Villa Magnum

This stunning architect-designed villa is perched above the French Riviera coastline around 2km from Plage de l'Escalet. Here you are well located for visiting Ramatuelle and the iconic Pampelonne Beach whilst Saint-Tropez is only 13km away.

The nearest airports for commercial airlines are Toulon Hyères (59km) and Nice (119km) whilst private planes can arrive at Saint-Tropez’s international airport near La Môle (24km). The nearest main train station is Les Arcs-Draguignan (50km) with arrivals from Paris, Toulon, Nice and Marseille.

Plage de l'Escalet (2km) is a pretty little bay with clear water ideal for snorkelling and swimming – there are also seasonal canoeing opportunities and fantastic coastal hiking paths. Head there early in July and August as it’s a popular part of the coastline. There is usually a kiosk for drinks and snacks open in the height of the summer, otherwise the nearest supermarket is just over five minutes by car.

Restaurants can be found in the charming hilltop village of Ramatuelle (6km). It is such a lovely village to spend time in – explore its flower-filled lanes and admire glorious views of the coast below. Visit the bustling little market on a Thursday and Sunday morning as well as the village’s marché nocturne on Wednesday evenings in July and August. Furthermore, a jazz festival takes place in June and there are other vibrant festivities during the year.    

The southern end of Plage de Pampelonne (6.5km) is just over a 10-minute drive away, summer traffic dependent. This long stretch of sandy beach attracts visitors from across the world for its fantastic watersports and exclusive beach clubs including Le Club 55 (9km) and Nikki Beach Saint-Tropez (8km).

Further north is Saint-Tropez (13km), a wonderful day out with its old quarter, impressive marina, boutiques, bars and high-end restaurants as well as the authentic twice-weekly market on Place des Lices. There are boat excursions and passenger ferries from the marina or, for a truly amazing experience, charter a yacht for a day out touring the French Riviera.

Other villages not to be missed include La Croix Valmer (13km) with its vineyards, close to the picture-perfect beaches of Plage de Gigaro and Plage de Sylvabelle. In the other direction is hilltop Gassin (13km), classified as one of France’s official ‘Plus Beaux Villages’, and flower-filled Grimaud (19km) on the edge of the Maures hills and forest.

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.