In Saint-Tropez, we thought we had seen it all when it came to crazy additions. On the weekend at the end of August 2026, a seven-figure bill was nevertheless paid at Shellona, on Pampelonne beach. Since then, this day of celebration has been the talk of Saint-Tropez.
The Var resort is more than ever cultivating its image as an ultra-luxury destination, where a palace lunch and a few bottles of champagne are enough to add to the bill. It remains to be understood how we reached such a spending record in a few hours.
Record spending in Saint-Tropez: what happened at Shellona
According to Food et Sens, several sources mention a customer having spent almost a million euros in a single day at the Shellona Saint-Tropez, on Pampelonne beach in Ramatuelle. The same guest would have left around 200,000 euros in tip, or almost 20% of the bill, amounts still unconfirmed.
Opened in 2017, this bohemian chic beach club combines Mediterranean cuisine to share, elegant decor and international DJs all season long. For the summer of 2026, Food et Sens mentions several million euros invested in these artists, in order to attract a very wealthy international clientele.
How an addition reaches almost a million euros at Shellona
In this type of address, the note comes mainly from the very large formats of champagne, the magnums of spirits and the series of bottles ordered to the rhythm of the music. When lunch continues on an open-air dancefloor, the tours quickly follow one another.
For the French State, such a note also generates revenue via VAT. Catering is taxed at 10%, alcoholic beverages at 20%. Food et Sens calculates that, on a theoretical example of one million euros fully taxed at 20%, the VAT would reach 166,667 euros, and that the tip of around 200,000 euros would go to the teams.
Saint-Tropez, luxury tourism and budgets for the rest of vacationers
This supposed record illustrates the line followed by Saint-Tropez, described by the press as a true luxury brand. The village concentrates 18 palaces, 5 starred restaurants and around 180 high-end services, and favors a few high-spending visitors rather than a flood of low-budget tourists.
For the rest of vacationers, prices remain high but more nuanced. VarActu points out that in Saint-Tropez, on-street parking can reach 9.10 euros for three hours and that a lunch at La Table du Château de la Messardière costs 188 euros excluding drinks. In Bandol, a deckchair costs between 35 and 50 euros with valet parking at 25 euros, while in Sanary-sur-Mer restaurants offer dishes between 28 and 48 euros and menus from 68 to 112 euros.
How much money would have been spent at Shellona?
Food et Sens mentions almost a million euros in one day at Shellona, with around 200,000 euros in tips, amounts still unconfirmed.
What is the VAT level?
Catering is taxed at 10%, alcoholic beverages at 20%, or 166,667 euros in VAT if one million euros is fully taxed at 20%.
Is Saint-Tropez more expensive than its neighbors?
According to VarActu, the budget rises more quickly in Saint-Tropez, while Bandol and Sanary offer deckchairs and menus at lower prices.
