Why go
The Veillat beach serves a town-centre stop, while Boulouris, Le Dramont and Agay lead toward a more broken shoreline. Inland, the Esterel’s forest and summits make the commune more than a beach destination. Its spread rewards choosing one section deliberately.
The full story
Saint-Raphaël lies immediately east of Fréjus at the eastern edge of the Var. Its west is strongly urbanised, but much of the commune reaches into protected Esterel forest and mountains. The coastline bends around coves and headlands, which gives the town a much longer shore than a glance at the map might suggest. The named sandy beaches include the Veillat near the centre, plus beaches at Boulouris, Le Dramont and Agay. Smaller stretches lie farther east around Anthéor and Le Trayas. The Agay river descends from the hills to its namesake bay. Red rock exposed along the coast and on the slopes is a visible sign of the Esterel geology. For a practical day, distinguish the central promenade and beach from an eastern trip through coves and rocky scenery; they are different parts of a broad commune.