L’Horizon

In a hilltop position in residential Sainte-Maxime, L’Horizon enjoys lovely views of the sea. It’s about 2-3km down to the coast where you will find a variety of beach restaurants and Plage de Nartelle, a sandy beach which is great for families. It’s a good spot for watersports such as windsurfing and body-boarding here as well. Also nearby is Plage de la Madrague (3km), lovely for snorkelling and La Pointe des Sardinaux (4km) a wild peninsular, accessed only by foot for the last part, with lovely shady pines for picnics and a small beach at the end. To the south of the town is Plage de la Croisette (3km), a sandy beach with magnificent views and a sailing school (for ages 7 upwards) and other watersports available such as kayaks and paddle boarding. The town itself is really picturesque and has a lovely climate as it is sheltered from northerly winds by hills. You can wander around the old town and port, discover lots of different restaurants and explore the little shops. Visit the market on a Thursday morning for a truly authentic experience. Heading south, visit Port Grimaud (12km), a mostly a traffic free zone with a great marina that can only be accessed by foot or boat. There are lots of pretty coloured houses, Venetian style bridges and small boats to watch come and go. Take a guided boat trip to tour the marina and then relax with a drink or meal in one of the marina’s cafes and restaurants. You can also enjoy great views of the marina from the Church of Saint-Francis of Assisi. Fashionable Saint-Tropez (17km) is just a short drive away, or in the summer you can beat the traffic, and take the ferry across from Sainte-Maxime in 15 minutes. Saint-Tropez is famous for its winding medieval streets, traditional pastel-painted fishermen’s cottages, boutiques and restaurants and the port with fishing boats moored alongside luxurious yachts. Those who enjoy the glitz and glamour must also visit Pampelonne Beach (22km) and its various beach restaurants including the exclusive Club 55, popular with celebrities as well as visitors. Just inland, the medieval village of Grimaud (14km) is located on top of a hill and stands out for its flower filled cobbled streets, ancient churches and stunning views. It offers traditional French boutiques, bars, a good range of restaurants plus a weekly antique market every Sunday.  Other delightful villages to explore include Gassin (16km), Ramatuelle (19km) and La Môle (23km), a paradise for walkers with some beautiful trails through the stunning countryside. The Maures mountains inland also offer perfect walking and cycling opportunities or for a spectacular day out head to the Gorges du Verdon (99km), the must see natural wonder of southern France where you can hire boats, canoes and kayaks. As well as a great variety of watersports, other outdoor activities in the area include tennis, horse-riding, go-karting, polo and funfairs for young children. Golf-lovers have a great choice of courses across this region from the nearby Golf Blue Green (6km) to the prestigious Beauvallon Golf Club (7km) on the other side of Sainte Maxime. Families may particularly like the Aqualand waterpark at Sainte Maxime (4km) or the Azur Theme Park near Gassin (11km).