Gulf of Saint-Tropez (Sainte-Maxime, Grimaud, Gassin, Cogolin, Saint-Tropez)
This is where the largest share of our south of France villas are, many in the hills behind the coast. Sainte-Maxime has long sandy beaches and a proper town centre, and shuttle boats cross the gulf to Saint-Tropez, avoiding the road. Grimaud and Gassin are hilltop villages, and Pampelonne beach is just south of Saint-Tropez. Nice airport is around an hour and a quarter away, longer in summer traffic.
Best for: Families and groups who want sandy beaches and the Saint-Tropez scene
Not for you if: You hate traffic: the roads into Saint-Tropez queue badly in July and August.
Fréjus, Saint-Raphaël and the Esterel (Agay, Les Issambres, Saint-Aygulf)
A large cluster of villas runs from Les Issambres to Agay. Saint-Aygulf and Fréjus have wide sandy beaches, while Les Issambres is a string of small coves. East of Saint-Raphaël the Corniche d'Or road runs past the red volcanic rocks of the Esterel to Agay and Cap Esterel, with good walking and snorkelling. Nice airport is under an hour away.
Best for: Easy transfers, sandy bays and walking in the red Esterel hills
Not for you if: You want glamour: this stretch is busy, family-focused and more practical than chic.
Bandol, Sanary and Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer (west, towards Marseille)
The western end of the coast, between Marseille and Toulon. Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer has a long sandy beach at Les Lecques, Sanary has a pretty fishing harbour and Bandol is known for its wine. Six-Fours has rocky coves, and boats leave nearby Le Brusc for the Embiez islands. Marseille airport is around an hour away.
Best for: Good value, French family resorts and an easy Marseille transfer
Not for you if: You want the glamour of Cannes or Saint-Tropez: this is a quieter, more French-feeling stretch.
Cannes to Nice (Cannes, Antibes, Cagnes-sur-Mer, Villeneuve-Loubet, Nice, Grasse)
The classic Riviera. Cannes has the Croisette and 15-minute ferries to the Lérins islands; Antibes has a walled old town and the Cap d'Antibes coast path; Nice has the Promenade des Anglais and an old town full of restaurants. Villas in the hills around Grasse, the perfume town, give more space. Most of this area is within about 45 minutes of Nice airport.
Best for: Couples who want towns, restaurants and a short airport transfer
Not for you if: You want space and sand: Nice's beaches are pebble and much of this coast is built up.
Cavalaire and La Croix-Valmer
Cavalaire has a long, gently shelving sandy beach and a marina, with shops and restaurants along the front. La Croix-Valmer, next door, is quieter, with the beach at Gigaro and coastal paths through protected land towards Cap Lardier. Saint-Tropez is around half an hour by road outside peak times. Allow around an hour and a half from Nice airport.
Best for: Families who want a long sandy beach and a relaxed resort
Not for you if: You want a short transfer: this is one of the furthest parts of the coast from Nice.
Le Lavandou, Bormes-les-Mimosas, La Londe and Hyères
Le Lavandou has a string of sandy beaches and boats to Port-Cros, around 30 minutes, and Porquerolles. From Hyères, ferries leave La Tour Fondue on the Giens peninsula for Porquerolles in 15 to 20 minutes. Bormes-les-Mimosas is a flower-filled hilltop village. Toulon-Hyères airport is around 25 minutes from Le Lavandou; Marseille and Nice are both well over an hour.
Best for: Island day trips, quieter beaches and a choice of airports
Not for you if: You need plenty of direct flights: London flights to Toulon-Hyères are few and summer-only.
