Saint-Raphael Attractions

The port of St Raphaël, half-way between St Tropez and Cannes, has a charming situation on the north side of the Gulf of Fréjus at the foot of the Esterel range.

In the old heart of the town stands the 12th C. Eglise des Templiers (a Templar church), with a tower which was built as protection against pirates. Adjoining the church on the north side is the Musée d'Archéologie Sous-Marine (Museum of Underwater Archeology) with a notable collection of amphorae which were mostly rescued from ancient wrecks. Parallel to the shore runs the Promenade René-Coty, which is beautifully laid out and extremely popular in season. From here and also from the pleasant avenue de Gaulle there is a good view of the strange rock formations, the Lion de Terre (Lion of the Land) and Lion de Mer (Lion of the Sea) near Port Santa-Lucia.