May 8, 2007

Europe | France | St. Tropez

Party Like it’s 1967

By Charis Atlas Heelan

Byblos turns 40 in sybaritic style.

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And God Created Woman — in the form of Brigitte Bardot in a bikini on a beach in Saint-Tropez. And thus, in 1956, was born the jet-set playground of the western world. Eleven years later, this otherwise sleepy fishing village welcomed the arrival of Byblos, which over the next four decades cemented itself as the French Riviera’s perennial it-spot for the rich and the beautiful. Now, to mark its 40th anniversary, Saint Tropez’s fabled hotel is hosting a series of special events — including a poolside party in August that promises a performance by a yet-to-be announced star from the 70’s. Byblos should have plenty to choose from. This was, after all, where Mick married Bianca, and where Excess On The Med was virtually copyrighted. The hotel’s Les Caves du Roy nightclub is a sort of Studio 54 by-the-beach, where diving off the balcony into the pool (clothing optional) is de rigueur; and the Krug flows at around $400 a bottle. In recent years, party drop-ins have included Donatella and Denzel, Beyoncé and Bono — so don’t expect the anniversary guest list to be any less stellar. And if you do manage to bag your way in, being there should give you bragging rights for another 40 years.