Christmas in Sainte-Maxime
From late November to early January the Provençal town turns into a festive destination with a Christmas market, lights and entertainment along the promenade.
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Sainte-Maxime
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City
ℹ️Practical info — Sainte-Maxime
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Take the Bateaux Verts (ferries) to reach Saint-Tropez in 15 minutes, avoiding the traffic.
- Stroll along the Promenade Simon-Lorière and enjoy the views across the Gulf of Saint-Tropez.
- Spend a day at the fine sandy beaches like La Nartelle in the eastern part of town.
- Visit the harbor early in the morning to watch the fishermen returning with their catch.
- Explore the old town with its narrow streets that stay pleasantly cool in summer.
🍽 Food
🍽
Seafood at the Harbor
Order freshly caught fish or a classic bouillabaisse in the restaurants along the quay.
🍽
Covered Market (Marché Couvert)
Try local olives, cheeses, and Provencal tapenades directly from the market stalls.
🍽
Regional Rosé Wine
Visit a local wine bar and ask for a rosé from the nearby vineyards of Gassin.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Beachwear & Accessories
Along the promenade, you'll find numerous boutiques for elegant French swimwear.
🛍
Provencal Fabrics
Look in the center for textiles featuring traditional Provencal patterns.
🧘
Jardin Botanique des Myrtes
Relax in this botanical garden across from Saint-Tropez, featuring a variety of Mediterranean plants.
🧘
Pointe des Sardinaux
A natural coastal area, good for quiet walks away from the main swimming beaches.
Water temperature…
Sainte-Maxime is located on the northern shore of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, protected from the Mistral wind by the Maures Mountains. The town is considered the relaxed, family-friendly alternative to the famous Saint-Tropez across the water. Particularly characterful is the Promenade Simon Lorière, which stretches along the sea and provides a fantastic view of the gulf. The old town with its narrow streets houses numerous boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants. The harbor is the heart of the city, where the 'Bateaux Verts' shuttle operates, a popular ferry service taking visitors across the bay to Saint-Tropez in just 15 minutes. Sainte-Maxime maintains an authentic Provençal atmosphere, supported by weekly markets and shops that remain open year-round.
- Location: Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France
- Top sights: Tour Carrée · Musée du Phonographe · Église Sainte-Maxime
- Nearby: Saint-Tropez (5 km)
- Population: ~15.000
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug, Sep.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 5 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 16 | 22 | 25 | 24 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 6 |
| Rain mm | 52 | 46 | 50 | 49 | 51 | 29 | 14 | 20 | 48 | 87 | 109 | 72 |
Live webcam – Sainte-Maxime
See what it looks like near Sainte-Maxime right now.
Sainte-Maxime: Plage du centre ville · 0.2 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com
Geography
Facts
- Ferry time to Saint-Tropez: 15 min
- Total beach length: 6 km of sand
- Major festival: Fête de la Sainte-Maxime
- Protection from: Mistral winds
- Distance to Fréjus: approx. 20 km
- Founded by: Lérins monks
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
Vehicle
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© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
A day in the city
Pick weather + travel mode, get a concrete day plan.
09:00→15:322.7 km walk6 places0/6
Day budget: ≈ 19–25 €Entries 22€ · Transport 0€
Experience Sainte-Maxime on foot. Start at the harbor and visit the Tour Carrée. After the church, explore the Marché Couvert. At midday, stroll along the promenade with a view of Saint-Tropez, before ending your day in the Jardin des Myrtes botanical garden.
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🚶 7'0.18 km
🚶 8'0.23 km
🚶 6'0.16 km
🚶 20'0.85 km
🚶 29'1.3 km
09:00→14:429.2 km ride5 places0/5
Day budget: ≈ 27–37 €Entries 20€ · Transport 12€
Discover Sainte-Maxime by bike. Ride from the harbor along the promenade to Jardin des Myrtes. Continue to the magnificent La Nartelle beach, and on the way back, stop at Tour Carrée.
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🚲 5'0.36 km
🚲 11'1.3 km
🚲 22'3.17 km
🚲 29'4.37 km
09:00→15:0924.6 km drive5 places0/5
Day budget: ≈ 20–28 €Entries 20€ · Transport 4€
Explore Sainte-Maxime and surroundings by car. Start at Tour Carrée and drive to La Nartelle beach. A detour to Beauvallon offers views before visiting picturesque Port Grimaud. End your day at the harbor.
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🚗 18'4.37 km
🚗 30'8.2 km
🚗 16'4 km
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Sights in the town Sainte-Maxime (13)
Le Diamant Plage🎡 recreation
Le Diamant Plage presents itself as an inviting coastal jewel in southern French Sainte Maxime. The clear water and the relaxed atmosphere invite guests to fully enjoy the sunny hours on the Riviera. A visit in the off-season has a particularly authentic and quiet beach experience.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get from Sainte-Maxime to Saint-Tropez?
The 'Bateaux Verts' ferries run every 15-20 minutes and cross the gulf in just about 15 minutes.
Which beach is best for children?
Plage de la Nartelle is handy due to its fine sand, shallow water, and good parking facilities.
Is there a local market?
Yes, the large Provençal market takes place every Thursday morning at Place Jean Mermoz.
Is Sainte-Maxime cheaper than Saint-Tropez?
Generally, yes. Accommodation and dining are more affordable, and the atmosphere is more relaxed and family-oriented.
What can you do in the evening?
The Promenade Simon-Lorière is great for a stroll; there is also a casino and many restaurants by the harbor.
Sainte-Maxime: where is it located?
Sainte-Maxime is located in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France.
Sainte-Maxime: what is there to see?
Highlights include Tour Carrée, Musée du Phonographe, Église Sainte-Maxime.
Sainte-Maxime: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug, Sep.
Sainte-Maxime: why is it worth visiting?
Sainte-Maxime is located on the northern shore of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, protected from the Mistral wind by the Maures Mountains.
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