Landing Beach in Provence (Dramont)

A closer look at the D-Day Landing Beach in Provence (Dramont)

The Landing Beach, also known as the Plage du Dramont, is one of the most famous beaches in Saint-Raphaël. The original name refers to the village in which it is situated: Le Dramont. It also has the distinctive feature of being both a sand and shingle beach.

Initially, this part of the seashore was known for its location, opposite the Île d’Or. This small, red rock island with a tower is thought to be the inspiration behind Hergé’s Black Island, the iconic site of The Adventures of Tintin. At that time the beach was an ideal spot to observe the island, or even approach it.

For many years it was also a popular place to practice scuba diving, due to the incredible underwater scenery. Indeed the different coloured stones create a truly unique combination. The red stones provide a stunning contrast thanks to esterellite: an igneous rock named after the Massif de l’Estérel mountain range. These stones can also be found on the shingle beach.

However, since the Second World War, the beach has become famous worldwide as it was chosen by the US Army as one of the D-Day landing sites in Provence. On 15 August 1944 tens of thousands of US soldiers landed on the beach to push back the German forces. Two weeks later, Provence was liberated.

Traces of the landings are still visible today. A landing craft and a memorial commemorate this monumental event in the war. The beach has now regained its tranquil atmosphere. It is a pleasant place to relax on the sand or shingle, swim in the crystal clear water, or even try out snorkelling or sea kayaking.

Our Saint-Raphaël campsite is situated at the edge of the beach. It benefits from direct access to the beach, which you can see from your cottage or pitch. Doesn’t it make you wish you were there?