Sainte Maxime: All destinations, advice & information for your holidays!

Nestled between the Mediterranean and the Mauren Massif lies the charming French coastal town of Sainte-Maxime. Thanks to its excellent location in the north of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, Sainte-Maxime is the perfect place for a varied holiday. Here you can relax on the beach, stroll through the pretty old town, and go hiking.

Table of contents

Sainte Maxime - Must-see attractions
Sainte Maxime - Secret spots
Sainte Maxime - In 3 days

Sainte Maxime - Must-see attractions

Sainte Maxime - Holiday homes & apartments

Sainte Maxime Harbor

The Port de Sainte Maxime includes both a private and a professional area. In the former, you will find small motor and sailing boats. Stroll along the promenade and to the tip of the protruding pier, where you can enjoy a picturesque view. The Port de Saint Maxime includes both a private and a professional area. In the former, you will find small motor and sailing boats. Stroll along the promenade and to the tip of the protruding pier, where you can enjoy a picturesque view.

Sardinaux Point

The tip of Cap Sardinaux is a popular destination for hikes along the coast. The sunrises are especially spectacular if you are already there early in the morning. The rocky landscape by the deep blue Mediterranean promises impressive photo opportunities. Nearby are the Plages de Sainte-Maxime, which are well-visited, especially in the summer months. The bathing beaches promise the perfect conditions for sunbathing and relaxing. The Gulf of Saint-Tropez invites you to swim.

Aqualand Sainte Maxime

The Aqualand Sainte-Maxime is open from June to September. Here you will find some spectacular slides that are very popular with children of all ages. Numerous swimming pools promise a well-deserved refreshment during the sunny summer hours. Of course, you will also find some quiet places for relaxation as well as restaurants with delicious menus on the spacious grounds. The highlights are considered to be the lagoon and the beach for surfers, where large artificial waves are generated.

The Myrtles

Among the many trees that provide valuable shade to walkers in the summer, the holm oaks are considered particularly worth seeing. The umbrella pine provides the scent of the Mediterranean all year round. From the garden, you overlook the turquoise blue sea. Typical of the Botanical Garden are the myrtles. The shrubs are widespread in the region and even bear edible berries. In the grounds, you will also find the trees of the strawberry tree, up to five meters high, and the rockroses.

Aymeric Simon Lorière Promenade

Stroll along the expansive promenade and enjoy the view over the dreamy sandy beach up to the Mediterranean Sea. The turquoise blue water also offers a welcome refreshment in the warm summer months and is just a few steps away. The Promenade Simon Lorière itself enchants you with a special charm. Here you will find numerous seating options in the semi-shade of Mediterranean trees. In addition to cafés and restaurants, you will also find shops and a casino, which comes to life in the evening hours.

Path of the Deffend

Hikers need about three hours to walk the Sentier du Deffend. The hiking trail, which forms a loop, is well signposted. Sturdy footwear is highly recommended, as part of the route is steep uphill. From the panoramic viewpoint, the view extends from the Esterel Massif over the Massif des Maures to the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. This view is particularly impressive at sunset when the colors of nature shine. Don't forget the flashlight or headlamp for the return journey!

Sainte Maxime - Secret spots

Sainte Maxime - Holiday homes & apartments

Mediterranean plant splendor in the Botanical Garden of Myrtles

The Botanical Garden of Sainte-Maxime invites you to pause. After a walk around the pond, sit on a bench in the shade of the trees and enjoy the tranquility and the view of the Mediterranean Sea. Alternatively, watch the pétanque players. Children spend enjoyable hours on the playground.

Peaceful Winery: Le Clos de Sainte Maxime

On the outskirts of Sainte-Maxime, you have the opportunity to taste the delicious white, rosé, and red wines, whose grape varieties are grown on the pebbly limestone soil in the Côtes de Provence region. The sustainably managed vineyard Le Clos de Sainte Maxime covers an area of 4 hectares. Tours with subsequent wine tasting are offered there.

Idyllic mountain village Le Plan de la Tour

As a beautiful destination for a hike or short bike tour, the village of Le Plan de la Tour, located 10 km northeast of Sainte-Maxime, is ideal. Dolmens and other prehistoric finds testify to the long, albeit not continuous, settlement history of the village. From the surrounding wooded hills, you have wonderful views.

Excursion destination Cascades de l'Aille

25 km northeast of Sainte-Maxime, you reach the Cascades de l'Aille waterfalls. The waters of L’Aille pour foaming into the basin surrounded by rugged rocks. The charm of the place is enhanced by the old iron bridge, from which you can enjoy a beautiful view of the natural spectacle and the overgrown sawmill ruins.

Sainte Maxime - In 3 days

Sainte Maxime - Holiday homes & apartments

Day 1

At the Cote d'Azur, Sainte-Maxime enchants you with a picturesque old town and its peaceful location. You can easily explore the charming town, with around 14,000 inhabitants, on foot on the first day. Stroll through the historic center and take a look at the architectural landmarks of Sainte-Maxime, including the parish church and the watchtower. The church, built in the mid-18th century, houses an even older altar inside, originating from another church. Afterwards, visit the Tour Carrée from the 16th century. Unfortunately, the local museum housed there, with exhibits on the town's eventful history, is currently closed. Nearby, you can discover the remains of a Roman-era bridge. For art lovers and culturally interested travelers, a detour to one of the two galleries in Sainte-Maxime is worthwhile. The "Regard" and the "Salle d'Exposition Jean Portal" are home to numerous works by regional artists.

Day 2

Use your second day on the Cote d'Azur for relaxing hours by the Mediterranean. From April to late October, the mild climate in the south of France is ideal for sunbathing, swimming, and relaxing. In Sainte-Maxime, you will find several beaches, each with its own charm. No longer a secret tip is the Plage des Eléphants, where dogs are also allowed to cool off in the turquoise sea. Those visiting Sainte-Maxime with small children should visit Plage de la Nartelle or the beach of Pointe des Sardinaux. At the latter, you can discover a bunker from World War II. Variety and bathing fun for guests of all ages are promised by Aqualand in Sainte-Maxime. There, you can expect spectacular water slides, various pools, and plenty of dining options. Children of all ages can look forward to various attractions, while parents relax in the shade.

Day 3

For your third day, a trip to one of the diverse destinations on the Côte d'Azur is recommended. Just 100 kilometers east, you drive from Sainte-Maxime to Monaco at the border with Italy. Visit the glamorous principality and see the Palais Princier and the Casino Monte-Carlo. On the way there and back, stops in the large Provençal cities of Cannes and Nice are worthwhile. In Cannes, the Church of Notre-Dame d'Espérance and the Musée de la Castre are considered landmarks. Nice, as the largest metropolis in the region, offers a variety of entertainment options in addition to attractions like the checkerboard-paved Place Masséna. Discover the cathedral on a city tour, visit the Cimiez Monastery, or stroll through the impressive Parc Phoenix, where exotic plant and animal species await you. Visits to the Masséna, Marc Chagall, and Matisse museums are recommended, for which you should plan several hours each.