As we explored Saint-Raphaël, we were enchanted by the mosaic of blues, reds and greens. The crystal-clear waters of its beaches, set against the steep ochre cliffs of the Esterel, offer a unique spectacle. The sun-drenched calanques attract many travelers. Whether you’re looking for a spot of golden sand, a secluded cove or an inaccessible calanque, St-Raphaël has a beach for every type of traveler.
Here’s our list of the Côte d’Azur’s most beautiful beaches, with our own photos, tips and a map to help you plan.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Best beaches of Saint-Raphaël – map
In and around Saint-Raphaël, you’ll find a host of beautiful public and private beaches.
Here’s a map of the beaches listed in this article, to help you find your way around:
St-Raphaël is a popular tourist destination for its magnificent sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters. But this charming Côte d’Azur town has much more to offer visitors. Indeed, Saint-Raphaël is full of hidden treasures and exciting activities to discover. If you’d like to visit the seaside town, our article on what to do in Saint-Raphaël is for you! Here you’ll find a selection of over 15 must-see activities and places not to be missed during your stay in this magnificent city.
1. Veillat Beach
Why we love it
Nestled in the heart of the town, Plage du Veillat is the seaside resort’s largest sandy beach. The sand is fine and the slope gentle, ideal for families. What’s more, its location means you can reach St-Raphaël’s main points of interest(Basilique Notre-Dame de la Victoire, Casino Barrière, Vieux Port…) on foot from the beach. We really enjoyed relaxing here after a day exploring the French Riviera.
Access
- Plage du Veillat is located in the heart of the town center. It’s within easy walking distance.
- Parking lots: easy parking nearby. The 2 nearest parking lots are Parking Indigo Saint-Raphaël De La Gare and Parking Bonaparte, both less than a 5-minute walk away.
Practical information
- The sand at Plage du Veillat is fine.
- The slope to enter the water is gentle.
- This beach has lifeguards and showers.
- Eating out: the beach is right in the center of town, and there are plenty of good restaurants nearby. For example, L’Emeraude or Nonna are a 3-minute walk away. To find out more, read our article on the best restaurants in Saint-Raphaël (coming soon)!
- Near the beach, you can admire the city from the top of the Grande Roue de Saint-Raphaël, stroll through the Jardin Bonaparte or take a ride on the little train for a guided tour of the city. Reserve your place now!
- Pets are not allowed.
WHERE TO STAY IN Saint-Raphaël
Option 1 : downtown and beaches of Saint-Raphaël and Fréjus
Enjoy the charm of the towns and all the restaurants.
We recommend..:
- Hotel Unique – see prices, photos and availability
- Hotel Le Touring – prices, pictures and availability
Option 2: Along the coast to Esterel
By the sea, luxury hotels near the red rocks of the Esterel. We recommend..:
- Hotel La Villa Mauresque – prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Les Roches Rouges – prices, pictures and availability
Option 3: in the countryside
For more peace and quiet, enjoy the sea or the countryside, but still close enough to the city. We recommend..:
- Hotel Le Confidentiel – prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel la Bastide du Clos des Roses – see prices, pictures and availability
2. Fréjus beach (handiplage)
Why we love it
Fréjus is next door to Saint-Raphaël, so you can easily get to Fréjus Beach from St-Raphaël. It stretches for 1 kilometer and offers a beautiful view of the port of Saint-Raphaël and its many cafés, boutiques and restaurants. At the western end, you can walk up alongside the Fréjus marina to take a footbridge to the other side of the Argens river.
We enjoyed a sunny break on this beach during our visit to the seaside town! In fact, it’s one of Fréjus’ main attractions (article coming soon).
Access
- The beach stretches for 1km along Boulevard d’Alger and Boulevard de la Libération in Fréjus.
- Access from the port of Saint-Raphaël: 20min walk.
- Access from Fréjus historic center: 30min walk.
- The nearest parking lot is located at 28 Rue des Forces Françaises Libres in Fréjus.
It’s a 15-minute walk to the beach. - La Plage de Fréjus is served by the 01, A and C bus routes of the local transport network. To plan your itinerary, we invite you to consult the official website of the public transport networkhere.
Practical information
- The beach floor is adorned with fine golden sand.
- The water is transparent and shallow, with a gentle, gradual gradient, ideal for family bathing.
- A portion of the beach is supervised in high season only.
- We didn’t see any beachside showers. There are, however, public toilets.
- In season, you’ll find fast-food and ice-cream stands close to the beach.
- Pets are not allowed.
3. Boulouris Beach
Why we love it
Located on a bend in the majestic Corniche de l’Esterel road, Plage de Boulouris is close to the center of town. Just a 10-minute drive from the town center, it nestles between the red rocks of the Massif de l’Estérel, typical of the region. Easily accessible, and lined with fine sand, we loved the pleasant setting of this beach, which will appeal to young and old alike.
Access
- Municipality of St-Raphaël,
- 10min drive from downtown,
- Parking: no on-site parking, but a few spaces along the road for early arrivals!
Practical information
- Fine ochre-coloured sand,
- Gentle slope to enter the water,
- Unsupervised beach,
- Showers nearby,
- Several access points along the beach,
- There are no restaurants nearby,
- Pets are not allowed.
4. Calanque Santa Lucia Beach
Why we love it
Nestled between sheer cliffs, Saint-Raphaël’s Calanque de Santa Lucia is a spellbinding natural spectacle. It is not very popular due to its difficult access. A good way to escape the crowded beaches of summer. We found the setting very pleasant. We enjoyed the shady spots under the pine trees. Here, the wild beauty of nature mingles with the iodized breath of the Mediterranean. A must for nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts.
Access
- Municipality of Saint Raphaël,
- Access is a little tricky, with a 35-minute walk from the town center. We recommend that you bring suitable footwear to this cove. To get there, you’ll have to walk on paths, climb steps and move through rocky terrain.
There are 2 ways to get to Calanque Santa Lucia, with detailed itineraries here. - Parking: a few spaces are available at the roadside, but there is no parking in the immediate vicinity. The nearest are located in the city center, near the Port of Santa Lucia. We therefore recommend that you come early enough to park easily.
Practical information
- Mixture of pebbles and sand,
- Gentle slope to enter the water,
- The cove is unsupervised and there are no showers or toilets,
- You can only get there on foot via the itineraries detailed here.
- There are no restaurants nearby.
- Pets are not allowed.
OUR TPS FOR RENTING YOUR CAR IN Provence
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is powerful enough (the roads are steep) but compact (some passages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
5. Beaurivage Beach (handiplage)
Why we love it
Plage Beaurivage boasts a beautiful shaded promenade that you can walk the length of. We enjoyed the walk and the magnificent view.
Access
- In downtown St-Raphaël, between Plage du Veillat and Port de Santa Lucia.
- Only a 10-minute walk from downtown
- Parking: there is a large pay parking lot nearby with 10 spaces reserved for disabled people.
Practical information
- Mixture of pebbles and sand,
- Gentle slope to enter the water,
- The beach is supervised in high season, and handiplagists are on hand,
- Here you’ll find toilets, showers and changing rooms,
- On the beach there’s a drinks and snacks stand open in high season. Otherwise, thanks to its proximity to the city center, you’ll have access to numerous restaurants.
- Pets are not allowed.
6. Agay Beach
Why we love it
Located in the Agay roadstead, we loved this beach and its exceptional panorama of the Estérel massif overlooking the bay. The advantage of this beach is that it’s surrounded by numerous restaurants and bars that are easily accessible throughout the day. It’s one of St-Raphaël’s must-do activities!
Access
- The beach is located in the Agay bay, a 20-minute drive from the center of Saint-Raphaël,
- Once there, access is easy on foot.
- By bus: the beach is served at the “Agay Bureau Municipal” stop by bus lines 08 and 21 of the local transport network. To plan your itinerary, we invite you to consult the official website of the public transport networkhere.
By train: the “Agay” SNCF train station is a 15-minute walk from the beach. - Parking: there are parking spaces along the road and a free parking lot on Boulevard de la Baumette, but in high season the spaces are often all taken, so come early!
Practical information
- Mixture of fine sand and small gravel,
- Gentle slope to enter the water,
- The beach is supervised in high season,
- Toilets and showers are available,
- On the beach there’s a beach restaurant open in high season. Deckchairs are available for hire,
- Pets are not allowed.
A LITTLE MORE patience
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7. The Landing Beach
Why we love it
The Plage du Dramont, one of the most beautiful beaches on the Côte d’Azur, is perfect for nature and history lovers. We learned that it was on this beach that American soldiers landed on August 15, 1944 to liberate France! We really appreciated the breathtaking view over the hamlet of Dramont and the Île d’Or. This emblematic Saint-Raphaël beach will seduce you with its calm and natural beauty, even in the height of the summer season. This beach is perfect for families.
Access
- Plage du Débarquement is located on the Route de la Corniche in Saint-Raphaël.
- 15min drive from downtown St-Raphaël.
- By bus: the beach is served at the “Le Dramont” stop by bus lines 08 and 21 of the local transport network. To plan your itinerary, we invite you to consult the official website of the public transport networkhere.
By train: the “Le Dramont” SNCF train station is just a few meters from the beach. - Parking: nearby parking is available at a charge in high season.
Practical information
- The beach is supervised in summer and has WCs and showers.
- The beach is adorned with a mix of fine sand and pebbles.
- The water entry slope is gentle.
- There’s plenty to eat:
- Un stand de restauration rapide se trouve sur la plage.
Vous aurez aussi facilement accès à- 2 restaurants: Le Restaurant de la Plage du Dramont and La Rotisserie du Sémaphore are less than a 10-minute walk away.
- 2 mini-markets are a ten-minute walk from the beach.
- Pets are not allowed.
PLAN YOUR STAY IN Saint-Raphaël
Les Plages des Calanques de l’Estérel (30min from Saint-Raphaël)
We loved exploring the Calanques of a true jewel of the Côte d’Azur: the Massif de l’Esterel. Its visit is one of the must-do activities on the Côte d’Azur! Its landscapes enchanted us! They come in a palette of colors: you can admire the red rocks that contrast sharply with the turquoise water of the sea just next to them. You’ll discover breathtaking views along hiking trails suitable for all levels.
Please note that swimming is not supervised in any of the region’s calanques, so it’s important to take the necessary precautions.
Here are just a few of the magnificent calanques in the Esterel volcanic massif that you can visit from Saint-Raphaël:
Calanque d’Anthéor
Located at the foot of the Antheor Viaduct, the Calanque of the same name combines fine sand and jagged rocks. It’s a beautiful beach, once again with the characteristic colors of the Esterel region. Set in an urban landscape, it’s easy to get to, but less wild than its neighbors mentioned below. However, we found it charming. Beware of summer traffic, which can be heavy due to the proximity of several campsites.
Calanque de Maubois
The Calanque de Maubois nestles between Agay and Saint-Raphaël. It’s one of the largest in the region. We loved the contrast between the red rocks of the Esterel massif and the lush vegetation. This cove gave us a complete change of scenery.
Calanque du Petit Caneiret
The Calanque du Petit Caneiret is a haven of peace and wilderness. We loved the picture painted by the red pebble beach, bordered by the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean. Accessible by a narrow path, this almost wild cove is an ideal place to relax, enjoy the beauty of the scenery and indulge in snorkeling.
The Calanque of Saint-Barthélemy
We discovered the Calanque de Saint-Barthélemy, a hidden gem among the maritime pines and red rocks of the Estérel. The beach of small red pebbles offers a singular setting and we found the atmosphere peaceful.
Other Calanques de l’Estérel:
- Calanque des Anglais
- Calanque de l’Ile des Vieilles
- Calanque de Maupas
- Calanque d’Aurelle
- Calanque du Fournas
Other beaches between Saint-Raphaël and Agay
- Plage de la Péguière: a family haven with fine sand and summer supervision.
- Plage d’Arène Grosse: located next to the port of Boulouris, a number of restaurants line the beach.
- Plage de la Tortue: located in the continuity of the Arène Grosse beach, its environment is pleasant. Here you can take a lovely stroll along the edge of a pine forest, facing the Île d’Or and the hamlet of Dramont.
- Plage Val Fleuri: this beach is divided into 2 sections, one more popular, the other wilder. On the 2nd, there’s a sort of natural pool created by rocks.
- Plage de la Pescade: enjoy the shade offered by the adjacent pine forest on this pleasant beach.
- Plage de la Garde Vieille: a gravel beach with a natural rock pool.
- Plage d’Aiguemarine: reserved for water sports.
- Plage de Pierre Blave: this original beach is split in 2 by a restaurant.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best children’s beaches in Saint-Raphaël?
Here are the family-friendly beaches, offering all the comforts you need to spend a relaxing and enjoyable day by the sea:
- Arène Grosse Beach
- Agay Beach
- Beaumette Beach
- La Péguière Beach
- Landing Beach
- Veillat Beach
Are there any naturist beaches in Saint-Raphaël?
Yes, here are the beaches where naturism is permitted:
- Esclamandes Beach
- Rochers du Dramont beach
- Cap Roux Beach
Which beaches are supervised in Saint-Raphaël?
The following beaches are supervised in Saint-Raphaël between early June and mid-September:
- Veillat Beach
- Beaurivage Beach
- Agay Beach
- Lido Beach
- La Péguière Beach
- Dramont Beach
Which beaches in Saint-Raphaël are dog-friendly?
Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed on any of Saint-Raphaël’s beaches. However, you can walk your dog on the stretches between the beaches. Alternatively, here are a few nearby beaches where your 4-legged friend is more than welcome:
- Plage du Pacha, Fréjus
- Plage des Esclamandes, Fréjus
- Plage de la Gaillarde Ouest, Roquebrune-sur-Argens
When is the best time to swim in Saint-Raphaël?
Saint-Rapahël enjoys a mild to warm Mediterranean climate. The water temperature never drops below 13°, even in the depths of winter. However, swimming is recommended between June and October. In summer, the Mediterranean Sea heats up to 26°. So you can swim all year round on the Côte d’Azur. A word of advice: opt for a wetsuit in low season!
Private beaches in Saint-Raphaël
Saint-Raphaël is a popular seaside resort on the Côte d’Azur, renowned for its beautiful sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters. In addition to public beaches, the city also offers a selection of private beaches for those seeking a little more comfort and luxury. These private beaches offer exclusive services such as sunbeds, umbrellas, showers and changing rooms, as well as direct access to the sea. They often feature a restaurant with a breathtaking sea view.
We have selected the best private beaches in Saint-Raphaël:
- Plage de l’Île d’Or: on the Plage du Débarquement, restaurant with deckchairs on the waterfront, facing the Île d’Or.
- The “Club Agathos”: restaurant offering refined cuisine and deckchairs for enjoying the beach. If you’d like to live in an exceptional setting close to the beach, we recommend the Résidence Agathos, with its huge beach garden.
- Plage du Rocher: in the Baie du Veillat, in the heart of Saint-Raphaël, bask in the shade of the palm trees.
- Sandy Plage: in the center of St-Raphaël, this private beach offers sunbeds, restaurants and all the facilities for a comfortable day at the beach.
- Plage du Maobi: located in the bay of Agay, enjoy this private beach with bar and restaurant for sunbathing while admiring the Massif de l’Esterel.
- Malibu Beach: Relax with the planet in mind in this Polynesian-style setting built with sustainable, recyclable materials.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO THE Côte d’Azur
- Inspiration
The most beautiful landscapes in 30 photos
Best things to do on the Côte d’Azur
Most beautiful villages
Best beaches on the Côte d’Azur
Most beautiful gardens
Best boat tours (coming soon)
Most beautiful islands
Secret places
- Practical advice
Successful travel on the Côte d’Azur (coming soon)
Rent a car in Provence – in Nice – in Cannes – in Marseille – in Aix-en-Provence.
Itineraries: 5 days – 1 week – 10 days
Weekend ideas: best-of – romantic – luxury – unusual
- Where to stay
Where to stay on the Côte d’Azur
Best luxury hotels on the Côte d’Azur
Hotels by the sea
Best boutique-hotels
SHE MADE THE TRIP Claire
