Frejus

Visit Frejus, Provence

Frejus is in the Var department of Provence, just inland from Saint Raphael on the Cote d'Azur. As the coast and region around Fréjus has become developed there is little to separate the town itself from nearby Saint-Raphael.

Frejus has an illustrious past, dating back to pre-Roman times, and 2000 years ago it was an important trade centre and port. The sea has now receded and the main port is now at Saint Raphael and Fréjus-Plage.

Exploring Frejus

Frejus has a calm, pretty town centre to explore and merits a visit when you are visiting the region.

The medieval centre of Frejus is centred around the Place Formagé where the cathedral of Saint Léonce and the Mairie fill two sides of the square. The town hall was originally the bishop’s palace and is painted a pale orange colour. From the square you can stroll down the side streets that contain more pastel-painted houses and shops.

Frejus Cathedral

The Cathedral of Saint-Leonce is very much the highlight of your visit to Frejus. A small cathedral in an attractive, simple style the main building dates from the 12th century. You will first notice the decorative carvings around the doorway. But it is inside the cathedral that the greatest treasure can be found, with a baptistry and 12th century cloisters.

Frejus was one of the first centres of Christianity in France and the baptistry dates from the 5th century. Very unusual, it dates from the time when baptism required full body immersion*, with a large central well in which believers would be completely submerged.

The baptistry is entered through a doorway made deliberately low so people would enter bent over, then leave upright through a larger door after baptism. The building itself is octagonal with arches and columns around the edges.

*The guide explained that it was later that people started to worry about children not being baptised and the more current version of baptism with water on the forehead was introduced.

In the cloisters one of the highlights is the painted woodwork in the ceiling of the arcaded edges. The cloisters are listed as a French National Monument - see Frejus cathedral visitor information for opening hours and admission prices.

Elsewhere in Frejus

There is also an attractive 15th century church - the Church of Saint Maximinus - in Frejus.

You will also see scattered Roman remains to be seen around Frejus, including the remains of the aquaduct.

Both the amphitheatre and the theatre are still used for summer time events, although the ampitheatre is smaller than those of Nimes and Arles and in a dilapidated condition.

If you are looking for something more offbeat, track down the Chinese pagoda, or the Sudanese mosque, then the memorial to the war in Indochina. I wasn't quite sure why any of them were here, but quite interesting all the same!

Attractions nearby

Sun lovers will want to head just down the road to the beach where Frejus Plage merges into the more up-market coastal resort of Saint Raphael.

Among the natural highlights close to Frejus, the Massif d'Esterel and the coast road between the massif and the sea are both very scenic.

Photos of Frejus (click any picture to start the gallery)

Tourist classifications for Frejus: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 3*; Listed town of Art and History;

Suggested places to visit near Frejus, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Cap Esterel 11km; Bagnols-en-Foret 13km; Sainte-Maxime 16km; Theoule-sur-Mer 18km; Saint-Tropez 19km; Mandelieu-la-Napoule 21km; Montauroux 21km; Callian 21km; Les-Arcs-sur-Argens 21km; Tourrettes 22km; Port Grimaud 22km; Fayence 22km; Seillans 24km; Grimaud 25km; Saint-Cezaire-sur-Siagne 25km; Draguignan 25km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Frejus

Frejus tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Cathédrale Saint Léonce (Frejus) - religious monument (0km) : Eglise de St Raphaël (Saint-Raphael) - religious monument (3km) : Parc du château de la Napoule - remarkable garden (19km) : Grottes de Saint-Cezaire - site of natural beauty (26km) : Abbaye de Lerins (Cannes) - religious monument (26km) : Jardin Germaine l’Hardy-Denonain - remarkable garden (26km) : Jardin de la Villa Fort de France - remarkable garden (30km) : Jardin botanique de la villa Thuret - remarkable garden (35km) :

French version: see Frejus (Francais)