In the Var department of southern France, Villa Camille is just a 5-minute drive from the historic village of Grimaud and within easy reach of Saint-Tropez and the French Riviera coast.
The villa is located within a private and secure domaine, accessed via an electric gate and home to only nine other detached villas. Driving past a small vineyard and other countryside landscapes, you can reach hilltop Grimaud in just over 3km or head east/south-east towards the beach, Port-Grimaud and Saint-Tropez.
The perched village of Grimaud is loved by visitors for rich Provençal heritage, flower-filled lanes and famous castle with stunning views of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. Visit local shops, art galleries and gastronomic restaurants and don’t miss the Thursday morning market in the village.
Down by the coast, the modern yet charming town of Port Grimaud (5km) is a joy to discover on foot or by boat as you explore the waterways, little bridges and beautiful houses – it’s known as the ‘little Venice of Provence’. Soak up the ambience of canal side restaurants and visit its bustling weekly night market that takes place in the height of the summer.
Of course, the allure of Saint-Tropez also awaits around 11km by car or you could take the boat from Port Grimaud. A former fishing village with a glamourous reputation, wander around it’s characterful lanes, dine out in high-end restaurants, admire the yachts in the marina and pick up all sorts of local delights at the twice-weekly market at Place des Lices.
To the south of Saint-Tropez are the famous beach clubs of Plage de Pampelonne (15km), also a paradise for watersport enthusiasts, or you may prefer the wilder shores, coastal hiking trails and vineyards around La Croix-Valmer (13km) - Plage de Gigaro (16km) and Plage de Sylvabelle (14km) are such idyllic bays.
Closer to home, sandy Plage de Grimaud (4.5km) is another fantastic place for sunbathing, swimming, seasonal watersports and summer beachside dining or venture north towards the brilliant beaches around Sainte-Maxime (10km), a lovely seaside resort with a ‘Famille Plus’ designation.
Golf-lovers can play on the nearby 9-hole course and driving range at Golf Up within a 5-minute drive or tee-off at the more prestigious Beauvallon Golf Club (6km) and Golf Club Saint-Tropez (9km). The Polo Resort & Country Club de Saint-Tropez (8.5km) is also within easy reach whilst there are some amazing walking, hiking, horse-riding and cycling opportunities across the Maures hills and beyond.
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.
