The Butterfly Museum in Saint-Tropez
The Butterfly Museum is a must-visit during your stay at Château de La Messardière. Created by painter Dany Lartigue, this Provencal museum features an impressive collection of butterflies. It’s an experience like no other in Saint-Tropez, where you can see almost 35,000 specimens and create special family memories.
The Butterfly Museum, an iconic museum in the heart of Saint-Tropez
The Butterfly Museum is set among the colourful alleyways of the authentic village Saint-Tropez, five minutes’ walk from the famous Place des Lices. This museum will amaze you, it’s a fantastic experience to enjoy during your splendid holiday in Pampelonne Bay. This pretty Saint-Tropez location, set in the ancient Gardens Quarter, displays countless butterflies pinned to Provencal scenes painted by artist Dany Lartigue in glass-fronted boxes. You’ll see the exceptional and unique work of this French painter, who was passionate about butterflies and moths, during your visit.
The grandson of André Messager, an academic and director of the Paris Opera, and the son of famous photographer Jacque Henri Lartigue, Dany Lartigue lived in Saint-Tropez for many decades. Well-known in the area, he collected more than 35,000 butterflies in this charming family house, some of which are today almost extinct. You can explore this surprising collection, including rare varieties, from the Apollon Noir du Mercantour to exotic Amazonian butterflies.
With an educational and scientific approach, people of all ages will love this display of all the common butterfly species in France. You’ll also see some of the most beautiful butterflies from around the world, essential for pollination and biodiversity. This museum is a treat both for experts and amateurs, attracting lepidopterists of all nationalities every year, who speak with great enthusiasm about the Butterfly Museum.
The sweetness of a Provencal summer
Enjoy a bucolic break under the Mediterranean sun in Saint-Tropez and its splendid citadel, legendary bell tower, golden sandy beaches and famous little port. To make your stay at Château de la Messardière even better, our hotel will arrange bespoke experiences for you to enjoy as a family which you will always remember.
Start the day with an indulgent breakfast on the Château terrace with its stunning view of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. Would you like to go into town for a bit of shopping and to visit the Butterfly Museum? Our driver will take you on request. You’ll glide through the countryside into the town centre in an elegant Rolls-Royce or an iconic Mini-Moke, surrounded by the sound of cicadas.
You’ll find a magnificent collection at the Butterfly Museum. Afterwards, you can wander the village’s charming lanes and enjoy a gourmet pause to try the famous Saint-Tropez tart. If you feel like it, the Annonciade Museum and its world-famous paintings isn’t far away. Here, you’ll see works by Henri Matisse, Paul Signac, Pierre Bonnard and many others.
When you get back to Château de La Messardière, you can sunbathe by the pool or hit some balls around the tennis court. Alternatively, our Valmont Spa will welcome you to a yoga session in the shade of the cypress trees, or you can put yourself in the hands of our therapists for a relaxing massage. This haven of peace surrounded by olive trees will make you feel entirely at ease. Enjoy the pleasures of Provence at your own pace for a refreshing and enjoyable holiday in Saint-Tropez.
For more information about a visit to the Butterfly Museum and prices, contact our concierges.