aixcentric

It should be splendid weather this weekend for the huge event Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, which runs 28th September – 7th October.  It’s the final big bash of the season with 300 modern and classical yachts in the port – all the big boats that normally clutter the quayside are moved out into the gulf to allow the competitors in – and it’s a wonderful opportunity to people-watch.  There are impossibly bronzed and elegant bare-foot people everywhere and the sleek, polished, world-class boats gleam in the sunshine.

If the sun and wind get too much, you can always duck into L’Annonciade, one of my favourite galleries ever – their collection of 19th and early 20th century French art, much of it painted in the town itself – is really special; plus there is a temporary exhibition ‘Eaux Plurielles’ on show until 11th November. It brings south paintings from the Musées de Dunkerque with the twin themes of water as an inspiration, and artistic voyages.

Back outside, there are numerous places by the harbour to eat and carry on watching competitors in the real-life voyages of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez. Here’s the link for the official programme of races: https://www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr/les_voiles_de_saint_tropez/presentation/programme/