After eight months of renovation, the legendary Hôtel La Ponche, in the historic heart of Saint-Tropez, unveils its new look.
Overlooking the small beach of La Ponche, this 21-room hotel (including 5 suites) has been given a makeover under the direction of interior designer, Fabrizio Casiraghi.
La Ponche , one of the iconic hotels on the Riviera, has welcomed Françoise Sagan, Brigitte Bardot, Gunter Sachs, Romy Schneider, Michel Piccoli, Boris Vian, Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir…to name just a few.
What was once a family affair with Simone Duckstein, will continue in the same vein as two distinguished families (Hubert and Nicolas Saltiel with Georges Saier – players in the hotel industry) take the helm.
The management of this five-star hotel – from now on open year-round – will be entrusted to Audrey Brémond, a native of Saint-Tropez, with chef Thomas Danigo (Galanga, Monsieur George Hotel, Paris) at her side.
The Hôtel La Ponche has been entirely “revamped” but without touching the essential, its soul, and combines the luxurious taste of la dolce vita with the carefree, relaxed vibes of the sea.
A fresh breeze blows in the changes of a new generation : One that does not wish to disrupt the ethos, but simply to restore to La Ponche its relaxed chic and its carefree elegance.
A little about Saint-Tropez
Saint-Tropez was once just a simple fishing village, and it was Roger Vadim’s 1956 film “Et Dieu Créa la Femme” (“And God Created Woman“), starring Brigitte Bardot that put Saint-Tropez firmly on the map and over the years it has become a world-renowned seaside resort and a glamorous destination for the wealthy and famous.
The port of Saint-Tropez is full of tiny fishing boats and luxurious yachts, surrounded by colorful houses and, of course, many chic cafés, so it is the perfect place to sip a lazy “apéritif” and watch the world go by.
The old town (known as La Ponche) of Saint-Tropez is, not surprisingly, where you will find the Hôtel la Ponche, and it is one of the most beautiful walking spots in the city, with narrow alleyways and quaint cobblestone lanes, abounding with charming shops, cafes and traditional restaurants!
Hôtel La Ponche unveils its new look
Memories of the previous owner and current ambassador, Simone Duckstein
It was here that, at the end of the war, all the fishermen of Saint- Tropez gathered to celebrate their newfound liberty.
Then, in the 1950s, the stars began to arrive in Saint-Tropez on the famous overnight “Blue Train” which released them sleepily onto the platforms of Saint-Raphaël train station, where hot coffee and warm toast were waiting for them.
Sometimes they came in a car like Françoise Sagan in her Jaguar X/440. Or on a motorcycle like Jose Luis de Vilallonga, actor and writer.
I got up from my bed, I opened the shutters, and the sea and the sky threw in my face the same blue, the same pink, the same happiness
Françoise Sagan
Simone was 13 years old when the cast and crew of “And God Created Woman” came to settle in La Ponche, and she witnessed the Bardot-Vadim love story unravel under the burning gaze of Jean-Louis Trintignant.
Boris Vian slipping behind the bar to serve his friends: Daniel Gélin, Michel Piccoli, Pierre Brasseur, Jean-Paul Sartre, Jack Nicholson, Catherine Deneuve… Simone Duckstein saw it all with her own eyes: marveling at the men who were “only faithful to their room number.”
Famous couples met there in rooms created from 1951: Brigitte Bardot and Gunter Sachs, Bernard Buffet and the model Annabel, Romy Schneider and Daniel Biasini … Simone Duckstein averted her beautiful blue eyes with carefree complicity.
With the philosophy: “don’t pester them” … “as long as they are not pretentious, don’t get carried away, and are polite to the staff”, La Ponche continued through the years, and grew from 8 rooms in 1957 to 21 rooms today.
Simone remembers the smell of clean linen in the cupboards, the polish on the woodwork, and that unchanging music: that of the “sound of water”.
The touch of interior designer, Fabrizio Casiraghi
Nothing is more delicate than touching up a myth, a legend, and the task facing Fabrizio Casiraghi at the Hôtel La Ponche could be compared to taking on La Colombe d’Or or the Café de Flore.
Luckily, Fabrizio Casiraghi, a rising star in interior design (Parisian apartments in Venice, the Drouant Restaurant in Paris, a resto-club in Hong Kong…), knew Saint-Tropez and this legendary hotel.
He based his makeover of the hotel on “the South, lazing around, the Dolce Vita”. A bit of Capri, Positano. But above all Saint-Tropez. The Pompidou years, the 60s, the sea, the holidays…….. And all with the serene comfort of a five-star hotel.
Most importantly, he wanted to ensure his remodelling respected the soul of the hotel, and it is with this in mind that the Hôtel La Ponche unveils its new look.
“This does not make it a hotel exactly, but a vacation home by the sea.”
Fabrizio Casiraghi
As soon as you walk into the reception, the tone of the hotel is set. It is both Provencal and summery: black-and-white marbled checkerboard floor, ivory walls, a concierge, luggage room, and a reception with traditional round brass keys.
You can take breakfast on the beautiful terrace, overlooking the sea, and you can also eat there until late in the evening.
Alternatively, you can elect to eat in the dining room overlooking the sea, which is also available for private functions.
The bedrooms are bright and light and reflect the spirit of the early years at La Ponche, when the walls were whitewashed and the beds covered with crisp, fresh and flowery cotton.
Today, there are off-white walls, tiles on the floor, and paintings here and there by Jacques Cordier, (Simone Duckstein’s first husband), original lithographs by Picasso., as well as artistic collaborations by Victor Levai (ceramic frames), Elvira Solana (fresco) and fabrics by Loro Piana and Pierre Frey (green, orange, yellow…..).
The ultimate luxurious room is room 8, where the terrace is as large as the room itself, overlooking the roofs of Saint-Tropez, the citadel, the bell tower, and the sea.
All of the twenty-one 5-star rooms (including 5 suites) are named after illustrious visitors, with the Simone Duckstein room being the latest addition.
The Restaurant
The restaurant and bar showcase La Ponche’s transformation. Thomas Danigo (ex-Laurent, ex-Sergent Recruteur) offers a Mediterranean cuisine based on local vegetables, fish of the day, and the vibes of the market.
At 29, Thomas Danigo has the experience of an old hand. This Parisian by birth, has already won awards in professional competitions and is especially known for his work at addresses such as the Grand Monarque in Chartres (one Michelin star) and for his seven years with Alain Pégouret at the Laurent restaurant in Paris (one star).
After learning from the grand masters of the restaurant business, he began to discover his own style during his tenor at the Sergent Recruteur in Paris, still with Alain Pégouret, before being successfully entrusted with the kitchens of Galanga, at the Monsieur George Hotel in Paris, by Nicolas Saltiel.
He has also learned from his many travels around the world, and he offers a Mediterranean style menu at La Ponche, focusing on local vegetables, fish of the day, and the local market produce. “No fuss, no overdone dishes, but a cuisine focused on ingredients and taste.” Fresh pea gazpacho, grilled lobster, bouillabaisse; daily specials in the charcoal oven and simple desserts all form part of the menu.
A “finger food” menu is also available at the bar as well as all-night room service, in accordance with the hotel’s five stars.
The Bar
The “Saint-Germain-des-Prés” (named when Boris Vian used to go behind the bar to serve his friends) is back with a makeover from Fabrizio Casiraghi.
There is a wall of mirrors behind the bar, housing shelves and backlighting on the bottles, American walnut wood ceilings, black-and-white checkered tiling, a fireplace, wrought iron coffee tables with glass tops and super comfortable free-standing armchairs and ottomans, which can be moved around.
The bar is also open to non-residents, via the entrance on a small street behind the hotel, and there is an extensive menu of cocktails, and a “finger-food” menu.
The Spa by Le Tigre Yoga Club
Renowned in Paris, the Tigre Yoga club offers treatments adapted to the spirit of the holidays: such as morning yoga on the deck facing the sea, as well as spa treatments, massages and yoga classes on request.
There is a fitness room with bikes, weights and other equipment for the use of guests and massage therapist, Iris Vola (Iyengar Yoga, Ayurvedic massage, Balinese, Lomi Lomi, Swedish…), will be in residence for the entire summer.
I hope you enjoyed this travel feature about “Hôtel La Ponche unveils its new look“, and you can find out more about Hôtel La Ponche on their website , and follow them on Instagram. You can also have a look here for more of our hotels and resorts features.
I will be back soon with more style, lifestyle and travel inspiration and don’t forget to subscribe to make sure you never miss a post,
With love,
Love these pictures. Thanks for sharing the beautiful pictures of hotel la ponche.
Lots of Love!
So glad you loved the pictures Mariann x
Lovely place❤
Isn’t it! 🙂
Seems so cozy and beautiful place. I am loving the vibes here.
Thanks for sharing.
So glad you liked the feature 🙂
Lovely photos ❤
Thanks Kinga x
This is an absolute dream! I defiantly want to go here.These photos capture such a stunning place 🙂
Thanks Heather! I hope you get to visit!
So cool post!
I really love this post!
thanks for sharing!!!
So glad you liked the post! xo
Oh my this hotel is BEAUTIFUL!!! I love all the details!
Thanks Rach! The setting is beautiful too xo
The view from that hotel is amazing. And I like interior details. Very beautiful.
http://www.exclusivebeautydiary.com
I agree – that view is amazing!
So stunning!!! That’s where I want to be right now. Dreamy images!
http://www.fashionradi.com
Thanks Radi! x
It is absolutely stunning! What a beautiful hotel!
Thanks Laura xo
Oh my goodness, this looks absolutely stunning and such a wonderful place to visit!!
Wishing you the brightest week, friend!
Make Life Marvelous
Thank you Ashley! Hope your week is going really well 🙂
OKAY this hotel just looks so darn adorable!! Adding it to my list!
-Didier
http://www.didieryhc.com
Let me know if you go, Didier! St Tropez is definitely a great place to visit x
It looks amazing- I want to go, asap!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
The decor is beautiful and St Tropez is a great place to visit!
Nice Article.
Bernie,
The Style Fanatic
Thanks Bernie x
It looks like such a nice place to stay, so beautiful! thanks for sharing!
Hope your week is off to a great start! 🙂
Thanks Mica! Hope your week is off to a great start too! 🙂
It’s so beautiful. Hope to visit one day.
Nina
http://www.stylingwithnina.com/
Hope you get to visit, Nina! Have you ever been to the South of France?
such a dreamy lplace – looks amazing! 🙂
xx
Tina
https://styleappetite.com/
I agree, the terrace really makes you want to linger 🙂
This sounds like such a beautiful place to relax!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
Totally agree! xoxo
This hotel sounds perfect. It screams “Provence” to me. I actually never been to the south east of France.
I would love to visit Saint Tropez one day.
xx
Margot
Thanks Margot! It’s not so far from Provence! We spent a few nights in St Rémy de Provence on the way down x
That hotel look amazing. Interior is very beautiful and details are exceptional. Thank you for sharing.
http://www.exclusivebeautydiary.com
Glad you like it!
Gosh, what a fabulous place. I love keeping the soul of it even in the renovation. And eating on the terrace?? I’m not sure I’d ever leave!!
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Haha! I know what you mean! I wouldn’t want to leave either xoxo
Wow, this decor is truly stunning. That bar gives me all the fun vacation feels too!
Shauna
http://www.lipglossandlace.net
Thanks Shauna! I love the decor too!
What an incredible place to stay! And love that view from the patio. Thanks for sharing this stunning hotel!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Isn’t it a beautiful view? The perfect spot for lunch!