Les incontournables dans le Golfe de Saint-Tropez, Vignobles d’Exception
Between the sea and the hills, the Gulf of Saint-Tropez reveals its hidden treasures. Here, wine tourism unfolds to the rhythm of the waves, golden stones, and fragrant trails. From hiking trails with breathtaking panoramas to perched villages, unusual museums, and legendary beaches, discover the gems that will enhance your tastings of Provence rosés.
A journey to the heart of nature, Cavalaire-sur-Mer and Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer
At the foot of the Corniche des Maures, in Rayol-Canadel, a 20-hectare protected natural area is home to the Jardin des Méditerranées (Mediterranean Garden). Designed as a true world tour of plants, the Domaine du Rayol is an invitation to travel through the Mediterranean landscapes of the planet and landscapes with more arid or subtropical climates.
Nearby in Cavalaire, the Maison de la Nature offers exhibitions, workshops, guided hikes, concerts and wellness moments to explore biodiversity in a different way.
His restaurant “La Maison des Saveurs”, just like the restaurant at Domaine du Rayol «Le Café des jardiniers”, offers homemade, local and seasonal cuisine, accompanied by wines from neighboring estates.
These two places complement each other to offer a total immersion where nature, culture and environmental awareness come together.
Panoramic view between village and shore, Grimaud
Dominating the medieval village, the ruins of the feudal castle offer a striking panorama of the gulf, linking the land and the lakeside city in a single glance, because when we talk about Grimaud, we say that “the sea has its village”… In the cobbled streets of Grimaud, the stone houses and art galleries invite you to stroll before climbing to the top for a contemplative interlude, with below the magnificent mill and the fairy bridge, an ideal starting point for a walk.
Its waterfront, Port-Grimaud, unfolds its unique charm: a lakeside town with shimmering canals, flower-lined quays, and colorful facades, where one can savor a glass of Côtes de Provence AOP rosé on a terrace, overlooking the boats. Together, these two facets create a rare balance between heritage, a relaxed lifestyle, and the sea horizon.
The Massif des Maures, a land of biodiversity, La Garde-Freinet and Le Plan-de-la-Tour
The Massif des Maures is home to remarkable biodiversity where Hermann's tortoises, birds of prey and Mediterranean species coexist, forming an ideal natural sanctuary for hiking, in the heart of cork oak forests and chestnut groves.
The vines carve out peaceful clearings, offering complex vintages born from the schist and clay-limestone soils.
A winding road leads to La Garde-Freinet, a discreet village where Jeanne Moreau filmed the movie “Lumière”, with its steep alleyways, its passages carved into the rock and its famous Chestnut Festival in October.
Nearby, Le Plan-de-la-Tour flourishes in an amphitheater of wooded hills, surrounded by vineyards.
Its distinctive feature: 25 hamlets scattered across the hills, offering a mosaic of character and a unique way of life.
Iconic culture, Saint-Tropez
Saint-Tropez, a land of culture, reveals its soul through these iconic museums that tell its maritime, artistic and cinematographic history.
The Citadel of Saint-Tropez overlooks the bay and houses the Maritime History Museum. This historic site recounts the epic tales of the sailors from Saint-Tropez who sailed all the seas of the globe and offers a spectacular view of the port and the vineyards of the cape.
The Gendarmerie and Cinema Museum celebrates the history of the building made legendary by the Gendarme films and Louis de Funès. It recounts the unique link between Saint-Tropez and cinema, with posters, archives, sets and filming memorabilia.
Finally, the Annonciade Museum, housed in a former 16th-century chapel, presents an exceptional collection of modern art. Fauvism, Pointillism, and avant-garde movements are represented through works by Signac, Matisse, Derain, and Bonnard, all captivated by the light of Saint-Tropez.
Cultural Heritage, Ramatuelle
Ramatuelle, a Provençal village between sea and hills, reveals its timeless charm where each promontory seems to tell a story.
Dominating the vineyards and the village, the Moulin de Paillas spreads its restored sails against the wind, recalling the peasant life of yesteryear and offering a breathtaking panorama of the gulf.
Further down, dominating the horizon, the Camarat Lighthouse watches over one of the wildest headlands in the Mediterranean. The second tallest lighthouse in France, it guides sailors while offering visitors a spectacular view.
Together, these two sentinels — one facing the land, the other the sea — embody the luminous and preserved soul of Ramatuelle.
Trail between sea and scrubland, La Croix Valmer
In La Croix-Valmer, nature becomes a living spectacle, and the coastal path that connects Gigaro to Cap Lardier is one of the most beautiful scenes.
From Gigaro beach, the path winds its way between rocks, umbrella pines, and the fragrant scents of rockrose and strawberry tree, offering with every step a constantly shifting panorama of secluded coves and turquoise waters. As you walk, you'll pass protected areas where Mediterranean flora and fauna thrive undisturbed. Reaching the majestic and unspoiled Cap Lardier rewards hikers with an endless view of the coast, a blend of silence, sea breeze, and a dazzling horizon. An enchanting route, a true immersion in the raw beauty of the Mediterranean.
Des hauteurs au barrage, La Môle
Au cœur de La Môle, la randonnée qui relie le barrage de la Verne à la chapelle Sainte-Magdeleine invite à une immersion profonde dans l’âme boisée du massif des Maures.
The path rises gently from the tranquil surface of the dam, bordered by cork oaks, heather, and maritime pines that fill the air with Mediterranean scents. As you progress, the forest becomes more intimate, occasionally offering glimpses of the verdant valleys.
At the very top, the small Sainte-Magdeleine chapel appears, simple and luminous, standing on its promontory for centuries. It offers a rare panorama, open to the ridges and depths of the massif, where silence and serenity reign supreme.
An authentic hike, where unspoiled nature, heritage and contemplation come together in perfect harmony.
Gassin, the most beautiful village in France
Perched on its rocky spur, Gassin overlooks the gulf with timeless elegance, seemingly suspended between sky, sea, and vineyards. Nicknamed the "watchtower of the gulf" because it sits at an altitude of 200 meters, Gassin is rightfully one of the "Most Beautiful Villages of France.".
Strolling through its cobbled streets, you'll come across the famous Rue de l'Androuno, one of the narrowest streets in the world, a true curiosity of this medieval fortified village. Further up, the orientation table reveals a magnificent panorama of the hills, the sea, and the prestigious vineyards that surround Gassin.
From the famous Place Deï Barri (which means walls in Provençal), the gaze glides over the hillsides planted with renowned vineyards, whose rosés here are imbued with sun, sea breeze and garrigue.
The artisanal soul of the gulf, Cogolin
Nestled at the foot of the Massif des Maures, Cogolin reveals an authentic character where Provençal traditions and exceptional craftsmanship meet. Strolling through its sun-drenched streets, one discovers a vibrant village, its rhythm set by workshops where artisans perpetuate rare skills.
Here, renowned briar pipes, reeds used by musicians worldwide, and handwoven rugs of international acclaim have been crafted for generations. Visitors linger in the flower-filled squares, admire the pastel facades, and soak up the warm atmosphere of the village center. Life comes alive around the cafés and terraces, where one can savor the gentle pace of Provençal life.
In Cogolin, each street tells a story of talent and tradition, making the village a true land of artisans.
Events in all four seasons, Sainte-Maxime
Nestled between the sea and the hills, Sainte-Maxime radiates a warm and friendly energy all year round, making it one of the most vibrant towns in the gulf. Its sunlit streets, small squares lined with cafes, and seafront offer a lively setting where shops, markets, and terraces set the rhythm of the seasons.
Throughout the year, the town celebrates its Provençal roots and its art of living through unmissable events: the Saint-Pierre Festival, a vibrant tribute to seafarers; the Harvest Festival, an ode to the Maximois estates and Provençal traditions; or Vivez Provence, which immerses residents and visitors in the authenticity of regional flavors, artisans and customs.
More intimate, the Immersion Gourmande walk at Domaine des Beaucas invites you to savor wines, panoramas and local stories in the heart of the vineyards.
Welcoming and deeply attached to its traditions, Sainte-Maxime elegantly blends urban dynamism and Provençal gentleness.
