Saint Raphael France [Photo courtesy of https://www.instagram.com/saintraphael_tourisme/]The beach resort of Saint Raphael on the French Riviera boasts around 25 different beaches to choose from. These vary from golden sandy beaches to rocky inlets. The beaches in the centre of St Raphael get very busy during July and August, but if you venture slightly further afield, you are sure to find a nice beach.

 

Best St Raphael beaches French Riviera

Saint Raphael is a lovely resort located on the French Riviera coast in the Cote d'Azur. This former fishing village developed during the early 20th Century and was famously the former home of F. Scott Fitzgerald (who wrote "Tender is the Night" whilst staying in St Raphael). Saint-Raphaël is a surprisingly big resort, with a population of around 35,000 people. During the summer season, the town can get very busy and the beaches nearest to the centre are packed. 

The best St Raphael beaches are located to the east of the town, in the direction of Agay. Veillat Plage in the centre of St Raphael beach is located close to the train station and looks out over the Bay of Saint Raphael. The beach is OK, but it can get ram-packed in the height of summer. The beach has lovely golden sand and is ringed by plenty of restaurants and hotels. There are a couple of beach bars (Malibu Plage and Sandy Plage) where you can hire sun beds and grab a meal or a drink or two.

 

If you have a bit more time (and especially if you have a car), then probably the best beaches to head for around Saint Raphael are Plage du Tortue, Tiki Plage and Plage de la Pescade. These are certainly the beaches where the locals head for at the weekend and after work.

 

Saint Raphael beaches: Tiki Plage

Tiki Plage is a lovely sandy cove with crystal clear water. Tiki Plage is a private beach and whilst I am not normally a fan of paying to sit on a beach, I think in this case it is worth it, for the view alone. The beach has some nice rocks either side of the beach, which are excellent for snorkelling. The beach is surrounded by trees and you have views up to the Esterel Mountains behind the beach. There are always plenty of families on the beach and the shallow waters make it perfect for young kids. The private beach club has Wi-Fi and you can have a decent meal here, as well as cocktails and a cooling beer. 

 

Beaches Cote d'Azur: Plage de la Tortue

Plage de la Tortue is a lovely fine sandy beach that is located in the small resort of Boulouris. The beach is mainly occupied by a large private beach club, but on either side you can always find a spot or two. The views from the beach over to St Tropez in the west and the Ile d'Or to the east make Plage de la Tortue and interesting beach to visit.

 

Cote d'Azur beaches: Plage de la Pescade

Plage de la Pescade is a different beach entirely (and perhaps more interesting). This small sandy cove is ringed either side by lovely red rocks, where you can find plenty of crab pools and great spots for snorkelling. The water is clear and shallow, which makes it an excellent spot for young families.

 

 

 

---

 

Where to next . . . ?

If you are visiting the South of France this summer, then get the inside track on the best Places to see & visit in the South of France in 2026 (written by people who live in Southern France all year around). Read about the best restaurants to eat at, get local information on the best beaches to visit and discover the best tourist sites, markets and festivals to see during your stay.

 

Best beach bars in South France Find the best beach bars & restaurants in South France to visit during 2026. From glitzy private beach clubs on the French Riviera to Oyster shacks on the Languedoc coast	Best restaurants South France Discover our favourite restaurants to eat at in South France from Michelin star restaurants to beach restaurants and local restaurants where you can still enjoy a Plat de Jour for €13 euros.
Best festivals in South France  The summer comes alive in the South of France with crazy festivals. Discover everything from large music festivals to local festivals celebrating the humble apricot and Water Jousting!	Best markets in South of France Search out the best local markets to visit during your stay in the South of France this summer. We cover everything from local village markets to antique fairs and truffle markets in Provence.
Villas with private pools in South France Book a villa in the South of France for this summer through Go Languedoc and avoid all the hefty additional bookings fees of Airbnb, VRBO and Booking.com.	Best tourist sites to visit in South France in 2026 Read about the best tourist sites to visit during 2026. Our articles cover Provence, the French Riviera and the old Languedoc region of Southern France.

 

Contact us by Email if you have any particular questions you would like to ask about visiting the South of France. If you liked the article then please share it with others using the Instagram and Facebook buttons. I wish you a wonderful stay in the South of France.