I am trying to find out more about the town of Les Issambres - is it a nice place in the evening for a stroll - are there nice cafes where you can sit and people watch,also is there a beach. I am finding it very difficult to find any info. We would be renting a private apartment in the hillside a the back of the town.
We do not want lots of nightlife and would like to do lots of sightseeing so would this be a good base for us we are in our 50%26#39;s so we like it pretty quiet and scenic.
many thanks for any replies.
Sue
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Les issambres is a part of Roquebrune sur Argens City go on the
Tourist office site
http://www.roquebrunesurargens.fr/
have A Nice Trip
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I own a villa in Les Issambres so know the area well.
It is a small village along the coastline in the bay of St. Tropez with shopping, post office and small restaurants. Les Issambres does have a couple cafes and a nice beach. It is close to St. Maxime which is lovely for night life and other places like St Tropez are very close by. In ST Maxime you can stroll along the avenue, have an ice cream or a nice relaxing evening, also you can do that in Les Issambres, but it is smaller and more quaint than anything - we like it for its peacefuleness and its proximity to everything. There are many small and good restaurants in the area within walking distance. We are about 5 km in either direction,,, to St. Maxime and to St Aygulf, both of which offer night activities and many restaurants and shops. St. Maxime is bigger than St. Aygulf and is quite fashionable with a casino if you are interested. It is a nice evening to stroll along and enjoy an ice cream or sit in one of the cafes and people watch. Of course St. Tropez is also a great night spot, for dining and discos/clubs.
Yes, this is a fantastic area for a base, it is within driving distance to many day trips in the Provence area.
There are many local markets, and they rotate on various days. On Fridays there is always a fresh fish market in Les Issambres. It is a good place to buy local produce and vegetables that are very fresh and inexpensive at the markets. You can also find some surprisingly good wine at very low prices and other souvenirs. We love to wander around the markets to people watch and enjoy the Provencal air and atmosphere.
For more mundane shopping there is a Geant, a large shopping complex as you enter Frejus. You can find all your staples here. There is also a Petit Casino in Les Issambres and two shops in St. Aygulf. For emergencies there is a small store by the agency, but prices are high – beware. The French take their meal times very seriously and most shops are closed for several hours mid day. We like to buy our vegetables sometimes straight from the farmers, and this is possible just minutes drive interior, or there are many good vegetable stands along the roads. You can sometimes again find local produce, even truffles or homemade breads and local delicacies. It is hard to eat badly in Provence. The cheese and wine along could sustain you quite nicely and the bread is divine. The dining options vary greatly, from pizza restaurants to fine cuisine. If you look for a pizza restaurant, look for the sign Feu de bou, which means wood oven. There is an area near the villa called Village Provencal with a few very good restaurants and another one along ROute National called La Reserve, which is highly rated. For a good value, try the set menu of the day, most of the restaurants offer them. Seafood, including bouillabaisse and also mussels are always a great option in this area. Sometimes if you just go in the countryside you can find great restaurants with good prices. Also, many of the local vineyards will sell to the public. We are in proximity to some good wine producing areas. Provence is the only other region in France besides Bordeaux to have some of its vineyards officially recognized as Crus Classés and the only region in the world to have gained that qualification for rosé wines.
There are many day trips, Les Issambres is a wonderful location, central both to the fashionable beach towns along the Cote D’azur, like St. Rafael, Cannes, Antibes, and Nice. Monte Carlo is about an hour away. St Tropez is also about 30 minute drive in the direction of Marseille, depending on the traffic which can be heavy in summer. Don’t miss towns like Arles, Avignon, Aix en Provence, and St Paul Du Vence. In Arles you can visit the very places that Van Gogh lived and painted. You can also find vestiges from the Roman era in many locations, even within walking distance to the villa there is an ancient marine fisheries and some ruins in Frejus. Every where you turn there is something to see. There is a tourist office in every town and they offer many suggestions for touring as well as good maps.
For kids there is a water park nearby, and near the Geant is a nice nature area, with skating, sports and biking paths. We often go jogging here. It is located at the old airport, so you can ask someone directions. You can even rent bikes or skates here.
Life is slower in Provence and the people are not as high strung as in Paris – they are not as international either. While not exactly outgoing, we find the locals to be very interesting and engaging once you break through. French is the local language, and Italian is more widely spoken than English due to proximity to the border. We find that one can always communicate if there is a will. A smile and hand gestures go a long way!
It is a magical place and we hope you enjoy your visit to Provence.
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