What makes this village special?
The view across the gulf to Saint-Tropez is one of the pleasures of the place - the town's pastel waterfront and the hills of the peninsula behind it, seen from the right angle and at the right time of day, are among the more composed views on the Var coast. La Croisette, the promenade that runs along the beach, is at its best on a summer morning before the day has properly settled into its rhythm: the fishing boats, the market stalls, the first café tables opening. The beach clubs that line it benefit from a sheltered position in the gulf and a consistency of service that reflects a town that takes hospitality seriously.
The boat service to Saint-Tropez runs regularly through the summer - around twenty minutes each way - which means that the famous town's restaurants, galleries and market are entirely accessible from Sainte-Maxime without the misery of the traffic on the single road in. This is the approach that the people who know the area use, and it is considerably more enjoyable than the alternative.
Les P'tits Galets, one of our featured beach clubs, sits on La Croisette facing the botanical garden and the bay. Gordon and Karl have run the place with real warmth since it opened - the kitchen takes its charcoal grill seriously, the menu changes with the season and guests can eat either on the wooden patio with views to Saint-Tropez or with their feet in the sand. It is one of those places that people find and then return to, year after year, without needing to explain why.
What is our favourite thing about Sainte-Maxime?
Our favourite thing about Sainte-Maxime is the combination of accessibility and ease. It is a town that does not ask much of you in return for giving you a great deal - good beaches, good food, the gulf and its views, the boat to Saint-Tropez when you want it, and the capacity to be simply left alone when you do not. That balance is harder to achieve than it looks, and Sainte-Maxime has maintained it for a long time.
Where to stay in Sainte-Maxime
Discover our selection of properties in Sainte-Maxime
We pair exclusive holiday homes with completely tailored experiences
Our concierge service redefines luxury holidays, enhancing every stay, family holiday, or special occasion. Once you have confirmed your booking, you will be assigned a dedicated concierge who will arrange every detail, ensuring a memorable holiday from start to finish.
Food & Wine
Nature & Outdoors
Art & Culture
Entertainment
Sport & Wellness
Getting to Sainte-Maxime
From the A8 through the Maures
The standard road approach from Nice and the east takes the A8 autoroute to the Le Muy exit and then drops south through the Maures massif, arriving at the coast at Sainte-Maxime after around forty minutes from the autoroute. Nice Côte d'Azur Airport is around an hour and fifteen minutes by road. The approach through the Maures - cork oak and chestnut, the road winding through the forest - is a reliable decompression from the motorway.
By boat across the gulf from Saint-Tropez
For those already in the Saint-Tropez area, the regular boat service across the gulf provides the most enjoyable approach - twenty minutes on the water with views of both shorelines. The boat lands on the Sainte-Maxime seafront, which is a more satisfying arrival than any road journey. The service runs from early morning through to late evening in the summer season and is the transport option that the area's regular visitors tend to favour.
Interesting information about Sainte-Maxime
History and architecture
Sainte-Maxime developed as a fishing port and market town serving the agricultural interior of the Var. The town's growth as a resort followed the establishment of Saint-Tropez's reputation in the mid-twentieth century, and it has benefited from its position across the gulf ever since. The local fishing tradition continues - the port still operates and the fish market reflects it.
Cultural attractions
The Musée des Traditions Locales in the tower at the port covers the local maritime and agricultural history with some care. The boat service to Saint-Tropez gives Sainte-Maxime residents and visitors access to the galleries, the Place des Lices market and the cultural programme of the peninsula without the traffic. The surrounding vineyards - the Golfe de Saint-Tropez appellation - are open for visits.
Natural beauty
The gulf provides a sheltered natural setting with clear water and a consistent beach of good quality. The Maures massif behind the town gives access to walking and mountain biking trails through cork oak and chestnut forest. The gulf marine environment supports good diving and snorkelling. The Îles des Vieilles, small islands visible from the shore, are accessible by boat.
Reserve your beach club
No Riviera holiday is complete without a day at the water's edge. Browse and book at the finest beach clubs near your villa today.
Explore activities nearby
Our hand-picked selection of the best experiences near your villa.
Discover Provence with us
Our magazine encourages you to truly live and breathe the essence of the region. From secret villages to culinary treasures, experience Provence authentically with us.
Sainte-Maxime: our types of villas
- Luxury holiday rentals walking distance to the village in Sainte-Maxime
- Luxury holiday rentals with air conditioning in Sainte-Maxime
- Luxury dog friendly villa rentals in Sainte-Maxime
- Luxury villas and holiday rentals with a private pool in in Sainte-Maxime
- Family villas and child friendly holiday rentals in Sainte-Maxime
