Saint-Raphaël

SUMMARY

Small town bathed by the Mediterranean and ideally located at the foot of the Estérel massif, Saint-Raphaël is a destination where we like to live the time of a life or a stay.
In Saint-Raph ’as we call it, we love its old town and the port… But its greatest asset is the sea and its beaches. The city stretches over 36 kilometers of coastline and offers thirty sandy or pebble beaches, from the city center to the confines of the Alpes-Maritimes. With all the pleasures of nautical activities such as sailing, swimming, fishing and diving, walks by the water, as well as a maritime archaeological museum …

History of the town

In the middle of the 11th century, Saint-Raphaël really called himself such. The village was then attached to Fréjus. In the twelfth century, the war of succession between the counts of Toulouse and those of Barcelona will allow the knights to settle in Saint Raphael. In 1347, Provence was attacked by the plague…
From the 18th century, the economy of Saint-Raphaël was based mainly on fishing.. In 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte, arriving from Egypt, landed with his generals at Saint-Raphaël. A pyramid is even erected on the port in his honor.
At the end of the 19th century, under the leadership of Mayor Félix Martin, the city was transformed into a charming seaside resort. We set up a casino, the Agay lighthouse, hotels and villas.

LOCATION

35 min from Cannes
50 min from Nice Airport
50 min from Saint-Tropez

Environment

The sea, the mild climate, the sun, the extent and richness of its natural heritage and its possibilities for activities throughout the year make Saint-Raphaël a delicious city.
The city of light keeps its past, a prestigious real estate treasure with villas from the Belle Epoque (late 19th and early 20th century).

Lifestyle

Start your day by exploring the narrow, shady streets of the old town, known as the ‘village district’. You will enjoy every day the typical Provençal flower and vegetable market. Continue your walk by visit the church of San Raféu, dating from the twelfth century and enlarged in the eighteenth , housing today the archaeological museum. Then, from the top of the tower, observe the superb panorama of the bay.
If you want a little more nature, join the coves dug in the red volcanic rock and bathe in transparent water. Lovers of private beaches will not be disappointed either, the choice is multiple.

Our favourites

The Esterel massifFor nature lovers, between the Mediterranean and limestone Provence, the Esterel is a volcanic massif of 32,000 hectares of which 14,000 are classified. Its magnificent red color is linked to the rhyolith, or red porphyry, volcanic rock of the primary era. You will be able to discover them by bike, on horseback or on foot enjoying a magnificent hike.