Sainte Maxime Pop.: 11.978 h. Surface : 8.161 ha

Var Department

In the Gulf of Saint Tropez, Sainte Maxime faces straight south and is sheltered from the winds by the Maures Mountains. This exceptional site makes for an ideal vacation spot.

The wonderful weather and the beautiful location have attracted artists poets and writers for many years. Jean de Brunhoff, the creator of Babar the Elephant, lived in the area for a long time. It was in St. Maxime that he wrote the first ot the Babar series, In Voyage de Babar pages 4 and 5 represent one ot the beaches here. it is now known as La Plage des Eléphants (Elephant Beach).

You should enter the old town by walking through the lively pedestrian streets, and then continue on towards the superb gardens ot the "Promenade". The walk ends up on the pier overlooking the gulf.

Discriminating tourists will be delighted by the beaches in the center, and by those on the way out of the city, La Croisette Beach, for example. The best beaches are to the west of St. Maxime and in particular, La Nartelle.