Villa de la Gloire is perched above the water’s edge with stunning views of the Mediterranean from its vast sea-facing terraces. Sainte-Maxime is less than 10 minutes by car whilst Saint-Tropez is across the other side of the bay just 19km away.
The nearest airports are Nice (74km) and Toulon Hyères Airport (58km) or if travelling by train Gare Saint-Raphaël Valescure (19km) has TGV arrivals from Paris - Paris Gare de Lyon to Saint-Raphaël is only 4 hours 40 minutes.
For adventurous guests, there is direct gated access to the seafront via steps to the rocky shore from where you can reach a jetty. When the tide allows you can walk over further rocks to the nearby beach.
Alternatively, you can walk along the coastal road (set behind the villa) to a beachfront restaurant around 200m away (usually open Wednesday to Sunday - check seasonal opening dates/times) and a narrow yet attractive sandy beach. Heading in the other direction there is another beautiful sandy beach around 1km away with more beachside restaurants and a watersports centre (paddle-boarding, wake-boarding, pedal boats, parasailing, kayaks, waterskiing and more).
The charming seaside town of Sainte-Maxime is less than 4km away by car, loved for its picturesque marina, promenade, restaurant terraces, little shops and indoor market. Ferries whisk you away to Saint-Tropez, a great way to avoid the summer traffic, or charter a private yacht and skipper for a wonderful day out experiencing the Côte d'Azur.
Saint-Tropez (19km) is of course a great highlight of this part of the French Riviera, a former fishing village with historic charm alongside a wealth of glitz and glamour. If you can find the time, soak up the delightful ambience of Port Grimaud (13km), often called the ‘little Venice of the Côte d'Azur’ with its colourful houses, bridges and canals best explored by boat. Meanwhile, other picture-perfect spots include Ramatuelle (20km), Gassin (18km) and Grimaud (16km), all idyllic hilltop villages with glorious vistas of the Mediterranean.
Discover wine-tasting opportunities near Saint-Tropez and La Croix-Valmer (19km) whilst golf-lovers will appreciate several courses, the nearest being Golf Bluegreen (4.5km) and the prestigious Beauvallon Golf Club (8km). Other activities include horse-riding through the Maures hills or coastline, walking and coastal hiking paths, cycling trails, mountain biking through the hilly forests as well as tree-top adventures, a waterpark and so much more to keep all ages entertained.
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.
