The Old Town of Saint-Tropez, known as "La Ponche" borders the Vieux Port harbor basin and is below the citadel. La Ponche is the historic center of the fishing village and is the most picturesque area of Saint Tropez. Part of it has been laid out as a pedestrian zone of narrow alleyways and quaint cobblestone lanes abounding with small shops, upscale boutiques, cafés, and restaurants.
The discovery of this area has to be done on foot. We recommend you to begin exploring this lively quarter at the Rue de la Citadelle that leads into the center of the Old Town. Turn left on the Rue du Portail-Neuf until reaching the 18th-century Eglise de Notre-Dame de l'Assomption (26 Rue Gambetta). With its beautiful Italian Baroque bell tower, this church punctuates the Saint-Tropez skyline. Inside visitors can admire the bust of Saint Tropez, the town's patron saint.Grimaud is a very nice medieval village located in Côte d'Azur, not far from Saint-Tropez. It is different village from Port Grimaud, which is located at the seaside. On the contrary, Grimaud is classic village perché. In the village area there is also a mill and a castle.
Port Grimaud is called "French Venice" or "Mini Venice". It is fabulous town built purposely to be just like Venice. It is located seven kilometres south-west of Sainte Maxime and about six kilometres east of Grimaud. The town was the dream of Alsatian architect François Spoerry who in 1962 bought the marshy areas at the mouth of the river Giscle. It has been built with all channels in a Venetian manner, but with the houses having French "fishermans" style similar to those in Saint Tropez.The atmospheric Vieux Port is the heart of Saint-Tropez, where the old fishing village first sprung to life. Visitors are charmed by the idyllic scene of small fishing boats and fashionable yachts docked in the harbor, which is lined by pastel-colored Mediterranean houses and lively cafés with outdoor terraces. On the wide sidewalk at the water's edge, artists sell colourful paintings depicting scenes of Saint-Tropez.Place aux Herbes, the ancient market square that is filled with colourful fruit, vegetable, and flower stalls in the early morning.
