Bel Air

Surrounded by vines and walking distance to Plage de Pampelonne, this stylish villa enjoys a fantastic location in the Var department, less than 4km from the heart of Saint-Tropez.

From the edge of the wine estate, stroll along the country road for around 10 minutes and you will soon reach a couple of beachside clubs with a restaurant, sun-loungers and a bar (advanced reservations necessary). Here you are at the northern end of Plage de Pampelonne, a vast sandy and iconic beach - some of the other exclusive beach clubs such as Le Club 55 and Nikki Beach are a short drive away. The beach is also home to various water based activities in the summer months – there are two seasonal watersport centres within easy reach for canoeing, kayaking, jet-ski and more.

Meanwhile, Saint-Tropez (4km) will enchant you with its medieval lanes, delightful shops and upmarket restaurants alongside the impressive marina showcasing the former fishing village’s glamour and wealth. The twice-weekly market takes place at Place des Lices, a good way to experience the more authentic side of this glitzy French Riviera destination.

In the other direction, drive to the gorgeous hilltop village of Ramatuelle (8km) with its narrow lanes, bougainvillea-clad houses, inviting restaurants and stunning views of the coast below. Other wonderful villages in this part of the Côte D’Azur include historic Gassin (11km) and flower-filled Grimaud (14km) whilst Port Grimaud (10km) is an atmospheric spot on summer evenings with its colourful houses, bridges and canals.

Wine-lovers should also find the time to visit the vineyards around La Croix Valmer (16km), perhaps combined with a trip to the idyllic shores around Plage de Gigaro (18km) and the start of a magnificent coastal hiking trail towards Cap Lardier.

Read more about Saint Tropez

Once a traditional fishing village, Saint-Tropez is now one of the most glamourous destinations of the Côte d’Azur and welcomes visitors from across the world.

However, there’s more to Saint-Tropez bay than exclusive beach clubs, glitzy boutiques and fine dining restaurants. From the family-friendly beaches of Sainte-Maxime to the vineyards of La Croix Valmer, Oliver’s Travels guests can truly admire this enchanting corner of the French Riviera whilst staying in one of our handpicked villas in and around Saint-Tropez.

Soak up the luxurious yet laidback vibe of Saint-Tropez as you wander around its marina lined with huge yachts contrasting colourful fishermen’s houses overlooking the bay. The old quarter is a warren of winding lanes with French designer boutiques, picturesque cafes and restaurants whilst Place des Lices hosts a vibrant Provençal market on a Tuesday and Saturday morning. Enjoy the most glorious vistas from Saint-Tropez’s 17th century citadel and maritime museum. Boat trips are another superb way to tour this part of the coast and passenger ferries cross the bay.

Just south of the town, follow Brigitte Bardot’s footsteps as you visit one of Plage de Pampelonne’s exclusive beach clubs, the most famous being Le Club 55 (always book well in advance). Stretching over 5km, Pampelonne’s long sandy beach is also loved for its vast range of summer watersports including jet-skiing, windsurfing and paddleboarding.

The picture-perfect villages of Saint-Tropez bay are beautifully located to make the most of the French Riviera scenery. On the hillside overlooking Plage de Pampelonne, Ramatuelle has attracted artists and writers over the years and is full of charm – look out for performances during its theatre and jazz festivals in the summer months. Meanwhile, hilltop Gassin is classified as one of France’s 'Plus Beaux Villages’ whilst flower-filled Grimaud is such a pretty medieval village with yet more stunning views of the coast.

Driving into the Maures hills, discover the characterful villages of La Garde-Freinet and Le Plan-de-la-Tour surrounded by oak and chestnut forests, a paradise for hikers, mountain bikers, horse-riding enthusiasts and other outdoor adventurists.

Back to the coast, take a boat tour of Port Grimaud, known as the ‘little Venice of the Côte d’Azur’, and experience its atmospheric Monday evening summer market. Across the other side of the bay, Sainte-Maxime is a lovely sheltered seaside town with pretty cafes, a daily market and gorgeous beaches. Families adore this area – there are tree-top adventures, tennis, mini-golf, a water park and coastal paths for biking and hiking.

Golf-lovers can appreciate a choice of courses – Golf Blue Green as well as the prestigious Beauvallon Golf Club and Golf Club Saint-Tropez. Wine connoisseurs should head to the wine châteaux of Saint-Tropez and Pampelonne as well as the vineyards of La Croix Valmer.

Not forgetting the idyllic shores of soft sand and crystal-clear sea of La Croix Valmer’s coastline from Plage de Sylvabelle to Plage de Gigaro, also home to a wonderful coastal walking trail with the most incredible flora and fauna alongside sensational views of the Mediterranean as you hike towards Cap Lardier and beyond.