Villa Ramatuelle

Villa Ramatuelle occupies a gated compound in the pine forests between the village and the coast. The architecture is unapologetically modern - concrete, glass, and weathered steel - but the planting softens every edge with maritime pine, oleander, and jasmine. A 20-metre lap pool runs parallel to the main terrace, and the lower level houses a cinema room, wine cellar, and gym. The location is the sweet spot of the Saint-Tropez peninsula: close enough to Pampelonne's beach clubs and Saint-Tropez's old port for a spontaneous evening out, but sufficiently secluded in the pine forest to feel entirely private. The gated access road is shared with only three other properties, and the perimeter planting ensures that the compound is invisible from outside. This is the kind of discretion that the Riviera rarely offers in high season. Seven bedrooms are distributed across the main house and a detached pool pavilion. The main house holds five bedrooms on the upper level, each with floor-to-ceiling glass facing south toward the sea. The pool pavilion contains two bedrooms with independent access, an arrangement that suits guests travelling with staff or a security detail. All rooms feature custom Italian furniture, Belgian linen bedding, and ensuite bathrooms with double vanities and walk-in rainfall showers. The 20-metre lap pool is the property's centrepiece. Finished in dark grey stone, it runs the full length of the main terrace and is heated to 28 degrees from May through October. A shallow wading area at one end provides a safe space for young children. The surrounding terrace is furnished with Paola Lenti outdoor furniture and shaded by a retractable sail system. The lower level is where evenings unfold. The cinema room seats 10 in leather recliners with a 4K projector and Dolby Atmos sound. The wine cellar holds 400 bottles, with a bias toward Provencal roses, Burgundy, and Champagne - the three categories that tend to disappear fastest during Riviera stays. The gym is equipped with Technogym machines, free weights, and a Peloton bike. Club 55 on Pampelonne Beach is a 10-minute drive - or a 20-minute bicycle ride along the coastal path. Saint-Tropez's old port and its restaurants (Senequier, La Vague d'Or, L'Opera) are 15 minutes by car. Ramatuelle village, with its Tuesday and Friday markets, is a five-minute drive up the hill and worth visiting for the produce alone.