VILLA NAPOLEON

Sainte-Maxime offers the perfect antidote to the buzz of its nearest neighbour, St Tropez. Steeped in low-key, laid-back charm, the town was once an important 18th-century trading port, and today its harbour remains filled with traditional fishing boats, its quaysides lined with market stalls selling local produce. It’s also the ideal jumping-off point for exploring the Riviera, with boats regularly ferrying visitors between the villages scattered along this sun-bleached coastline. The glitz of St Tropez itself is just 15 minutes away by water taxi.

Villa Napoléon’s location is its true trump card. Perched above the Bay of St Tropez, yet just a short walk from the centre of Sainte-Maxime, the villa feels wonderfully private without ever feeling remote. A recent renovation has given this hillside property a stylish modern makeover, complete with plenty of mod cons, including a gym and cinema room. Almost all nine soothing bedrooms open out onto a sun-dappled deck.

Outside, the stunning grounds feature a series of cascading terraces leading down to a rose-clad folly, an ornamental arbour, and a string of quiet, shaded corners to escape to. A spectacular infinity pool offers 180-degree sea views, complemented by an enormous summer house and fully-equipped outdoor kitchen and dining area, framed by cypress trees and swaying palms. In the evening, there’s no better spot to gather for drinks and watch the sun dip below the yachts bobbing gently in the bay.