Overlooking the Gulf of Saint Tropez, Maison Farfalla not only benefits from stunning sea views, but also from proximity to some of the Cote D’Azur’s finest beaches. The nearest beach features golden sand, sun-loungers, umbrellas and azure waters and can be reached on foot in under 10 minutes. There are a few convenient beach bars and restaurants plus the Botanic Gardens just in front of the beach are great fun to explore and offer some shade from the strong Mediterranean sun.
The sandy-pebbly beach in the centre of Sainte-Maxime is just a 5-minute drive away and is popular with locals and tourists alike in summer due to its good facilities and choice of restaurants. North of Sainte-Maxime is Plage de la Madrague, a more secluded beach and a good spot to watch the night fall over the bay. Plage de la Nartelle sits further north and its turquoise waters, soft sand and family-friendly facilities make it one of the best beaches in the area. A variety of water sports are available to try here, such as windsurfing, body boarding and surfing.
The town of Sainte-Maxime is a pretty place to explore with charming cafes, winding cobblestone streets and lively market stalls. A former fishing village, it enjoys a much more relaxed atmosphere than some if its more glitzy neighbours. From the port at Sainte-Maxime you can catch the ferry to Saint Tropez. This departs frequently throughout the day and makes for a scenic means of reaching the fashionable town.
Frejus is just a 30-minute drive from the villa and is worth a visit for its popular beach as well as its Roman sites, colourful buildings and bustling street markets. There are also various festivals and events held in the town during the summer months. Saint-Raphael is tucked in next to Frejus and is a town rich in culture once home to many famous writers and artists.
Head further inland and you will discover many picturesque hilltop villages such as Grimaud and Gassin. Massif des Maures is a walker’s paradise with plenty of trails and hikes, as well as mountain biking opportunities. Follow the winding lanes to reach La Garde-Freinet and discover this quintessential Provencal village.
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.
