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Close to the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, at the foot of the Massif des Maures, Sainte-Maxime boasts an exceptional location, with direct access to the A8 motorway and no fewer than 3 airports nearby (Toulon-Hyères, Nice Côte-d'Azur, Marseille Provence), making it one of the beating hearts of the Mediterranean coast.
Driven by the dynamism of its shops and restaurants, its historical and architectural heritage and its many and varied sports and cultural facilities, Sainte-Maxime is an active city where life reflects the changing of the seasons. With a little over 14,000 inhabitants (making it the most populated commune on the Gulf of Saint-Tropez), it has developed beyond a purely tourist-based economy, although the latter still accounts for a high proportion of its summer activity.
A family destination since the very early days of the Côte d'Azur, Sainte-Maxime has continuously improved the lifestyle it offers and the welcome it extends to visitors over the past century. As demonstrated by the awarding of the Station Classée de Tourisme (‘Classified Tourism Resort’) title, officially recognising its commitment to excellence, in 2011.
With a shoreline spanning a total of nearly 7 miles, its 3.7 miles of beaches boast fine sand and transparent waters along a section of the Mediterranean coastline set against a backdrop of the Saint-Tropez peninsula. Public beaches with a family atmosphere are interspersed with the most exclusive of private beaches, with plenty of watersports ranging from scuba diving to sailing, wakeboarding to jet-skiing and parasailing on offer. Not to mention the 18-hole Bluegreen Sainte-Maxime golf course, which undoubtedly offers one of the most beautiful views of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez!
It’s no coincidence that Sainte-Maxime was ranked in the Top 10 European Best Destinations in 2019, described as 'a haven of peace, a perfect destination for a holiday with family or lovers'. Sainte-Maxime is indeed famous the world over for the beauty of its landscapes, its turquoise waters and its preserved Provençal spirit, the sort of authenticity that can be found in its narrow shopping streets, its architectural heritage, its traditional festivals and its local market. The market square, just a few steps from its indoor market, is one of the liveliest in the city - a ritual meeting place for locals and a must-see for visitors.
Protected from the mistral wind by the Massif des Maures mountain range, Sainte-Maxime boasts a particularly mild climate that the tropical species planted in the gardens around the commune thrive in, whilst the vegetation here is typically Mediterranean. Its position has also encouraged the perpetuation of agricultural know-how, with olives, grapes and various other local produce grown on the farms further inland, creating an explosion of increasingly intense Mediterranean flavours.
This profusion is also found in the extraordinary variety of its eateries, which range from the beach bar to the gourmet restaurant, allowing Sainte-Maxime to offer a whole host of international cuisines in an exceptional setting overlooking the Bay of Saint-Tropez, though Mediterranean dishes will always, of course, take centre stage.
Sainte-Maxime’s reputation for architectural heritage stems from its ability to cultivate a personality all of its own, blending the Art Deco style with that of an elegant, family-friendly seaside resort. With the development of the winter season during the Roaring Twenties, large families from the Parisian and Provençal regions commissioned local architects such as René Darde and Henri Bret to construct extensive villas. This earned Sainte-Maxime another prestigious title in the form of the Patrimoine du XXe Siècle (‘20th-Century Heritage’) label, created in 1999 and awarded by the Ministry of Culture.
The city has consequently become increasingly attractive in terms of real estate where both summer holiday homes and primary residences are concerned. As such, local associations, traders, restaurateurs and council departments now stage various high-profile events all year round (subject, of course, to potential health measures and restrictions since spring 2020):
Spring, meanwhile, is the perfect time to enjoy the Sainte-Maxime sun in peace - a great opportunity to take to the beach for a day lounging at the water’s edge and admire the budding nature.
During the summer months, the programme of events features something for all audiences, from ‘Summer DJ's Party’ to ‘Gala Evenings’, from live music in July and August to traditional summer evenings at the Théâtre de la Mer.
Autumn is no time for winding down in Sainte-Maxime, either, with the Univers Vintage show and the Free Flight World Masters both taking place in October and the Rallye du Var in November.
Winters on the French Riviera are a little milder, especially in Sainte-Maxime, with the 2-day Mimosa Festival in February, during which the town is decked out in mimosa to launch the French Riviera’s corso parade and carnival season, with flower-decked floats, live music bands, a confetti fight and sprigs of mimosa creating quite the party atmosphere!
