In a beautiful setting just outside the hilltop village of Ramatuelle, Villa Ceci is a 10-minute drive from Pampelonne Beach and just under 10km from the heart of Saint-Tropez. This is a fine location for experiencing the glamour of Saint-Tropez alongside some of the French Riviera’s authentic villages and incredible coastline.
Ramatuelle is just a 5-minute drive away and enjoys gorgeous vistas of the Mediterranean from its perched position. It’s a historic village exuding immense charm with its bougainvillea-clad stone houses, narrow lanes, little art galleries and inviting restaurants. There’s a delightful market on a Thursday and Sunday morning as well as a weekly marché nocturne in the height of the summer. Furthermore, look out for Ramatuelle’s much-loved jazz festival in June.
Down by the coast, Plage de Pampelonne (6km) is one of the French Riviera’s iconic beaches with its long sandy shores, exclusive beach clubs (Le Club 55 and Nikki Beach, for example) and fantastic range of summer watersports. If you prefer more idyllic bays, drive down to Plage de l'Escalet (5km) for canoeing, scuba-diving and glorious coastal walks – head down early in the summer as it is a popular beach.
La Croix Valmer offers hiking along the coast as well as picture-perfect beaches such as Plage de Gigaro (12km) and Plage d’Héraclée (11km). Wine-lovers should visit the vineyards around the village of La Croix Valmer (8km) – there are also excellent wines produced near Ramatuelle and Saint-Tropez.
The former fishing village of Saint-Tropez (10km) is one of southern France’s most famous destinations. Potter around the old quarter with its boutiques and upmarket restaurants alongside pretty squares and art galleries, pick up a wealth of Provençal produce at the twice-weekly market at Place des Lices and admire the boats in the marina. There is a great choice of summer boat excursions or you can charter your very own yacht for a brilliant day out.
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.
