There is something really lovely about late summer in the south of France, when the crowds have thinned out and the roads cleared, but it’s still blissfully warm and sunny. If you’ve decided to stay for this year’s Indian summer in Saint Tropez, what kind of things can you look forward to? Let’s look at some of the highlights on the calendar.
Get ready for Saint Tropez’s Indian summer…
A glorious regatta
One big event during the Indian summer in Saint Tropez is Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, the town’s glamorous annual regatta which this year takes place between 28th September and 6th October, and involves some 300 classic and modern yachts competing from around the world. Expect plenty of onshore festivities as well, with live music and crew parties, and the grand prize-giving ceremony on Sunday.
Horses and hiking
On Sundays in September there’s still the chance to catch an afternoon polo match at the Polo Club St Tropez, with free entrance for all spectators. Meanwhile, if you enjoy hiking, why not join the Var Hiking Week between 29th September and 2nd October, where a hundred walks are offered to discover the natural heritage of the Var department. These could take you through the Verdon, L’Esterel, La Sainte-Baume and Les Maures, or along the area’s beautiful coastal paths.
Wheels and wings
For entertainment of a more sedate kind, there’s always the Salon Univers Vintage in Sainte Maxime between 4th and 6th October, a celebration of all things vintage from the 1940s to the 1980s, including furniture, clothes and accessories, as well as an exhibition of classic cars.
Mountain bike enthusiasts can take part in the Roc d’Azur Mountain Bike Event in Fréjus between the 9th and 13th October, which has races aimed at all ages and levels. The main course, the Roc d’Azur, is a 52 km race with a 1200m altitude gain.
Back to four wheels, and the Paradis Porsche exhibition takes place this Indian summer in Saint Tropez between the 11th and 13th October, which sees a collection of Porsches in the town centre, and a parade that depicts the evolution of the brand from its beginnings to the current designs.
During the same weekend, you could head to Sainte-Maxime for the Free Flight World Masters – two exceptional days of aerial shows featuring the best aerobatic pilots in the world, with competitions, demonstrations and plenty of other family entertainment.
Chestnut celebration
Finally, the Fetes de la Chataignes celebrates all things chestnut in the lovely village of Collobrières on the 13th October. It’s a festival that attracts people from all over, and offers the chance to buy all kinds of chestnut goodies – from roast chestnuts to preserves, cakes and of course, marrons glacés, a Christmas favourite in France.
With so much going on, it’s really worth staying on for this year’s Indian summer in Saint Tropez. Do it in style by choosing one of the many luxury villas in St Tropez to rent, putting you within easy reach of all these fun and exciting activities.
