Ste Maxime
Sheltered from the winds by hills that rise behind the coast, the popular beach resort of Sainte Maxime sits on the coast between Frejus and Saint Tropez.
Sainte-Maxime is a pleasant example of a resort with a lively town, a busy marina and a string of fine beaches. The mild climate and the beauty of the village attracts many tourists, painters, poets and writers. The old town is filled by lively pedestrian streets, beautiful gardens and a large pier with a wonderful panorama of the Gulf.
The emphasis in this town is on today: today’s sun, today’s fun and perhaps more of that tomorrow. Visitors jam the roads, fill the parking lots to the last place and flock to the beaches. During sun breaks, they stroll along the many beach and sun-themed shops or flop down in one of the sidewalk cafés along the boulevard. Others venture into the older part of town which has been nicely renovated and spruced up with boutiques filled with Provencal goodies and a large choice of restaurants. The narrow, winding streets and alleys are a great way to cool off the summer heat.
History & Culture in Sainte Maxime
Sainte-Maxime’s history dates back to the early Middle Ages and a monastery with its name that has now disappeared. There are very few signs in town of an early history, though close to the port the Tour Carrée des Dames stands prominently. It was constructed as a defensive tower in the late Middle Ages by the monks of the islands of Lérins. Now, it functions as the museum of local tradition and history.
The pedestrian street is lined with bars, restaurants and boutiques- and it comes alive on summer evenings with music and a good mix of tourists and locals. Sainte-Maxime is above all a town to relax in- spending long days at the beach, eating at nice restaurants, wandering around the pretty port or having a cocktail at sunset looking over the Gulf of Saint Tropez.
Events in Sainte Maxime
One of Sainte-Maxime’s top attractions is the covered market that opens daily (8 am – 1 pm and 4 – 8 pm) in summer and only mornings (except Monday) in winter. There you find excellent quality in local produce and products, fishmongers, bakers and flower shops. On Thursday morning there is also an open-air market.
Sights & Attractions in Sainte Maxime
Sainte-Maxime is more of a beach resort than a history-buff’s destination, but there are a few traces of the town’s medieval past, including the beautiful 15th century town hall (Marie). The Tour Carrée was built in the 16th century by monks to fend off invaders-often maruading pirates from Saint Tropez across the bay. There’s also a small folk museum in the Tour Caree, as well as a battery of cannons facing the Gulf de Saint Tropez.
Things to Do in Sainte Maxime
While Saint Maxime is primarily a beach resort, there are plenty of other activities on offer. The surrounding hills are wonderful for walking, mountain-biking and horse-riding, and you can pick up the long-range hiking trail ‘The Balcony of the Cote d’Azur’ just 10kms north of town. There’s also a coastal path for bike-riding. Those looking for sporting activities could use the nearby tennis or golf facilities, or head to the clay pigeon shooting range just outside town. Sainte-Maxime is also home to Aqualand, the Riviera’s largest waterpark; and there’s also a pleasant Botanical Garden for walking and picnics.
This area is good golfing country, and those visiting Sainte-Maxime have several golf courses to choose between. The 18 hole, par 72 course at Golf de Sainte-Maxime has wonderful views across the coast and mountains from above the town and a quite challenging, hilly course. The excellent Golfe de Beauvallon is 2 miles out of Sainte-Maxime very close to the sea, offering a moderate to hard 70 par, 18 hole game with stunning views of the Gulf of Saint Tropez. There is also the Golfe Club Saint Tropez a bit further afield at Gassin- a fairly exclusive place with a par 71, 18 hole course set in countryside of hills, forest, vineyards and sea. For more information, see our Golfing Pages.
Beaches in Sainte Maxime
Sainte-Maxime has lovely wide, white-sand beaches stretching in both directions, with lots of public space as well as private beach clubs with restaurants. The beaches of Sainte Maxime offer every watersport you could hope for, including parasailing, jet skiing, sailing and water skiing. Sainte-Maxime is well known for its diving, with sunken submarines, yachts and torpedo boats to explore- as well as some rocky underwater topography and marine life. There are also fishing excursions off the coast.
Nightlife in Sainte Maxime
This seaside resort has plenty of bars, a sports pub, and a few late-opening clubs in the summer, such as Fashion Room and Le Club-although those looking for the glamorous clubs should head down the coast to Saint Tropez to mingle with the champagne and caviar set. Enjoy the summer vibe in a bar in the pedestrian street in town, have a cocktail in a beach club or hit the Casino de Barriere for a game of blackjack, roulette or poker. On summer nights, there are also free music concerts in the outdoor theatre, as well as fireworks shows.