Saint Raphael Information

Saint Raphael is a striking town situated on the Cote D’Azur in the South of France in between Frejus and Cannes. St Raphael has recovered from its pretty heavy 2nd World War wounds and is now not only the capital city of the Var, but also an administrative centre for visitors and business people. The town is a centre for shopping and has some wonderful restaurants and cafés. Like many of its counterparts it has its own casino and also plays host to a number of annual festivals including the celebrations of St Baume and St Pierre, various Jazz festivals and even a jousting tournament.

St Raphael marks the eastern most point of the Var, which despite the development of the tourist industry remains the second greenest department in France. As such, St Raphael is a wonderful base for all kinds of outdoor activities including hiking, cycling, climbing, and horse riding. With access to 42km of coastline, varying from long sandy beaches to secluded coves and cliffs, St Raphael is also a great base for all kinds of water-sports including swimming, scuba diving and sailing.

St Raphael also benefits from excellent transport links and has its own mainline station, which has regular and rapid services connecting it to the regions principal towns and airports including Marseille, Toulon, Nice and Avignon.

Saint Raphael History

Saint Raphael, or Sanctus Raphael as it was first called in the early 18th Century, was host to Napoleon Boneapart when he landed here from his explorations in the East. Rich Romans also had ventured up to St Raphael in the Gallo Roman period to build their holiday villas in Saint Raphael. Roman History has also found ruins near Valescure, where other aristocracy came to Saint Raphael for health reasons. They left the big smoke in Rome to benefit from the pleasant climate. As in Sainte Maxime the Lerin Monks had originally found Saint Raphael in 1140.

Top 5 Things to See in Saint Raphael

Les Bains De Cléopâtre: Come and relaw at the Saint Raphael spa and relaxation centre left by the Romans
Slide Water Camp: Lots of water based activities for kids
Agathonis Diving in Saint Raphael: fauna and flora of the under sea world
Walking up in the Esterelle Mountains: walking up in the Provencial hills
The Red Rocks in Agay: Great Sunbathing and the rocks are red

Weather

How to Get Here

Saint Raphael is very east to get to, being only 30 minutes drive from Nice Cote D'Azur Airport directly along the A8 motorway. Saint Raphael also has a train station, and a coach station.

Saint Raphael Beaches

Saint Raphael has thirty-six kilometres of Mediterranean coastline, which makes it second only to Marseille. The coastline is split up of by secret beaches and headlands formed between the natural region of the Esterel Massif and the sea. The main beach in Saint Raphael stretches from Saint Raphael to Frejus with many private beach clubs, cafes and beach restaurants. Watersports, waterskiing, and other beach activities like jetskis are readily available.