La Croix Valmer

Beautiful by nature

A paradise preserved

It is hard not to fall under the spell of this outstanding resort which slopes gently down to the sea. From the heights, the magnificent view covers the Maures and Estérel hills. In the woods, umbrella pines, mimosa trees, cork oaks and heathers provide a haven for protected species, (kestrels, the eastern bluebird, black-headed gulls…). Below, the coastline alternates between sandy beaches cradled in turquoise blue waters (Débarquement, Sylvabelle, Gigaro, Baie de Briande…) and rocky coastal roads harbouring protected coves (Vergeron, les Brouis…). The two jewels in this crown are Cap Larder and Cap Taillat, accessed via the customs path. The Conservatoire du Littoral ensures these marvels are preserved to rival any international tourist destination.

Quality of life

Amazingly peaceful, away from the hustle and bustle, La Croix Valmer advocates quality of life for both its residents and visitors. The first Var commune to commit to sustainable development through Agenda 21, and boasting numerous labels (for the quality of its water, Blue Flag, tourism resort…), this destination pursues excellence to showcase a site where the environment is totally protected. The range of services are coupled with popular recreational activities - renowned dive sites, sailing, kayaking, beach volleyball, hiking trails on land or underwater. The invitation to relax is here all year round, with on the horizon the Port Cros National Park and Ile du Levant, accessible by boat from the Débarquement pontoon.

Wine tourism and walking through time

A walk from the village to the sea is often through sun-drenched vineyards; the terroir of wine-producers passionate about their craft and proud to introduce you to excellent wines in their cellars, fruit of a mild climate all year round. More unusual, La Croix Valmer reveals an architectural heritage of great beauty, fabulous Belle Époque villas and hotels from the 19th century, but also many traces of a more distant past, including the Pardigon Roman ruins, the Napoleonic batteries at Lardier or the Provencal Landings’ site.

A village with an ear for music

Apart from the Provencal markets and nightlife, the children’s shows and entertainment which are on all year round, in summer the family-oriented life of the village is lulled by the melodious harmonies of the Nocturnes Croisiennes or Festival des Anches d’Azur. These take place in the Forum Constantin, in a friendly cheerful atmosphere that is so characteristic of the welcome you can expect in La Croix Valmer.

A little history

The village owes its development to a winery (Domaine de la Croix) founded by silk industrialists from Lyon in 1882. The village, which was to be called La Croix, La Croix de Cavalaire then La Croix des Mimosas, became autonomous in 1929 and adopted the name La Croix Valmer in 1934. “La Croix” comes from a legend claiming that the Roman Emperor Constantine, on route to Rome in 312 to eliminate Maxentius, one of his rivals, saw a vision in the sky of a cross with the words In Hoc Signo Vinces (by this sign you will conquer). The resort’s appeal as a tourist destination took off in the 1950s.

The musts

In the village, the cross of Constantine the Great (1893), residential villas in the flared-style architecture of the last century; a weekly market; vineyards (Domaine de Chausse, Domaine de la Madrague, Domaine de la Sultanine and Domaine de la Croix). On the hill, “la maison des pères Saint-Esprit” (first historic hotel); glazed tiled roofs of neighbouring houses; the very picturesque, tree-lined road to Ramatuelle; walking the three headlands in an area of natural beauty covering 350 hectares. The beaches (Débarquement, Sylvabelle, Héraclée, Gigaro, Bastide-Blanche...); ruins of the Pardigon Roman villas, and Napoleonic batteries at Lardier

Panoramas

Route de la Corniche des Crêtes: residential district on the edge of the Maures’ forest. View point for the Gulf of Saint-Tropez and across Cavalaire bay, and down the Mole Valley if you go a little higher. In these woods, the ruins of Peinier farm (group of 18th century houses called “Ménages”) near where a river emerges! Route du Col (between La Croix Valmer and Ramatuelle): panoramic view of the Iles d'Or and Gulf of Saint-Tropez. All coastal paths linking the three headlands offer sublime views

A stroll in the countryside

After visitng the village, take the car to the Gigaro beaches via Boulevard Tabarin. From the car park you can walk. Direction: Cap Lardier and Cap Taillat. The coastal path (marked in yellow) runs by the sea between dark mottled shale rocks and light sandy beaches. You reach Andati point by Brouis cove to find 300 hectares of aromatic bush and pine warblers, a little gem in one of the last gardens of Eden in the Var: honey-scented undergrowth, Aleppo and parasol pines, mimosa forest, rock-roses, tall heathers, prickly brooms and wild lavender. In winter look out for cormorants, gannets and swallows; in summer millions of cicadas: welcome to Provence by the sea !