Hôtel La Ponche

There is one hotel that more than any other holds a special place in French cinematic history: Hôtel La Ponche in Saint-Tropez.

Established in 1918 and originally just a small bar for local fishermen, it was initially not much more than a small hole-in-the-wall, a place to eat the catch of the day and have a glass of pastis.

In the early 1950s, this all would change. Taking “le train bleu” (except for Françoise Sagan, who insisted on driving her Jaguar X/440) from Paris, film-stars and celebrities would arrive in Saint-Tropez and check in at La Ponche (which added hotel rooms in 1951).

Today, the hotel has grown additionally, and is housed in a cluster of 17th century houses, almost right on the Saint-Tropez beach.  

During the filming of the classic “And God Created Woman”, the cast and crew stayed at the hotel for the entire shoot.

Other La Ponche regulars included Boris Vian (who once even stepped in behind the bar to serve his friends), Daniel Gélin, Michel Piccoli, Pierre Braseur, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Pablo Picasso.

Many famous romances among European film-stars have begun in these rooms: Brigitte Bardot and Gunther Sachs, Bernard Buffet and Annabel, Romy Schneider and Daniel Biasini, among the most famous ones.

The location couldn’t be more perfect – in the old town centre of Saint-Tropez, with plenty of bars and excellent restaurants around, and so close to the ocean that it takes less than a minute from leaving your room until you are by (or even in) the sea.

The interiors are elegant yet understated – a Mediterranean interpretation of Art Deco. Current owner Simone Duckstein is the daughter of the original hoteliers, and as such, an invaluable link to the hotel’s golden history. In many of the rooms, paintings by Duckstein’s late husband, artist Jacques Cordier, decorate the walls.

The hotel is small – only eighteen rooms – and with more staff than guests, so you never have to wait long to have your needs or wants fulfilled. 

The best rooms are (naturally) the Brigitte Bardot Suite, which comes with two balconies, one of which overlooks the harbour, and the Romy Schneider Room, with one large terrace with sea view.

The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor options, a menu with plenty of local produce and an excellent wine-list. 

La Ponche

Saint-Tropez, France