Season’s great finale

The picturesque port of Saint-Tropez with its restaurants and bars is the perfect backdrop to Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez.

As they do every year, hundreds of historic and modern sailing yachts descend on the Var port to battle it out in the Gulf, followed by a flotilla of spectator boats. Again this year, big names on the racing scene will be represented: ultra-modern boats, such as the brand-new Aegir II, made entirely of carbon and built with the latest technology from the aerospace industry, and futuristic Wally yachts like Esenser or Saudade.
Among the classic wooden yachts, the Yacht Club de Monaco's flagship Tuiga (1909) and the two-mast schooner Elena, an exact replica of the eponymous racing yacht designed by famous American boat builder Nathaniel Herreshoff, are expected.
Boat owners leave nothing to chance, often hiring a professional skipper and tactician to avoid being left with an inexperienced crew.
Yacht owners, who have between one and 15 million dollars to spend, could perhaps take a test drive on Marigold, Thendara, Altair, Shamrock V or the multiple-winner Rowdy, as all are on the list of participants and were for sale this summer.
One yacht everyone will be keen to see is Mariquita. She comes from neighbouring Port Cogolin and this year celebrates her centenary. A little tip for the yacht watcher: Mariquita is easily recognised from a distance by the small wooden dinghy lashed to the deck, just behind the mast.
It all starts with the passage race from Cannes to Saint-Tropez on the Sunday. In the afternoon, many spectators line the harbour wall to see the yachts arrive, their huge colourful spinnakers unfurled and clearly visible in the distance. The finish line is very close to the harbour entrance.
Those who want to watch the crews in action and the daring manoeuvres, particularly at the start, can book a place on one of the many official spectator boats
On race days the town wakes up earlier than usual and if you are there in good time you can get closer to the berths. It’s also the best time to take photos, or to just watch the crews at work over a coffee. At about 10am, the harbour slowly empties, giving those who do not want to follow the race time to explore the streets, squares and shops in the village.
They usually return in the late afternoon.
Of course, there's a host of other activities on during race week. A boules tournament for the crews in Place des Lices, supported by the local ‘professionals’. On one evening, there is a colourful and  chaotic crew parade, so if you thought sailors lacked imagination, think again! And of course there are numerous music groups who perform in different places at various times in this packed programme of events.
You cannot help but be enchanted by all the historic and modern sailing yachts, as you enjoy the charm of the place in the late summer sun. Les Voiles de Saint Tropez  is not to be missed!            
GS/CL