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LES VOILES de SAINT-TROPEZ

for the 25th anniversary of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez from 28 September to 6 October!

The Voiles de Saint-Tropez is the first sailing event on the Mediterranean coast

Organised for the first time in 1999 by the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez (Nautical Club since 1862) – the Voiles de Saint-Tropez bring together on the same stretch of water classic boats, some of which are over a hundred years old, and ultra-modern boats which are among the most beautiful in the world, in keeping with their original spirit of fair play: “the best regattas on the water and the best atmosphere on land”

About 250 boats participate in the event.

REGATE INFORMATION (not available yet)

Quarter of a century next year, Les Voiles forever!

When the planets of the sailing galaxy are aligned! Gorgeous sunshine, breeze, the Gulf of SaintTropez as a backdrop, the most beautiful Maxi, Modern and Classic yachts in the world, sailors from all different backgrounds, a sociable atmosphere leading to lifelong friendships, such are the ingredients of a magical concoction, which once again resulted in…

Happy days at Les Voiles!

Packing more punch, ferocity and intensity than ever, Les Voiles is buzzing…

Nioulargue Nostalgia!

Variation on a Theme 

Official Suppliers

Wallyño wins Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2023 class with a day to spare

While in some classes the victors are now close to being decided going into tomorrow’s last race for the 39 maxi yachts at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2023, more light conditions off the Cote d’Azur produced some new winners today.

In the southerly breeze, the race once again set sail from Pampelonne Bay, but with the race committee, including the International Maxi Association’s own Ariane Mainemare, sending the bigger maxi classes north towards Fréjus while the leeward mark for Maxi C and D was further west off Issambres, both groups ultimately finishing in the Golfe de Saint-Tropez.

However decisive is the situation in Maxi C where winning with a day to spare is International Maxi Association President Benoît de Froidmont and his 60ft Wallyño who have sewn-up their result, the only Maxi still racing with an unblemished four bullet scoreline.

Having started three up from the pin, Wallyño headed for the mid-left up the beat to stay in optimum pressure and shift. “ Lady First 3 had a tighter layline with two more tacks than us and we managed to roll them at the top, ” recounted tactician Cedric Pouligny. “ After that we had to deal with the bigger boats we were catching. We made a mistake on the final downwind coming into Issambres because we let Lady First 3 go more inshore and we got an extra header that was not expected. They got inside us and caught us but we were still ahead at the mark. ”

Ultimately Wallyño beat Lady First 3 under IRC corrected time by 6 minutes 46 seconds with Marco Tursini’s Advanced 80 Mindfulness third.

Most hotly contested remains Maxi A where today separate battles were raging between the 100 footers and between the former Maxi 72s. Going into tomorrow’s final day three boats are separated by 0.7 points.

Particularly fierce was the contest between the 72ft Cannonball, helmed by her new owner Peter Harrison, and Peter Dubens’ North Star. After a start from Pampelonne Bay (following a short delay) in a 6 knot southerly, North Star led for most of the race, but approaching the leeward mark off Fréjus Cannonball was able to engage, forcing North Star to tack just short of the mark, although Peter Dubens’ team still managing to gain the inside berth at the mark, rounding with Cannonball just inches outside her.

Cannonball’s tactician Vasco Vascotto admitted that he’d made a few mistakes early on the downwind to Fréjus due to “too much rosé [on yesterday’s layday]!” But then: “ We had the opportunity to recover and to fight a little bit and then it became a little closer. It wasn’t a proper match – if it had been that, I promise you there would have been a lot of carbon around the bay! But the relationship between the other 72 footers is really good – so no problem. ”

Ultimately North Star prevailed, finishing just over a minute ahead of Cannonball, but with the former Maxi 72s only just making the podium today.

Finally scoring a bullet today was Wendy Schmidt’s 82ft Deep Blue, bouncing back after a start line collision with a rib on Wednesday had caused enough damage to put them out of that race (for which they received redress). Today they bounced back stronger than ever to take the Maxi A class bullet, elevating them to third overall behind Cannonball and North Star.

Winning on the water today was Chris Flowers’ 100ft Galateia, which finished second 1 minutes 10 seconds behind Deep Blue under IRC corrected time, despite having been locked in combat with Karel Komarek’s similarly-sized V (ex-Tango) for much of the race. “ We were glued together – super close, ” observed Galateia tactician Murray Jones.  

Of their race the America’s Cup legend continued: “ All the boats were quite early on the start, but we sailed well off the line, which saved us. When we came across y3k had done a nice job, tacking early to get across to the right. We did a strong leebow [tack] on her and then fortunately the wind lifted us about 8° and we laid from where we were, which was a little lucky .”

Many gains were to be made from playing the topography-induced shifts, although at one point V found more pressure offshore and when they reconvened with the fleet she had done well. Galateia led around the leeward mark and at the finish off Saint-Tropez (in the best breeze of the day – around 10 knots) was first home, two minutes 20 seconds ahead on the water.

In Maxi B the unbroken string of wins for Terry Hui’s 77ft Lyra came to an end with the Chinese-Canadian’s team third behind her seven-year-younger sistership, Sven Wackerhagen’s Rose and Thomas Biton’s 72ft Aragon.

“ We didn’t make mistakes today, ” explained Rose’s Danish tactician Jesper Radich. “ We started well and had a significant lead at the first mark and were the first to gybe on the first corner where there was a massive 23° shift. So we came out on a lift and then we started to get rolled downwind [by the faster boats] and it is always hard to evaluate what is the winning pattern when you are losing! But we stayed cool – then on the last upwind we got the breeze we needed and then could stretch our legs a bit and get back at Aragon and win the race. ”

Generally of their week Radich said: “ We have consistently started strong. This team has a long way to go, so when it becomes really difficult we pay quite a price because we are not an experienced team and we don’t have the same super-optimised set-up as Lyra does, so we have to sail close to our optimum to beat them. But today we managed that pretty well. ”

Finally in Maxi D Jurg Schneider’s Swan 65 Saida scored her second bullet of the series. However Matteo Fossati’s 64ft Stella Maris still leads overall. Jerome Bataillard’s Shipman 63 Sao Bernardo was third today behind Stella Maris.

“ It was perfect conditions for Saida, ” said Schneider. “ We had a good start and on the gennaker hoist we did a good job.” Being substantially the lowest rated in Maxi D it is easy to know when his 50-year-old ketch is doing well – he simply needs competitors to be astern and two were today. This does mean that tomorrow it will be hard for them to engage and make much impression on the faster Stella Maris. “Our goal is to have a third win tomorrow, ” concluded Schneider.  

Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez is organised by the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, part of the French Sailing Federation, in collaboration with the city of Saint-Tropez, the International Maxi Association (IMA) and the support of the Yacht Club de France. It is the final event of the IMA’s Mediterranean Maxi Inshore Challenge.

4 October 2023

Big breeze for Lyra and Wallyño at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2023

While Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2023 is renowned for its lazy autumnal breezes, today the crews of the 39 maxi yachts competing in the Bay of Pampelonne braced themselves for a well-forecast pummelling with winds that built into the mid-20s allowing the faster boats to hit 20+ speeds.

Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez is organised by the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, part of the French Sailing Federation, in collaboration with the city of Saint-Tropez, the International Maxi Association (IMA) and the support of the Yacht Club de France. It is the final event of the IMA’s 2023 Mediterranean Maxi Inshore Challenge.

Predictions were that the big breeze, coming after two lighter days, might upset the results. However in two of the four classes this proved not to be the case with Terry Hui’s 77ft Lyra scoring her third bullet of the regatta in Maxi B, as did IMA President Benoît de Froidmont’s Wallyño in Maxi C.

For de Froidmont this came as a slight surprise as his slippery silver 60 footer is known for her light weather performance, while her wily crew have to rely more on their extensive offshore experience when the breeze is up. As he explained: “It was not the conditions for the boat, because it was quite windy and we had some technical problems before the start – we broke the electronics, so we were having to sail old style – just based on ‘feel’ – but it was quite fun.

“ Compared to the rest of the fleet we were very happy with the boat’s performance. The target was to sail safe. Breeze with no waves is quite rare here. ”

Today, under IRC corrected time, Wallyño finished 1 minutes 13 seconds ahead of Karl Pisec’s Solaris 72 Black Pearl in turn 1 minute 31 seconds ahead of Maurits van Oranje’s Mylius 60 Sud (sistership Jean-Pierre Dreau’s Lady First 3 suffered mainsail damage pre-start today – but she and Sud are tied on points behind Wallyño overall).

Another supposed light air specialist, Terry Hui’s 77ft Lyra, won Maxi B by a larger margin of nine minutes 10 seconds. Of more surprise was the Spirit Yachts 111 Geist coming second. While the 24-year-old Lyra is the more modern design, Geist is a modern classic, built in wood-epoxy and displacing 70 tonnes, but is younger – just two years old – and with modern day equipment such as a carbon fibre mast and a fin/bulb, rather than a long keel.

Her crew are modern day old salts including America’s Cup sailors Paul Campbell-James and Pete Cumming as tactician and mainsheet trimmer respectively. Today’s second place was Geist’s best result to date, said Cumming. “ Crew-work on a day like today was pretty important, so coming straight from the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup we had good teamwork and sail handling, combined with more breeze. Then we just had to heel her over… ”

Tactics also came into play: “ We always knew that because we are one of the slowest boats in our class, we didn’t want to get into a position to get rolled. We knew there would be big right hand shifts in the bay, but we wanted to be the first to tack. So we did a classic ‘Ed Baird start’ – in at the committee boat, let the traffic go, then tacked off and sailed in clear breeze for the first time this regatta. We found the right shift we wanted and were third boat around the windward mark, which we held on to the whole way around the course. ”

He added: “ We were surprised how well we went today with Lyra up the first beat [upwind Geist’s longer waterline length paid off]. In the sea state we just chop through it all. Lyra slipped away from us downwind, it shows what the boat can do. ”

In Maxi A, the trio of former Maxi 72s proved that they could excel in the bigger conditions too, taking all three of the top spots with Peter Harrison’s 72ft Cannonball prevailing over yesterday’s winner, Peter Dubens’ North Star and Sir Peter Ogden’s 77ft Jethou.

Cannonball strategist Michele Ivaldi said of their day: “ It was a great job by all of the team – good sail choice and tactics, the boat was going really well, upwind and down. Peter [Harrison] drove 95% of the time and did really well. He said it was the most fun he’d had in a long time – which is the whole point of the exercise… ”

For Cannonball, today’s victory was largely set up out of the start (unlike yesterday when they unsuccessfully attempted to start on port). “ The first beat was tricky because we knew the wind was 220-230° past the point, but 240-245° in the bay before the start. We wanted to start on the upper part of the line and go straight for a while and tack across and we found a good lane back and from then on it was good. ” Jethou gained an advantage threading her way through some rocks, but Cannonball recovered and the two had a phenomenal, high speed match race on the run back. “ That was super fun downwind with good breeze and good waves, for the last 10-15 minutes of the race with the jibtop doing 22-23 knots. It was one of the best races I have sailed here, ” concluded Ivaldi.

While the Chris Flowers-steered Galateia was first on the water and under corrected time among the 100 footers, it was Pier Luigi Loro Piana’s ClubSwan 80 My Song that finished fourth under IRC. “ They were the best conditions – we had a lot of fun after two days of light wind, ” said Loro Piana. “ We are happy, but if you beat your competitors you are even happier. Downwind we did a very good job. Upwind there is room for us to do better. ”

He added that downwind today My Song’s boat speed was matching wind speed – 20 knots in 20 knots of wind, etc. “ We were planing and it was great to be given a ‘little bit of oxygen’. ”

The biggest smile was on the face of Italian Matteo Fossati, owner of Stella Maris. While his 64 footer rarely makes an impression on the results table, despite enthusiastic campaigning in recent years in events such as the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and IMA Maxi European Championship, Stella Maris is currently leading Maxi D.

“ It was very nice today’s race – 20 knots of wind and really beautiful landscape, ” said Fossati, whose yacht winters in Ravenna while her crew comes from all across Italy. “ Our boat is old and needs wind conditions like today. ”

Fossati is enjoying his first ever Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez. “ It is very nice because there are a lot of boats similar to us. In Sorrento or Porto Cervo our class joins classes of faster boats. ”

Tomorrow is layday for the Maxi class at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, although the ‘Modern’ and ‘Classic’ fleets will continue racing. However the Maxis have the opportunity to take part in match races and for the Club 55 Maxi Cup 100ft Magic Carpet 3 will line up against My Song.

October 2, 2023

North Star to the fore as Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2023 maxi fleet goes coastal

With the smaller modern fleet racing in the Golfe de Saint-Tropez the 39-strong maxi fleet moved to the bay off the Cote d’Azur’s famous Pampelonne beach for the start and finish of the coastal race for day two of the Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2023, the deciding event of the International Maxi Association’s Mediterranean Maxi Inshore Challenge.

The course took the maxis south to a mark two bays down off Cap Lardier then returning via a mark in the bay off L’Escalet. The smaller boats then headed directly back to the finish while Maxi A had to round one last mark out to sea to the east, the famous Nioulargue mark (after the original incarnation of this event), before finishing. The southerly breeze built from around 7 knots at the start to 12-14 knots as the sea breeze filled in shifting the wind right.

While there was no wind initially, racing finally got away almost two hours late, just before 1400 local time for the four classes (following a jury decision, Maxi A1 and A2 are now combined into Maxi A spanning 100 footers to the former Maxi 72s)

With stronger and more stable breeze there were no runaway leaders today and in fact Peter Harrison’s 72ft Cannonball, which was first home on the water by a huge margin yesterday (ahead of even the 100 footers), today finished a lowly sixth under IRC corrected time. Instead it was the turn of Peter Dubens’ 72ft North Star, the reigning IMA Maxi European Champion, to come out on top in Maxi A.

“ I am really pleased with the result, ” said North Star’s tactician, 470 double Olympic silver medallist Nick Rogers. “ We had a really good start at the starboard end and tacked off early. On that first leg the right was favoured so it meant we spent a long time on port tack without getting rolled by the bigger boats. That was the key moment. Later we got tacked on a couple of times but that kept us in clear traffic for 90% of the race .”

Owner Peter Dubens was over the moon about the result which came after a tough day yesterday for the British team when the wind had shut down for them just short of the finish line off Saint-Tropez.

While Sir Peter Ogden’s 77ft Jethou finished third today, a worthy second was Andrea Recordati’s 93ft Bullitt, finishing 2 minutes 26 seconds behind North Star under IRC corrected time. “ We had a very good day today, ” reported Bullitt’s Brazilian tactician Joca Signorini. “ We had a good start to leeward of the 100s and managed to find a good lane going to the right above them. It was very close racing once the breeze dropped half way through the beat. The guys did a wonderful job keeping the boat going fast and after rounding the first mark there were not many passing opportunities. ” After two races, Bullitt leads Maxi A overall.

The 100s followed with V fourth and Galateia, skippered by co-owner Chris Flowers, fifth. In Maxi B, it was the familiar form of regular Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez winner Terry Hui’s 77ft Lyra that for a second day came out on top. Second to her were the chartered Maarten 72 Aragon and the 80ft Rose of Sven Wackerhagen. Also holding a perfect scoreline is International Maxi Association President Benoît de Froidmont’s Wally 60 Wallyño in Maxi C, while holding the remaining positions on the podium after day two are the Mylius 60s Maurits van Oranje’s Sud and Jean-Pierre Dreau’s Lady First 3.

While Lady First 3 and her crew including French offshore A-listers like Christopher Pratt and Xavier Macaire, beat her Dutch opponent yesterday, they prevailed today leaving the two tied on points. “ We had a problem with our spinnaker, ” explained Dreau of today’s third place. “ We don’t know why but it broke and it took us maybe five minutes to change, so we lost a few boats. ” However his white-hulled Mylius 60 is enjoying the race with her black-hulled sistership Sud, which are showing a marked improvement in their performance this week.

The closest results today were in Maxi D where Jürg Schneider’s Swan 65 ketch Saida, last year’s winner here, once again found her form scoring her first bullet of the regatta. However a second for Matteo Fossati’s Stella Maris today leaves the Italian 64 footer leading Maxi D after two races.

“ It was a great day, ” said Schneider. “ We had a good start but after the start we had a problem with one of the winches. But then we found our way out of that and on the first downwind we were first to hoist our gennaker quite early which put us in a good position. ” Saida finished their race in no more than 14 knots of breeze so their victory was not a case of being one of the lowest rated and enjoying better breeze towards the finish. The Maxi D finishes were also the closest across the fleet today with Saida finishing just 26 seconds ahead of Stella Maris under IRC corrected time.

All eyes are on day three’s competition. While Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez is typically a light regatta, tomorrow the forecast for the Bay of Pampelonne is for a southwest wind of 15-20 knots with the wind into the mid to high 20s the further offshore the maxi yachts are sent. This could easily throw up a different set of results after two days favouring the light wind specialists.

October 1, 2023

Cannonball blasts ahead at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2023

Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2023 set sail today with the race committee led by PRO Georges Korhel and assisted by the International Maxi Association’s Ariane Mainemare, defying predictions in managing to get a race in for the 39-strong maxi fleet, despite light winds. Through the afternoon the breeze barely touched six knots and was more usually closer to four.

Starting and finished immediately off Saint-Tropez, much to the delight of spectators crowded around the Tour du Portalet, the maxis sailed what was supposed to be a windward-leeward with the leeward mark in the mouth of the Golfe de Saint-Tropez and the weather mark to the east. Two laps of this, culminating into a run back to the finish off Saint-Tropez would represent a 25 mile course. In the event only the Maxi A1 and A2 classes sailed the full distance with the course for the smaller classes shortened after one lap.

In three out of the five classes, the winners were familiar. The last time the maxis raced on the Golfe was at Rolex Giraglia in June where IMA President Benoît de Froidmont’s Wally 60 Wallyño and Dario Ferrari’s former Maxi 72 Cannonball scored straight bullets in three races. Both continued their winning ways today in their respective classes.

Despite Peter Harrison acquiring Cannonball, her original crew, led by Michele Ivaldi and tactician Vasco Vascotto, remains the same. Today her winning margin was nothing short of a miracle: 32 minutes 29 seconds ahead of Sir Peter Ogden’s Jethou under IRC corrected in Maxi A2, while in the combined Maxi A class she was 24 minutes 15 seconds ahead of Maxi A1 winner, Wendy Schmidt’s 85ft Deep Blue.

“ It was a fantastic day – good conditions for the Cannonball, ” said Cameron Dunn, who operates the runners on board. “ It was a tricky first beat getting out of the bay in 4.5 knots, but we managed to get a race in. We didn’t get the start we wanted, but it was good enough and we managed to get lucky in the corner with a little puff. Vasco and Michele did a fantastic job. The sail choices were important – a couple of boats behind made wrong choices but we made a good calls. Peter did a good job driving – he is getting used to the boat now. ”

Deep Blue was on top form today, under IRC corrected time finishing 6 minutes 13 seconds ahead of Andrea Recordati’s 93ft Bullitt, in turn 23 seconds in front of the 100ft V, first of the 100 footers.  

“We’ve done quite a bit of work – we have a new shorter keel as well as adding a water ballast system, ” explained Deep Blue’s Project Manager, Terry Halpin. “ That has transformed the boat so we are feeling very positive that is it is a much more competitive. Today was our first long light test and we are pleased. ”

In the light conditions the maxis had crew sitting to leeward but on Deep Blue many were to leeward down below. “ We had a nice clean lane at the start, and laid the right side until we got out and got to the lift. Then it was straight line after the point ,” Halpin explained where tactician Rob MacMillan had pointed them. “ We do feel now that relative to other boats we are able to hang on. ” Aside from the start, Deep Blue managed to thread her way through at the finish when the fleet ahead had concertinaed together approaching the finish.

This is only her new owner’s third ever regatta so to finish third in Maxi A1 was a welcome result explained tactician Ken Read. “ We are really happy in the little changes we have made in how we sail the boat and tweaks to the boat from last regatta to this, but it is still a brand new situation for everyone and we are learning. ” He added that they had managed to get a good start which had made the rest of his day easier.  

In all the classes, the first out of the Golfe de Saint-Tropez mostly still found themselves top of the pile by the finish. “It is a pretty one sided race track so it is nice escaping first. You have to be in that top pack otherwise you are fighting for your life for the whole time,” continued Read.

As to why Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez remains such a popular event on the maxi circuit, the North Sails President added: “ The scene here on the dock is unprecedented. It is like nothing else we have in our sport. It is hard not to have a smile on your face… ” The quayside in Saint-Tropez is perpetually teeming with spectator there to see the wide array of maxi yachts and ancient classics. “ Some of prettiest boats on the planet are here. It nice to see such a variety of boats on the same space. ”

In Maxi D, Matteo Fossati’s 64ft Stella Maris was first under IRC corrected time but in the class above it was the familiar form of Benoît de Froidmont’s Wallyño which won Maxi C ahead of the Mylius 60s Jean-Pierre Dreau’s Lady First 3 and Maurits van Oranje’s Sud.

Wallyño’s ace French tactician Cedric Pouligny explained: “ We had a pretty good start and managed to go to the right side of the beat – but not completely right, inside Les Canebiers bay it was pretty weak. Some went too far but we just managed to tack at the right moment. ” As in the other classes, the heavy lifting was done prior to exiting the Golfe de Saint-Tropez, by which time Wallyño held a huge lead albeit with Lady First 3 just ahead. Wallyño caught them up on the way to the top mark despite suffering from being caught in the lee of the bigger boats they encountered coming back downwind. Pouligny was pleased with the sail selection and how the crew had handled the sail changes from the A1 to the Code Zero and back.  They had also done well in the last moments of the race where conditions had become tricky approaching the finish line off Saint-Tropez.

Maxi B was also won today by a Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez regular victor – Terry Hui’s Wally 80 Lyra and this was despite this event being the only one the Chinese-Canadian has raced with his team this season. “ It was a good day for us, ” commented tactician Nicolai Sehested, taking time off from skippering his Danish Rockwool team on the SailGP circuit. “ We got off the line and got out the front. It was a whole team effort – good boat speed and good steering from Terry, which makes my life easier. We were the furthest right boat. We went all the way into the Bay, but we did a step up so we didn’t go in early on. Fortunately we have been here a few times. We were just sailing the boat fast and clean which made life easier out in front. ”

Tomorrow a coastal race is scheduled, starting at 1200 from the bay off Pampelonne Beach.

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Les Voiles de Saint Tropez Maxi Week gets underway with 46 yachts

The second week of Les Voiles de St Tropez kicks off today (October 4) with a record number of Maxi yacht entries – 46 – including high-performance regatta winners and showstopping modern classics. Here are some of the largest Maxis competing for the crown...

Length : 35.11m Builder : Swan

Jasi was delivered in 2018 as a Swan 115 flush deck model. She is constructed from lightweight foam and carbon cores in order to meet the strict weight requirements to keep this yacht up to her promised sailing prowess. On the technical side, sails are flown on a high modulus carbon mast and boom by Southern Spars with hydraulic upper and lower deflectors and ECSix carbon rigging. 

Length : 33.95m Builder : Yachting Developments

Silvertip i s a born racer with a lightweight carbon composite hull designed by Dubois Naval Architects . She was delivered in 2001 and is often spotted on the regatta circuit, competing in a number of prestigious races around the world. Most recently, she took several wins at the Mastercard Superyacht Regatta in Auckland, New Zealand, and came third overall. Silvertip features a flush deck for ease of movement around the boat when racing and has a full complement of sails by North Sails, including a 572 sqm mainsail, paired with Southern Spars rigging. 

Length : 33m Builder : Turquoise Yachts

Sold off market in September 2022 this sailing classic (formerly known as Simba) returns to the racecourse as Namuun . She was the second Truly Classic 108 sailing yacht to hit the water, following in the footsteps of her sistership Jazz Jr, and features a flush deck, low deckhouse, sweeping sheer, moderate freeboard and keyhole-shaped cockpits. Simba can carry full main and genoa in up to 17-18 knots of true wind. A low wetted surface area offers good performance in light winds, paired with a high aspect ratio sail plan.

Length : 32.87m Builder : Vitters

The Vitters-built Missy has returned to the racing circuit this year as Pattoo after a change in ownership earlier this year. She was developed in collaboration with Malcolm McKeon Yacht Design and is the first project delivered by Vitters in cooperation with the studio. The owner's brief was for a carbon-fibre performance cruiser and resulted in her slim 7.5 metre beam, generous sail plan and lifting keel that extends from 3.75 metres to five metres. She has a carbon-fibre mast is from Southern Spars (with ECsix carbon rigging) and carries a sail wardrobe from North Sails.

Spirit Of Malouen X

Length : 32.55m Builder : Green Marine

Spirit Of Malouen X previously raced under the name Open Season for many years with victories at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in 2015 and 2016. She was delivered in 2012 as a Wallycento but was later extended by two metres increasing her draft from 6.2 metres to 7.1 metres, enhancing her competitiveness in the Wally racing circuit. She was purchased in Spring 2022 by an experienced owner, and the yacht is now lined up for an extensive three-year racing program.

Length : 30.5m Builder : Southern Wind

Morgana is an all-carbon racer-cruiser commissioned by an experienced yachtsman and delivered in 2020. She is designed inside and out by  Nauta Design  with naval architecture by  Reichel Pugh Yacht Design and is the second Southern Wind sailing to be purchased by the owner. Towering above the hull is a high modulus carbon rig and a powerful sailplan; below the water, a single rudder and a deep lifting keel that extends to 6.1 metres. Buttons on the pedestal in the aft cockpit control the mainsheet, vang, outhaul, cunningham, backstays and headsail furling.

Length : 30.5m Builder : Wally

Y3K is the product of three of the biggest names in sailing: Wally , Luca Bassani and Frers Naval Architecture . She was delivered in 2009. She flies 540 square metres of sale with a mast and boom by Hall Spars and rigging by PBO. When cruising, she can be managed by only two crew, giving the owner the pleasure of steering a yacht as fast as a maxi racer without worrying about children and guests onboard: the social areas are safely separated from the manoeuvring areas.

Length : 30.48m Builder : Wally

Galateia is the third hull in the Wallycento line, but she represents a second generation evolution for the 30.48 metre box-rule Wally fleet. Impressed by the performance of the second Wallycento, Magic Carpet3 , after her debut in 2013, the owners of Galateia also chose Reichel/Pugh Yacht Design as naval architects for their new build with exterior design by Wally and Luca Bassani . Galateia features what Wally dubs a “super flush deck” and puts a priority on entertainment with a large guest cockpit set amidships.

Length : 30.5m Builder : McConaghy Boats

Leopard 3 was built in GRP by Australian yard McConaghy Boats to a design by Farr Yacht Design and delivered in 2007. She is arguably the most high profile racer cruiser yacht in existence and has a trophy cabinet packed with silverware, having taken first place at the 2016 Rolex Maxi Cup and Les Voiles de St Tropez, among a host of other regattas and races worldwide.

Magic Carpet Cubed

Fresh from a win at the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta , the WallyCento Magic Carpet Cubed returns to the racecourse in Saint Tropez to test its mettle once again. She was launched as the second in a series of next-gen performance cruisers by Wally, named the Wallycento, in a collaboration between Luca Bassani and Reichel/Pugh Yacht Design. The boat has a displacement of just 50 tonnes (if you remove the keel and the mast, that figure drops to 18 tonnes) which makes her one of the lightest cruising boats ever built. During her construction, every item was weighed, right down to the titanium screws holding it all together. Her Southern Spars rigging flies 640 square metres of sail while a lifting keel reduces her draft by two metres.

Length : 30.48 Builder : Persico Marine

Tango was delivered as a WallyCento model in 2017 and was designed for speed. Built in carbon fibre and has a minimalist interior by Pininfarina with cabins that can be neatly converted into a sail storage room when the yacht is set up for regatta racing, thanks to a giant skylight hatch that gives direct access from the foredeck. A single, 45 metre Southern Spars carbon mast offers a total sailplan of 640 square metres upwind, and the boat easily reaches seven knots.

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back in 2025

An event full of adrenaline. For its 2 nd season, Sail GP is adding Saint-Tropez to its track. A race with 8 teams competing on board of F50 catamaran, foiling catamaran and one of the fastest racing class with speeds that can exceed 50 knots. The principle is simple: 8 teams, 8 races, 8 identical boats.

Each event takes place over 2 days (3 races per day) and the final race will pit the three highest ranked teams against each other for the title of event champion.

Introducing the F50 catamaran

France, Australia, Denmark, United Kingdom, Japan, New Zealand, Spain, USA

The French team :

Quentin DELAPIERRE

Aloïse RETORNAZ

Kevin PEPONNET

Manon AUDINET

Matthieu VANDAME

François MORVAN

Camille LECOINTRE

Olivier HERLEDANT

Timothé LAPAUW

Amélie RIOU

14 – 15 may 2022 : Bermuda

18 – 19 june 2022 : Chicago, USA

30 – 31 July 2022 : Plymouth, UK

19 – 20 August 2022 : Copenhague, Denmark

10 – 11 September 2022 : Saint-Tropez, France

24 – 25 September 2022 : Cadix, Andalousia, Spain

12 – 13 November 2022 :  Dubai, UAE

14- 15 January 2023 : Singapore

 Saint-Tropez, stopover town :

The city of Saint-Tropez, with the technical support of the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez is delighted to host such an exciting event. The regatta will take place on September 11th and 12th 2021 from 2pm to 4pm. Locals and visitors will be able to admire the show from the Môle Jean Reveille, the promenade des Marines Alliées or the esplanade de la Ponche.

A large-scale event which confirms the status of the Port as a platform for international nautical events on the French Riviera.

Sail GP is much more than a competition, it is a vision and values. As the first “Climate Positive” sports competition, the organisation aims to bring a sustainable event. It thrives to get better year by year. The goal is to reduce its carbon footprint and to promote boats powered by renewable energy.

This approach is in line with the commitments of the port and the town of Saint-Tropez, which are doing everything possible to ensure a better future.

Discover the commitments of Sail GP Race For The Future :

SailGP Inspire :

Sail GP launches the INSPIRE program; a community engagement that brings opportunities for young sailors throughout the circuit. The program aims to make foiling accessible and inspire the younger generation. During the event, young sailors throughout the hosts towns will be able to venture out and sail on training boats. An unprecedented opportunity to discover and experience new horizons.

LIVE STREAMING 2021

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Les Voiles de St Tropez is founded on simple principles of fun on and off the water. This magnificent regatta, which this year celebrates its 25th anniversary, sees around 300 Maxi, Modern and Classic yachts and sailors from all over the globe come together to do battle in the bay of Saint-Tropez. First run over 35 years ago, as La Nioulargue, the regatta history stems back to autumn 1981 and an impromptu race between two small yachts. The two participants planned a route and rushed to the finish line, which was opposite Club 55. After the race, both teams celebrated in the restaurant. From that moment, the history of the regatta began! To this day the regatta perfectly pairs competitive racing with lively onshore festivities. Based in the Old Port of St Tropez this vibrant, and beautiful setting is the backdrop for the days of racing and the location for the activities which take place every evening around the harbour. 2023 saw a new, highly successful 10-day format, in which the Maxis were the first to hit the racetrack, followed by daily races for the Modern and Classic yachts off Le Portalet. Off the water a new race village also debuted on the Jean Reveille Jetty. 2024, with its 25th anniversary celebrations, is set to be even bigger and better!

Friday 27th September: Registration of Maxi’s (over 18.28m) Saturday 28th September: Registration of Maxi’s, Classic and Modern sailboats Sunday 29th September: Racing for the Maxi’s, registration of Classic and Modern sailboats up to 18.28 meters Monday 30th September: Racing for Maxi’s and Modern sailboats Tuesday 1st October : Racing for all fleets Wednesday 2nd October : Lay Day for Maxi’s, Racing for Modern and Classic sailboats Thursday 3rd October: Lay Day for Modern and Classic sailboats, Racing for Maxi’s Friday 4th October: Racing for all fleets, Prize Giving for the Maxi’s Saturday 5th October: Racing for Modern and Classic sailboats Sunday 6th October: Prize Giving for Modern and Classic sailboats

Yacht Charter for this Event

Dehler 60 – blue oyster, grand soleil 44 – andiamo, dk 46 – cazan, 15m 1908 gaff cutter – mariska, grand soleil 43 – jua kali, vismara 80 – luce guida, reichel/pugh 86 – way of life, cookson 50 – testacuore, dk 46 – hydra, crew spaces for this event, crew space on swan 53 – skye for les voiles de st tropez 2024, crew space on volvo ocean 65 – sisi for les voiles de st tropez 2024, crew space on grand soleil 43 – jua kali for les voiles de st tropez 2024, share this event, get in touch.

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THE SAILS OF SAINT-TROPEZ Saint-Tropez Finished

One of the most beautiful yacht races!

• Course of the Voiles de Saint Tropez
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Visit the Tour du Portalet to admire the Voiles de Saint Tropez! From September 29 to October 08, 2023, the Voiles de St-Tropez takes place. For 2 weeks, nearly 250 classic and modern sailboats will compete in regattas. Discover the program for this 2023 edition!

26/09/2020, Saint-Tropez (FRA,83), Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2020, Day 1

The event takes place from September 29th to October 8th. More than 300 boats participate this year in the Voiles de Saint-Tropez.

One of the leading events of the French Riviera, bringing together sailboats from 20 meters to large units, and from the most modern to the oldest.

Several races are scheduled: coastal courses for modern and traditional sailboats...

All starts are in front of the village of Saint Tropez and finishes in front of the Tour du Portalet. The prize-giving ceremony takes place at the end of each week.

Experience the Saint-Tropez Sailing Competition in a unique way, thanks to the Taksea . Follow the race from the sea, explanation of the yachting rules, lunch on a creek and many other things to discover.

29/09/2020, Saint-Tropez (FRA,83), Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2020, Day 3

Voiles de Saint Tropez Salon

In the first week, the regattas are dedicated to classic and modern boats up to 20 metres depending on the class.

Discover now the program of the Voiles de Saint-Tropez for 2023:

Saturday, September 30 Race side :

• Reception of competitors and confirmation of entries: traditional and modern yachts

Côté Village:

• 9 a.m.-9 p.m.: Sailing Village open to the public
• From 6pm: live band

Sunday, October 1 Race side :

• Maxis Yachts Regatta
• 9.00am - 7.00pm: Welcome and confirmation of entries for traditional and modern yachts

Côté Village :

• 5pm: Opening of the Sailing Village (by invitation only)

Monday, October 2nd

• Modern and Maxis Yachts Regatta
• 9:00 am - 7:00 pm: Welcome, confirmation of registrations for traditional yachts

Côté Village

• 9:00 am: blessing of the boats by the Père de Saint-Tropez (balcony of the Sube)

Tuesday, October 3rd

• Regattas for Maxi yachts
• Regattas for traditional sailboats
• Regattas for modern sailboats
• From 8pm: Sardinade evening with the SNSM de Saint-Tropez (to be confirmed)

Wednesday, October 4th

• Day off for maxi yachts (Club 55 Maxis Yachts)
• From 6pm: boules competition on Place des Lices and live band.

Thursday, October 5

Les voiles de Saint Tropez Prize-giving ceremony

• Challenge Day
• Regattas for Maxis Yachts (Club 55 Cup)
• Régate des Centenaires - Centenary Trophy with GSTAAD YACHT CLUB from 12 noon
• From 6:30 pm: parade of crews from the Village des Voiles to the Port of Saint-Tropez
• Centenary Trophy Gstaad Yacht Club prize-giving ceremony (by invitation only)

Friday, October 6 Race side :

• Around 7pm: Prize-giving ceremony for Maxis Yachts
• From 8pm: Crew party (La Ponche) reserved for invited participants in partnership with Esprit Village des Commerçants.

Saturday, October 7 Race side :

• From 6 p.m.: live band in the Village des Voiles

Sunday, October 8th

• Around 11 a.m.: Traditional and Modern Sailboat prize-giving ceremony

Les voiles de Saint Tropez Fireworks

• From September 29 to October 8, 2023

New ideas for outings

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© Les Voiles de St Tropez

Les Voiles de Saint Tropez Regatta

Classic and modern yachts gather for a unique regatta

A famous classic regatta that ends the Mediterranean sailing season, St Tropez’s late-summer regatta brings in 300 yachts, both ancient and modern, for maritime effervescence.

This regatta is a magnificent sight, with yachts up to 100 years old tacking and jibbing across the bay in the first winds of autumn. It’s an action-packed race as yachts bear down on each other with only metres to spare, sails snapping and billowing and crew racing about on deck. The regatta has had terrible accidents in its past but lives on as one of the sailing world’s favourite events. In the evenings, the yachts return to the colourful fishing port of Saint Tropez and the sailors and yacht owners paint the town red. One of the truly great events of the Riviera.

During the first week the event welcomes classic and modern boats (up to a size limit) and the second week there will be large modern sailboats and even some maxi yachts.

There can be up to 300 yachts competing in the first week and nearly 50 modern maxi yachts in the second week, making this an exhilarating event to watch or compete in. A host of racers and sailing enthusiasts come from all corners of the globe to do battle in the bay of Saint-Tropez. The Rolex Trophy is awarded to the winner of the Classic Division (over 16 metres).

Bay of Saint-Tropez

What to see

This event really showcases the most exceptional boats designed by the world's greatest naval architects, and is the largest gathering of maxi yachts in the world. It's a fantastic opportunity to get up close to these high quality, rare boats, as they battle it out on the water in the face of the strong Mistral that blows down the Gulf of Saint Tropez at this time of year.

The festivities on land are mostly free and include a 'salon' area with musical entertainment, exhibition stalls and all things sailing. Most of the events will take place in the streets of the old part of St Tropez, in the narrow cobbled lanes that lead from the Port to the foot of the Citadel. Some of the reception events are invite-only but if you check out the programme in advance you can see there will be several public events as well.

One thing's for sure St Tropez is not short of cafés and restaurants to enjoy whilst you're in town, and make sure you take the time to sit at a port-side table to enjoy an ice cold glass of local rosé wine whilst you ogle the yachts of the rich and famous.

Originating from a chance meeting in 1981, when an 'off the cuff' challenge of a 'regatta' between the skippers of two boats - Pride, a Swan 44, and Ikra, a 12 metre JI - was run in the Golf of St Tropez. Starting in front of the Portalet tower, the boats ran around the buoy on the shoal of the Nioulargue to finish in front of Club 55, a restaurant in Pampelonne, for lunch paid for by the loser. The owner of the restaurant named the event the Club 55 Cup. The following year the losing skipper insisted on a rerun to exact his revenge, and other boats wanted to get in on the action, and so began 'The Nioularge' - the new Saint Tropez regatta. The following year maxis were invited to join, and after some shmoozing and boozing it was registered on the official maxi class calendar.

From 1984 they introduced categories such as "sea explorers", "tropéziens-travail", and "tropéziens-marconi" to constitute classes, and at the entrance to the port there were parades, costumes, dancing girls (the famous 'girelles'), boules and water games. The Nioulargue gained international recognition, and gradually became an unmissable end-of-season event on the Mediterranean regatta circuit.

The 1995 regatta sadly ended in a collision during the race, when one boat sank and a team member died. The event was suspended until the completion of the trial, where the two owner-skippers were eventually held liable and fined for not having respected certain basic rules of navigation.

The regattas began again in 1999 under a new name: Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez. Gone were the parades, dancing girls and water games, as the times and regulations had moved on.

The 'Club 55 Cup' became a part of the regatta again from 2003, and is now a race where two sailboats compete on the historic course.

There is no need to buy tickets for the Voiles de Saint Tropez, most of the action will take place on the water so all you need is a good spot to watch from and a pair of binoculars.

More inspiration...

If you can tear yourself away from the sailing at then there are plenty of other things to see and do in Saint Tropez . Don't forget to check out our Events Calendar to see what else is on in Saint Tropez during your visit.

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Les Voiles de St. Tropez

Email: [email protected]»   Tel: +1 (268) 721 3456

A meeting of modern and classic yachts in the superb location of St. Tropez.

The teams at the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez work tirelessly every season to ensure the success of this jewel of the Mediterranean calendar. Each edition is exceptional, both on shore and on the water.

The world famous J Class classics, originally designed to compete for the America’s Cup between 1930 & 1937, have undergone a revival in popularity in recent years. Several of these compete on a special course with the Wally yachts fleet, providing a breathtaking spectacle off the beaches of Pampelonne.

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2023 Voiles de Saint Tropez

October 2, 2023 - october 7, 2023.

Organizing Authority:   Societe Nautique de Saint-Tropez

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The 10 Must-Try Restaurants In Saint Tropez

Saint-Tropez was well and truly put on the map in the 1950s when French film stars endorsed it with their regular visits, transforming it into one of the most popular destinations in the South of France. Celebrity culture prevails and star spotting continues to be one of the top spectator sports for visitors who return year after year. We’ve chosen some of Saint-Tropez’s best restaurants to get a great view, great company, or at least enjoy a great fine dining experience.

1. Table du Marché

Bistro, Restaurant, French, Contemporary

2. Hôtel de La Ponche

3. La Vague d’Or, La Terrace, La Résidence de la Pinède

Restaurant, Bar, French, Mediterranean, European, Vegetarian

There’s never a better opportunity to over indulge in gastronomy than on holiday in St Tropez. The most exquisite cuisine is conjured up by France’s 2013 Chef Of The Year, Arnaud Donckele, at this three star Michelin restaurant. Customers are served in world class style and elegance, as would not only be expected at a Michelin starred restaurant, but at one of the region’s most exclusive hotels, La Résidence de la Pinède. Main courses start at €94 in the Vague d’Or restaurant, with extravagant sandwiches also served on La Terrace starting at €34.

Restaurant, French

Another well known St Tropez must visit that has been kept in the family over generations is Club 55 . On a busy summer’s day the restaurant will serve more than 1000 guests who flock to this famous address. Situated on the beautiful Pampelonne beach, this place is popular all day and all night long, and its owners keep up its inclusive ambiance where “the client is not king because he is a friend”. This is a great place for a post-beach aperitif with appetizers.

5. L’Auberge des Maures

6. sénéquier.

Restaurant, Cafe, French, European, Beer, Mediterranean

Well located on the pictoresque old port, Café Senequier has been proudly greeting its customers since 1887. Attracting the rich and famous as well as passers by, it is the perfect pit stop to take in some of the atmosphere for which St Tropez is so well known, to do some yacht spotting and watch the world go by from the terrace. A selection of pattisseries are served all day, though do not expect too much change from a 50 note for a coffee and cake for two.

7. Le Sporting

Bar, Brasserie, Restaurant, French, Pub Grub

8. Brasserie des Arts

Brasserie, Restaurant, French

Also on the Place des Lices is Brasserie des Arts which provides an elegant setting with modern interior designed for chilling out with the hip and arty crowd. The terrace packs out in the summer months as guests jostle for space to be seen. Brunch is offered all day on a Sunday, aimed particularly at those who have partied into the early hours, for whom designer sunglasses are an absolute must. Refreshing salads, grilled meat and fish dishes are served throughout the day and evening, though it is also possible to stop off just for a drink and a spot of people watching.

9. Les Arcades, Byblos Hotel

Boutique Hotel, Hotel

10. Le Kikouiou

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The best restaurants in Saint Tropez

By Lanie Goodman

Summertime is when the South of France markets are at their best: a dozen varieties of plump red, green and yellow tomatoes, shiny baby eggplants, pungent bouquets of basil, vine peaches, wild strawberries, ripe purple figs and juicy lemons even bigger than tennis balls. And when it comes to dining in and around Saint Tropez , (as you may recall, it was once a yacht-less sleepy fisherman’s port), the Mediterranean provides a bountiful of supply of seafood.  Add all that up and slip in the vineyard -covered countryside for fine sun-drenched local wines and you have the obvious equation: aside from the perennial allure and unchangingly reliable Provencal fare of Club 55, trends come and go, but the buzzword here is unequivocally “local”. Where else would you see Michelin-starred chefs and 120 farmers and artisans from the Var celebrating, cooking and drinking together during their yearly May event,  Les Chefs Fêtent les Producteurs ?  Here’s a round-up of restaurants where the sunny Southern French flavours outshine Saint Tropez’s cliched decibel-blasting dining scene and channel your full attention to what is on your plate.

Arnaud Donckele and Maxime Frédéric at Louis Vuitton

What happens when you pair one of the world’s most iconic fashion houses with two – equally iconic – Michelin-acclaimed chefs? You get the chicest restaurant in Cote D’Azur. In the heart of Place des Lices with yachts bobbing around the corner, LVMH’s seven-suite boutique White 1921 (little sister to Cheval Blanc Paris ) has reopened Louis Vuitton's first, most glamorous standalone eatery for the season with Norman chefs Arnaud Donckele and Maxime Frédéric. Donning its new blue and white colourway from the summer collection, everything from the yacht wear-style uniforms down to the wine glasses and straws feature the Maison’s floral monogram. The menu is wholeheartedly Mediterranean, with seafood in the spotlight and seasonal produce picked from the South of France – fennel from Provence, condiments from Nice, olive oil from the neighbouring village. The ceviche selection includes flamed mackerel, citrus-marinated seabass, and raw lobster with fennel seeds. Try the langoustine and fennel doused in velouté for a starter or the iced tomato soup with a dollop of beefsteak tomato sorbet if gazpacho is up your alley. Mains – a delicious medley of fish and meats that are all served with vegetables from the garden – feature truffled turbot in a pool of vierge sauce; smoked sea bass in a rich bearnaise sabayon; seared lamb chops with citrus jus. Make room for the indulgently rich Grand Cru chocolate cake or the freshly prepared tarte Tropézienne in orange blossom. The frozen yoghurt draped in lavender and rosemary-infused apricot sauce is also worthy of the clean plate club. Zahra Surya Darma

Dates: until end of September Address: White 1921 Hôtel, 29 Rue François Sibilli, 83990 Saint-Tropez, France Website: louisvuitton.com/arnaud-donckele-maxime-frederic

Bello Visto

Don’t bother to strut your summer finery here: All eyes are on the exquisitely prepared  terroir dishes whipped up by chef Sylvain Humbert (“Tables de Chef” 2022 Gault&Millau), whose elegant but unpretentious flower-lined terrace restaurant sits atop the tranquil medieval village Gassin, an 8-kilometre drive from St. Tropez. Starters include delectable homemade duck foie gras with apricots and thyme plucked from their garden; or slow-cooked octopus simmered in white wine. Anticipate flavorful Provencal -style dishes from sea bass with eggplant, fennel and olives to roast leg of lamb, topped off by a featherlight Grand Marnier tangerine soufflé. Linger over an after-dinner Bandol  vieux marc until the light fades over the yacht-clogged Mediterranean and blue foothills off in the distance.

Address: Place dei Garri, 83580 Gassin Website: bellovisto.eu

Le Kikouiou

Hidden away on a narrow country road near the Plage de l’Escalet, this bamboo shack in the vines is a neighborhood haunt sans  bling where you’ll find a mix of locals and the well-heeled international crowd sipping iced mojitos at sunset. Highlights include the homemade truffle pizza with a dollop of crème fraiche; citrusy salmon tartare; a perfectly grilled Angus steak served with crispy fries and French comfort food desserts – homemade apple crumble and oozy chocolate cake. Run by Laurence Dooghe and her family for thirty-two years, Kikouiou’s 3-course 38€ dinner, washed down with fruity Domaine des Tournels rosé, may be one of the best deals in town.

Address: 1146 Rte de Bonne Terrasse, 83350 Ramatuelle, France Website: facebook.com/lekikouiou

La Brigantine, La Croix Valmer

A dozen kilometers from the humming Pampelonne restaurant scene, the Starck-designed Lily of the Valley , is a rustic luxe retreat, transforming a quiet stretch of Gigaro Beach into a relaxed chic foodie destination for both local families and the sunburnt linen-clad Parisian set who can swap stories over their lobster ravioli without a deafening throbbing bass. Headed by chef Vincent Maillard, the all-Italian menu features regional dishes including Piedmont-style vitello tonnato; grilled lamb with eggplant  puttanesca ; wood-fired black truffle and pecorino pizza; followed by a lip-smacking vodka and Prosecco-soaked lemon sorbet. Die-hard swimmers may opt for lighter but equally tantalizing street-food platters – antipasti, lobster rolls or grilled octopus – at their adjacent eatery, Pépé.

Address: Plage de Gigaro, 83420 La Croix-Valmer, France Website: lilyofthevalley.com/fr/restaurant-brigantine

Kinugawa, Ramatuelle

When the beach-bound thoroughfare Route des Plages goes quiet at night, the lanterns blink on and Japanese restaurant Kinugawa (a collaboration between Black Code and Annie Famose groups) comes alive with a festive pulse.  Set back on an expansive property, everything from the towering centuries-old olive trees and airy outdoor seating to executive chef Kawai’s crowd-pleasing Med-meets-Japanese menu (a crisp  taruto galette with salmon and white truffle garnish; yellow tail carpaccio in tangy yuzu sauce and jalapeno; miso marinated Black cod; and platters of Wagyu beef). The nightly DJ and trendy cocktails – Yuzu Purple and Fugu Fish – add to the draw of a lively go-to place for balmy summer nights.

Address: 2452 route des plages road, 93, 83350 Ramatuelle, France Website: kinugawa.fr/en-ramatuelle.html

La Vague d’Or, Cheval Blanc, Saint Tropez

You needn’t be a hard-core foodie to surrender to the highly personal cuisine imagined by Michelin three-star chef, Arnaud Donckele, whose conceptual, nuanced textures unfurl with quiet elegance that defies categorical description. Dining here is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that goes beyond the lovely sea-facing setting and multi-course epicurean journey. Begin with the signature starters dishes – open sea anchovies from the Mediterranean bathing in a lukewarm “ephemeral” sabayon sauce, or the Potager “Calin de la Piboule,” a medley of colourful vegetables and black olive “velvet” conceived as a tribute to the Bay of Saint-Tropez. Relish everything from the poetic menus (“A Tartlet of Angel Hair French Beans Harvested at Morning’s Dew”) to enchanting desserts like vanilla biscuits with strawberries spiked with basil and citrus.

Address: Plage de la Bouillabaisse, 83990 Saint-Tropez Website: chevalblanc.com/la-vague-d-or-st-tropez

La Réserve, Ramatuelle

At the quiet end of the coast atop a bluff, the minimalist stylish La Réserve continues to shine, both for its professional spa (with an ultra-light menu) and as a glowing gastronomic destination, all masterminded by versatile Michelin two-star chef Eric Canino. Indulge in the tasting menu at La Voile – an extravaganza of red tuna carpaccio rubbed with exotic spices, and lobster galore (caviar, roasted or mascarpone-stuffed ravioli), plus John Dory fish, Bresse chicken, and a medley of citrus sorbets. Over at their Pampelonne beach outpost, La Réserve à la Plage, work up an appetite in the turquoise waves for a yummy lunch of marinated salmon tiradito, watermelon and feta salad, pork ribs and a custard cream  tarte tropezienne.

Address: Chemin de la Quessine, 83350 Ramatuelle, France Website: lareserve-ramatuelle.com

La Ponche, Saint Tropez

Tucked away on a steep cobblestone village backstreet overlooking the legendary curve of beach where Vadim shot  And God Created Woman , Hotel La Ponche has lost nothing of its 1950s glam panache, now stylishly spruced up à la Neo-Provencal by designer Fabrizio Casiraghi and under new management. Young couples flock here for the prime people-watching starlit terrace, sea breezes and the uber-fresh cuisine by chef Thomas Danigo. Try the silky mint and basil-spiked pea gazpacho with goat cheese; the clam linguine with bottarga and pistachios; and roasted honeyed apricots with lavender ice cream for dessert.

Address: 5 Rue des Remparts, 83990 Saint-Tropez, France Website: laponche.com

Manko, Saint Tropez

Situated on a narrow alleyway near the harbour, this  Peruvian culinary nocturnal hot spot (little sister to  Paris’ wildly successful Manko), is nothing short of romantic – in the tree-lined courtyard garlanded with twinkly lights couples burrow into curved banquettes sipping foamy pisco sours. Highlights from the menu – a joyous mix of fresh fish, grilled meats and salads with Asian, Japanese and African influences – include chunks of red tuna tartare in a spicy pool of coconut milk; a catch-of-the-day  ceviche with avocado cream and sweet potatoes; charred octopus with crispy fries; plus luscious desserts like dark chocolate and passion fruit Peruvian cheesecake with plantain chips and banana ice cream.

Address: 3 Rue des Tisserands, 83990 Saint-Tropez Website: manko-sttropez.com

Arcadia, Hotel Byblos, Saint Tropez

The ever-humming Hotel Byblos – a palm and fountain-filled hamlet of pastel-coloured fisherman’s cottages, done up in a Byzantine-meets-Neo Provencal décor – may not strike you as a tranquil spot for tête-à-tête gastronomic dining. Still, at the recently opened Arcadia, executive chef Nicola Canuti serves up a delectable 4-course “Discovery” menu of refined recipes, minus St Trop’s throbbing bass party atmosphere. From the open kitchen comes an array of revisited local classics: petits farcis vegetables stuffed with seafood; thyme-crusted lamb served with zucchini blossom fritters; homemade tortelli filled with goat’s cheese and smoked eel, and sensational chocolate and black olive dessert. In sync with the new spa’s holistic spirit, everything on your arty ceramic plate is uber-fresh or picked from the hotel’s sun-drenched kitchen garden down the road.

Address:  20 Avenue Paul Signac, 83990 St Tropez Website:  byblos.com

Gigi, Ramatuelle

After a whoopingly successful first season, Gigi remains the hottest place to be for a languorous by-the-sea lunch or dinner under the pines with refined Italian cuisine and a friendly vibe. Expect families (there’s an inventive children’s playground), friends digging into platters of antipasti; and hand-holding couples sipping peach bellinis. Helmed by Parisian hospitality guru Laurent de Gourcuff (Monsieur Bleu, Girafe, Mūn), the restaurant provides golf carts to transport you to a forest behind Pampelonne, with a saffron canvas-shaded terrace and embroidered white tablecloths) where attentive servers scurry about with cornucopias of starters – truffle-spiked arancini; green bean pistachio and pecorino salad and unctuous stracciatella cheese. The menu includes everything from lobster spaghetti and grilled fish to meat dishes, plus a heavenly coffee tiramisu with mascarpone and a Proustian-inspired digestif that tastes exactly like a madeleine.

Address: 1050 Chemin des Barraques 83350 Ramatuelle Website: gigi-restaurant.com/ramatuelle

Connor Sturges

Sarah James

Clara Laguna

La Ferme d’Augustin, Ramatuelle

Hidden away in a sprawl of greenery behind the Plage Tahiti, this family-run hotel and restaurant was once a farm, and third-generation owner, Christophe Vallet still produces his limited edit of Clos Bellevue handpicked natural rosé and fruity olive oil on his neighbouring property. Chi chi it is not, but you may spot starry chefs on the shading dining terrace tucking into grilled fish à la Provençale (tomatoes, olives, fennel, rosemary, and potatoes are ubiquitous here) and other grandmotherly recipes from La Ferme’s ever-changing chalkboard. Signature dishes abound: stuffed sardines, caponata, octopus carpaccio,  rillettes , fresh marinated anchovies, clam linguini, roast lamb, and lobster, followed by goat’s cheese and tempting desserts sweetened with guilt-free Natsuc sugar. Order Chef Sophia’s authentic homemade bouillabaisse two days in advance.

Address:   979 route de Tahiti, 83350 Ramatuelle Website:   fermeaugustin.com

Les Délices du Pan Deï, Pan Dei Palais

Behind massive wooden doors, the 12-room Pan Dei Palais, impeccably run by the Airelles group, has all the accoutrements of a private mini-mansion awash with handsome colonial-style Indian furnishings, which is precisely why this newly opened restaurant feels as if you might be dining on the dreamy poolside terrace of your best friend’s villa. Helmed by imaginative Italian-born chef Antonio Oresta, the exotic-meets-Mediterranean dish-sharing experience unfolds with plate after plate heaped with whatever’s fresh that day — subtly spicy fish, meat and vegetables dishes or carpaccios brightened with cumin, cardamom, lemon and fennel.  High points: warm bread soaked with superb Château d’Estoublon olive oil, cassoulette of prawns in a green curry sauce and a seriously addictive chocolate mousse flecked with  fleur-de-sel for dessert.

Address:   Pan Deï Palais, 52, rue Gambetta 83990 Saint-Tropez Website:   airelles.com/pan-dei-palais-hotel/restaurants/les-delices-du-pan-dei

Colette, Hotel Sezz, St. Tropez

In the mid-1920s, when French writer Colette fell in love with the still-undiscovered village of Saint Tropez, she bought a modest villa, la Treille Muscat. She spent blissful days gardening and experimenting with recipes. A century later, just down the road, her namesake  poolside restaurant , orchestrated by Michelin-starred chef Philippe Colinet, would indeed have made the writer swoon with pleasure. Citrus aficionados, rejoice: the chef takes you on a taste-bud titillating journey with a six or seven-course menu where the lemon is king, and comestible wildflowers (gathered yards away) are prettily scattered over the dishes. Creative combos prevail – a deconstructed pan bagnat that resembles an artist’s palette; a surprisingly sublime grilled cauliflower dish; a perfectly-cooked capon, topped with saffron-infused aioli and spinach, bathing in a rockfish soup, and lots of luscious lemony desserts.

Address: 151 route des Salins, 83990 St Tropez Website: colettesainttropez.com