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MORE ABOUT SAINT TROPEZ ...
In antiquity, Saint Tropez was populated by the Pheniceans, who had installed themselves in Marseille. They created anchorage stations along the Mediterranean to assure the navigation between their trading counters. Among these we find Athénopolis, possibly situated on the site of the actual town of Saint Tropez. At the time of the invasion of Gaul by the Romans, the town carries the name Héracléa.
In 68 AD, the Chevalier Torpès, publicly proclaimed his Christian faith during the fête de Diane in Pisa.The emperor had him tortured and beheaded. His body was thrown on a small boat with a cock and a dog on the river Arno, the currents carried the small boat towards Saint Tropez's shore, whose patron saint he became.
In 1441 he gained a benefit from his chamberlain Jean de Cossa la Baronnie de Grimaud, being the one to realise that the regions weak point is the Golf of Saint Tropez and that it must be protected at every price. He instructed an Italian gentleman with this challenge, Raphaël de Garezzio, who let 21 genoaean families come to reconstruct and fortify the city.
A part of these fortifications still surround the old town nowadays. In exchange for the defence and the protection of the town, they are free of income tax.
In 1672, all these privileges are abrogated by Louis XIV during the installation of a royal garrison at the Citadel, which currently houses a naval museum.
In 1860 one constructed "La Reine des Anges" in Saint Tropez, a three-master of 740 tons, which will be the floral decoration of the marina market. Saint Tropez grows, and prospers.
In 1866 the statue of Bailli de Suffren was erected in the port.
In 1913, Emile Ollivier, minister of Napoleon III, was buried in a tomb, which he had constructed on the rocks dominating the sea aux Salins, right opposite his estate château de la Moutte.
 Each year, some of the most beautiful pages of Saint Tropez's history give place to the magnificent ceremonies, like the Bravades (old provincial tradition). The Bravade of the month of May, in particular, is the communion of a whole population in the veneration of Saint Patron and in the celebration of glorious makings of weapons for the defence of the Maures country
Nowadays Saint Tropez is a very lively town and full of stars, which hasn't lost its charm or its character, making thousands of tourists dream each year.
Points of interest : La vieille ville - Le musée de l'Anonciade - Le port de plaisance - Les plages de sable de Pampelone
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