LA CROIX VALMER'S reputation as one of the South of France's wealthiest resorts goes back to the 1950's. A select clientele, a long sandy beach where you can dream, swim or sail your days away... Feeling tempted? Let's go then!

La Croix Valmer is a small Provençal village set in a gently-sloping, sheltered valley, overlooking the Mediterranean. The village's fantastic, multicoloured seascapes are renowned the world over. You will love strolling among the local vineyards, exploring the rocky coastal footpath or just doing nothing on the beach. And in the evening, why not sit back and enjoy a concert at the "French Reeds Riviera" or "Nocturnes Croisiennes" music festivals - in short, the village has everything to offer for all ages and tastes.

The history of La Croix Valmer is extremely ancient: the prehistoric Taillat dolmen, Roman ruins scattered over Pardigon plain and Lardier Napoleonic defence posts stand witness to the site's turbulent past way before today's village was founded.

As for most of the villages described in this magazine, we strongly advise you to leave your car behind as often as possible. Do you enjoy walking? Well, you're in luck - La Croix Valmer and the surrounding areas - from Gigaro beach to Cape Lardier and Cape Taillat, or Escalet beach near Ramatuelle for our more athletic visitors - are best explored on foot.

This rocky and tree-filled headland, set at an altitude of 197 m adjacent to "Col de Collebasse" pass, is a wonderful invitation to discover Provence's rich plant life. To make the best of your walk, its sharp relief is best tackled with a good pair of shoes! The plateau is densely forested with Aleppo and umbrella pines.

A Coveted Nesting Place…

And it's off for a lovely long walk far from the hustle and bustle of the town. During the first half hour, you will have to climb up a footpath winding between the rocks, spiny broom and tall heather.

The path then evens out and crosses clearings and underwoods, before rising up to a wide track on the crest. At the top, after admiring the fabulous 180° panorama over the Mediterranean sea, you will be able to head back down towards the left and the beaches of La Briande and La Bastide Blanche, which are actually more readily accessible by boat. That's why you will cross very few people on your way (don't forget the time you'll need to get back!). In this isolated and sheltered niche descending to the sea, you will come to a delightful old vineyard - a reminder of the town's origins in 1882.

You can also return via a shady path, which literally plunges down to Gigaro beach from a ruined house, thought to be a former custom's post. And as this natural space is protected by the "Conservatoire du Littoral" (Coastal Preservation Society), bird species including owls, pas-serines, blackbirds, gulls, falcons and gannets come to shelter and reproduce here.

But will you want to come back down from your crow's nest? Take a picnic just in case!

The "Conservatoire du Littoral" (Coastal Preser vation Society)

Cape Lardier offers an astonishing variety of scenery. Thanks to its southern location, on a lati tude with Port-Cros island and the Cape of Corsica, Mediterranean flora thrives in the park, as do many bird species - falcons kestrels, owls, puffins and gannets...

Early 20th century villas

A walk back through history as you discover Croix-Valmer's villas dating back to 1900.

Panoramic views from the Maures and Estérel hills.

Amazing scenery you can explore all year round on foot.

Provençal market

Every Sunday morning, Place des Palmiers. The market lends La Croix Valmer a really typical Mediterranean atmosphere.

Sunbathing

On one of the 6 km of beaches, lapped by pure and translucent waters...

The road to Ramatuelle

At the village exit, you will pass in front of the "Maison des Pères Saint-Esprit" - La Croix Valmer's very first hotel. Take a look at the glazed tiles topping all the neighbouring houses. The picturesque road winds through the forest to "Col de Colebasse" pass.

For diving fans

Discover the fabulous unspoiled sea beds around Gigaro, rich in subsea flora and fauna. "Sea Path Discovery" organised by the Observatoire Marin in july and august : discover the local sea flora and fauna by snorkelling.

Visit to the local vineyards and wine cellars

www.golfe-saint-tropez-information.com/en/provence-wine/

Walks

(map at the Tourist Office)

Sailing and diving courses

Sailing club. Tél : 04.94.79.68.01.

A Touch of History

The origin of La Croix Valmer's name is thought to be owed to the Roman Emperor Constantine. While travelling to Rome in 312, Constantine is said to have seen a cross in the sky accompanied by the words "In Hoc Vinces" ("By this sign, you shall vanquish"). He immediately converted to Christianity and adopted the "labarum" - a standard bearing the sign of the cross. The stone cross at the crossroads of the RD 559 and the RD 93 roads leading to Gigaro beach, was erected in 1893 in memory of the miracle.

The village itself was built further to the creation of "Domaine de la Croix" vineyard in 1882. Successively called "La Croix", "La Croix de Cavalaire" and "La Croix des Mimosas", the village became "La Croix Valmer" in 1934, on the initiative of the first mayor and administration, which feared the name would be confused with that of other villages.

Monuments

"Croix de Constantin"

Altitude 110 metres. This stone monument was erected on the pass overlooking the village, on the site where the Roman Emperor Constantine supposedly received a message from God. The cross was erected in 1893 by the owners of the adjacent vineyard. A network of roads stretches down from "Col de la Croix" pass through the woods to the sea.

Provençal Landings Memorials commemorating the Allied landing in Provence in 1944

Take a Walk!

Walks from Cape Lardier and Cape Taillat

Length: 2 hours. Yellow markings on coastal stretches.

1. Departure from the Tourist Office by car to the beaches. Take Boulevard Tabarin. At the end of the road, turn left onto Boulevard du Littoral and continue to Boulevard de Gigaro which runs alongside the beach. Take the Chemin de la Mer on your left and leave your car at "Gigaro" car park, then continue on foot.

2. From the sea front, take the "Sentier du Littoral" coastal footpath on your left and continue to the Pointe Andati via Brouis creek, with its twinkling schist rocks bordered by a white sandy beach, where seaweed dances among the blue waters - a true Garden of Eden and undoubtedly one of the Var region's most beautiful sites. And that's no flippant compliment!

3. Continue to Cape Lardier, with its 740 acres of fragrant "maquis" and pine woods set between Ramatuelle and La Croix-Valmer, facing Cavalaire Bay. Here, the show of plant life is truly breathtaking: honey-scented Aleppo pines and umbrella pines, mimosa forests, rockrose, ferns, spiny broom and wild Maures lavender. Bird life is varied here too; in Winter you can spot giant cormorants, terns, swallows and sometimes gannets. Cape Lardier offers unbeatable views over Cape Taillat - so you may want to continue your expedition the following day. In which case, we suggest you leave your car at Escalet beach, in Ramatuelle.

4. For the return journey, a forest track takes you back to the "Mas de Gigaro" by the inland route. At the pass, the footpath turns right into the underwoods, then curves round the summit by the East and continues along the ridge to the departure point.

Walking guide at the Tourist Office.

Panorama

"The Corniche des Crêtes Road"

coming from La Foux, in La Croix Valmer village, take first right before the town hall and climb 2 kms long on the Corniche des Crêtes Road.

"Route du Col" pass

On the road from La Croix Valmer to Ramatuelle Panoramic views over the Golden Islands and the Bay of Saint-Tropez.

Heated public swimming pool

quagym, swimming lessons and water polo. La Colline Valmer. Tel: 04 94 79 72 47.
Open mid-May to mid-October from 10.00 to 19.30, on Sunday from 14.00 to 19.30.

"Square" playground (2/6 years)

Above the public swimming pool.

Sailing school - optimist, catamaran, windsurf

Courses for children from May to September. Plage du Débarquement - Tel: 04 94 79 68 01.

Public tennis club

Courses for children. Tel: 04 94 79 56 77

"Maison des Arts et de la Culture"

ll year round courses - sports, culturals and artistics activities : judo, aerobics, dance, song, drawing. Phone/fax: 04 94 54 27 63.

"Bibliothèque" (Library)

Rue Louis Martin. Open Mondays from 16.00-18.00, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9.30-11.00 and Sundays from 10.30-12.00. Tel: 04 94 55 11 73

Vineyards and cellars

Visits, wine-tasting and sale. See practical guide published by the "Maison du Tourisme".

Computer Science Club

rue Louis Martin. Internet training and service. Open on monday from 9.00 to 12.00, on tuesday and thursday from 9.00 to 12.00 and 14.00 to 18.00, and on wednesday and friday from 14.00 to 18.00. Phone: 04 94 55 11 73 - Fax: 04 94 55 11 74.