Galerie du Cygne – History of St Tropez

St Tropez acquired its name in AD 68 when a Roman officer named Torpes was beheaded on Nero’s Orders in Pisa, and packed into a boat with a dog and a rooster to devour his remains. His headless corpse washed up intact, leading the villagers to adopt him as their patron saint.

For centuries St Tropez remained a peaceful little fishing village, attracting painters like the pointillist Paul Signac, but few tourists. That changed dramatically in 1956 when “Et Dieu Crea la Femme ( And God Created Woman) was shot here starring Brigitte Bardot, catapulating it into the international limelight.

It is known today for its famous and extremely wealthy guests during summer and has been dubbed the playground to jetsetters and models.

In the history of modern art St Tropez plays a major role. Paul Signac discovers this light fulfilled place by having to take shelter from nasty weather and inspires painters like Matisse, Bonnard or Marquet to come to St Tropez. The painting of Pointillism and Fauvism emerges.  During the 20th century the town became a centre of Bohemian innovation and lifestyle crowded with painters, writers and other artists. Also for the next generation of painters St Tropez remains an interesting attraction – Bernard Buffet, David Hockney and Donald Sultan have also lived and worked in St Tropez.