recognize a few names if that’s your scene.

  • Verde Beach: Verde Beach strikes that perfect balance between chic and lively—it feels elevated, but still fun and social. The crowd is stylish, the music is always good, and it naturally builds into a great atmosphere as the day goes on. Like Shellona, they also host some impressive DJs throughout the summer, so definitely check the lineup ahead of time—you might catch someone you know and love.

Places to eat & drink

Another one of my many many truffle pastas from the trip.

Beyond the beach clubs, I was honestly so impressed by the food scene in St. Tropez. After one of your relaxing beach days, head back to your hotel, get ready, and go out to an amazing dinner—the night will just keep building from there. From buzzy, see-and-be-seen spots to more low-key local gems, you can really get a taste of St. Tropez beyond the beach clubs. Oh, and don’t forget—always end the night with a Nutella crepe for dessert!

  • Kinugawa Saint-Tropez: Kinugawa felt like one of those “you have to go at least once” dinners. It’s super sleek and upscale, and I loved the mix of Japanese and French flavors—it felt a little different from everything else we were eating on the trip. The rooftop setting and the crowd made it feel very St. Tropez—definitely a place to dress up a bit and lean into the scene.

  • Cherry: Cherry was one of the most fun dinners we had—it starts off as a normal dinner and then slowly turns into a party. The music kept getting better throughout the night, and by the end, it felt like everyone was there for the same reason: to have a really good time. If you’re looking for a high-energy, girls’ night dinner, this is such a good option.

  • Crêperie Gourmandise: This was, hands down, my favorite crêpe I’ve ever had—and yes, I would wait in that line again in a heartbeat. There’s almost always a line, but it moves quickly and honestly just adds to the experience. I still think about it. If you’re feeling a little extra (which you should be in St. Tropez), add Grand Marnier—it makes it even better.

  • Jardin Tropezina: Jardin Tropezina felt like such a nice change of pace when I wanted something a little more relaxed but still beautiful. It’s right on Pampelonne Beach, but the vibe is much calmer and more refined than the big party beach clubs. My tip is to come here for sunset drinks and sit on the beach and listen to the live music; it’s prime St. Tropez.

  • La Part Des Anges: La Part Des Anges felt like such a hidden gem. It’s cozy, a little tucked away, and has more of a local feel, which I really appreciated after a few nights of the bigger scene. We had wine and small plates and just slowed things down—it was one of those simple but really memorable nights.

  • Sénéquier: Sénéquier is one of those iconic spots you can’t miss—we stopped here and got to sit out front with a spritz watching everything happening on the port. We didn’t get a full meal here, but we wanted to stop by because it’s so iconic.

Need to know

Reservations are absolutely essential

Beach clubs and top restaurants in St. Tropez book up quickly—especially in peak summer—and many require table minimums depending on your group size. Reservations aren’t just recommended here, they’re required if you want to experience the best spots.

From my own experience, I actually worked with a concierge-style contact (think of it like a beach club insider) who helped us secure great tables at some of the most in-demand places—it made a huge difference. If you’re planning a trip, this is something I can absolutely help coordinate as your travel advisor to make sure you’re getting the best reservations and set up for an amazing experience.

Timing your beach club reservation changes everything

For a more chic, relaxed lunch experience, aim for 11 a.m.–1 p.m. reservations. If you’re looking for the full St. Tropez energy—rosé flowing, music picking up, and a lively crowd—you’ll want a 3 p.m. seating, which is typically when the party atmosphere begins and you can stay through sunset. You’ll notice that the 3 p.m. seating is also harder to reserve since they are more popular, so make sure you are inquiring in advance!

Tip for arriving from Cannes: Take the ferry

Instead of doing a pricey private transfer or taxi, we decided to take the ferry from Cannes to St. Tropez—and I’m so glad we did. There’s a daily ferry that runs between the two (typically marketed as a round-trip for day trippers), but you can absolutely book it one-way. It was about $65 per person and just over an hour, so if you want to save some extra money to put towards your magnum bottles of rose, this is a much more affordable option!

I honestly loved this part of the journey—it gave us a chance to get out on the water and see the South of France from a completely different perspective. It felt like part of the experience rather than just a transfer. Highly recommend if you’re looking for something seamless, scenic, and a little more fun than sitting in traffic.

Build your day around one main reservation

St. Tropez is best experienced slowly. Plan your day around one anchor reservation (usually a beach club or dinner), rather than trying to over-schedule too many moving parts. One tip from experience: we booked a 3 p.m. reservation at Shellona, and had the time of our lives—but we ended up canceling our “party-esque” dinner that night because we simply didn’t have the energy to do both.

If you’re anything like us, space out your big, high-energy plans and stick to one main event per day. But if you can rally for both… props to you—take full advantage of being in St. Tropez.

Kelley Franklin

Travel Advisor

Kelley Franklin

Advisor - Kelley Franklin

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