Summer Night Market
The municipal night market on the Promenade de Lattre de Tassigny brings crafts, painters, and evening seaside strolling throughout the summer.
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Saint-Raphaël
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ℹ️Practical info — Saint-Raphaël
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Drive the coastal Corniche d'Or route early in the morning to experience the striking contrast of red Esterel rocks against the blue sea without heavy traffic.
- Take a boat excursion from the Old Port to fully appreciate the hidden coves and calanques of the Esterel massif.
- Explore the underwater archaeology museum next to the old Romanesque church for fascinating shipwreck artifacts.
- Parking near the waterfront gets extremely busy in July and August; consider walking from slightly inland accommodations.
🍽 Food
🍽
Bouillabaisse & Seafood
Treat yourself to fresh fish stew at the established seafood restaurants lining the Vieux Port.
🍽
Tapenade & Rosé
Enjoy local olive spread and chilled Provence rosé at the beachside cafes in the Agay district.
🍽
Provençal Market Snacks
Pick up socca and freshly baked fougasse bread at the daily morning markets.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Marché de la République
Explore this lively morning market for local honey, spices, olives, and regional fabrics.
🛍
Boutiques of the Center
Browse the elegant streets behind the seafront for Riviera fashion, swimwear, and chic accessories.
🧘
Massif de l'Estérel Trails
Hike into the red volcanic hills for complete silence and sweeping views over the Mediterranean.
🧘
Jardin Bonaparte
A beautifully landscaped elevated garden overlooking the old port, well-suited for a peaceful sunset stroll.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
4
Mômes en Fête 2026
The city's children's festival runs for three days with continuous entertainment and family activities as part of Saint-Raphaël's summer season.
Saint Peter Festival
This three-day celebration features a Provençal village, concerts, a sea procession, a sardine feast, and activities tied to Saint-Raphaël's maritime heritage.
Fantomas
The city's summer program screens "Fantomas" as an open-air movie night on Le Dramont beach.
Saint-Raphaël is a pleasant coastal city and major resort on the French Riviera, located in the Var department. It is uniquely positioned where the red volcanic rocks of the Esterel Massif meet the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The city's history is ancient, with Roman villas once lining its shores, and it later became a sleepy fishing village before its 19th-century transformation into a high-society seaside destination. This golden era is still visible in its grand villas and the striking Neo-Byzantine Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Victoire. With a coastline stretching over 36 kilometers, Saint-Raphaël features a diverse range of maritime experiences, from sandy family beaches to secluded rocky coves. It is a premier destination for yachting, scuba diving, and hiking in the rugged hills of the Esterel. The city also shares a rich cultural bond with its neighbor Fréjus, forming a larger metropolitan area that combines modern leisure with centuries of Provençal history.
Your journey, your memory
A postcard from Saint-Raphaël
Turn your own photo into a personal postcard with a local stamp. Free and no sign-up required.
Create a postcard- Location: Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France
- Top sights: Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Victoire · Louis de Funès Museum · Esterel Massif
- Nearby: Puget-sur-Argens (8 km)
- Population: ~37.113
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Jul, Sep.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 8 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 17 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 21 | 17 | 12 | 9 |
| Rain mm | 58 | 55 | 62 | 56 | 52 | 29 | 14 | 20 | 50 | 98 | 126 | 84 |
Geography
Facts
- Coastline length: 36 kilometers.
- Population: approx. 37,113.
- Basilica built in 1883.
- Number of marinas: 5.
- Highest nearby peak: Mont Vinaigre (618 m).
- Historical site where Napoleon departed for Elba in 1814.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
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Sights in the town Saint-Raphaël (8)
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best beach in Saint-Raphaël?
Plage du Veillat is the main beach in the center. For nature, visit the Calanques d'Antheor or the Boulouris beach with its characteristic red rocks.
What can you do in the Esterel Massif?
The massif provides numerous hiking and mountain bike trails. Popular trips include Cap du Dramont or the summit of Mont Vinaigre for spectacular sea views.
Is the Old Port worth a visit?
Absolutely. The Vieux Port is the heart of town with fishing boats, cafes, and restaurants. Excursion boats to the Lerins Islands or Saint-Tropez also depart from here.
Are there museums in Saint-Raphaël?
Visit the Musée Louis de Funès, dedicated to the famous comedian, or the Archaeological Museum near the 12th-century Romanesque San Rafeu church.
How do you get to Saint-Raphaël?
The town has a TGV station right in the center. By train, it's 25 min to Cannes or 45 min to Nice. The nearest airport is Nice-Côte d'Azur (approx. 60 km).
Saint-Raphaël: where is it located?
Saint-Raphaël is located in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France.
Saint-Raphaël: what is there to see?
Highlights include Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Victoire, Louis de Funès Museum, Esterel Massif.
Saint-Raphaël: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Jul, Sep.
Saint-Raphaël: why is it worth visiting?
Saint-Raphaël is a pleasant coastal city and major resort on the French Riviera, located in the Var department.
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