Villa Allium is set in its own beautiful grounds just outside the perched village of Grimaud, around a 15-minute drive from the Mediterranean coast and 12km from Saint-Tropez. The nearest airport is Saint-Tropez Airport (11km) near La Môle for private arrivals whilst commercial airlines fly into Toulon Hyères Airport (45km) and Nice (107km).
The house is part of a gated domaine reached via a narrow lane (not suitable for low cars). It’s wonderful to be able to stroll to hilltop Grimaud following the lane and country road (no pavement) – within 1km you can be admiring the glorious views from Église Saint-Michel. Medieval Grimaud is one of the French Riviera’s most charming villages with its flower-filled winding lanes and pretty old houses. Climb up the hill to the ruins of Château de Grimaud for glorious vistas of the French Riviera coastline below.
Grimaud is home to several restaurants, little shops, art galleries and a weekly Provençal market on a Thursday morning as well as other speciality markets and festivities taking place throughout the year. There is a supermarket 1.5km away as well as larger hypermarkets around ten minutes away by car on the other side of Cogolin and towards Saint-Tropez.
Down by the coast, Port Grimaud (7km) may come as a surprise to some – the small seaside town was created in the 20th century and exudes a certain charm with its canals, little bridges and colourful houses. Explore by boat or simply enjoy a lunch on the quayside overlooking attractive surroundings. There is a seasonal market every Sunday and Thursday morning, occasional Monday morning craft markets and a lovely marché nocturne in July and August on Monday evenings. From the marina you can catch a ferry to Saint-Tropez or across the bay towards Sainte-Maxime, a handy way to avoid the summer traffic.
Plage de Grimaud (6km) is a fantastic sandy beach backed by palm trees and beachside restaurants. Continue along the coast towards Sainte-Maxime (13km), a family-friendly seaside resort with superb beaches, restaurants, shops and a range of activities including watersports.
Of course, Saint-Tropez (12km) is one of the French Riviera’s most desirable destinations. Explore the old quarter with its little squares, café terraces, boutiques and bars, then admire the yachts and boats in the harbour. The twice-weekly Provençal market is great to experience – stock up on delicious local produce, then drive down to Pampelonne Beach (16km) for a picnic on the long sandy beach. That said, you may prefer Plage de Pampelonne’s exclusive beach clubs (Le Club 55 and Nikki Beach, for example) - the beach is also famed for its vast range of summer watersports.
Other gems of the area include hilltop historic Gassin (10km), classified as one of France’s prettiest villages, and beautiful Ramatuelle (14km) with more lovely coastal views. Snorkel off the coast near Plage de l'Escalet (18km), an area also loved for its coastal hiking routes, or swim in the clear waters of Plage de Gigaro (16km). Wine-enthusiasts should visit the vineyards of La Croix Valmer (11km) as well as the wine châteaux of Saint-Tropez with vineyards scattered close to Gassin, Ramatuelle and Plage de Pampelonne.
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.
