Le Byblos reopens its 8 Laura Gonzalez-designed suites in Saint-Tropez
In Saint-Tropez, the 2026 season is shaping up to be one of unmissable addresses. From the mythical Byblos to the gourmet tables of Gassin, this Var peninsula is renewing its art de vivre with remarkable precision. Here is a tour of the places that make the heart of the peninsula beat.
Le Byblos, always one step ahead
Born in 1967 as a village within a village, the Byblos takes its name from its Lebanese inspiration. Its play of staircases, colourful façades and pool have lost none of their charm. The party, meanwhile, remains firmly on the agenda at Les Caves du Roy.
Yet every year, the hotel treats itself to a subtle refresh. This season, it is eight signature suites reimagined by architect Laura Gonzalez. She draws on the hues of the Var village to distil a comfortable, understated luxury.
Flashes of blue, coral and terracotta, along with hints of saffron and almond green, dress these suites. Natural materials take pride of place, as does the nearby sea.
“The Mediterranean is almost a reflex. An intimate memory. It lives in the light, in the contrasts, in that way of living more freely.”
At restaurant Il Giardino, food is served beneath a flowering pergola. Antipasti and pasta start at €32, the coquelet alla diavola is €42 and the Neapolitan baba is €28. The address is 20 avenue Paul Signac.
Accommodation for every sensibility
For a grand luxury stay, the bastide des Graniers offers more than 500 square metres in a residence dating from 1810. Paul Signac, Henri Matisse and Thierry le Luron have all stayed here. The private Graniers beach is accessible on foot, and a private chef can be arranged for a poolside dinner.
For a slice of history, the palais Pan Dei occupies the former residence of Indian princess Bannu Pan Deï. Her husband, a Napoleonic general, gifted her this palace in 1835. The Les Airelles group carefully tends its soul, at 52, rue Gambetta.
- Le Byblos: 8 suites designed by Laura Gonzalez, 20 avenue Paul Signac
- La bastide des Graniers: residence from 1810, private beach accessible on foot
- Le palais Pan Dei: palace from 1835, rooftop suite worth booking, 52 rue Gambetta
- Hôtel La Ponche: yoga and Pilates from 7:30 am on the private pontoon, 2 rue des Remparts
- Domaine La Bougie: villa accommodating up to 24 guests across 12 rooms
Eating, drinking and dressing with style
Restaurant Le Petit Célestin sets up its summer quarters on the rooftop of the Kube hotel. Chef Jaïs serves ultra-fresh fish, relaxed service and a wine list boasting around a hundred references. The address is 319, route du Littoral, in Gassin.
Meanwhile, Ralph Lauren is opening its first boutique just steps from the place des Lices. The full collections are available, along with a made-to-measure service. The Ralph Coffee and Ralph’s Bar installed in the courtyard complete the experience, at 28-30, boulevard Vasserot.
For rare bottles, Jéroboam by Mellisama brings together a wide selection of Côtes de Provence: Château Galoupet, Minuty, Maison Sainte Marguerite, Corsican wines and Bandol. Petrossian caviar and truffles are also available in the fine grocery section, place de la Croix de Fer.
Also worth noting, Maison Michel, the Parisian hat-maker celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, offers three styles in sewn or woven straw, in beige, black and brown, at 18, rue Gambetta.
Art, ice cream and polo: the other sides of the village
The Saint-Tropez Fine Arts fair brings together works by Robert Combas, Niki de Saint Phalle, César, Murakami and Bernar Venet. A nod to Brigitte Bardot by stencil artist Jef Aérosol also features, at 16, boulevard Vasserot.
For something cool, Barbarac has been a benchmark since it opened in 1988. Precisely crafted sorbets and house-made ice creams are available in a cone, a tub or via online order, at 2, rue du Général Allard. Worth knowing: Barbarac means ice cream in Armenian.
Finally, the Polo Club de Saint-Tropez unfolds its season at the Gassin stud farm, with up to fifty teams and more than six hundred horses. The season runs through to the Longines League of Nations in September, at 1999, route du Bourrian, in Gassin. A side of Saint-Tropez as little-known as it is fascinating.
