Bastide Renard

Set in a beautiful garden, Bastide Fox is around a 15-minute walk or short drive from the picturesque bay at Plage de l'Escalet, 11km from Saint-Tropez and just over an hour from Toulon Hyères Airport. Saint-Tropez also has its own international airport for private arrivals 22km away.

Walking down the hilly road (no pavement) passing pine trees you will reach the pretty sheltered bay in around 15 minutes or it is a very short drive (head there early to get a parking space in the height of the summer). Discover gorgeous clear sea for swimming and snorkelling, seasonal canoeing/kayaking and in July/August there is usually a little kiosk for drinks and snacks. Meanwhile, a good-sized supermarket is only 2.5km away by car.

This is a wonderful region for keen walkers - a coastal path from Plage de l'Escalet leads past idyllic little coves towards Cap Taillat and there are more fantastic hikes around La Croix Valmer’s coastline, a short drive away, alongside picture-perfect sandy beaches including Plage de Gigaro and Plage d’Héraclée (11km).

Heading north instead, the iconic Plage de Pampelonne (5km) awaits with its long sandy shores and summer watersports. Soak up the glamorous vibe at one of the exclusive beach clubs such as Le Club 55 (7km), so loved by Brigitte Bardot in the 1960s.

Visit the perched village of Ramatuelle (5km) for lovely restaurants and art galleries across its flower-filled lanes. Potter around the charming Provençal market on a Thursday and Sunday morning and look out for the atmospheric marché nocturne once a week in the height of the summer. Gassin (10km) and Grimaud (18km) are two other hilltop gems, all enchanting villages with glorious views of Mediterranean below.

Of course, one of the greatest draws of this region is Saint-Tropez, a former fishing village and now one of France’s most famous destinations. Wander around the medieval lanes, experience the bustling twice-weekly market, admire the colourful houses by the harbourfront and be impressed by the marina with its huge yachts. Boat trips will whisk you away to tour the French Riviera coast whilst ferries connect you to other delightful seaside towns  including Port Grimaud (the ‘Venice of Provence’) and Sainte-Maxime.

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.