Agay is a village and coastal resort on the Cote d'Azur, on the coast between Saint-Raphael and Theoule-sur-Mer (Cannes direction). The village is in a sheltered position in a large natural bay with the Pointe de la Baumette to one side and Cap Dramont on the other side.
Explore Agay
France This Way review: Agay village is not very interesting but the beaches, coastal scenery and impressive cliffs of the Cap d'Esterel provide adequate compensation!
Occupying a natural bay overlooking the Mediterranean, Agay has a long main beach, backed by a string of small cafes and shops, and with villas running up the steep hill behind. Numerous sporting activities such as kayak and jet-ski are available on the beach.
The beach is divided in two by a small headland that separates the 'main' Agay beach from the beach at La Baumette to the east of the bay and is perhaps a mile (two kilometres) long in total.
As well as the main beach you will discover lots of smaller beaches and creeks along the coast here where you can enjoy yourself in virtual solitude away from the crowds at Agay beach. Several of them are backed by the lovely red cliffs and pine trees typical of the Cap d'Esterel.
Our favourite beaches are those to the east of Agay near Trayas (direction Theoule-sur-Mer) but you will enjoy exploring them to decide for yourself!
There are basic facilities here, including a few small shops and restaurants, but Agay is a much smaller, quieter beach and resort than its more famous neighbours along the coast. You will see a small pleasure port around the mouth of the Agay river.
Agay is also the closest beach to the substantial holiday village at Cap Esterel, which stands in the lower part of the Esterel hills just west of the village.
Agay market takes place on a Wednesday.
Exploring around Agay
The main appeal of Agay lies in its position - it is on a very scenic section of coast, with impressive coastline and numerous photo opportunities in both directions, and with the great red cliffs and rocks of the Massif de l'Esterel rising immediately behind and around the town, running down to the sea itself at either end of the harbour.
The hill to the east is called Antheor mountain while to the west, with a lighthouse on top, you can see La Dramont - there is a walk along the coast and around La Dramont which takes a couple of hours and is very pleasant, especially for the views from the lighthouse itself, and the views across to the Ile d'Or (with a red tower on) from the Port de Poussai.
More challenging walks are also available in the Massif de l'Esterel - a reasonably early morning start is recommended, it can get very warm in the afternoon!
Attractions nearby
Note that unlike most places we review on France This Way, Agay is not a French commune but the village is part of Theoule-sur-Mer: it doesn't make much difference but useful to know when you are using a GPS to get here!
To the west of Agay you can visit the lively and well maintained resort at Saint-Raphael, one of our favourite resorts along this part of the French riviera, and to the east you will want to visit the resort at Theoule-sur-Mer.
Explore elsewhere in the Cote d'Azur. You can find more travel ideas in the Var guide and the Provence guide.
To make travel arrangements to visit Agay see HERE
Find Agay Hotels and Holiday Rentals
Reserve excursions near Agay
Photos of Agay
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See complete Agay Photo Gallery
Map of Agay and places nearby
Places to visit near Agay
Saint-Raphael
The clean and popular resort of Saint-Raphael is one of our favourites along this section of the Riviera
Saint-Raphael guide
Massif de l'Esterel
The Massif d'Esterel is a substantial region of countryside on the riviera with hiking trails through the red-rock scenery
Massif de l'Esterel guide
Frejus
Among other historic sites, the town of Frejus has one of the best ancient baptisteries in France
Frejus guide
Theoule-sur-Mer
The resort at Theoule-sur-Mer is on the coast near Cannes, and is a cheaper alternative to staying at Cannes or Nice
Theoule-sur-Mer guide
Mandelieu-la-Napoule
While lacking the attractions of the more important Riviera towns, Mandelieu-la-Napoule is well placed to explore the coast around Cannes
Mandelieu-la-Napoule guide
Bagnols-en-Foret
Bagnols-en-Foret is a pleasant town close to the popular Gorges of the Blavet River
Bagnols-en-Foret guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Var
Address: Saint-Raphaël, Draguignan, Provence, 83700, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 43.4313092, longitude 6.8558399
Plan your visit to Agay, Var
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Eglise de St Raphaël (Saint-Raphael): religious monument (7 km)
- Frejus Cathedral cloisters: national monument (9 km)
- Frejus: town of art and history (9 km)
- Cathédrale Saint Léonce (Frejus): religious monument (10 km)
- Parc zoologique de Fréjus: zoo or wildlife park (11 km)
- Parc du château de la Napoule: remarkable garden (12 km)
- Abbaye de Lerins (Cannes): religious monument (18 km)
- Cannes: ville fleurie 4* (18 km)
- Grottes de Saint-Cezaire: site of natural beauty (26 km)
- Grasse: secteur sauvegarde (26 km)
- Jardin de la Villa Fort de France: remarkable garden (27 km)
- Jardin botanique de la villa Thuret: remarkable garden (27 km)
Market days in Agay, France
Regular market(s) are held in Agay each Tuesday & Monday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)
The French version of this page is at Agay (Francais)