Trivia question for you. When does summer officially end? Well in this particular corner of Provence, the answer is the last weekend of October, when the village of Saint-Tropez holds its long weekend - 4 day - end-of-season sale!
For over 30 years now, the ‘Grande Braderie des Commerçants de Saint-Tropez’ has attracted tens of thousands of visitors, all looking for that great deal. Tropezian shopkeepers take over the pavements and clear their shelves at knock-down prices.
Now of course St. Tropez is a great place to shop at any time, so this event is extra-special. It's one of the most anticipated shopping events of the year, with a wide variety of clothing fashion, jewellery & accessories, art works, decoration & homewares on offer. People literally cram the pavement, seeking bargains.
The Saint-Tropez "Grande Braderie" Street Market - 2023
The merchants of Saint-Tropez, members of the "Esprit Village" association, really went to town in 2023! Over 230 different stores participated, making this the biggest ever sale on the French Riviera.
Even more of the high-end boutiques took part this year, meaning there were some fantastic deals on designer labels. And the weather - as usual - was perfect; dry, warm and sunny.
Shopping in Saint-Tropez - a video guide
A nice little video from Anja & Aila that gives you a feel for what you can expect. Prices of at least 50% off for a start!
How to Get there
By boat: The absolute best way to get to the sales is by water. Special return trips are put on for the even from destinations as far-flung as Nice (2h30). However, the simplest and best value route in is "Les Bateaux Verts" ferry service from Sainte-Maxime. You can easily park in the huge quayside car park (get there early to secure your space!) then take a short and scenic trip straight into Saint Tropez harbour. Visit their website for timetables and pricing.
By bus: The bus services in the Gulf of Saint Tropez are run by Varlib (timetables here). The routes are extensive and it is possible to travel by bus to most of the towns, villages and resorts around Saint Tropez:
Bus 7601 - Saint Tropez - Saint-Raphaël
Bus 7701 - Saint Tropez - Gassin - Cogolin - Grimaud - La Garde Freinet
Bus 7703 - Saint Tropez - Pampelonne beaches - Ramatuelle
Bus 7705 - Saint Tropez - Pampelonne beaches - Ramatuelle
Bus 7801 - Saint Tropez - La Croix Valmer - Le Lavandou - Bormes - Toulon
By car: This is really not the best idea, trust me! The road around the bay to St. Tropez is always busy at any time of year and will be especially congested around the time of the sales. We definitely recommend parking in St. Max and taking the boat (see above). If you insist, then take the D559 / D98A and follow signs for parking when you (eventually) get there. Try to travel off-peak/early.
Resources
The See Saint Tropez website
The official Saint Tropez Tourism website
Accommodation
With panoramic views, private pool, super-fast WiFi and modern air-conditioning, Haute Vue is a large Holiday Rental Villa with private pool in Montauroux; just an hour's drive from the ferry. Sleeping 10/12 in 5/6 bedrooms, it is the perfect central base for a holiday in the South of France; close to the beautiful perched villages of Provence and in easy reach of the beaches and sights of the sparkling Côte d'Azur.
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