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Sainte-Maxime is a charming seaside village on the Cote d’Azur situated between Frejus and St Tropez. In our opinion, it is the prettiest village on the coast with the nicest beaches.

Built right in the middle of the coastline of the Gulf of St Tropez and sheltered from the wind, Sainte-Maxime is a wonderful place to visit, both in summer and winter

It benefits from an ideal amount of sunshine (more than 300 days per year). The climate is mild in winter (12-19 degrees) and warm and airy in the summer (average of 27 degrees).

The village is known as the ‘Old Village’. As you walk down the cobbled narrow lanes, you will discover the fronts of houses renovated in their original style with their roofs of Roman tiles, the shady squares, the covered Provencal markets, the square tower which holds the museum of local traditions, the 18^th century church and its campanile bell tower of wrought iron and the many fountains and ‘stone washing and drinking places’.

Markets are open every day in summer and everyday except Mondays in winter. Local, fresh products to enhance your self catering holiday.

In the summer months there is a local craft market in the pedestrian zone from 5pm to 11pm with beautiful lanterns lighting the way and local wines for tasting or for sale.

Beaches

Across the road from the village are the magnificent clean, sandy beaches. Golden sand with azur blue waters. La Madrague beach, small and ideal for fishing and diving; La Nartelle beach for a day of water sports or La Croisette beach with its magnificent panoramic view of the Gulf to the village of St Tropez. There are 6km of fine, sandy beaches at Sainte-Maxime, why go anywhere else!

St Maxime is the place to visit all year. These pictures were taken in January where the weather ranged from 17 to 20 degrees. If you want to escape the grey skies and rainy days of the UK, then take a trip to the Cote d'Azur for walks along the promenade. Feel the warm breeze and enjoy the blue azur skies whilst sipping a glass of wine. Enjoy the view, the weather and the exquisite food whilst sat in the sun.

When night time comes, as well as all the wonderful restaurants to explore you could go back to the house, watch a DVD or satellite TV and feel at home. Its all about relaxing, being comfortable and having no stress what so ever!

The Harbour

Next to the beaches are the two harbours of Sainte-Maxime. Ideally situated, two minutes from the village, it holds 766 pleasure boats. There are two maritime companies which offer regular crossings to Saint-Tropez. There are also boat trips to the Islands of Hyeres. From Easter to September there are trips to Port Cros, Porquerolles and The Islands of Lerins with a possible stop at Cannes.You can also go sea fishing or rent your own boat. From Easter to September you can take a boat trip to Port Grimaud or Les Issambres. If you fancy an observation trip under water, the Aquascope is very popular at the port and leaves every thirty minutes. This is brilliant!

If you still feel energetic there is a water skiing school, jet ski hire and jet ski driving school, sailing school, and diving with three clubs adapted to your level.

For anybody who likes to walk there are of course exceptionally beautiful coastal walks. Walking along the coast, shaded by umbrella pine and exotic palm trees with clear blue skies and a slight breeze in summer is truly wonderful. Winter is amazing too, as the sun shines and the beaches are quiet. Of course, stopping off at a local brasserie for a warming hot chocolate or brandy along the way helps too!!

There is a wonderful Golf Club in Sainte-Maxime. It is called The International Golf of Sainte-Maxime, and is in a marvellous setting of the garrigue and of cork trees, facing the Baie de Saint-Tropez. It is an 18 hole green extending over 65 hectares of green vales. It is also open all year. So if you fancy a game of golf, remember it snowed in England in March this year and was a warm 65 degrees in St Maxime!

There are many, many sporting activities. Tennis, petanque, boules, etc and the tourist office is in the centre of Sainte-Maxime, on the promenade by the sea for any further information. There are bikes for hire also, very near to the house and there are lots of cycle paths. My favourite is from Sainte-Maxime to Port Grimaud but there are lots to choose from. This is my favourite because it is right by the coast. In winter there are not so many people and there are bright, clear blue skies and warm temperatures which make me feel completely invigorated. If you like horse riding, there are horse and pony riding lessons very near to the beaches.

Sainte-Maxime also has a museum of local traditions, which exhibits costumes and various objects relating to the history of Provence . For the history of Sainte-Maxime itself there is a little train ride which lasts about half an hour (from Easter to September).

If you can tear yourself away from the house or the pool, then venture down into the village in the evening, where you will find many restaurants and a few bars. There is also a casino with slot machines, roulette etc and you can go there for dinner and evening shows. This is open all year too. There are only a few villages on the Cote d’Azur where restaurants and shops etc are open in the winter, this is another reason why we picked Sainte-Maxime because many villages close out of season.Sainte-Maxime however, has local residents who enjoy their village in all seasons.

Sainte-Maxime is a friendly, pretty, traditional village on the sea. You will fall in love with it. It has a perfect location to explore the whole of the Cote d’Azur and inland Provence , and it offers something for everyone.

From Paris via Lyon to Aix-en-Provence by motorway A8 take the Le Muy exit, then to Sainte-Maxime by the RD25.

TGV stops at Saint-Raphael which is 14 miles away. Coach to Sainte-Maxime from there.

Nice International Airport 55 miles away. Car hire at the airport. Coach direct link to Sainte-Raphael and then another coach onto Sainte-Maxime.

Sainte-Maxime is the authentic Provence. It has the sea, the nature, the culture and the sports. Ideally situated to explore both the Cote d’Azur and inland Provence, it truly offers something for everyone.