Saint-Raphael

Visit Saint-Raphael, Provence

Saint-Raphael is a seaside resort a little way south-east of Frejus in the French Riviera. The town is one of the oldest resorts on the coast - there is evidence that wealthy Romans used to pass their summers here 2000 years ago!

Explore Saint-Raphael

Nowadays Saint-Raphael is one of the calmer resorts on the French Riviera, standing in the shadow of the rugged Massif de l'Esterel. It is a very clean, well maintained resort with a small harbour, and beaches to either side of the harbour. It is one of our favourite resorts on this part of the Cote d'Azur.

The more eastern of the beaches is backed by grand regency era hotels, now with cafes to the front, and Saint Raphael also has a large number of cafes and shops in the area around the harbour, again all very clean and modern where you can escape from the sunshine. Behind the harbour there is a colourful old town to explore, which has a daily fruit and vegetable market.

Another imposing 19th century building in the centre of Saint-Raphael is the byzantine style basilica.

To the south of the harbour is a large public garden area where photo exhibitions are sometimes held, which also contains a large children's play area. If you head east along the sea front from the centre of saint-Raphael you reach another harbour area called Saint Lucia. You can then follow the coast path to Boulouris and a selection of smaller beaches.

As well as the romans, there are also traces of both prehistoric and ancient Greek occupation in the area. Visit the Archaeology Museum in the town to learn more. In more recent years it was Napoleon who brought Saint-Raphael to the public gaze when he landed here after his Egypt 'adventure', and set off from Saint-Raphael when he was first sent into exile, an event commemorated in a small memorial in the port area.

Places to visit near Saint Raphael

Deep-sea diving and the coastal path are among the most popular activities in and near Saint-Raphael. The surrounding coastline (more than 30km of coastline is found here) and the Massif de l'Esterel together represent a protected and carefully maintained environment, including restrictions on new developments along the coast.

The beaches and rocky section of coast are characterised by the red rock, as found in the Massif de l'Esterel and best seen by following the coast road east to Theoule-sur-Mer.

Saint Raphael is also on the popular 'garden route' called the Route des Mimosas.

Photos of Saint-Raphael (click any picture to start the gallery)

Tourist classifications for Saint-Raphael: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 3*;

Suggested places to visit near Saint-Raphael, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Roquebrune-sur-Argens 11km; Bagnols-en-Foret 14km; Theoule-sur-Mer 17km; Sainte-Maxime 17km; Mandelieu-la-Napoule 19km; Saint-Tropez 20km; Montauroux 22km; Callian 22km; Tourrettes 23km; Port Grimaud 23km; Fayence 23km; Les-Arcs-sur-Argens 24km; Cannes 24km; Saint-Cezaire-sur-Siagne 25km; Seillans 25km; Grimaud 26km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Saint-Raphael

Saint-Raphael tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Eglise de St Raphaël (Saint-Raphael) - religious monument (0km) : Cathédrale Saint Léonce (Frejus) - religious monument (3km) : Parc du château de la Napoule - remarkable garden (18km) : Abbaye de Lerins (Cannes) - religious monument (24km) : Jardin Germaine l’Hardy-Denonain - remarkable garden (26km) : Grottes de Saint-Cezaire - site of natural beauty (26km) : Jardin de la Villa Fort de France - remarkable garden (29km) : Jardin botanique de la villa Thuret - remarkable garden (33km) :

French version: see Saint-Raphael (Francais)