Today as in the past, the activity of Saint-Tropez is developing around its port, located in the heart of the historic village, and the profusion of pleasure boats staying in its basins or anchoring in the gulf. The comings and goings of boaters have replaced those of fishermen and merchants. Their density is, however, reminiscent of the fact that, at the end of the 18th century, Saint-Tropez had the third fleet in the French Mediterranean after Marseille and La Ciotat and that the largest sailing ships were built in its shipyards.