Sainte-Maxime

Travel Guide
Sainte-Maxime

Nestling in the Gulf of Saint Tropez, Sainte Maxime boasts nature, heritage and leisure, all of which have built its reputation as an elegant seaside resort.

Sainte Maxime has one foot firmly on the ground in earthy Provence and the other in the blue waters of the Mediterranean, giving visitors the best of both worlds. Over the course of the last century, this fishing town has turned itself into a popular holiday destination that is easily capable of quenching your thirst for culture, nature, sport and relaxation.

Spread along more than five miles of coastline, Sainte Maxime has numerous public and private beaches. Depending on your choice of beach, you will be able to get away from it all and laze around on the warm sand, enjoy the attractions a stone’s throw from the town centre with your family, or get to grips with whichever water sports take your fancy.

Or, until you get your sea legs, you can set off on foot, horseback or bike for an exploration of Provence. While you walk through the Massif des Maures mountains, listen to the humming of the cicadas, breathe in the exquisite scents along the Mimosa Route and take in the sights of the local plant life, which encompasses olive trees, cork oaks and parasol pines with their edible pine nuts. Back in town, Myrtes Botanical Garden is another place you can go to see the local flora.

Provence’s natural bounty is very visible even in the town itself, notably through its markets. Depending on what day it is and what takes your fancy, you will be able to fill your basket with local produce from both the land and sea, flowers, bric-a-brac and handcrafted goods, with the added bonus of discovering the town’s varied architecture at the same time, taking in Provençal, modern and Art Deco styles.

Let yourself get carried away by the one-metre-gauge petit-train des Pignes which winds through little streets all the way up to the top of Sainte Maxime, where you can enjoy unimpeded views of the gulf. On the way up, inside the Museum of Local Traditions in the Tour Carrée (Square Tower) will teach you more about the customs of yesteryear, with displays of Provençal clothing, craftsmanship and fishing.

You can get to Sainte Maxime by plane, landing at Nice, Toulon or Marseille Airport, or by high-speed train on the TGV from Paris arriving at Saint-Raphaël-Valescure or Arcs - Draguignan station. The town is also linked to the A8 motorway via the D25. Once there, you can get around on the green buses.

Offering heritage, nature, ancestral traditions and modern leisure activities, Sainte Maxime really lives up to its name, giving you the maximum!

Where to stay in Sainte-Maxime

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Sainte-Maxime City Centre

Unique features of Sainte-Maxime City Centre include the beaches and waterfront views. Make a stop by Sainte-Maxime Beach or Saint-Tropez Gulf while you're exploring the area.

Sainte-Maxime City Centre

La Nartelle

Visitors to La Nartelle enjoy its beaches, and if you want to do some exploring, Nartelle Beach is worth a stop.

La Nartelle
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Plage de la Garonnette

Visitors to Plage de la Garonnette like its beaches and restaurants, and Plage de la Garonnette Beach is a sight worth a stop.

Plage de la Garonnette
Hôtel Le Revest
Hôtel Le Revest
3 out of 5
48, Av. Jean Jaurés, Sainte-Maxime
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P4,710 per night from 15 May to 16 May
P4,710
per night
15 May - 16 May
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Sainte-Maxime. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions St. Tropez Harbor and Port of Grimaud ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (156 reviews)
"We had a great experience at this hotel. Great location and welcoming staff. Would stay here again without a doubt!"

Reviewed on Oct 6, 2023

Hôtel Le Revest
Best Western Premier Montfleuri
Best Western Premier Montfleuri
4 out of 5
3 Avenue du Montfleuri, Sainte-Maxime, Var
The price is P5,958 per night from 19 May to 20 May
P5,958
per night
19 May - 20 May
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Sainte-Maxime. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions St. Tropez Harbor and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (372 reviews)
"Everything but very bad water pressure in the shower was excellent"

Reviewed on May 7, 2024

Best Western Premier Montfleuri
Best Western Hotel Matisse
Best Western Hotel Matisse
3 out of 5
11 Boulevard Frederic Mistral, Sainte-Maxime, Var
The price is P5,571 per night from 26 May to 27 May
P5,571
per night
26 May - 27 May
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly hotel in Sainte-Maxime. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and 3 beach bars. Popular attractions St. Tropez Harbor and Port ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (294 reviews)
"Todo perfecto muchísimas gracias"

Reviewed on May 5, 2024

Best Western Hotel Matisse
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Lou Trelus
Lou Trelus
4 Montée de la Grande Croisette, Sainte-Maxime, Paca
Book a stay at this beach aparthotel in Sainte-Maxime. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions St. Tropez Harbor and Port ...
9/10 Wonderful! (63 reviews)
"Beautiful view and lovely pool. Rooms are small but clean and beds are comfortable. Great little kitchen fully stocked with all needed for basic food prep. Nice host as well. Finding this place and driving up the steep driveway is challenging to say the least. This was the only gripe I have. Otherwise, ..."

Reviewed on Oct 27, 2023

Lou Trelus
Pierre & Vacances Résidence Les Platanes
Pierre & Vacances Résidence Les Platanes
3 out of 5
1 Chemin du Preconil, Sainte-Maxime, Var
Stay at this 3-star beach residence in Sainte-Maxime. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and a garden. Popular attractions St. Tropez Harbor and Port of Grimaud ...
7.6/10 Good! (109 reviews)
"This is a no frills option. It is basic accommodation which is clean. The location is central to the beach, shops, restaurants and bars. The payable secure parking is also very good."

Reviewed on Jul 26, 2020

Pierre & Vacances Résidence Les Platanes
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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