Villa Kermit

Just outside the hilltop village of Gassin, this stunning villa is set beautiful grounds close to some of the finest vineyards of this part of the Côte d’Azur and only a 15-minute drive from Saint-Tropez.

It’s 1.5km to the heart of Gassin, classified as one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’. This medieval village is gorgeous with its winding lanes, old stone houses and fortified tower dating back centuries – the village is said to be home to the narrowest lane in the world. There are stunning views towards Saint-Tropez bay and the Mediterranean from its perched setting, around 200m above sea level.

You are also well located for visiting Saint-Tropez’s vineyards close to Gassin - Château Minuty is less than 2km away with another wine château even closer – tours and tastings can be arranged (book ahead). Furthermore, La Croix-Valmer (5km) is fine area for wine-tasting, just a 10-minute drive away.

If you beat the summer traffic, you could find yourself in Saint-Tropez (8km) within 15 minutes. One of southern France’s most popular destinations, explore its narrow lanes with boutiques, café-bars and high-end restaurants. The old quarter is especially charming and the twice-weekly Provençal market on Place des Lices is not to be missed. After strolling along its famous harbourfront, hop on a chartered yacht for a wonderful day out touring the bay or look out for several summer boat excursions and ferries from the marina.

Saint-Tropez’s iconic Plage de Pampelonne (12km) is a highlight of this region, a long sandy beach famed for its summer watersports and exclusive beach clubs (Le Club 55 and Nikki Beach, for example). Further fantastic beaches nearby include Plage de Sylvabelle (8km) and Plage de Gigaro (10km) along the idyllic La Croix Valmer coastline and the family-friendly beach at Cavalaire-sur-Mer (9km) with plenty of family-friendly activities close by.

In the other direction, take a boat tour around Port Grimaud (7.5km) with its colourful houses, little canals, bridges and weekly night market in July and August. In the hills behind the bay, flower-filled Grimaud (11.5km) is another delightful village to discover, as is hilltop Ramatuelle (6.5km) perched above Pampelonne Beach, both with yet more stunning views.

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.