Retire in Style: The Villages, FL Just Unveiled One of Its Most Stunning Rec Centers Yet!
Grand Opening of the St. Tropez Rec Center: A Day in Paradise in The Villages, Florida
We have got something awesome awesome to share with you. On June 19, 2025, we had the absolute pleasure of attending the grand opening of the brand-new St. Tropez Recreation Center (or as the locals pronounce it, “Sanrope”) here in beautiful The Villages, Florida.
Whether you’re here because you missed the event, considering a move to The Villages, or just living vicariously through our adventures—pull up a patio chair and enjoy the recap.
First Things First… Is it “Saint Tropez” or “Sanrope”?
We know what you're thinking: “How the heck do you pronounce ‘St. Tropez’?” Great question. It’s spelled St. Tropez, but locals call it “Sanrope.” That’s the French pronunciation, and given the French Riviera vibes of this new recreation center, it totally fits. We even ran into a French teacher who gave us the proper pronunciation while Michael flexed his high school “Bonjour” skills. Oui oui!
Getting There: Crowds, Fans, and Parking Hacks
We arrived separately (Michael came early to snag parking and grab B-roll; Tiffany rolled up later in the A/C-powered chariot), and let us tell you—this place was PACKED. The Villagers turned out in droves, and the parking lot filled up faster than the pickleball courts at sunset.
🌴 Pro tip: When attending any big event in The Villages, bring:
A personal fan
An umbrella for shade (not rain)
Your best "glow"—because we don’t sweat down here in Florida; we glisten.
Why It Was Worth the Heat: What Makes St. Tropez Special
St. Tropez is more than just a pretty name—it’s a full-blown slice of vacation life nestled right in the heart of The Villages. This rec center is stunning. From the French-themed design inside to the elegant lighting fixtures (that we’re grateful we don’t have to clean), everything is thoughtfully curated.
Here’s what makes St. Tropez next-level:
🌊 The Family Pool
Perfect for grandkids and visiting friends! This pool isn’t just scenic—it’s fun and energetic. Some lucky kiddos even got to claim bragging rights as the first cannonballers into the pool.
🎮 Game Room Vibes
Inside, you'll find:
Foosball table
Ping-pong tables
Retro arcade games
Table Shuffleboard
Billiards
It reminded us a lot of the Franklin Rec Center but with a Riviera twist. There’s no pinball machine (bummer), but we’ve got our eyes on that foosball table.
🎾 Outdoor Fun for Days
St. Tropez has it all:
Shuffleboard
Bocce
Pickleball
Cornhole
Tennis courts
Oh, and if you're a newbie? The Villages offers free starter classes to learn any game. So if you're intimidated by the pickleball pros, don’t be!
Residents were hoping that St. Tropez would have outdoor fitness equipment, but that is missing. Everyone in this area will likely have to go to the new Olympia Recreation in Eastport once that opens.
The Passport Game: A Fun Incentive
One of the coolest things The Villages does during rec center openings is hand out passports. Think of them as mini scavenger hunts—you get stamps for visiting each activity station, and if you collect them all, you’re entered to win a prize.
🎟️ We got the passports... but didn’t complete them.
Why? Because we were too busy talking with you! We were blown away by the number of folks who stopped us to say hello, take selfies, and share your Villages stories. And we loved every second of it.
Our Favorite Part: Meeting YOU
Seriously, the best part of this day wasn’t the beautiful building or the crunchy macarons (though they were pretty great). It was YOU. We met:
Brand new Villagers from Wellpoint, Oak Hollow, and Newell
Longtime fans from as far as Tallahassee and California
Future residents here on their Lifestyle Visits
And even folks who bought Evolution golf carts thanks to our videos (you know who you are—shoutout to the white and blue models!)
We also reunited with old friends from the 5Ks, Team Awesome Awesome, and some familiar YouTube subscribers who’ve been watching us since the RV days.
🥹 One sweet moment: A fellow Villager even asked for an autograph for her scrapbook. That was a first—and it totally made our day.
Let’s Talk Food (Because We Always Do)
St. Tropez’s grand opening had a full-on French vibe—including:
A crepe truck (savory and sweet options)
German-style bratwursts (for variety!)
A French mime (not edible, but hilarious)
We didn’t wait in the long line for crepes (we were too busy chatting with y’all), but the delicious smells were enough to confirm: this event was très magnifique.
Inside Look: Riviera-Inspired Luxury
The inside of St. Tropez lives up to its name. Think French Riviera boutique hotel meets laid-back Floridian comfort. You’ve got:
Bold color combos
Elegant chandeliers
Gorgeous lounge seating
Game and activity rooms that invite play and relaxation
When we finally made it inside (after roasting in the sun), that air conditioning hit like a dream. Tiffany parked it in the cool zone while Michael continued capturing the action.
Outdoor Exploration: Walking the Grounds
After the ribbon-cutting, we took a walk around the outdoor amenities, and St. Tropez has everything you would expect in a rec center.
Here’s the grand tour:
🛶 The Pond & Pavilion
Launch your inflatable kayak (we’ve got some… still unused 😅)
Bring a remote-controlled sailboat
Relax under the shaded pavilion
Pro tip: If there’s standing water in Florida, assume a gator might be nearby. Always keep your distance!
🏌️ Golf, Pitch & Putt
The Live Oak Pitch & Putt course is awesome. Easy access, low stress, and included in your amenity fee.
The adjacent executive course was closed on opening day due to rain—but we’ll be back soon!
🚽 Amenities & Access
Plenty of restrooms and water fountains
Golf cart parking galore
Close proximity to Edenfield and WellPoint neighborhoods
Community Energy: It Was Electric
What stood out most was the energy of the day. Everyone—from the newest retirees to the longtime residents—was buzzing with excitement.
Families brought grandkids. Snowbirds made summer stops. Locals rolled in with fans, umbrellas, and golf carts. Everyone had a smile and a story.
If this was your first rec center ribbon-cutting, we hope you felt the magic. And if it’s your fifth or sixth? Well, you know the deal—every one of them feels like a party thanks to The Villages Recreation and Parks.
Thinking of Moving to This Side of The Villages?
We don’t blame you. With St. Tropez open and Eastport on the horizon, this area is booming. We’re even thinking about making the jump from the other side of the Florida Turnpike ourselves.
📍 Nearby neighborhoods:
Wellpoint (adult-only pool nearby)
Sophie's Point (homes with golf course views—sold out fast!)
Future Edenfield Village (under development)
Oak Hollow
If you’re considering a move, now’s the time to visit and explore.
Final Thoughts: Why We Love The Villages
If the St. Tropez Rec Center grand opening proved anything, it’s this:
Life in The Villages isn’t just about amenities. It’s about community.
We feel so lucky to live in a place where you can walk into a crowd of strangers and walk out with a list of new friends, restaurant recommendations, golf cart envy, and maybe even a bratwurst.
So to everyone we met—thank you for making this day so special. And to those who couldn’t be there—don’t worry, there will be more openings, more events, and more memories ahead.
Until then… stay cool, stay awesome, and don’t forget to bring your fan. 😎
—Michael & Tiffany
