Tatler

Villa Marie St Tropez: the perfect Côte d'Azur retreat

Perched in a pine forest far from the madding crowds of St Tropez's port but close enough to the action (Club 55 is less than 10 minutes' drive), Villa Marie is the perfect Côte d'Azur retreat. To start with, there are the views - out over the shimmering sea beyond the trees, best seen from one of the sunny terraces (and with a chilled glass of Château Minuty Rosé, from just up the road). Then there's the freeform turquoise pool where kids scramble about the rocks and the water is always warm. And the suites, tricked out in washed linens and Missoni headboards, with French doors opening on to the forest. The efficient concierge will nab you the last table at nearby La Terrasse (and ferry you there, too), or you can stay put in the romantic restaurant, the blackboards scrawled with daily specials such as bouillabaisse of fresh bream and aioli. Don't leave without visiting the tiny two-room spa - the massage using neroli-scented oil are heaven-sent.

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