Bastide Des Maures

In the Var department of southern France, Bastide Des Maures is in the foothills of the Maures hills, surrounded by beautiful landscapes of woodland and vineyards, close to hilltop Grimaud and only 20km from the glamour of Saint-Tropez.

This is a rural setting with just a small handful of houses close by (including the attached house next door) and a car is definitely needed. Toulon Hyères Airport (53km) is just over an hour away (Nice and Marseille Airports are also worth considering) whilst TGV train services from Paris to Nice stop at Les Arcs-Draguignan (39km) and/or Saint-Raphaël Valescure (45km).

The nearest village is hilltop Grimaud (8km) where you can soak up the medieval character of its pretty flower-filled lanes with art galleries, delightful little shops and some excellent restaurants. In the summer months look out for concerts and festivities taking place by the ruins of the 11th century castle. Driving further down towards the coast, you will soon reach Port Grimaud (13km), a relatively modern network of canals with pastel-coloured houses in the style of an old Provençal town. It is especially atmospheric in the summer months with canalside restaurants and night markets taking place. Plage de Grimaud (14km) is a wonderful sandy beach for swimming, sun bathing and seasonal watersports.    

The village of Cogolin (10km) is also nearby, home to narrow lanes with restaurants, pipe-making shops and a twice-weekly market alongside a 14th century former clocktower. There are a couple of useful supermarkets in Cogolin’s outskirts and you can drive down to the coast by Port Cogolin (14km) with its attractive marina and beach alongside summer watersports. There are gorgeous views towards Saint-Tropez from Plage de Cogolin.

Saint-Tropez (20km) is a must-visit during your time here – it’s a 20km drive or you could avoid the summer traffic and take a ferry from Port Grimaud. As well as experiencing the former fishing village’s glitzy vibe, potter around its enchanting old quarter and visit the bustling twice-weekly market at Place des Lices. The iconic shores of Pampelonne Beach (24km) and its famous beach clubs are just south of the town or you may prefer the quieter beaches near La Croix Valmer (19km), a paradise for walkers and nature lovers with picturesque spots such as Plage de Sylvabelle (20km) and Plage de Gigaro (22km).

Of course, there are fantastic hiking opportunities through the Massif des Maures alongside mountain biking and cycling. Admire other picture-perfect villages such as Gassin (17km) and Ramatuelle (21km), both with stunning views of the Mediterranean coastline below, or venture further inland to discover the natural beauty of La Garde-Freinet (14km).

You could even venture as far as Vidauban (33km) and beyond for vineyards, wine châteaux and canoeing/kayaking along the Argens River. The Tuesday morning market in Lorgues (44km), around an hour away, is one of the largest in the Var department and could perhaps be combined with a trip to one of the pretty Var villages in the area.

Read more about Saint Tropez

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.