TROPEZ - In the beginning there were the Greeks who brought the wheel, then the Romans arrived with their togas, and finally Brigitte Bardot, who never wore much at all. The Brigitte Bardot story began where I am sitting now, on a sandy beach just west of Se Tropez an the Mediterranean, the same place where the US. Army Janded in 1944. If the oops had kaown what was to hap- pen 1} years later they might not have dashed off the beach se quickiy. It was then thar Brigitte Bardot cate here to film Aud Gad Created Woman. and in the process put St. Tropez on the map. ‘bie tile efeft another creation, a i out ofa beach cattage whose owner was waked to provide meals and seized the opportunity te start whai is now an clegant operation ~ Club 45. Here the rich and ocersicnally famous arrive by vacht and exotic cars, renta niat te lie in the sun, then cajey fan- guid Junches. At the end of the day, after a final ylass of chilled Provence rosé nota few make their way back to the Byblos, the most glamorous hotel in what might Sz the most talked about place on earth. Well, ler’s say Europeans are fascinated by St. Tropez because it is their Hollywood, ‘TRAVEL Hollywood home to rich, famous a place where publicit eek: ing celebrities in a yacht tao large ara dress too small will pull the paparazzi. it is alse the first stap for anvone whe has made moncy, whether jostant Internet millionaire ar Russian pangster. Even Lonely Planer, a yuide nat to be confused with the magazines favoured by luwbraw den- Usty waiting rooms, cannot resist Listing St ‘Tropez. resi- denes past and present from Matisse to Marlene Dietrich, French: rocker Johany Hallyday, Joan Collins and Pink Floyd (As | reach fora peach /Slide a line dawn behind a sofa in San ‘Trope Fame has changed what was once a quiet litte har- bour lined with the simple homes of fishermen. Bumptiously big yachts have forced out the fishing boats, and owners and their guests dine or stern decks within spitting distance of crowds of gawkers on the quay. You have to be seriously rich and terminally stupid to bring a boat here. Having said that, St. ‘Tropes is irrestistible. The Narrow streets are a maze of pastel-coloured buildings sprinkled with shuttered win- daws, As you'd expect all the designer shups are here, but so are places where you can buy a iresh baguette or the local rarte ‘Tropezienne, 3 wonderful sponge cake full of custard cream. The Tuesday and Saturday market ar Place Sunday, December 19, 1299 —- Nerth Shore News - 25 des Lices is one of the best in France ‘The rest of the week and in the evenings Place des Jices reverts te being a shady square where men play petanyne. If this is too ener- etic, head for the port and a caté such as Le Goritle and watch the passing parade. AL night St. ‘Tropez’s restaurants overflow on to the sidewalks. This is the time to search for the best menu and the freshest seafood. First of all have a drink on the tiny balcony of the Hotel Sube overlooking the port. Here you can see the sidewalk artists putting the finishing touches to their paintings. Dinner at the Hotel Byblos puts 3 strain on the budget bur is a memorable experience. The courtyard of the hotel is quiet other than 4 piano in the background, the setting sun throws shadows over the pool and candbelight and flowers provide an over- ture toa Provencal feast. An even better idea is ta check in, and here it helps to be rich, if not famous. Exclusive might be the word for a hotel with just 50 rooms and 47 suites, all of them different, See Club page 26 Tie Britsch Columbia .. | Automobite Association is experiencing some labour. disruption at its unionized offices. We sincerely. apelogize for any inconvenience. Hours of service during the Holiday Season . Kerrisdale, Broadway, Delta, Langley Friday, Dec. 24 - offices close at 4 p.rn. Reopening Tuesday, Dec. 28. Friday, Dec. 34 - offices close at 3 p.m. Reopening Monday, dan. 3. ¢ Telecentre 268-5555 . ; Friday, Dec. 24 - closes at 4 p.m. Reopening Tuesday, Dec 28. Friday, Bec. 31 - closes at 3 p.m. Reopening Monday, Jan. 3. - Oosing 4 pm. December 24. Reopening 10 arf, Jan 3. : . - Closing 2 p.m, Dec, 23. Open 10.a.m. to2pm. Dec 28 03 Reopening 10 a.m. Jan. 4. -- +... Closed Dec. 20, Open 11a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 202 te and Dec, 28 to 31. Reapening Jan, 4. Closed Dec. 20 to Jan 3. Reopening 10 a.m. Jan. 4. by appointment only, please call. ; ‘and 9am. to3pir Dee. 31. Reopening gam. Jan Closing 4 p.m, Dec. 23, Open 12 to 4 p.m. Dec. 28 to 30 co . Reopening 12 to 4p.m. Jan. 4...” vents Closing 4 p.m. Dec. 23. Reopering to am ion 3: Richmond ..... : serve dub the heal season. Drive sensibly and safely and have kes St Tropez. Despite the influx of. millionaire vacationers and s locais can atlii be spotted playing petanque in the any square. Order. by calling Park Royal 268-5650 or Parte & Tiford 990-1546 4.6: Travel agents Act, DY ya. eto £ a tt “Avaliate!in iy, denomnina . - ti royale t eet ew: