Saint-Raphaël
Hidden coves, red rock and sea views along one of the Riviera's most scenic coastal paths.
Stretching along the coast from the Port de Santa Lucia to the beaches of Le Dramont, Le Sentier du Littoral follows the historic path once walked by customs officers patrolling the shore for smugglers. The full route covers around 11km and takes roughly four and a half hours. Winding between the sea and the red rock of the Estérel massif, past sheltered coves, sandy beaches and rocky outcrops that turn a deep, almost volcanic red at sunset.
Highlights along the way include views of the Lion de Mer and the Île d'Or. From the semaphore at Cap Dramont, a sweeping outlook over Tiki Plage, the bay of Agay and the Estérel beyond.
The path also passes through typically Mediterranean flora and fauna, including medicinal and edible plants for those who know where to look. It offers some of the best vantage points on the coast for photography, particularly at dawn or dusk, when the light softens over the water.
The trail doesn't need to be walked in full. Shorter sections run between “Santa Lucia and La Péguière”, “La Péguière and the Port de Boulouris”, or from “Boulouris to the beach at Aigue-Bonne”. Each are walkable one-way or there and back, with the local TER train and bus lines offering a way to return without retracing your steps.
Whichever stretch you choose, it's a walk best done in sturdy shoes, with time to stop at the coves along the way rather than rush the distance. You could also sneak a little swim either during the walk or after as a treat.
At a glance:
Saint-Raphaël, Côte d'Azur, France
Features
11km coastal trail, roughly 4h30 with sections suited to a shorter walk
Rocky terrain throughout : sturdy shoes are essential, especially near the water
Can be joined or left at several points with train and bus connections along the route
Traces the historic route once walked by coastal customs officers
Panoramic views from the Cap Dramont semaphore over Tiki Plage and the Estérel
Passes the Lion de Mer and the Île d'Or, two of the coastline's best-known landmarks
Rich Mediterranean flora and fauna, including medicinal and edible plants along the way
Two starting points, at the Port de Santa Lucia and the beach at Le Dramont, both with parking