Villa Heart is nestled amongst picturesque hamlets and villages in southern France. The main hamlet the villa is near is Saint-Martin, a charming village, filled with cobbled streets and archways. Although small, the local area is filled with bars, restaurants, and shops to enjoy beneath aged trees. Every Thursday morning, stroll through the village market, purchasing fresh local products to enjoy back at the villa which is a mere ten-minute walk away.
There are a couple of independent vineyards nearby which also offer wine tasting and tours. Les Marquets and Beaucas are well worth a visit but if you are after a bit more, the wine tastings on a Sunday morning at La Cave Des Maures are a divine way to enjoy your French getaway.
Villa Heart is only 12 miles away from the infamous Saint Tropez. Another stop well worth visiting on your way is Port Grimaud, known as the 'Venice' of the area - so romantic! Originally a small fishing town, St Tropez was put on the map in the 1950s when Brigitte Bardot starred in a French movie set in the town. Brigitte later brought a house in Saint Tropez where she still resides! Today, Saint Tropez is a haven of glitz and glamour, and has captured the hearts of film lovers and literary experts, making it one of the world’s most famous villages.
The south of France has an abundance of beaches to enjoy, and Villa Heart is only six miles from Sainte Maxime beaches. Sainte Maxime is a small town on the opposite side of the Gulf of Saint Tropez Bay, with several beaches within its perimeter. The beach has golden sand with direct access to the cooling sea. Cafés, bars and restaurants are peppered along the shoreline, offering a bit of cooling shade from the sizzling summer sun.
If you fancy going a little further afield, take a day trip and discover Europe’s largest canyon, Verdon Gorge. Float above the turquoise-green water on kayak or boat tours and look up at the vast grey rock above. Along the coastline, there are a variety of water sports to choose from including water skiing, wake boarding, inflatable rides, pedal boats, kayaks, paddle boarding. In the busier summer months, it’ll be worth booking these activities ahead to avoid disappointment and potentially missing 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.
