COMO Le Beauvallon

COMO brings its signature wellness-first approach to the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, where the brand's holistic philosophy (COMO Shambhala programmes, farm-to-table dining, architecture-led interiors) finds a natural home on the Provençal coast. The property sits in Grimaud, a quieter commune across the gulf from the storied fishing village that became synonymous with French Riviera glamour in the 1950s and 60s, when New Wave filmmakers and yé-yé musicians transformed Saint-Tropez into an international enclave for artists and jet setters.

The setting balances access and retreat. Port Grimaud, a Venetian-inspired marina village built in the 1960s, lies less than three kilometres away, its pastel houses and network of canals a curiosity of modernist town planning. The medieval hilltop village of Grimaud itself watches over the gulf from its ruined château, stone streets tumbling down towards vineyards and umbrella pines. Saint-Tropez proper, with its vieux port and belle époque villas, is a short drive northeast.

The landscape here is softer than the craggy drama of the Esterel further east. The Massif des Maures rises gently inland, a forested backdrop to a coastline of sandy coves and shallow bays. Toulon-Hyères Airport is 43 kilometres west; Nice-Côte d'Azur, 64 kilometres northeast, offers wider international connections.

Arnaud Donckele's three-Michelin-starred La Vague d'Or at Cheval Blanc St-Tropez, 3.2 kilometres away, delivers knockout seasonal cooking in a dining room set among pine trees overlooking the gulf. Éric Canino's two-starred La Voile at La Réserve Ramatuelle, 11.5 kilometres south, channels Michel Guérard's influence into modern dishes that reflect the Provençal sun. Book a table at either for an evening that justifies the journey. Closer to hand, the Marché de Port Grimaud draws fishermen and farmers twice weekly; arrive early for langoustines still glistening from the gulf and bundles of violet artichokes. The vineyards radiating inland produce Côtes de Provence rosé in every shade from onion-skin to salmon. Château Minuty, 5.5 kilometres north, offers tastings in a bastide surrounded by organic vines, while Domaine Bertaud-Belieu, four kilometres away, is known for its biodynamic practices and crisp white blends.

The gulf's calm waters make for gentle diving. Rabiou's underwater arches and cathedral-like rock formations, six kilometres offshore, shelter grouper and octopus in water rarely deeper than 25 metres. For a longer expedition, the Cascade de l'Aille tumbles down the Maures massif 16.8 kilometres inland, a ribbon of coolness in summer heat.

Summer is bone-dry and brilliant. July and August push temperatures close to 30°C, the air heavy with the scent of baked garrigue, lavender and wild thyme releasing their oils in the heat. The gulf becomes a parade of white sails and teak decks, restaurants spilling onto terraces that stay open past midnight.

Spring and autumn offer softer light and fewer crowds. May and June are warm enough for swimming, the hillsides still green from spring rains. September extends the season with balmy evenings and water that holds its summer warmth well into October, when the first significant rain returns.

Winter is mild but unpredictable. Daytime temperatures hover around 12°C, occasionally climbing higher when the maritime air settles. The mistral can blow hard and cold from the north, clearing the sky to a sharp blue that makes the distant Alps visible across the water. February sees the most rain, but the gulf rarely experiences frost.