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Saint Raphaël
Medival tower in Saint Raphaël, France (cc)
Photo: MartinPutz
Saint Raphaël
Saint Raphaël, situated right next door to Fréjus – they even share a beachfront – was once a resort for the rich Romans of Fréjus, who came down from their villas in the hills to take in the fresh sea air at what was then called Epulias. Under its modern Casino lie the ruins of thermal baths, a fishpond, terraces and buildings with mosaic floors.
It is not entirely clear why there are so many fewer Roman and medieval remains in Saint Raphaël. Perhaps the city was less important during those eras and fewer monumental buildings were created in the first place. But the fact that Saint Raphaël’s outer harbor is deep and wide enough to shelter warships may provide a more likely hint.
During the late 19th century, it enjoyed a revival as a fashionable resort for the bourgeoisie of the Second Empire, who built themselves lavish and flamboyant villas. Much of the town’s modern character can be attributed to its mix of 19th-century architectural styles – Palladian, Moorish, Anglo-Norman. Some of the grand houses of the past have been converted into hotels and chambres d’hôtes, but many are maintained as private homes.
Saint Raphaël is now, first and foremost, a pleasure-boat haven and watersports center. One of only 27 resorts certified as a "France Station Nautique" by the French Sailing Federation, meaning that it offers the highest quality and widest range of watersports options. A quality rating symbol is displayed all over town.
Saint Raphaël's five separate ports, strung out along 42 km/26 miles of sheltered coastline, provide berths for 3,500 boats. They range in size from the new and bustling Santa Lucia Port, which can accommodate 1,800 yachts, to the sweet and tiny Port Toukan, with 60 berths in the middle of a necklace of sandy beaches.
Dozens of divable wrecks and underwater archaeology make Saint Raphaël a major diving center. Underwater finds in the town's archaeological museum testify to its antiquity as a thriving commercial port. The town's peaceful bays are virtually littered with history.
Unlike some Mediterranean towns that center around a harbor, Saint Raphaël snakes along the coast. The Massif de l'Estérel slides right down to the sea in several places along the town’s seashore, dividing it into distinct districts, each with its own beaches and ambiance.
With the exception of Dramont, most beaches are relatively close to the Route de la Corniche (N98), the narrow but busy coastal road. This is a fact of life along the Côte d'Azur and Saint Raphaël's beaches are wider and more sheltered than many.
Last updated March 15, 2012
Posted in France | Western Côte d’Azur
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