Officials for the municipality of St Tropez claim that 15,000 visitors stroll along the St Tropez coastal footpaths, but I think it's way more than that. At least, more folks hike the section from St Tropez to Pampelonne that the others (see Hikes 11, 12, 13 and 14 for details, available in the guidebook: 26 Gorgeous Hikes on the Western Côte d'Azur).

No matter how many lucky visitors enjoy these beautiful coastal hikes, the trails ("sentiers du littoral") get quite a beating. It's hard to imagine on a calm spring day like today, but these trails get whipped hard by waves and wind. And the ones by St Tropez meander close to the edge of the sea. So they need regular maintenance.

Right now, work is under way to solidify steps, retaining walls, to clear vegetation where it has taken over the trails, to add informational panels. All for our benefit. The work will cost €45,000 and should conclude before May.