Var has its share of iconic pastries — sweet ambassadors that have crossed borders. The tarte tropézienne, invented in Saint-Tropez in 1955 by a Polish baker (Alexandre Micka), is a buttery brioche with vanilla cream — Brigitte Bardot tasted it on the set of 'And God Created Woman' and gave it its name.
Beyond the tropézienne, Var's pastry tradition includes calissons (almond-melon paste under royal icing, originally from Aix-en-Provence), melon glacé (candied melon from Apt and Cotignac), lavender madeleines, navettes (boat-shaped orange-flower biscuits), and the thirteen-desserts at Christmas.
We have selected the best addresses: the historic houses, the contemporary creators, the village confectioners. From the simple café in a Provençal village to the starred pastry chef in Saint-Tropez, each address has been validated by our team.
Tarte tropézienne: the iconic creation
The original recipe is jealously guarded by La Tarte Tropézienne (the historic house in Saint-Tropez). Buttered brioche split in two with a vanilla-butter cream. Sweet, generous, addictive.
- La Tarte Tropézienne (Saint-Tropez, Sainte-Maxime, Ramatuelle): the original recipe. €6-9 for individual portion, €40-50 for the family-size cake.
- Sénéquier, Saint-Tropez harbour: their version of the tropézienne, served on the iconic red terrace.
- Le Micka, Saint-Tropez: descendants of Alexandre Micka, the inventor. Original recipe in their words.
- Pâtisserie Frédéric Trampolino, Saint-Tropez: contemporary takes on the tropézienne, more refined.
Each pastry shop has its own variation: some lighter cream, more brioche, more dough. We let you taste several to find your favourite.
Calissons, navettes, lavender madeleines
The smaller treasures of Provençal pastry:
- Calissons: almond and candied-melon paste, royal icing. €25-40 per box of 12. Best at Maison du Calisson (in Var on the road to Aix), Pâtisserie Bremond (Lorgues), Maison Provençale (Hyères).
- Navettes: small orange-flower biscuits, boat-shaped (in homage to the boat of the Saintes-Maries). Specialty of Marseille — found in Var bakeries.
- Lavender madeleines: classic madeleine perfumed with lavender. €10-18 per box. Find at any village bakery in lavender season.
- Pompe à huile: Christmas brioche with olive oil, one of the 13 desserts. November-December only.
- Fougasse au sucre: sweet brioche with sugar grains. Common in village bakeries.
- Tropéziennes individuelles: the same brioche, in small portions. Around €4-6 each.
Melon glacé and candied fruits
A Provence speciality, especially around Apt (just across the Var border) and Cotignac:
- Melon de Cavaillon glacé: the Provençal melon, candied. Sweet, intense, perfect with a black coffee.
- Cerises glacées, figues glacées, mandarines glacées: the Provençal candied fruit tradition. Aubergine Cotignacaise: aubergine candied in sugar, a UNESCO-listed local craft.
- Best addresses: Aubergerie Saint-Joseph (Cotignac), Confiserie du Mistral (Cotignac, since 1820), Roy René (originally Aix, in Var on the road).
Bring back: candied melons or aubergines in 200g jars are perfect souvenirs. Long shelf life (12 months), travel-friendly.
Pastry experiences: workshops and tastings
Beyond simple shopping, we organize:
- Tarte tropézienne workshop in Saint-Tropez: 2h with the pastry chef, you make 4 individual tropéziennes that you take home. €85-110 per person.
- Comparative tastings: 4 houses, 4 versions of the tropézienne, blind tasting and ranking. €45-65 per person.
- Calissons production visit (in Aups or near Aix): tour of the workshop, history of the calisson, tasting. €15-25 per person.
- Christmas pastry tour: the 13 desserts ritual, with tasting. December only.
Frequently asked questions
Where to taste the best tarte tropézienne?
Maison La Tarte Tropézienne (the original, in Saint-Tropez), but also Sénéquier, Le Micka. Each has its own version. We suggest a comparative tasting at the 4 historic houses.
Calissons — really from Var?
Calissons originated in Aix-en-Provence (Bouches-du-Rhône). But several Var producers make them with local variations (calissons with figs, lavender, mandarin). Quality is excellent.
Pastry shops in Saint-Tropez?
Sénéquier (legendary, on the harbour), Maison Bremond, Le Micka, Pâtisserie Frédéric Trampolino. Pricier than elsewhere but iconic addresses.
Can we ship pastries home?
Yes — La Tarte Tropézienne and several houses ship within France and Europe (sealed cakes 5-day shelf life). Calissons and candied fruits ship anywhere — long shelf life.
Sugar-free, vegan or gluten-free options?
Yes increasingly. Maison Frédéric (Saint-Tropez) and Pâtisserie Bremond offer vegan versions of the tropézienne. Lavender madeleines exist gluten-free. Ask us when booking.