How To Do St.Tropez on a Budget

A funny story: some friends of ours stayed with us at Maison de Frédéric last summer. When they got home, they were telling friends about their trip and mentioned they had started in St. Tropez for the weekend. One of them asked, “Is St. Tropez even a real place?”

Honestly, I understand the question.

You hear St. Tropez and it sounds mythical, glamorous, slightly out of reach, and frankly, expensive. But it really doesn’t have to be.

We’ve been going every summer for years. It’s a little less than a three-hour drive from our home in Provence and perfect for a long weekend. Truthfully, I don’t think I would want to stay much longer than three nights.

We’ve stayed at some incredible properties over the years, but I’ve found there’s actually a very good way to do St. Tropez on a budget:

My biggest piece of advice is to find an affordable rental or hotel outside the city center, then spend your days at the beach clubs.

You still get that unmistakable St. Tropez experience without the hefty hotel price tag. The food is excellent, the beaches are beautiful, and the bathrooms are clean and tidy—a major plus for me.

A few things to know before you go:

• You absolutely need reservations.

• This is one benefit of staying at a hotel. The front desk can usually call and secure a reservation for you, even during the busiest weeks of summer.

• There are typically two seating times. We always prefer the earlier one at noon.

• We’ll have lunch first, then reserve beach beds afterward and stay until closing, which is usually around 4:00 p.m.

• Most of these clubs only serve lunch, not dinner.

We’ve now been to three of the major beach clubs, so here’s my rundown:

Made famous by Brigitte Bardot, Club 55 is the quintessential St. Tropez experience.

That said, it’s actually quite rustic. But in the most charming way possible. The food here is amazing, and the people-watching is next level. They also have a wonderful little resort shop, and somehow I end up buying something every single time I go.

A few things to note:

• They do not provide beach towels, so bring your own.

• If you’re staying at a hotel, ask the front desk for beach towels specifically. Don’t take the towels from your bathroom. Apparently that’s very frowned upon.

• There are no beachside servers, but you can walk up to the bar for drinks and snacks.

• Sunbed: 40€ per person

• Umbrella: 19€

• Hut: 60€ (sunbeds not included)

We took friends here on our last visit and they absolutely loved it.

Loulou also has a Paris location right near the Louvre and the Tuileries, and the St. Tropez beach club feels very much in that same world. It’s chic, polished, and a little more luxurious than Club 55.

They have plush beach beds, attentive servers, and a beautiful boutique. We had lunch at the restaurant, shopped a bit afterward, then spent the rest of the afternoon lounging on the beach.

• Beach beds: 80€ per person

They also provide towels, which is always appreciated.

This beach club is connected to Château de la Messardière, where the newest season of The White Lotus was filmed. Now, I should say this one is not exactly “budget friendly.” But I still think it’s worth mentioning because if you’re going to splurge on one day in St. Tropez, this is a very good place to do it.

Hotel guests get first priority for reservations, so this one can be a little harder to get into. The atmosphere here feels calmer and a bit more polished than some of the other clubs. Lots of pastel tones, beautiful landscaping, and a more relaxed energy overall.

If you aren’t staying at the property, I would probably suggest sticking with Club 55 or Loulou instead. They’re easier to book and still give you the full St. Tropez experience.

• Restaurant pricing: approximately 50€–100€ per person, depending on what you order.

• Beach bed pricing: Sunbeds and daybeds usually start at around €150, with premium beds (often accommodating up to 2-3 people) reaching up to €250 per day.

St. Tropez can feel impossibly glamorous, but I actually think that’s part of the fun. A little people-watching, a long lunch, a swim in the Mediterranean. You really don’t need much more than that. If you’ve been to St. Tropez before, I’d love to know your favorite beach clubs!

xo,

Kyong