Beyond the myth of Saint Torpes

The actual name of Saint-Tropez is due to a legend concerning a roman officer, Caius Silvius Torpetius. The man was a brilliant attendant of roman Emperor Nero. Torpetius, converted to Christianity by Saint-Paul, professed his new faith during a feast organized by the Emperor, who condemned him to death by the beasts. It seems those beasts laid themselves down at Torpetius feet and the pillar he was chained to, collapsed, killing the executioner.

So Nero condemned his attendant to beheading, loading his body up to a boat, with only a rooster and a dog, two animals that were symbols of malevolence. The boat was released at the mouth of the Arno river, and ran on to the shores of the old Heraclea, a Gallo-Grecian city. It was the May 17th, 68 A.D.

The body arrived undamaged, so the inhabitants resolved to change the name of the costal city and dedicated it to Saint Torpes, then become Saint-Tropez.

Towards the end of 9th century the local history reports the presence of robbers and pirates (mainly Saracens) along the coast. It was Guillaume of Arles, Count of Provevence, who drove away the last criminals in 972. In 980 he built the "square Tower" in Saint-Tropez, nowadays known as "Tour Suffren", to discourage potential invaders.

From 1436 Count René of Provence used his power and authority to revive the region and his population, smashed by the plague.

In 1470, with a covenant name "Charter of Freedom", Saint-Tropez became a Community with special rights and duties. A nobleman from Genoa, Raphael di Garezzio, was charged to occupy, repopulate, fortify and defend the city. The inhabitants were free from all taxes and free to administer their own affairs. The Republic of Saint-Tropez was born.

Its privileges were confirmed until 1672, when Louis XIV repealed them. The "independent" period was very important for the history of the french town. The most important celebration tied to that period is the actual festival of the Bravades. This event is celebrated every year in May, from 1558, in order to remember the Patron Saint and a fundamental historical period.

During the 17th and 18th centuries Saint-Tropez developed its commercial activities, keeping his role as active part in the defense of the french Kingdom, due to its strategic positioning.

Up to the second half of the 19th century tropezians played an important role in Mediterranean trade, until the development of the steam boats that carried out the decline of the port.

Between the two World Wars it was an increase in prosperity, due mainly to a torpedo factory and other minor activities.

On 15th August 1944 Saint-Tropez was the first town liberated in Provence by the Allied Forces. That day is commemorated every year. The very recent history of Saint-Tropez and his "renaissance" his tied to the beautiful french actress Brigitte Bardot. In the 50's the diva filmed in Saint-Tropez "Et Dieu... créa la femme" giving international recognition and exposure to the town.

In the 60's and the 70's many films were played in Saint-Tropez, contributing its notoriety. Nowadays the town is one of the preferred destinations of actors and artists from all over the World.

The Historical treasures of Saint-Tropez

Saint-Tropez is a very ancient place, so you can find some amazing archeological treasures. The most ancient traces discovered refer to Neolithic times, with 6 sites which can be dated approximately from 5000 to 1000 B.C. You can find 3 Gallo-Roman era sites. The most important is the "Roman Villa des Platanes". Only historical sources mention the passage of Saracens during the 9th and 10th Century. Totally abandoned during the 14th Century Saint-Tropez resumed a constant activity only from 1470 onwards. Under the leadership of the Baron of Grimaud, Genoese and Provencal families settled on its shores. The "Tour Jarlier", the "Tour Vieille" and the "Tour du Portalet" are the signs of the town's expansion during different periods.

At present Saint-Tropez can count on 17 historical or listed sites, monuments and listed natural sites. The entire Saint-Tropez is listed, particularly the houses' front sides on the harbour, the port itself, the Citadelle and its near surroundings, the area of "la Ponche" , the Chapels of "Sainte-Anne, the Villa "la Hune" and its garden, "l'Annonciade", "la Miséricorde", the Parish Church "Notre Dame de l'Assomption", the porch of "la "Maison du Maure" , the "Lavoir Vasserot" and its fountain, the "Tour Jarlier", the Castle and gardens of "la Moutte", the tomb of "Emile Ollivier", the "Latitude 43" and the staircase of "le Corsaire".

There are also hidden treasures made of delicate architectural details, vulnerable and fragile traces of our past. Indoor you can find staircases, fire places, windows, doors, ceilings, plaster decorations, parts of oil mills, inside wells and vaulted cellars. Outdoors there are doorframes, railings and imposts, oratories, wells, fountains, washhouses, canals, wheat beating plots, mills, sheep pens and ovens.