Brigitte Bardot, Saint Tropez 1958
Today I am packing up for a few days away… a little French interlude within a French summer… We are going to visit friends near Saint Tropez. I am excited… Saint Tropez is a place that I hold dear… despite the razzle dazzle and the crowds… it is where I first fell in love, truly in love with southern France…
Way back in 1995, when our children were still small we left Australia for an extended stay in Europe… four months of that were spent in a pretty villa in the hills behind Saint Tropez… For a girl from Oz, it was heady stuff… and living in France for those few months changed my life in so many ways… ways that I would not have foreseen or have ever imagined….The rest is history… and you know the story…
My suitcase is on the bed, full of colourful caftans, swimmers, espadrilles and a few more ‘dressy’ dresses so that I can, hopefully, blend into the cosmopolitan atmosphere of this Provencal seaside village… As chi chi and glamorous as Saint Tropez is… deep down she is still Provencal and she is still a village albeit one of the most famous coastal spots in the world… As I packed, my head was full of those months we spent in ’95… it still is… memories and sentimental thoughts slowing down my getaway and clouding my Sunday morning… I automatically, without thinking, packed the fragrance that I wore during that time… a fragrance introduced to me by a Texan friend when she came to stay with us all those years ago… Route du Thé… The scent is so fresh, so unique… one that inspires people to stop and ask, ‘what is it that perfume you are wearing’… and it will always remind me of a wonderful sojourn in my life… Scents are like that… don’t you find? One minuscule drop can send the memory banks into overdrive…
This coming week my other fragrance favourites will be taking a back seat… I want to be reminded and reminisce about old times… and Route du Thé will be my trigger…
For Your Summer Scent
Route du Thé… here
and for some really girly light reading set in Saint Tropez… try this or this…they won’t stretch or challenge the mind but… it is summer…
Time to go… This week I hope to show you all the colour, excitement and fun that is Saint Tropez… Speak when I get there… xv
To read more from French Essence click here…
Après avoir passé quelques jours à Saint Tropez, je comprends cet attachement!
Bien que cela fait des années que je vais m’y promener, il y a toujours le charme et la nostalgie aussi des années Bardot.
Un parfum à découvrir, une nouvelle fragrance, pourquoi pas? ce sera un souvenir de vacances d’été!
Wishing you a wonderful time down there. We have been back home now for a whole week after spending two in the St. Tropez region, eating out there most evenings. I love the little back streets and the atmospheric Place de Lices, watching the old guys play patanque. It’s a million miles away from normal life, but it has left its mark as you say, as did our brief visit to St. Remy on our way home last Saturday. I know that we will be back, somehow, sometime, hopefully soon! Enjoy!
Vicki, I could not agree more. I am constantly amazed at the people who think it is just a tourist spot…..love the pier but also the back streets and my favorite beach which is walking distance from downtown…..
Bonjour Vicki!
St. Tropez is one of those spots I DID NOT have the chance to visit during my three month stay in France. One month was devoted to Nice and its environs, and there was so much beauty to lap up on the coast from Nice to Menton, Antibes, Eze, St. Paul de Vence and more inland in Grasse. My dream to just simply go across the GREAT POND from Minneapolis Minnesota ALL ALONE (my husband would later meet me after one month)came true when I was awarded a scholarship. I would have never gone had it not been for that generous award. Talk about RISKS and challenges…..we all have dreams but not everyone has the will to believe they can come true with hard work and courage. I WISH YOU A FABULOUS TRIP and I look forward to hear all about it! Bonne journée, Anita
Oh you have me intrigued with trying that perfume…I know what you mean by scent triggers!
Have a beautiful time…lucky girl!
xoxo
I was lucky enough to live in St Tropez for a couple of years, and I also hold very dear memories, ‘she’ is indeed a little provencal seaside town, but ‘she’ likes to have more fun than most!
Have a wonderful stay Vicki
xx
Have a great break. Don’t forget to enjoy the local rosé of Saint Tropez. Maybe Domaine de la Croix is worth a visit? Vigneron magazine in France recently named as top 3 rosé producers in Saint Tropez.
Great rosé and of course very stylish packaging
Craig, we just got back from the St. Tropez region and I have to admit that before our trip we were not enamoured by rose wines. However, after savouring several, we decided to bring home a a case of Minuty rose which has a lovely balance of flavours, along with a case of red and white, now we can savour the flavours of St. Tropez a little longer. (Sorry, I don’t have the “accent” on my keyboard to spell rose correctly!)
Angela
Another thing we have in common…Route du Thé was a favorite for many, many years. I can imagine it in my memory so easily and for me it is also linked with a very specific time in my life. There is a lot of hope in that scent.
Have a fantastic time, Vicki and keep your eyes seeing for all of us!
xo,
Heather
Hello Vicki
Have a wonderful time and enjoy every moment. I will be looking forward to seeing Saint Tropez through your eyes.
Helen xx
I too love St Tropez, I would love to rent a villa like you did – can you recommend and companies who are good for rental ?
It is such a timeless place – Bardot’s image is so classic also.
Love your blog!
Elle
http://www.mstylepicturebook.co.uk
Have a fabulous time in St Tropez I look forward to the holiday snaps. I have never tried Serge Lutens perfumes
must put it on my list.xTrish
Vicki, your description of the perfume and St. Tropez touched me in such a way that on this Sunday morning I have already placed an order with Barney’s for the perfume! I hope that I enjoy it and it brings to me the kind of memories it brings to you. Have a wonderful visit!
The perfume sounds wonderful Vicki as does your trip to St. Tropez. Enjoy the trip!
leslie
Yummm…it all sounds heavenly. I haven’t got to Saint Tropez yet, but I have enjoyed staying with my cousine in Bandol. Beautiful region. Love what you had to say about your memory of that scent….same experience with a fragrant I wore during a stay in Paris…love how the body works. (I ordered the Route du The!)Have a wonderful visit. Lots of blessings and smiles.
You are so right about scent memories and there’s a physiological reason-having to do with how olfactory nerves work…but it’s summer and by now you must have arrived at your dreamy destination.
How wonderful (for us as well) that your extended stay all those years ago was transformative, but it couldn’t have been without your unique connection to the environment and your temperament, not to mention your drive and aesthetic openness.
I happily anticipate your posts and photos and I am hoping we’ll see pictures of people out and about. I don’t want celebrities, I want everyday people, travelers, and the quietly chic going about the business of August in St. Tropez and its environs.
Wishing you a beautiful visit.
enjoy your wonderful get away!! I am packing for a trip to Miami at the moment, fun in the sun and dancing all night!
Enjoy your time, and please take lots of photos, would love to see.
xx
callie
Have a divine time in Saint Tropez…
I love a great fragrance and isn’t Bardot gorgeous?
Vicki..you set the tone so beautifully with how you described you suitcase and whats its going to be filled with…..ohhh how fun! Such a magnificent and special place..enjoy!
Chère Vicki !
I so love how scent can instantly bring us back to a snapshot of a time in our lives. If I catch Chanel Nº 5 in the air I instantly wonder if my mother is near… Amazing.
And just this past winter/spring I spent two months in Armagnac, southwest France. The night I arrived was nearly record-breaking cold and my friend gave me a fuzzy fleece to take the chill away. Before giving it to me she spritzed it with ‘Stella’ by Tocca. Heavenly & fresh. I’m positively convinced that wearing that scent now will somehow magically transport me back to that very country house and the vines will be sleeping under a dusting of snow…
Thank you for stirring up evocative moments with your writing, Vicki. Such a treat.
PS I too loved St. Tropez and brought home a crisp white Gaastra sailing jacket to keep the memory vivid…
Hollie Olivia
I love that photo of Brigitte Bardot – she epitomizes things French for me.
Scents transport me to times spent traveling. I love trying a new fragrance on a long-awaited trip. The memories flood back with each visit back to that scent. I have been saving a bottle of COCO for Paris but I may have to change my mind after a trip to Barney’s this coming week!
St. Tropez is so Frenchy French to me in so many ways. I’d love to spend more that the fleeting visits I have made there. Can’t wait to see what you bring to us!
Bonne vacances.
xoxo, Chris
such a vivid memory of my mother being so fascinated with her beauty
Vicki, have a fabulous vacation, how could you not?!
I agree, there is something so amazing about a smell taking you to a time and place in your past. I love that.
Karen
You’re so right. Fragrance transports me back in time so effortlessly and quickly.
Looking forward to seeing the sights and sounds.
I have very fond memories of my last visit there a few years ago.
Have a wonderful break. Can’t wait to see your adventures. Soak up some sun for me. xx
Looking forward to seeing St. Tropez thru your eyes! Enjoy your holiday! P.S. I truly loved your ” Things I wish my mother had told me” post – it was very moving! xxoo
Vicki-
My Mother-in-law has given me some splendid scents over the years. She lives in the South of France and I must admit to loving so much of that area of the world.
Enjoy your time there and share with us some lovely souvenirs.
Good scents….sun and simple times to you!
pve
Have a wonderful time, Vicki.
I know what you mean about certain scents taking you back to a place, a time, a mood. I only wear Frond perfume from the Burren Perfumery in County Clare, Irelnd, when I’m in a frame of mind that can handle missing Ireland…because the moment I put on the scent, I DO miss Ireland!
Oh Vicki, you glamorous lady–can’t wait to hear more about your trip! I love how you write about associating scent with a time and place, it’s so true. I’m here on what is considered the riviera of California but it would be nicer to be at the real place and soaking up some of the ambiance!
xo Mary Jo
Thank you Vicki for this blog entry, it made me feel so good today.
Have a wonderful Vacation!
xo, Lissy
Your packing resembles mine today Vicki. I am preparing for two weeks studying French in Noumea, New Caledonia…which while part of France is not as chic as St Tropez! I hope you enjoy your sojourn.
Sounds like quintessential summer!
Have a fabulous time,
xoxo,
p
De très jolis préparatifs, bonnes vacances
Colette x
I too am going away this weekend for a Xmas in August this year with about 20 friends We have been doing Xmas in July for about 7years now and go to a different spot each year This year has been so busy ifor everyone we had to make it August soon we will be doing Xmas in Xmas. This year we are going to Brunswick Heads in northern New South Wales Australia just down the road from Byron Bay We are having an Olympic Theme .i must remember to take my favourite perfume . I only have a tiny bit left then I think I will buy your recommendation. I love your Blog Vicki and really enjoy reading all the comments from other readers enjoy your weekend away
Sounds fabulous, chere Vicki!
When I studied in Cannes, I was set to go on a day trip to St. Tropez…unfortunately my dear friend hurt her ankle and I stayed behind to help her. Someday I hope to visit!
Fragrance transports me like nothing else… I only wear YSL Paris when I am in Paris!
And the fragrance you mention is described as citrusy on the website…seems perfect for St. Tropez…
ENJOY!
xoxo,
- Irina