Sainte-Maxime, France

Sainte-Maxime, France. Photo: Cătălin Kislinger / Titi Tudorancea Bulletin.

Sainte-Maxime is a seaside resort located on the coast of the Côte d'Azur, in the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, in southeastern France 90 km (56 mi) from Nice and 130 km (81 mi) from Marseille.

The small town is south facing at the northern shore of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. In the north the Massif des Maures mountain range protects it from cold winds of the Mistral.

Nowadays, tourism is the largest source of revenue for Sainte Maxime, but the city remains lively all year round with 13519 inhabitants (2007). There is the old town with shops, markets, restaurants, bars and cafés, opposite the harbour.

On the pier, there are marine shops and an upscale restaurant. Here, there is also fast boat transportation with Les Bateaux Verts to Les Issambres, St Tropez and Port Grimaud. There is a shoreline promenade with parks, pine trees, boulodrome Prince Bertil, the tourist office and the city beaches, as well as a Casino with its own piece of white sand.

In addition to the city beaches, there are the Blue Flag supervised ones. On the west side, The Croisette has a sailing school. On the east side of the town are La Nartelle, La Plage des Eléphants and La Garonette (also called Val D'Esquieres), which all provide water-skiing and Jet-ski activities. In addition, there are several smaller beaches that are unsupervised. All adding up to 10 km of publicly accessible shoreline.

There are eight golf courses within 30 minutes radius by car.

Go

• Main highways. The Muy exit of the A8 motorway (24 km); R&D 25; The RD 559 from Fréjus (24 km).

• By train. The station of Saint-Raphaël (24 km); The Arcs / Argens station (24 km).

• By plane. La Mole - Saint-Tropez International Airport 20 km away; Toulon-Hyères International Airport 55 km; Nice Côte-d'Azur International Airport 90 km; The airport Marseille Provence 145 km.

• By bus. Saint-Raphaël to Saint-Tropez; Saint-Tropez to Toulon; Les Arcs sur Argens; Nice Airport 1 and 2 - Marseille Provence Airport.

• On a boat. Regular maritime shuttles between Sainte-Maxime and Saint-Tropez.

Do

Along the coastline, in the heart of the Provençal hinterland, discovering the cultural heritage of the old town, or even nearby in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez.

• The 6 km of sandy beaches are conducive to "lazing around" and strolling! Port city in the heart of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, visitors can easily embark to other destinations (Île de Porquerolles, etc.), from the Quai Léon Condroyer. Sainte-Maxime is also a paradise for enthusiasts of water sports.

• Before any town of Provence, Sainte-Maxime is in a natural setting composed of olive trees and mimosas, against the side of the vineyards. Many hiking and mountain biking are to be done in the surroundings (Route du Mimosa, Sentier du Quilladou, Catalugno), as well as horse riding in the Massif des Maures. The products of the soil are to be discovered in the markets of the city on Monday and the Thursday morning.

• The old village of Sainte-Maxime has been cultivating for years its architectural style "Art Deco" characteristic of the years 1920. The itinerary "Architecture of the twentieth century" invites to take a new look on a little-known patrimony. The museums of the Phonograph and local traditions (La Tour Carrée) will take you back in time. Sainte-Maxime also has its cultural scene (the Carré Léon Gaumont and its multimedia library) as well as the Jean Portal exhibition room and art galleries.

• Activities for all. Between sports events, fun activities or initiation to the traditional Pétanque, a wide choice is available to all interests, alone, couple, friends or family: Jet ski, golf, parasailing, motorsport, tennis, skate park, swimming pool. Large leisure parks are located nearby (Aqualand, Marineland d'Antibes).

Sainte-Maxime, France. Photo: Cătălin Kislinger / Titi Tudorancea Bulletin.

Sainte-Maxime, France. Photo: Cătălin Kislinger / Titi Tudorancea Bulletin.

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