New
- 3 min read
The "Fête des Belges" : the unmissable event for Belgians on the Côte d'Azur
&w=1920&q=75)
The "Fête des Belges" (July 21) in Saint-Tropez is not an ancient tradition linked to the town's history. Rather, it is a modern tradition born from the strong Belgian presence on the French Riviera.
The Origins
The festival is organized every year on July 21st, Belgium's National Day, which commemorates the swearing-in of the first King of the Belgians, Leopold I, in 1831.
According to several local sources, the modern version of the Fête des Belges in Saint-Tropez was launched in the early 1990s by Olivier Saxe, a Belgian living in the region. Archives indicate that the event has been organized since 1992.
Why Saint-Tropez?
The answer is simple: at this time of year, there is already a massive Belgian presence in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. Testimonies from organizers suggest around 3,000 Belgians are in town around July 21st.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Saint-Tropez became a favored holiday destination for wealthy Belgian families, particularly from Flanders. When the national holiday coincided with their summer stay, the idea of celebrating Belgium under the Mediterranean sun came naturally.
The Evolution of the Festival
Initially, the spirit was relatively spontaneous. A Belgian organizer recalls that some of the earliest celebrations were like a big meal among friends on the beach, featuring a spit-roast pig and a few dozen participants. Over the years, the event became more structured and professional.
In the 2000s and 2010s, the festival regularly attracted several hundred, sometimes over a thousand people. The venues shifted from year to year: private beaches, the harbor, Place des Lices, or other event spaces in Saint-Tropez. The program featured music, DJs, Belgian artists, gastronomy, and a celebration of Belgian identity.
Offered properties
More Than a Party: The "Second Home" Connection
The event is much more than a annual celebration, it’s the ultimate gathering for the Belgian diaspora on the Côte d’Azur. For Belgians, owning a second home in the south of France isn’t just property investment; it’s a life goal and a symbol of success.
Every year, this event brings together a unique mix of second-home owners, local entrepreneurs, holidaymakers, and Belgian VIPs from the business and showbiz worlds. Just like in Knokke, Marbella, or Ibiza, it’s all about celebrating national pride in a sun-drenched home away from home.
An Interesting Historical Note
The Fête des Belges is therefore not the cause of the Belgian presence in Saint-Tropez; rather, it is the consequence of it.
This is why some residents of the gulf humorously say that July 21st has become, in Saint-Tropez, a sort of "second local national holiday."
Celebrate Belgian National Day Next Year Onwards
Do you also dream of celebrating 21 July under the Côte d’Azur sun, on your own terrace or by your pool? Become the owner of your own second home on the Côte d’Azur and join the community next summer.
Contact our advisors today to plan your property purchase on the Côte d’Azur and find your future holiday home.
Contact
Contact your personal advisor
Engel & Völkers Belgium
Chaussée de Waterloo 1173
1180 Uccle, Brussels (VAT: BE 1004.032.746)
Tel: +32 2 880 40 21