So what do you do after you’ve just finished an 8 day cycling holiday? Yes you guessed it, you go on another bike ride. So off we set from La Croix Valmer heading to Saint Maxime, approximately 15 kilometres away.
The resort of Sainte-Maxime is on the Mediterranean, on the north coast of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez which it faces across the water.
The south-facing town is backed by hills, so has almost the perfect Mediterranean climate – sunny and also sheltered from northerly winds. The small old town is pretty, and a visit will pass a pleasant hour or so. We stopped and had a coffee break along the front in one of the many cafes. The small town centre is also very busy and lively in the summer and you will find numerous restaurants. The walk around the port is very interesting and from there we caught the ferry over to San Tropez.
Saint-Tropez was a military stronghold and fishing village until the beginning of the 20th century. It was the first town on its coast to be liberated during World War 11, as part of Operation Dragoon. After the war, it became an internationally known seaside resort, renowned principally because of the influx of artists of the French New Wave in cinema and the Ye-ye movement in music. It later became a resort for the European and American jet set and tourists.
La Ponche is the charming old town of Saint-Tropez. The tiny, winding streets are filled with boutiques and cafes.
Saint-Tropez has some of the most beautiful beaches in the South of France. Especially the famed Pampelonne Beach. From Club 55 and Nikki Beach, there’s something for everyone – perfect for soaking up the sun or just enjoying a few cocktails with friends.
The bustling Place des Lices is the heart of Saint-Tropez. Every Tuesday and Saturday morning, it transforms into a lively market full of colourful stalls selling everything from fresh local produce to handmade souvenirs. There are a few retro stores selling famous designer vintage bags. The prices are almost as much as the new bags! It’s a great place to pick up some food for lunch, or just to stroll around and soak up the atmosphere as we did.
The marina or old port of San Tropez is filled with extravagant yachts and is one of Saint-Tropez’s most iconic sights. It’s a great place to sit in one of the many cafes that line the waterfront, and watch the luxury boats come and go.
We headed to Plage des Graniers for lunch. Les Graniers is a favourite restaurant of ours on this beach and it did not disappoint today. Plage des Graniers is located underneath the citadel and is in close proximity from anywhere in the city (a five min walk from the heart of Saint Tropez). It’s a relatively small beach that’s very busy during summer time. Again a magical relaxing day.
The featured photo is of Ramatuelle, a picturesque medieval village which is a charming and typically Provençal destination in the Var countryside. Perched in the foothills of the Castellas Massif and overlooking the Bay of Pampelonne, it stands out for its tranquillity. We had a beautiful dinner at La Forge in Ramatuelle on our last evening in La Croix Valmer.
