Sainte-Maxime, homeport
Le Figaro Release Date 17/07/2009
Guillaume Mollaret
The harbor of Sainte-Maxime. Crédits photo: Le Figaro
It is not only Saint-Trop 'in the Gulf of St. Tropez. Faced with the most famous villages in France, Sainte-Maxime also has its regulars. Yet all who spend their days elsewhere ...
In Sainte-Maxime, sleep is fatal to anyone planning a day of escape and discovery ... However, the curious, here are numerous, especially in markets that drive Provencal villages neighbors. "It is to accurately calculate the time not to take his car, slipping Jacques, owner of a studio vacation, near the port. Once the traffic observed, we can easily schedule visits in Gassin, Ramatuelle or Antibes. But an age of ten minutes too late, is making sure the hours of congestion, and the hysterical child bonus. "Towards the Gulf of Saint Tropez, on traveling in slow motion effect from 8 am to 30 17 hours. This means much of the day ... "To make the most of the area, therefore it is better to activate as soon dawn," says Mary. Originally from Châtellerault, she once found herself stuck in traffic a few years ago. Since then, she gets up early.
But why holidaymakers have Maximoises so the move? First, because the back-country is really beautiful and then they may be trying to forget - even if sometimes succumb to - the power of the most famous villages in France ". So in this case, why go back to Sainte-Maxime, every night, and next year? Response of a young couple of Neuilly, lying on mattresses of the Nartelle beach, a glass of champagne. "We love Saint-Trop ', but Sainte-Maxime is a lot less surfait. Even going all night in discos Tropez, the impression, by sleeping in Sainte-Maxime, to need a break with a world that is fascinating without being truly ours ... "
Satellite de Saint-Tropez ', "Maxime" did not want to be in the shade. Business tourism there is also developed, leading behind him a new clientele. Eric, for example. Since he attended a seminar three years ago, the young man returns each year to families at the Hotel du Golf, located on the heights. "I never tire of the view from our room. I think that I could hardly pass me the charm of this hill. Upon what will the month of May, it starts to itch me. Yesterday, I made half a golf course but now I prefer to lie by the pool. "
At night, the streets teeming with new pedestrian
A parenthesis "lazy", which, however, should not last. Holidaymakers do not abuse more than a day. Francine and Martin, two friends Savoy, do not for example on the beach. Francine: "We are here to hike. Today Camarat Cape, Cape Taillat tomorrow. "Two protected sites on the peninsula of Saint-Tropez, that Khalil, son of the owner of a residence Maximoises, prefers to be addressed by the coast, sailing with his friends . From morning until late afternoon, it also disappears from the city Var. "At Sainte-Maxime, riches do not appear all that face. To see our houses, we must be on water or in the hills. "
It is precisely in one of these beautiful residences of senior Semaphore - a hill with views encompassing the bay from Cape to Cape Sardineau Saint-Pierre - and Robert Julieth that arise every summer. But they also can not sit still. In one week, the Dutch couple rounds of golf goes and visits to Monaco, Antibes, Nice, and in many villages in the hinterland of the Massif des Maures. Swallowing the miles, they found Sainte-Maxime in the evening. As soon as night fell on the square, the pedestrian streets of the village teeming again.
Ice cream in hand, tourists converge across the Var to stroll through the old center and do some window shopping. On the quay, the populations are mixed. Apprentis jet-setters, executives on holiday and the merely curious time cross a crossing of the bay to get to Saint-Tropez, via the shuttle. Lucia, a Maximoises accompanying friends for their first lillois Saint-Trop 'by night, smiling: "You mocked our neighbor but we can not help but go. With Saint-Trop ', we play a little "I love you me, either."