Sainte-Maxime faces Saint-Tropez across the gulf. Backed by the wooded hills of the Maures massif, the resort stretches along south-facing beaches around a marina overlooked by the church bell tower.
Less glamorous than its neighbour, it mainly attracts families. Choosing where to stay in Sainte-Maxime means deciding between the centre, the beaches and the hills. We have selected these places one by one; see our page of hotels in Sainte-Maxime for more options.
Which neighbourhood to choose in Sainte-Maxime
- The centre and the port: the Tour Carrée, covered market, terraces and boats to Saint-Tropez; the best choice without a car.
- La Croisette: a residential neighbourhood by the water, with a beach of mixed pebbles and sand.
- La Nartelle, to the east: a long sandy beach popular with families.
- The hills and inland area: villas and guesthouses among pines and cork oaks; a car is essential.
For a weekend, the centre is the most convenient; for a week with the family, a house with a pool offers more space, at the cost of a few car journeys.
Outside the centre: two peaceful guesthouses
For those who prefer cicadas to the bustle of the port, here are two privately run places to stay, one near town and the other in the countryside.
Chambre chez l habitant terrasse vue mer
On Chemin des Virgiles, just over a kilometre from the centre, this room in a private home makes the most of its views: the balcony and terrace overlook the sea. There is a fully equipped kitchen and free private parking. Pets are allowed on request; a car is useful for getting to the beach and port.
Chambre d hotes La Bergerie la Fontaine Sainte Maxime
In the hamlet of Les Bouillerettes, around five kilometres from the centre, this guesthouse has a Provençal countryside feel, with a garden, terrace and seasonal pool. The rooms are air-conditioned, and some are designed for families. Private parking is free, and essential: without a car, this place loses much of its appeal.
By the gulf: two hotels near the beaches
These two places are around two and a half kilometres from the centre, in residential areas close to the sea.
Lou Trelus
On Montée de la Grande Croisette, Lou Trelus rents independent studios with terraces opening onto the park and sea. The pool and Provençal garden give it the feel of a holiday home, and the beaches of the gulf are just a short walk away. Free parking.
EDEN HÔTEL
This four-star hotel on Avenue du Croiseur-Léger-le-Malin has its own private beach, a real advantage in July and August. Rooms overlook the sea or the pool, which is heated in season, and the restaurant means you don't need to get back in the car in the evening. Pets are welcome.
A villa and a house for families
For a week or longer, an entire place offers a freedom you won't find in a hotel.
Fantastic pool villa 900m to the beach; with extravagant big garden
On Avenue de la Nasque, around two and a half kilometres from the centre, this five-bedroom villa sleeps up to twelve people, making it ideal for several families travelling together. The large garden and heated private pool are its main attractions, and the beach is within walking distance. Pets allowed, free parking.
Rêve d'Azur - Maison Julia 2 chambres - plage de la Nartelle - Arrivée 17h - 20h maximum - séjour au calme - Caution 100E
On Avenue de Casabianca, less than two kilometres from the centre, this two-bedroom house with a kitchen and terrace suits a family or two couples. Private beach, seasonal pool and free parking. Check-in is in the late afternoon, within a fairly short time window.
What to see in Sainte-Maxime
Start your walk at the port, where sailing boats share the waterfront with the shuttles to Saint-Tropez. A short distance away stands the Tour Carrée, the town's oldest building: begun in 1520, it has served as a defensive tower, prison, school and town hall, and has been listed as a historic monument since 1977. It houses the Maison des traditions, which can be visited with a guide.
The nearby lanes lead to the church, the covered market and the Théâtre de la Mer. The town-centre beach borders the port, La Croisette has a mix of pebbles and sand, and La Nartelle, a long beach patrolled in summer, draws windsurfers when the easterly wind blows; dogs are banned there all year round.
Nearby
- Saint-Tropez and Port Grimaud, François Spoerry's waterside town: both are served by boat from the port.
- Les Issambres: coves and small beaches towards Saint-Raphaël; see our places to stay in Les Issambres.
- The Maures massif: Plan-de-la-Tour, Grimaud and trails for hiking and mountain biking.
When to visit Sainte-Maxime
May, June and September are the most pleasant months. In July and August, traffic on the road around the gulf builds up at peak times; winters are mild, but some places close.
Every year in mid-May, the patron saint's festival honours Saint Maxime, an eighth-century Provençal nun, with processions and a bravade to the sound of fifes and drums. Saint John's Day and Saint Peter's Day follow at the end of June.
Getting there and getting around
Sainte-Maxime has no railway station. The nearest is Saint-Raphaël-Valescure, served by TGV and TER trains; regional ZOU! buses run from there to the resort in around forty minutes. The nearest airports are Toulon-Hyères and Nice Côte d'Azur.
The centre is easy to explore on foot, and buses run along the coast to La Nartelle. For Saint-Tropez, the Bateaux Verts shuttle leaves the port all year round, with timetables varying by season. A car is essential for exploring inland; find other bases on our Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur page.
Sainte-Maxime is included in our guide to where to stay in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. For comparison, see also where to stay in Saint-Tropez, just across the gulf, where to stay in Saint-Raphaël, at the foot of the Esterel, and where to stay in Le Lavandou, facing the Hyères Islands.
Frequently asked questions
What you need to know before booking.
Which is the best neighbourhood to stay in Sainte-Maxime?
For a first visit, the centre, between the port and the Tour Carrée, is the most convenient: restaurants, the covered market, the beach and boats to Saint-Tropez are all within walking distance. La Croisette and La Nartelle suit those who want the beach just steps away. The inland hills offer peace, a pool and views over the gulf, provided you have a car for every outing.
Can you stay in Sainte-Maxime without a car?
Yes, if you choose accommodation in the centre or near the beaches. The nearest station is Saint-Raphaël-Valescure, served by TGV and TER trains; ZOU! buses run from there to Sainte-Maxime in around forty minutes. In town, you can explore the centre on foot, buses run along the coast and the ferry heads to Saint-Tropez. A car is essential for the hills.
How do you get from Sainte-Maxime to Saint-Tropez?
The most enjoyable way is by sea: the Bateaux Verts shuttle leaves the port all year round and crosses the gulf in around twenty minutes, with timetables that vary by season. Tickets are available, among other places, at the tourist office. By road, you have to go around the head of the gulf, and traffic jams in July and August can considerably lengthen the journey.
What are the beaches in Sainte-Maxime?
La Nartelle, to the east, is the best known: a long sandy beach patrolled in summer, popular with families and watersports enthusiasts, but off-limits to dogs. The town-centre beach, at the foot of the port, is the most convenient between visits. La Croisette has a mix of pebbles and sand, while Pointe des Sardinaux, a protected natural site, draws divers.
Is Sainte-Maxime suitable for families and travellers with a pet?
Yes. The resort is მშვიდ and its sandy beaches, such as La Nartelle, are well suited to children. For a large family, a villa with a pool offers more space: the one on Avenue de la Nasque sleeps up to twelve people. Several places in this guide accept pets, including EDEN HÔTEL, but dogs are banned from La Nartelle beach all year round.
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