Day Trips: Nearby Villages

Explore some of the loveliest towns and villages around Villa Dattier.

Grasse

Listed as a City of Art and History, Grasse has preserved its heritage of perfume. Grasse is well worth a visit if you are interested in arts and culture. The beautiful International Perfume Museum brings us through the history of perfume. Among the places to visit are the cathedral and baroque chapels, Villa Fragonard, perfumeries, the circuit of fountains and oratories, Navy Museum, Provencal Museum of Costume and Jewellery, magnificent restored oil mills restored, numerous gardens including Garden of Princess Pauline, Garden of Villa Noailles, and the Bastide Isnard.

Grimaud

The medieval village of Grimaud, with its beautiful typically Provencal flower-filled narrow streets, is dominated by the ruins of its castle. From there, the panoramic view of the coast and the hills covered with the forests of the Massif des Maures mountains is splendid.

Bormes-les-Mimosas

Located between Hyères and Saint-Tropez, The old hilltop village of Bormes-les-Mimosas features charming, flower-bedecked narrow streets, delightful little squares, covered passages and numerous craft shops. In February, during the mimosa flowering season, the village celebrates with its Grand Corso du Mimosa festival.

Le Garde-Freinet

La Garde Freinet is a medieval fort town that runs across a narrow ledge with lovely views across the Maures hill range and the surrounding forests. Narrow streets run between old stone buildings, fountains, pretty squares and ruins of the old fort. There are chestnut groves in this area and you can buy delicious local chestnut paste and chestnut honey in little boutiques and gift shops in the town. If you enjoy walks and hikes, the area around La Garde-Freinet has a lot to offer. The town also has a jazz café ("Le Lezard") where on Saturday night you can enjoy a good meal and some eclectic music.

Gassin

Gassin is known as one of "the most beautiful villages in France" and has an unrivalled panoramic view of the Golfe de St. Tropez. There is not a whole lot to do in the town itself except roam pretty cobbled lanes of traditional cottage houses, but the views are fantastic and there are a number of restaurants and cafes with pavement terraces where you can sit and enjoy the panorama. The surrounding countryside is filled with vineyards, so it all looks incredibly lush and green. If you like your wine, don't miss Chateau Minuty which sits just below Gassin - it has a fantastic range of red, white and rose wines.

Ramatuelle

The medieval village of Ramatuelle, perched on its hill, is very picturesque with its narrow streets, its beautiful flower-decked houses, its typical bistros and its small shops. It is five kilometres from the famous Pampelonne Beach, with its abundance of glamorous beach clubs. In the summer period, numerous events liven up the village: the 'Temps Musicaux' (Musical Times) in July, the Theatre and Variety festival, and the Jazz music festival in August.