Monaco or Saint Tropez: Where To Spend The Summer?

Both iconic French Riviera destinations, synonymous with A-List celebrities and unbridled glamour, deciding where to stay between Monaco and Saint Tropez is an enviable yet difficult position to be in. Of course, if you can, the best choice is always to do both. But if you are working to a time restriction and you simply must choose, we hope the guide below will help you make your decision. Ultimately, whether you choose Monaco or Saint Tropez, you are sure to have an incredible time thanks to the array of activities on offer and the sun-soaked climate they both benefit from. 

Will you choose Monaco or Saint Tropez?

Escape to Monaco

This so-called Billionaire’s Playground is larger than life despite only spanning 2 km sq. Sparkling superyachts line Port Hercules – a fitting introduction to the opulence of the Principality. 

When comparing Monaco vs. St Tropez, many people will first think of the Casino de Monte-Carlo, which is world-famous with its opulent gaming rooms even appearing in the 1995 James Bond film GoldenEye. However, the excitement doesn’t stop there. Monaco is also home to an array of luxury designer stores, which explains why all Monegasques are so well dressed! Head to Le Metropole Shopping Center to enjoy retail therapy in a truly luxurious, marble setting and have a break from the heady sunshine, or just wander and discover the enticing stores which line the city’s streets. 

A foodie’s paradise, Monaco offers a choice of Michelin-star restaurants will surprise and delight your senses, from Restaurant Joël Robuchon Monte-Carlo to Le Louis XV-Alain Ducasse à l’Hôtel de Paris. You may also be surprised to learn that Monaco is a great area for cycling, with its mountainous backdrop providing some incredible, adrenaline-fuelled routes

that are often used as training for the Tour de France. Take a picnic and spend the day exploring Monaco’s rugged landscape – what this cliffside lacks in glitz, it more than makes up for with stunning natural beauty. 

Summer in St Tropez

One deciding factor between Monaco or Saint Tropez may well be whether you prefer to be in the heart of the city, or whether you prefer a holiday destination with a slightly slower pace. St Tropez is technically a village, and despite its extreme popularity and A-List attraction, it has maintained its laid-back vibe.

Here you’ll find the same designer stores as in Monaco – look out for the exquisite Christian Dior gardens –  but with the addition of independent boutiques that feel more unique to St Tropez. There is a cool contemporary art scene here that hails back to Paul Signac’s arrival at the end of the 19th century, with the oldest modern art museum in France, the Musée de l’Annonciade, located in the Old Port.

Of course, we couldn’t talk about St Tropez without talking about Pampelonne Beach, where celebrities flock every summer to spend days lounging at one of the exclusive beach clubs, quaffing on magnums of champagne and splashing in the turquoise waters. During the summer months, this beach can get very busy and it may be better to try smaller, less well-known beaches, such as Plage des Graniers. 

Don’t leave without grabbing a coffee and pastry at the Café de Paris, and spending an afternoon people watching, soaking up the atmosphere at one of the world’s most famous eateries.

Decisions, decisions

When it comes to choosing – Monaco vs. St Tropez – both have their own unique qualities that make them special. If you have been persuaded by Monaco’s charms, you’ll be delighted to know that there are plenty of Monte-Carlo apartments for rent available for the summer, affording you the opportunity to live like a true Monegasque.