In the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, just 4km from the picturesque seaside town of Sainte-Maxime, Villa du Golfe enjoys a superb position which allows you to explore so much of this part of southern France.
Wander down the hill and within around twenty minutes you will reach the sea alongside a selection of restaurants dotted around this area. There is also a wonderful 18-hole golf course within 2km and a tennis club for sport enthusiasts. You can also pick up a water taxi across to Saint-Tropez from this part of the coastline.
Hire bikes, drive or simply wander along the sea-front to discover the beaches nearby including some beautiful spots backed by pine trees or, a little further, a selection of family-friendly beaches near Sainte-Maxime (4km) and Port Grimaud (5km), including a great choice of watersports.
The town of Sainte-Maxime is a lovely place to visit with its charming setting and pretty restaurants, as is Port Grimaud - take a boat trip to explore the canals and admire its interesting architecture. Both towns are also departing points for one of the summer boats to Saint-Tropez, an alternative to a water taxi and another good way to beat the Saint-Tropez traffic.
Of course, you will also want to spend time getting to know the former fishing village of Saint-Tropez, now well-known for its high-end restaurants and glitzy marina. There is still plenty of charm to be found, especially in its historic quarter and at its twice weekly Farmer’s market. The famous beach clubs of Pampelonne Beach, including Club 55, are just south of the town, around twenty-five minutes by car.
Some of the pretty hilltop villages of the Var can also be easily reached such as Ramatuelle (14km), Gassin (12km) and Grimaud (10km) or head further inland to enchanting places such as La Môle (18km), set in the Maures hills and forests, perfect for hiking, horse-riding and mountain biking.
The wilder La Croix-Valmer coastline is another fantastic area for keen walkers and nature lovers whether you are seeking dramatic cliff-top scenery or just idyllic coastal strolls and beachside restaurants.
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.
