Esclamandes Naturist Beach in Saint-Aygulf: Complete Guide

Esclamandes Beach (plage des Esclamandes), in Saint-Aygulf, is the beach of all my childhood summers. I spent my days in the water, swimming, never wanting to get out. Today it is a large, public and easy-to-reach sandy beach with a naturist (nudist) area, on the Gulf of Fréjus (Var). It is also the beach I illustrated for the Plage des Esclamandes poster.

This guide gathers the practical information (access, parking, zones, lifeguards) and my local tips for enjoying the naturist beach of Saint-Aygulf. Last updated: October 2026.

Esclamandes naturist beach at a glance: practical info

• Address: Avenue de la Corniche d'Azur, Saint-Aygulf (Fréjus), at the exit of Saint-Aygulf towards Fréjus.
• Type of beach: large sandy beach, about 600 metres long.
• Four areas: family, naturist, kitesurfing and dogs.
• Access: free, no membership or booking required.
• Parking: large car park nearby, paid in season.
• Facilities: showers and toilets, beach bars and restaurants nearby.
• Lifeguards: lifeguard posts in season, from mid-June to mid-September.
• Shade: very little, so bring a parasol.

A big sandy beach, open to the horizon

What strikes you first at Esclamandes is the space. It is a very large sandy beach, much wider and longer than Plage du Layet, and far less enclosed: here you look out over the Mediterranean to the horizon. The flip side of all this space is that there is almost no shade.

In my childhood memory, the water is clear and pleasantly warm. You can see the seabed very well, with its characteristic rippled sand, and you can keep your footing for a long way out. It is the perfect place for long swims, which is what I did from morning to evening.

How to get to the naturist area at Esclamandes

You park at the beach car park, then walk to the naturist area. Two routes are possible:

• from the car park, following the seafront;
• from the end of the car park on the Fréjus side, along the path of the Villepey ponds nature site.

The part closest to the car park and to Saint-Aygulf is the family area, with its coves protected by breakwaters. The naturist part lies further east, towards the Villepey ponds: it is the quietest part of the beach. Look for the "Plage naturiste" signs.

Where exactly is the naturist area today?

I do not know the recent situation well. According to some sources, the naturist section of the beach may have been moved, and the toilets may be further from it than before. I would rather not state what I cannot verify.

Been there recently? Tell us in the comments: where the naturist area starts today, where the toilets are, what the parking costs, what has changed in recent years. I will update the article with your feedback, and it will help everyone discovering the beach.

Parking at Esclamandes beach: where to park

Parking is paid in season. According to some sources, there are several paid parking areas on either side of the access road. Prices are displayed on site. In summer, arrive early: it is the best way to find a space without waiting.

When to go: arrive early to avoid the traffic

In summer, the road to the beach quickly clogs up. My advice: arrive early in the morning, before the queue builds, to avoid the traffic and park without stress. Outside July and August, the beach is generally quieter. Lifeguard posts are open from mid-June to mid-September.

What to bring to the naturist beach at Esclamandes

• a parasol: there is almost no shade on the beach;
• water and food, as the bars and restaurants are nearby rather than inside the naturist area;
• a large towel to sit on;
• sunscreen, including for the areas that never see the sun;
• water shoes, for getting into the sea;
• a bag to take your rubbish home;
• money to pay for parking.

My local tips for Esclamandes beach

• Arrive early: for the road, the parking and the best spot.
• Set up your parasol as soon as you arrive: shade is scarce and the sun climbs fast.
• Swim in the morning: the water is calm and clear, the best time for long swims.
• Keep your distance from the kitesurfing area: it is separate from the naturist area, but it is best not to swim towards it.
• Plan for the whole day: water, snacks, something to keep you busy.
• Stay curious: the Villepey ponds nature reserve, right next door, is worth a walk.

Swimming at Esclamandes: a word about weever fish

As a child, I was stung once by a weever fish (a "vive" in French). It happens, but it is not the norm, and I only had happy summers in this water. Weever fish are small fish that bury themselves in the sand in shallow water, with venomous spines on their back. The sting is very painful at the time, but it is not fatal, and a few simple steps are enough.

• To avoid them: when walking in the water, shuffle your feet along the sand rather than lifting them, and wear water shoes with a plastic sole if you are concerned.
• If you are stung: get out of the water, then immerse the area in water as hot as you can bear (40 to 45°C maximum, never risking a burn) for 20 to 30 minutes, then clean and disinfect.
• Avoid: cutting the wound or applying a tourniquet.

As a child, I was once made to walk on hot sand to ease the pain. Heat is indeed what helps, but hot water remains the recommended method. If you feel faint, if there is significant swelling or an allergic reaction, ask the lifeguard post in season or call emergency services (15 or 112 in France).

For beginners: naturist etiquette

The naturist area at Esclamandes is a good place to start: a public beach, easy access, no formalities. A few simple rules make it pleasant for everyone:

• always sit on a towel;
• do not photograph anyone, and keep your phone discreet;
• respect people's space: nudity is not a spectacle;
• swimwear is expected outside the naturist area.

Esclamandes, Layet, Levant, Dramont: which naturist beach in the Var?

• Esclamandes: the big sandy beach, open to the horizon, easy to reach, with parking, facilities and lifeguards in season. Ideal for a first time or a full day.
• Layet: smaller and more enclosed than Esclamandes. See the Plage du Layet poster.
• Île du Levant: an island, reached by boat. See the Île du Levant poster.
• Cap Dramont and the Estérel massif: "wild" naturist spots, unsupervised and often hard to reach. It is not the same experience: do your research first, be careful and avoid going alone.

Around the beach: Villepey ponds, Malpasset and the Estérel

Right next to the beach, the Villepey ponds nature reserve can be explored on foot. Inland, the Malpasset dam and the Estérel massif offer many hikes. The port of Saint-Aygulf offers water activities and boat shuttles.

A bit of history: a beach that lost its dunes

Over 2,000 years, the beach has advanced about 1,200 metres into the sea. It lost its dunes when the Malpasset dam broke on 2 December 1959. Four coves of fine sand were then built, which enlarged the beach.

An illustration of the beach: on my Plage des Esclamandes poster, I drew the sand, a lone palm tree, dune grass and ganivelles, the wooden fences used to protect dunes. An original, hand-drawn illustration with no people in it.

Frequently asked questions about Esclamandes naturist beach

Where is the naturist area? On the eastern part of the beach, towards the Villepey ponds, after the family area. Its exact position may change: look for the signs on site.

Is there parking? Yes, a large car park nearby, paid in season.

Is access to the beach paid? No, access is free. Only parking is paid in season.

Is the beach lifeguarded? Yes, in season, from mid-June to mid-September.

Are dogs allowed? A dog area exists on the beach, but animals are not allowed on the naturist beach.

Do I have to be nude everywhere? No, only in the naturist area.

Is there any shade? Very little: bring a parasol.

How can I avoid the crowds? Arrive early in the morning in summer, or come outside July and August.

Are there weever fish? They can be found on sandy beaches like this one. Shuffle your feet in the water and wear water shoes if you are worried.