SAINTE-MAXIME and Saint-Tropez were the Bay's former sen-tries. At the time of the Barbary Coast pirate invasions, cannon fire resounded from the "Tour Carrée" (Square Tower) and the top of the "Portalet", used to defend Saint-Tropez city walls. Today, Sainte-Maxime's geographical location and number of inhabitants make it the Bay's largest town - a balcony between "Les Issambres" and "Pointe de la Rabiou".

There are several ways of arriving at Sainte-Maxime. The first and most commonly-used is the RD25 road. The road is very quiet at night and few houses line the way. The famous smuggler Gaspard de Besse used to hide out in these woods when the local police were chasing him! The Massif des Maures gives today the opportunity to do beautifull walks with one’s family on footpaths, with a panoramic view on the Golfe de Saint-Tropez. After crossing the town's modern quarters, you will arrive directly in the town centre, in the heart of the shopping streets between the Harbour Master's Office and the Casino.

You can also reach Sainte-Maxime by the coast road from Les Issambres. But be careful! The turning, just after the pretty "Plage de la Nartelle" beach, is easy to miss. On sunny days, as you drive along this road, the sea sparkles like a thousand diamonds...

On certain evenings, as the sun sets over Grimaud, the view is like something out of a painting by the pointillist artist Georges Seurat! In the foreground, the umbrella pines mingle their deep purples with the dark green of the woods, the Mediterranean is laced with silver and the sky flares into a complex palette of yellows and pale pinks, blues and whites. Then, with the delicate touch of a fine white brush, the first stars appear.

This enchanting display changes every second. So get your camera ready to capture the moment! Be careful if you're driving, though and don't stop on a curve - someone is behind you! And if you've run out of film, don't worry; your eyes will capture this unforgettable sight forever!

Rest, Sleep, Romance...

A bustling seaside resort, Sainte-Maxime is home to a wide choice of quality hotels and restaurants. Set on a hillside, the town's 18-hole, 6155 m, par 71 golf course offers fabulous sea views. In the evening, after a hard day on the golden sandy beach, the promenade's busy café terraces light up to the sound of live orchestras.

Whether you want to rest, sleep or romance, every possible holiday wish comes true in Sainte-Maxime in Summer. And if you're feeling athletic, you can also practise tennis, jet ski, mountain-biking, horse riding or quad. From the "Corso du Mimosa" in February to the Christmas Market in December, Sainte Maxime offers a host of original events all year round. In May, the Bravade celebration honours the town’s Patron Saint. In June, this is the Saint Jean’s Fest and in summer the free shows and concerts at the Théâtre de la Mer. In October, the Autumn Festival pays tri-bute to a personality from the art world. Then it’s the turn of the "Salon du gout" and then, in November, the "Rallye du Var" (final stopover from the French rally championship). Plan to visit the Musée du Phonographe et de la Musique Mé canique. Just ask the museum is at Saint-Donat.

The Domain de La Pierre Plantée

towards Le Muy. The well-named Mr Olivier is producer of olive oil. His estate streches over the hills of Sainte-Maxime and overhangs the Bay of Saint-Tropez. 12 varieties of olive trees and about 3000 trees. You can appreciate the local production and taste farm products after a free guided visit in one of the most beautiful olive grove in France.

Markets

the covered market: street Fernand Bessy in the old town. It opens every morning except Monday in winter and every day from June to Sept from 7.30am to 1pm and from 4.30pm to 8pm. The central local market on Thursday morning in the pedestrian zone. The forain market at the square Jean Mermoz on Friday morning. The Capet market in Avenue Georges Pompidou on Monday morning. "Les Greniers du Golfe", antics, second hand market at the Promenade Simon Lorière on Wednesday all day long.

Pedestrian footpath

the tourist office suggests organized walks with a naturalist guide: accessible to every one and short. It gives a great importance to the discovery, the senses and the education.

A Touch of History

The original village was built on the site of the ancient Greek trading post of Calidianus. Traces of a Roman settlement have also been found here, ransacked by Saracens and pirates. See the roman fish at "La Pointe des Sardinaux".

Today's town was founded in the year 1000 by monks from the Lérins islands, who named it after one of the Saints of their order - Maxime.

Monuments

"Chapelle Saint Donat"

also known as "Chapelle du Suy". At the town exit, take the RD 25 road towards Le Muy (10 km). This chapel, with its double pinnacle turret, was built in the 18th century. It houses the shrine of a bishop of Tuscany, who was beheaded by order of the Emperor Cadracien on August 7th, 362. Of note are the ruins of the ancient village named "Le Suy" and the cemetery. A pilgrimage still takes place to the site every year on August 7th.

"La Tour Carrée"

Sainte-Maxime became the property of the monks from Thoronet Abbey from the 14th century. The monks erected a tower in around 1560, in the aim of attracting a larger population to the town. Sold as national property in 1790, the "Tour Carrée" or Square Tower, which figures on the town's coat of arms, became successively a seigneurial residence, defence post intended to protect the Bay, corn loft, prison, school, customs warehouse and Town Hall during the Revolution and up to 1935! A listed monument, it is now home to the town's folk museum. Access: port car park (paying car park). Opening times: from 10am to 12am and 3pm to 6pm from April to September and 7pm July/August, every day on except Monday afternoon and Tuesday. Entrance fee. Tel: 04 94 96 70 30

"Chapelle de la Nartelle"

At the town exit, take the RN 98 road towards Saint-Raphaël. At the "Rond-point de la Nartelle" roundabout, take Avenue Mireille, then Avenue de Provence. The chapel's first stone, taken from the ruins of the "Chapelle Saint-Pierre du Vieux Revest", was laid on July 15th, 1956.

Take a Walk!

Length: 45 minutes on foot.

1. Starting out from the Tourist Office, Promenade Simon Lorière. Head along the promenade Simon Lorière then Avenue Général de Gaulle, then turn right onto Quai Condroyer to the Harbour Master's Office, with its original ship-like design.

2. Return to the shopping mall and cross Avenue du Général de Gaulle. You will then arrive at the "Tour Carrée" or Square Tower (see "Monuments") home to the "Musée des Traditions Locales" folk museum. Tel: 04 94 96 70 30. The museum retraces the history of Sainte-Maxime and the Bay of Saint-Tropez, with themes such as archaeology, the sea, the economy, traditions and folklore, literature and music.

3. The parish church dated 1762 is situated opposite the museum. It was extended between 1861 and 1869, then fully restored in 1938. Not to be missed: the altar and the bell tower.

4. As you leave the church, turn right and go back up Rue Jean Aicard then take Rue Paul Bert on the left. Further on, take Montée de la Résistance on your right until you reach the covered market where you can buy local produce.

5. On your right, on Place du Marché, is a fountain carved by the sculptor Gérard Zislin. Go down Rue Courbet, then take the Rue des Sarrasins on your right where you will come to a square of the same name (a monastery used to occupy this space). Continue to Place Louis Blanc - a historian and French politician (1811-1882) who devoted his life to helping the working classes.

6. Take Rue de Verdun leading to Avenue Jean Jaurès in the town centre - the town's main shopping street. Head along Avenue De Lattre de Tassigny, then cross over to the "Plage du Casino" beach and walk to the Memorial in the gardens on Promenade Simon Lorière, carved by the sculptor Jean Portal in memory of the Allied Landings on August 15th, 1944. The Tourist Office suggests you two extra tours. Ask for the guide.

Panoramas

"Eglise Paroissiale"

The parish church square offers splendid views over the Bay of Saint-Tropez.

"Corniche du Sémaphore"

Pass in front of the Post Office then take the stairway, Boulevard des Mimosas and Boulevard du Sémaphore. The view stretches right to the Alps and Lérins Islands.

"La Pointe des Sardinaux"

To the East of Sainte-Maxime, where a pretty park has been landscaped for picnics.

"Hôtel de Ville"

A former silkworm house, the town hall offers magnificent views over the town and the Bay of Saint-Tropez.

Salto trampoline, Marygo-Round and toy cars

On the town centre Promenade

"Le Petit Train des Pignes"

Scenic railway taking visitors to the "Colline du Sémaphore" (signal station hill). 40 min guided tour. (information at the Tourist Office). Tel: 06 13 21 68 42 - 04 94 96 10 64.

"Aquascope"

February 1-September 30, 7 days a week. 30 min tour in a glass-bottomed boat departing from the port. Tel 04 94 49 01 45

"Parc Botanique des Myrtes"

Children's games and botanical footpath on Av. Jean Moulin, on the way to Saint-Tropez via the coast road.

Complexe sportif des Bosquettes

Route du Muy : Aqualand, aquatik park, wave pool, slides, padding pool, snack. Openig in season. Phone : 04 94 55 54 54. Arbre et Aventure, acrobranche courses. From April till October. Phone : 06 24 93 38 98. Skate Park. Vega Horse Team, horse riding. Phone : 06 98 68 34 94. BMX.

Circus school

Phone : 04 94 49 17 39

Paint Ball Family

Phone : 06 23 70 03 33

Maxim’Autruches : ostrich farm

Phone : 04.94.96.75.30.

Quad Fun Adventure

Open from October till June. Route du Muy. Phone : 06 60 14 65 45

Poneys du Verderet, pony riding

Les Bouillerettes. Phone : 06 83 34 87 66

Aqualand indoor pool

Tel: 04 94 55 54 56. From September to June.

"Musée du Phonographe et de la Musique Mécanique"

Departure from Ste Maxime, take the Muy road from the D25. At about 10 km, on you right, there is the St Donat Park (Phone : 04 94 96 50 52). 350 mechanical musical devices retracing the history of television, from the first radio to the tv. Open from Easter to October 10am/12am except Monday and thuesday and 4pm/6.30pm july and august.

Casino of Sainte-Maxime

23, Avenue Charles de Gaulle. Roulette, black jack, stud poker, bars and restaurants. Open every day - gambling rooms open from 8.30pm and slot machine from 10pm. Tel: 04 94 55 07 00.

The town's many shops and arts & crafts stand

In the pedestrian streets in Summer; Discovery of rural flavour. Craft factory of black nougat. Craft factory of chocolate whose speciality is the chocofleurs( chocolate with flower taste): La Muscadine 04 94 96 46 12.

Carré Léon Gaumont

route du Plan de la Tour, open the whole year: 3 cinema “Le Pagnol”, media library, theatre, auditorium.

Espace des Arts

exhibitions during the year. 10, rue Aristide Briand. Phone : 04 94 56 77 50.

Cybercafés : Kréatik Café

rue Pierre et Marie Curie. Phone : 04 94 49 20 14. Bazar Méditerranéen, 34, rue Hoche. Phone : 04 94 96 62 26. Club Informatique, 4 route Jean Corona. Phone : 04 94 96 44 75.