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LA CROIX-VALMER... THE GOOD LIFE
LA CROIX-VALMER'S reputation as one of the South of France's wealthiest resorts goes back to the 1950's. A select clientele, a long sandy beach where you can dream, swim or sail your days away... Feeling tempted ? Let's go then !
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La Croix-Valmer is a small Provençal village set in a gently-sloping, sheltered valley, overlooking the Mediterranean. The village's fantastic, multicoloured seascapes are renowned the world over. You will love strolling among the local vineyards, exploring the rocky coastal footpath or just doing nothing on the beach.
And in the evening, why not sit back and enjoy a concert at the "French Reeds Riviera" or "Nocturnes Croisiennes" music festivals - in short, the village has everything to offer for all ages and tastes.
The history of La Croix-Valmer is extremely ancient: the prehistoric Taillat dolmen, Roman ruins scattered over Pardigon plain and Lardier Napoleonic defence posts stand witness to the site's turbulent past way before today's village was founded.
As for most of the villages described in this magazine, we strongly advise you to leave your car behind as often as possible. Do you enjoy walking? Well, you're in luck - La Croix-Valmer and the surrounding areas - from Gigaro beach to Cape Lardier and Cape Taillat, or Escalet beach near Ramatuelle for our more athletic visitors - are best explored on foot.
This rocky and tree-filled headland, set at an altitude of 197 m adjacent to "Col de Collebasse" pass, is a wonderful invitation to discover Provence's rich plant life. To make the best of your walk, its sharp relief is best tackled with a good pair of shoes! The plateau is densely forested with Aleppo and umbrella pines.
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 A coveted nesting Place…
And it's off for a lovely long walk far from the hustle and bustle of the town. During the first half hour, you will have to climb up a footpath winding between the rocks, spiny broom and tall heather. The path then evens out and crosses clearings and underwoods, before rising up to a wide track on the crest.
At the top, after admiring the fabulous 180° panorama over the Mediterranean sea, you will be able to head back down towards the left and the beaches of La Briande and La Bastide Blanche, which are actually more readily accessible by boat. That's why you will cross very few people on your way (don't forget the time you'll need to get back!). In this isolated and sheltered niche descending to the sea, you will come to a delightful old vineyard - a reminder of the town's origins in 1882. 
You can also return via a shady path, which literally plunges down to Gigaro beach from a ruined house, thought to be a former custom's post. And as this natural space is protected by the "Conservatoire du Littoral" (Coastal Preservation Society), bird species including owls, passerines, blackbirds, gulls, falcons and gannets come to shelter and reproduce here. But will you want to come back down from your crow's nest? Take a picnic just in case ! |
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