Saint-Aygulf combines long fine sandy beaches with a protected coastal wetland and maritime traditions. This offers different ways to plan your trip: beaches, nature watching, trails and activities at the port. A park, a market and a recurring votive festival also provide specific points of interest for a stay.
Beach and coastal wetland
Plage des Esclamandes comprises extensive fine sandy beaches stretching for several kilometres. The Étangs de Villepey offer a different kind of landscape: this protected coastal wetland covers 271 hectares and formed in the Argens Delta. Its habitats range from ponds and a lagoon to mudflats and the Sansouire salt marsh, as well as wet and dry meadows, dunes, riparian woodland and pine forest.
The Étangs are a refuge for fauna and flora, and an area for observing numerous bird species. The trail there is rated easy and suitable for families; you can enjoy the view from the observation platform. The beach and wetland therefore offer different nature experiences: an extensive sandy coastline on the one hand, and a diverse landscape with opportunities for observation on the other. If you plan to walk the trail, you can use the car park at Plage des Esclamandes. It is on Avenue de la Corniche d’Azur (D559) and charges a fee in summer.
Trails, park and activities at the port
Another way to enjoy the outdoors is Parc Areca. The 3.5-hectare park is located by the sea in Saint-Aygulf and features a botanical trail and an orientation board. It differs considerably in scale from the Étangs: Parc Areca is a park with these two features, while the Étangs are a vast mosaic of protected habitats. Which of these natural settings interests you more can therefore be a helpful starting point for your planning.
At Port de Saint-Aygulf, maritime traditions meet water sports. The association « Les Voiles Latines » sails traditional Pointus there as part of the local maritime tradition. If you are interested, check in advance whether they are currently taking part. Trips out to sea and activities such as jet skiing and windsurfing are also offered at the port; check that these are currently available before making plans. The various activities appeal to different interests, rather than forming a single programme.
Market and votive festival
The votive festival « Les Fêtes de Saint-Aygulf » takes place every first weekend in September. The exact date may vary from year to year, so check it before planning your stay around the event. Its recurring timing makes the festival a possible reason to choose travel dates around the first weekend in September.
The « Marché Traditionnel de Saint-Aygulf » takes place at Place de la Poste. If you plan to visit the market, check the latest market information in advance. For the rest of your planning, the different interests are easy to distinguish: Plage des Esclamandes offers extensive fine sandy beaches, the Étangs offer wetland scenery and birdwatching, and maritime traditions and water sports shape the offer at the port. This lets you choose the focus of your stay according to what you would like to experience locally.
For the wider travel overview: Fréjus.
