Enjoy a vacation in France’s most famous region! We’ll guide you with these 10 must-do things to do in Saint-Raphaël.
Nestled on the shores of the Mediterranean and in the heart of the Estérel mountain range, Saint-Raphaël is a typical Côte d’Azur town. And we’re not the first to visit Saint-Raphaël and appreciate its attractions.
All the civilizations of the Mediterranean basin have left their mark here, some of which you can still see today. And many illustrious personalities have stayed here, attracted by the relaxed lifestyle of this Var port. There’s everything you need for a dream vacation here.
Between outdoor activities, discovering the coastal landscapes and even the seabed, culture and idleness, the cocktail is bound to be a success. And to give you a few ideas to add to your program, here’s a selection of 11 must-do things to do in Saint-Raphaël.
1. The different neighborhoods
The old town
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Telly
This is obviously the first district to visit in Saint-Raphaël. Before it became a popular tourist destination, Saint-Raphaël was a village inhabited by peasants. There’s not much left of that time, apart from the old quarter and the old harbor, now dedicated to yachting.
It’s easily recognized by its narrow streets and tall houses, which provide welcome shade in summer. This is where you’ll find some of the town’s landmarks, such as the San rafeu church and the archaeological museum. Finally, if you want to taste Provence in the literal sense of the word, take a stroll through the flower and vegetable markets.
Agay
Photo credit: shutterstock – Andreas Jung
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, who visited Saint-Raphaël, already called Agay a paradise. The Greeks also appreciated it, since its name comes from the word meaning « favorable ». So much for reputation. And in practical terms, it’s a charming harbor considered to be the entrance to the Estérel massif.
With its long sandy beach and turquoise waters, it’s sure to be a hit. For those who want to get away from the crowds, there’s always the Rastel d’Agay hike. The views are splendid.
Le Dramont
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Zdenek Matyas Photography
This district is many things, and it’s one of the locals’ proudest achievements. First and foremost, this is where you get the best view of theIsle of Gold, the city’s treasure. You can’t miss it, a small piece of ochre rock topped by a crenellated tower. Unfortunately, it’s privately owned, and its first owner even called himself its lord.
Le Dramont also boasts a beach where one of the episodes of the Provence landings took place, less well known than that of Normandy, but just as instrumental in the Liberation. In addition to the sea, you also have access to a man-made lake where you can enjoy water sports.
Antheor Le Trayas
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Imareva
This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places to visit in Saint-Raphaël. But it’s a bit of a drive, as it’s 15 km from the center. Here, l’Estérel literally plunges into the Mediterranean, giving rise to several sublime calanques.
Near the viaduct on the Route de la Corniche, you’ll see the houses of the village of Anthéor, popular with artists since the 19th century. A little further on, you’ll see the equally wild Le Trayas, just a stone’s throw from Théoule-sur-Mer.
Santa Lucia
Photo credit: pixabay.com – vacone
Less than 2km from the town center, the port of Santa Lucia is a boating paradise. It even boasts the third largest port on the Côte d’Azur. This is where you can embark to sail to other coastal towns or to Corsica and Sardinia.
Right next to it you’ll find a very pretty cove under the pine trees. That’s because it’s not easy to get to and is surrounded by rocks.
Boulouris
Photo credit: Pixabay.com – misslaeti
This is the beach district, with no less than 9 stretches of sand shaped by the rocks. It’s also a very residential area, perfect for families. Its name comes from « boulerie », a reference to the game of boules.
This gives you an idea of the district’s vocation. There are also a number of lovely footpaths within easy reach of the beaches.
2. Notre-Dame Basilica
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Philip Lange
The town’s urban development began in the 19th century under the impetus of the mayor of the time. His idea worked, so much so that the old church had become too small for the new inhabitants.
Architect Pierre Aublé was commissioned to build a new church, inaugurated in 1887. He decided to give it a neo-Byzantine style, with a dome reminiscent of that of Sainte-Sophie in Istanbul. It’s a truly original building to visit in Saint-Raphaël. During the festive season, its facade is the object of superb illuminations.
3. San Rafeu Tower
Photo credit: Facebook – Châteaux de France
Alert panoramic view of the city’s rooftops from this tower you can see in Saint-Raphaël! It was built on one side of the transept of the town’s former church in the 13th century. With its fortified appearance, it was there to symbolize the power of the bishop.
To reach the top, you have to climb 129 steps, but it’s well worth it. From up there, you have a breathtaking view of the basilica’s domes, the Estérel massif and even as far as the Bay of Saint-Tropez.
4. The Museum of Prehistory and Underwater Archaeology
Photo credit: Office du Tourisme de Saint-Raphaël
The museum is housed in the former presbytery, and the building itself is impressive, as traces of the ramparts and fortifications can still be seen. The Mediterranean has been a crossroads for trade since ancient times, and numerous shipwrecks lie on the seabed off Saint-Raphaël.
The museum displays artefacts found during underwater archaeological digs, with reconstructions of ships. There’s also a whole section devoted to the Paleolithic, remains of which have also been found in the region.
5. The coastal path
Photo credit: Shutterstock -trabantos
This is the ideal trail for discovering the beauty of Saint-Raphaël’s coastline. You can set off from the port of Santa Lucia, following the yellow signs. You arrive at Camp Long beach. Apart from a short crossing of the road, the walk takes you between the seaside and the Estérel massif, on the old customs path.
You’ll wind your way between coves and beaches, with superb panoramic views of the Dramont, Ile d’Or, Agay Bay and even a few of the Esterel peaks. A word of warning, though: you’ll need good shoes.
6. A boat trip
Photo credit: Shutterstock – JosephWGallagher
Visiting Saint-Raphaël also means enjoying the beauty of its coastline. After a stroll along the path, another option is to set sail!
Renting a boat lets you explore the Mediterranean coastline, its coves and beaches. You’ll have the opportunity to discover the landscape in a different way, as seen from the water. It’s the perfect way to round off your stay in Saint-Raphaël!
Find a boat for rent in Saint-Raphaël
7. A diving session
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Damsea
Whether you’re a neophyte, a beginner or an expert, why not discover Saint-Raphaël underwater? The rocky concretions at the base of the Estérel massif offer prime refuges for fauna and flora.
Starfish, gorgonian sea fans, schools of castagnoles and small groupers are waiting to feast your eyes. And if you’re looking for a little extra adrenalin, no problem – there are wrecks galore in the area. From antique ships to World War II military vessels, the choice is yours.
You can also enjoy other activities such as a boat trip, parasailing or an afternoon of jet-skiing in Saint-Raphaël!
At the Chrétienne beacon , for example, there are no fewer than 13 ancient wrecks!
8. La Corniche d’Or
Photo credit: Shutterstock – OkFoto
This is the name of the road that links Saint-Raphaël to Cannes through the Estérel massif. It winds along the jagged red rock coastline, offering exceptional panoramic views of the calanques along the way.
Clearly, this is the most beautiful mini road-trip you can take in Saint-Raphaël. In fact, you may have already seen images of it, as the road has been used many times as a film set.
9. The Esterel massif
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Zdenek Matyas Photography
It’s impossible to miss its red landscapes when you visit Saint-Raphaël. Before the formation of the Mediterranean Sea, l’Estérel was actually a piece of Africa, which then broke off. The result is fascinating rocky chaos that plunges into the sea to create coves.
In places, jagged peaks soar into the sky. Today, the massif is criss-crossed by numerous hiking and mountain bike trails. All to the delight of visitors.
10. The Bonaparte garden
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Andreas Jung
Located on the old port, the Bonaparte garden is the ideal place to visit in Saint-Raphaël to stroll along the sea. During the day, it is particularly popular with young visitors, thanks to its many play areas.
But in the evening, when it’s quieter, it’s perfect for a cool stroll through the greenery and admiring the last glimmers of daylight.
11. Île Verte garden
Photo credit: Facebook – Jardin de l’île verte – Parc Valescure
If you’re looking for a real garden to visit in Saint-Raphaël, the place to go is the Pierre Fernez Garden in the Valescure district. It’s a fairly secret spot, known only to a few tourists, which makes it all the more enjoyable.
It’s a botanical garden with an abundance of flowers. Visitors stroll through Mediterranean trees such as olives, pines, palms, eucalyptus and Judas. In short, it would be a shame to miss this oasis.
How do I get to Saint-Raphaël?
By plane
With 3 airports within a 2-hour drive, it’s easy to visit Saint-Raphaël by plane. The closest is Nice, followed by Toulon and Marseille. Connections are daily.
All you have to do is choose what suits you best, for example by using a flight comparison service like Ulysse.
From Nice airport, take bus line 3003 to Saint-Raphaël.
From Toulon airport, take bus line 102 to Toulon station, then a train to Saint-Raphaël.
From Marseille airport, take bus line 10, then line L088 to Marseilles Saint-Charles, then a shuttle bus to Fréjus-Saint-Raphaël.
By train
The TGV now passes through Saint-Raphaël, making the city accessible in less than 5 hours from Paris. There’s also a very good TER network linking all the towns on the Côte d’Azur.
Saint-Raphaël is also accessible from Switzerland by TGV Lyria and from Italy by THELLO.
By car
It couldn’t be clearer: to visit Saint-Raphaël by car, you have to take the Autoroute du Soleil, the A8. There, I’ve said it.
Where to stay in Saint-Raphaël?
As the region’s tourist destination par excellence for both French and foreign visitors, there’s plenty of accommodation to choose from. But there’s a « but »: prices soar as the high season approaches, and availability dries up fast. So make sure you book well in advance, using a hotel comparator where you can narrow down your choices.
Alternatively, consider campsites or AirbnBs in neighborhoods like Boulouris, for example, or Anthéor. Or opt for a charming gîte in the hinterland.
Map of hotels and accommodation – Saint-Raphaël