If you’re keen on water sports then you’re in luck, because there is no shortage of fun activities available along this stretch of the Côte d'Azur, including scuba diving, jet skiing, water skiing, wakeboarding, paddle boarding, sailing, kitesurfing, kayaking, boat hire, and even parasailing.
The nearby resort of glamorous Saint-Tropez (4-minutes by car) and the harbour town at Port-Grimaud (10-minutes by car) are must-see places to explore. Sink your feet into the golden sands of Pampelonne Beach, or potter down to the shoreline of an evening to enjoy a rich bevy of restaurants and legendary nightlife. If you’re wanting a beach that can be reached on foot, seek out Plage de la Bouillabaisse (10-minute walk, and a public beach as opposed to many in the area). For a more rustic and historical adventure, the quaint medieval towns of Gassin and Ramatuelle are highly recommended.
For those whose idea of a perfect vacation is a scenic walk on the links, fear not, Golf Club Saint Tropez (10-minute drive) is close at hand and boasts stunning views along the Riviera.
Art lovers will appreciate the Musee de l’Annonciade (5-minute drive). Situated in a 16th century chapel, the gallery has a rich collection of post-impressionist paintings including works by Matisse, Signac, and Bonnard.
For the wine lovers amongst us there’s the beautiful vineyards of Cave de Saint Tropez (8-minute walk) and Cháteau Minuty (8-minute drive). Situated on Provençal hillsides, these prestigious wineries offer guided tours and tastings that will steep you in the local terroir.
Of course, Saint Tropez is just one of the renowned seaside resorts on the French Riviera, so if you fancy a daytrip, be sure to check out other nearby hotspots, including Cannes, Antibes, and Nice.
The Region
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.
