Tucked in the south east corner of France on the famous Cote d'Azur, half way between Cannes and St. Tropez and not far from the Alpine border with Italy, lies the small resort town of St Raphael. The town sits at the foot of the Estrel Hills, meaning that the town is sited in a stunning location. The region has over 22 miles of beautiful coastline and St Raphael itself has 4 quality beaches and many of St Raphael hotels are located close to the coast offering tourists quality services coupled with beautiful views.
St Raphael is a typical Cote d'Azur resort with narrow, winding streets and elegant Art Nouveau architecture. The town has a picturesque promenade lined with trees overlooking its beaches. The beaches are the central attraction of the town; however there are other things to do. There is an interesting archaeological museum which features the remains of a sunken Roman ship, complete with its cargo of red bricks. This wreck was discovered by Jacques Cousteau. There is also a Templar church in the town, the Eglise des Templiers which has a watchtower. More family oriented entertainment can be enjoyed on a visit to the zoo which has a wide range of birds and animals for visitors to experience. A town like St Raphael with its focus on the waterfront also offers boat trips. Les Bateaux de St Raphael, actually located in the nearby town of Frejus, organizes boat excursions. For those who just like to look at boats, nowhere is better than the Porta St. Lucia. This marina is home to some extremely luxurious boats.
Of course, while many people enjoy lazing on the beach, many others prefer to be more active. Scuba diving in the azure waters of the Mediterranean is extremely popular. There are many dive shops in the Gulf of St Raphael and within easy driving distance of the town itself. Two popular sites are the Grotto de Miro and Lion de Mer. Other water sports are also available on many of the beaches in the area. In addition, visitors can enjoy a two day water sports festival which occurs throughout France but is extremely popular on the Cote d'Azur and there are plenty of attractions for visitors. There is easy access to canoeing and sailing. Visitors can also enjoy a glass-bottomed boat tour from Agay Harbor. Golf is also a popular pastime in the area, only a few miles from the town is Golf de l'Esterel which is one of the best known golf clubs in the area. Many of the St. Raphael hotels will be able to arrange many of these activities.
Fetes de Lumiere is an enjoyable annual festival in the town and takes place in December, attracting some 100,000 visitors so St Raphael hotels need to be booked early. The buildings in the town are beautifully lit up and there are numerous cultural events all available for free. There is also a Christmas market meaning you can stock up on all your essential presents. Another popular festival is the Mimosa festival, which takes place throughout the Riviera in February. At this time of year you can join the Mimosa trail (which includes St. Raphael) and take guided walks and tours in order to enjoy the Mimosa tree.
As befits an area which caters annually to such a large number of tourists, there is a wide range of choices for those staying in the area. St Raphael hotels offer choices for every budget and taste, from basic privately run guesthouses to luxurious hotels offering quality services and amazing scenery. It is also possible to find self-catering apartments, bed and breakfasts, a traditional French gite or even camp in a supervised campsite. The possibilities are truly endless.
One of St Raphael's most well-known night spots is the Grand Casino. Alongside the gaming tables and slot machines the casino holds nightly dances during the summer. There are also other bars and pubs around the town catering to different tastes. Like any self-respecting French town, there is a host of bistros, cafes and restaurants, many of which are located by the sea. These eateries cater to all tastes and budgets.
Overall, St Raphael sited as it is right in the heart of the Cote d'Azur is an ideal location for those wanting to fully experience a Riviera holiday.
Euro Currency
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