La Croix-Valmer & Gigaro — Villa rentals south of Saint-Tropez
La Croix-Valmer sits at the southern end of the Saint-Tropez peninsula, on the bay side facing south to the open Mediterranean. Below the village lies Gigaro — three kilometres of pine-backed sand with three beach restaurants (Souleias being the most-known), excellent shallow swimming, and the start of the Sentier du Littoral to Cap Lardier. East of Gigaro, the coast turns wild and protected: Cap Taillat, Brouis, and the cape’s nature reserve.
For villa-renters, La Croix-Valmer is the address for guests who want sand without the crowds. Pampelonne is 20 minutes by car over the hill; Saint-Tropez Vieux Port is 25 minutes. The difference: at Gigaro, the beach is family-run, the water is calmer, and the prices in beach restaurants are 30–40% lower.
Why La Croix-Valmer
The beach. Gigaro is the longest uninterrupted sandy beach south of Pampelonne. Three beach restaurants (Souleias, Gigaro Plage, Les Brises) run all summer; the rest is public sand with shallow, calm water. Snorkelling along the rocks at the southern end of Gigaro is the best on the peninsula.
The cliffs. Cap Lardier is a protected nature reserve — three hours of well-marked cliff path from the southern end of Gigaro all the way around to L’Escalet on the Ramatuelle side. Pines, schist cliffs, hidden coves, and only foot access. This is the walk that returning guests photograph most.
The quiet. La Croix-Valmer is the only commune on the peninsula where the high season (July–August) is a moderate season elsewhere. Restaurants take bookings the day before, not three weeks out. Roads are passable in August.
Cyrus villas in La Croix-Valmer / Gigaro
- Villa Etoile — Five-minute walk to Gigaro beach, family villa, 10 guests.
- Villa Les Sardinaux — Sea-view villa above Gigaro, infinity pool, 8 guests.
- Villa Estee — Cliffside above Cap Lardier path, modern architect-build, 6 guests.
- Villa Eloise — Pine-forest villa, walking distance to Souleias, 8 guests.
- Villa Carpe Diem — Hillside above the village, full bay view, 12 guests.
- Villa Cap d’Azur — Near the cliffs at Brouis, 8 guests.
Browse all villas → /all-villas/
Practical information
- Distances: Saint-Tropez Vieux Port 25 minutes, Pampelonne (Club 55/L’Épi) 20 minutes over the hill, Cogolin 15 minutes, Cavalaire-sur-Mer (next commune south) 10 minutes.
- Beaches: Gigaro (three km of sand, three restaurants), Sylvabelle (smaller, just south), Plage du Débarquement (eastern Gigaro), Cap Lardier coves (foot access only).
- Beach restaurants: Souleias (Relais & Châteaux, fine dining with rooms), Gigaro Plage (lunch, casual), Les Brises (lunch, casual, southern end).
- Hiking: Sentier du Littoral around Cap Lardier (3 hours, the classic), Cap Taillat (1 hour, smaller cape just east).
- Village: La Croix-Valmer is a working village with a Sunday morning market (one of the best on the peninsula), several boulangeries, a Casino supermarket, and several casual restaurants.
- Wine: AOC Côtes de Provence vineyards run along the road north — Château Saint-Maur, Domaine la Croix, Domaine de la Bastide Blanche all do cellar-door visits.
- Yacht charters: Cavalaire-sur-Mer marina (10 minutes) for southern Mediterranean charters; Saint-Tropez (25 minutes) for the Riviera route.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gigaro better for families than Pampelonne?
Gigaro is widely preferred by families with younger children. The water is shallower and calmer than at Pampelonne, beach restaurants are casual and 30-40% cheaper, the sand stretches uninterrupted for three kilometres, and parking is straightforward even in August.
How far is La Croix-Valmer from Saint-Tropez?
La Croix-Valmer is 25 minutes by car from the Vieux Port of Saint-Tropez, going around the south of the peninsula. Pampelonne beach is 20 minutes over the hill via Ramatuelle. Cavalaire-sur-Mer is 10 minutes south.
What is the Cap Lardier walk?
The Sentier du Littoral around Cap Lardier is a three-hour cliff walk from the southern end of Gigaro beach, around the headland of Cap Lardier and Cap Taillat, all the way to L’Escalet on the Ramatuelle side. It is foot-only — no roads, no buildings. The most photographed walk on the peninsula.
Is La Croix-Valmer crowded in August?
Considerably less than Saint-Tropez or Pampelonne. The village remains workable. Gigaro beach fills up at weekends but holds three kilometres of sand and never feels packed. Restaurant reservations are typically possible the day before.
Do La Croix-Valmer villas have sea views?
Many do. Hillside villas above Gigaro and around Cap Lardier look south over the open Mediterranean — different from the Pampelonne/Sainte-Maxime view in that there is no opposite coast, just open water and the Îles d’Hyères on a clear day.
Plan your stay in La Croix-Valmer
Looking for a villa in La Croix-Valmer or Gigaro? Sylvana and the Cyrus team know the difference between Sylvabelle’s calm and Cap Lardier’s drama. Tell us your dates, how many guests, and whether walks or beach-club lunches matter more — we’ll come back the same working day with a shortlist.
Private chef, daily concierge, beach club bookings, drivers and yacht charters can all be arranged on request through Sylvana and the Cyrus International team.