Gassin
In Gassin, the charm begins in the flower-lined lanes that wind up to the belvedere. Children love “climbing to the sky” to take in, at a single glance, the sea, the hills, and the vineyards—a perfect family photo spot. The pace here is slow and soothing: stop for a lemonade in the shade of a little square, spot colorful doors, count the steps, and turn the stroll into a kids-friendly treasure hunt. Around the village, short paths cross the hinterland between dry-stone walls and olive trees; an hour’s walk is enough to whet everyone’s appetite.
Ramatuelle
In Ramatuelle, history is written in the ramparts and spiral lanes. The visit suits the whole family: short format, details to spot (door knockers, rooftops, sundials), a warm, gentle ambiance. After the village center, set your sights on the Moulin de Paillas perched on the heights: the climb is easygoing and the view rewards the effort. It’s the ideal place to explain wind power and the role of mills to children, then unroll a Provençal snack. The whole experience remains very kids-friendly, balancing accessible heritage with landscapes that invite play and imagination.
Grimaud
Grimaud offers an irresistible medieval backdrop for families, with its feudal castle watching over the hinterland. The ascent unfolds in stages, punctuated by fountains and “secret” passages where children invent knightly stories. At the top, the panorama makes you want to pull out binoculars to spot the sea in the distance, neighboring villages, and the dark lines of the Maures. Heading back down through the lanes leads naturally to a terrace break or a lightning visit to a small gallery—an easy blend of culture, play, and gentle living in a kids-friendly mode.
La Garde-Freinet
More rugged and forested, La Garde-Freinet offers a nature interlude that does everyone good. The path to Fort Freinet, with no major difficulty, crosses cork oaks and umbrella pines; you walk in the shade, listen to cicadas, watch butterflies, and pretend to be “guardians of the fort.” On site, the remains fire the imagination and open conversations about life in the past. It’s a quintessential kids-friendly experience: short, sensory, and educational—perfect for alternating with village visits. On the way back, a small local market lets you assemble a hinterland picnic of cheese, fruit, and honey.
Collobrières
Finally, Collobrières embodies a wooded, gourmet Provence. Nestled in the heart of the Maures, the village lives to the rhythm of chestnut groves: shopwindows brim with chestnut treats to discover as a family in a mini-tasting. The lanes, the church, and the little bridges are easy to explore, then you slip away for a shaded walk along streams where children collect leaves, feathers, and “precious” pebbles. Here, the hinterland is savored as much as visited, and the approach remains resolutely kids-friendly: short formats, accessible nature, and delights to share.
Exploring the Saint-Tropez hinterland as a family means piecing together a harmonious puzzle of hilltop villages and gentle micro-adventures. With Gassin for panoramas, Ramatuelle for history and its mill, Grimaud for the castle and medieval imagination, La Garde-Freinet for the forest and fort, and Collobrières for chestnuts and shaded rambles, you’ve got a 100% kids-friendly route. You walk, you taste, you take it all in, you play; each day alternates discoveries and quiet times for a trip that’s easy to plan and rich in memories. Just a few bends from the beaches, the hinterland unfolds a living Provence, tailored to families who want to breathe, have fun, and reconnect—together.
Credits: @Pixabay
