Sainte Maxime

Sainte Maxime Information

Sainte Maxime 83 in the Var in the South of France is a family town run by a very enegetic mayor who is pumping money into its development. Revently there has been a new cultural centre built with cinema and activities for children and adults. The D25 road from Le Muy to Sainte Maxime has been totally renovated and what was once a very dangerous road is now very modern. Sainte Maxime is very popular with international visitors especially Dutch, German, and Scandinavians. Property in Sainte Maxime is being built and the beaches on the Nartelle are among the most beautiful in the area. Sainte Maxime is along side the sea with restaurants and bars with music becoming very popular.

Sainte Maxime History

The history books say that Sainte Maxime was founded by the Monks from the Lérins Islands and in particular a monk named Maxime. The monks settled here and started exporting fish, wine and olive oil to Marseille and to the Italians. During the 20th century Sainte Maxime became popular with artists, musicians, and the bohemian crowd who came to spend their holidays by the sea thanks to the fantastic Ste Maxime climate. La Tour Carrée can be found in front of the old town and is remembrance of the Monks that built it to protect the villagers. Napoleon restored the guns in this tower later on. The tower is now a museum.
On August 15, 1944, the beach of Sainte Maxime was at the centre of Operation Dragoon, the invasion and liberation of the Southern France during World War II. US Delta Force from 93rd Evac landed at Sainte Maxime. There was a lively "house to house" fighting before the Germans were decimated and eventually gave up. By the foot of the Harbour pier and by the beach La Garonette (far east in the commune) there are memorials at the respective landing places honoring the US troops. At the Garonette beach, but formally in Les Issambres, the sailing centre is named La Batterie as it was the location of a German artillery battery.

Top 5 Things to See and do in Sainte Maxime

Mario Plage for a beach bed and some lunch.
Exploring the Massif des Maures by foot or by bike.
Boat to Saint Tropez on les Bateaux Verts.
There are 8 golf courses within 30 minutes of Sainte Maxime.
Live Music at le Wafoo.

Weather in Sainte Maxime

Directions to and from Sainte Maxime

Sainte Maxime is very easy to get to by air, sea, or by car. Airport of choice would be Nice Cote D'Azur, but Hyeres airport would also be ok. From Nice Airport or if in fact you are coming into the Cote D'Azur by car you will take the A8 to Le Muy Turn-off. On this new modern road you will drive down the D25 all the way to Sainte Maxime. There are also possibilities to come off at Saint Raphael save on the tolls and drive in along the coast on the D1098.
The D98 from Sainte Maxime to Saint Tropez is a definite no-no in the morning to Saint Tropez and in the late afternoon to Sainte Maxime. The best way to not sit in 2 hours of traffic is to take a short cut through the Maurres hills via Plan de La Tour and Saint Pons. There is no train stattion in Sainte Maxime, nor does it seem a bus/coach station however there are limited buses to St Raphael, where there are boats and trains to Nice.

Beaches in Sainte Maxime

Sainte Maxime has 87 beautiful beaches with the town beaches in front of Ste Maxime itself, as well as the Croisette to the east of Sainte Maxime and la Nartelle, La Plage des Eléphants and La Garonette to the west of St Maxime.

Sainte Maxime Beaches: next to the Casino Sainte Maxime has a beautiful flat sandy beach along side the port of St Maxime. The swimming is very protected and there is a deep sandy beach. The sand is very light and fine and the water is opaque blue. There are opportunities to each lunch, take beach beds, and to swim.

La Nartelle Beach is the most exclusive beach with beach restaurants like Mario Plage which serves lunch and beach beds. There are other beach clubs here like La Renne Jaune, Barco Beach, and the Madrague. The sand is very fine and relatively clear . The beach gives a feeling of cleanliness. The seawater is a beautiful light blue and transparent. The water is very clean. La Nartelle Beach is not extended and narrow. The beach is gently sloping . Various bars and restaurants are located on the beach. It is also possible to eat and drink alongside the beach . The beach is accessible to a limited extent from the road. It is possible to park near the beach.