Over 100 archaeological sites have been recorded in the area of the Estérel mountains immediately next to the town. Dolmens (funeral monuments) and several megaliths stand witness to human life in the Neolithic and Palaeolithic ages. Proud of its rich pre-hitorical heritage, Saint Raphael boasts a beautiful archaeological museum.

ROMAN OCCUPATION

Located on the Roman "Aurelian Road" the site became the privileged holiday destination for rich patricians of Forum Julii, who built beautiful villas there. The town's immense underwater heritage reveals an intense maritime activity at that era (antique wrecks and amphoras from the 5th and 6th centuries B.C.).

MIDDLE-AGES

the time of invasion by barbaric hordes and the bloody Saracen invasions. The village and its church take their name from the Archangel Raphaël, originally "Rapha El" or "remedy of God" in Hebrew.

MODERN ERA

On October 9th 1799, Bonaparte disembarked on the small harbor beach. After the fifteen glorious years that followed, the fallen emperor left for exile in Elba from the very same beach, on April 28th 1814.

At the start of the 19th century, the village still had its traditional layout, with two distinct quarters - the "Village" inhabited by farmers and the "Marine" inhabited by sea-goers. Nobody could have guessed the extraordinary turn the town would later take.

The reputation of Saint-Raphaël is owed largely to the many famous artists who came to stay here at the turn of the century. Félix Martin the ex-Mayor, also played an important role in the development of the town by building, within the space of a generation, a new town on the then-deserted Plateau de Veillat.

With the coming of the fashionable "Summer Season" in the twenties, Saint-Raphaël blossomed definitively into today's prestigious and animated holiday destination.

SPENDING HOLIDAYS IN SAINT-RAPHAËL

Between the magnificient Mediterranean Sea, lapping the shores to the rythm of the waves and the luxuriant green backdrop of the Esterel hills, Saint-Raphaël offers holiday-makers a charming destination.

With its 12 sites covering a vast and richly-diverse area, Saint-Raphaël is the perfect year-round holiday destination. Ideal for Water Sports, Sailing, Diving, Golfing, Nature Walks and Business Tourism, the town offers a packed events and entertainments calendar.

With its 5 marinas, its 4 nautic sites and its partners "Station Voile, Nautisme et Tourisme", Saint-Raphaël is indeed the perfect destination for Sea lovers.

You will as well love discovering the fine sandy beaches, the little creeks and the breathtaking colours of our 42 km coastline, the "Corniche d'Or", where the stunning "Red Rocks" of the Estérel Hills plunge into the azur-blue waters below.

Between the Mediterranean sea and limestone Provence, the Estérel, a volcanic range covering 79 000 acres, 32 000 of which are protected, offers many nature activities : hiking, horse riding, mountain biking, 4x4 discovery tours, etc…

With 4 beautiful golf courses, two 18-hole courses and two 9-hole courses, located on three different sites, Saint-Raphaël is a premier golfing destination.

At any time of the year, enjoy the entertainments in Saint-Raphaël : traditionnal feast - Sainte-Baume, Saint-Honorat, Mimosa Corso, Provencal Jousting tournaments - music shows - Jazz Festival, Templiers Musical Evenings - and all other entertainments - Cuisine feast, Nautical exhibition, regattas, golf competitions and the Light Festival in december.

Discover more on Saint-Raphaël