Eglise San Rafeu

The Romanesque church of San Rafeu, also known as Eglise des Templiers or Templars` Church because of its tower, was built in the 12th-century and is the third to stand on this site. It was around this church, fortified in the 14th-century and enlarged in the 17th-century, that the village of Saint-Raphael developed. A watchtower sits atop one of the chapels, and at one time, watchers were posted to look out over the sea for ships that might pose a threat. The church would then serve as a fortress and refuge in case of pirate attacks.

Today, the church houses the Prehistory and Maritime Archaeology Museum with a spectacular collection of amphoras from antiquity, furnishings from under sea excavations and remains from the Carlingian church. Climb up the 129 steps and you will be welcomed with magnificent 360-degree panoramic views over Saint-Raphael. The church is open for admission Tuesday through Saturday from 9 am to noon and 2 pm to 6:30 pm.

Rue de la Vieille Eglise, 83700 Saint-Raphael, France

Corniche D`or

The Corniche D`or is a road that links Saint-Raphael to Cannes, winding through the Estérel along the sea, a drive not to be missed. Open since 1903, it zigzags through dramatic red-ochre rocks landscapes and rugged peaks of the Esterel making a remarkable journey and perhaps one of the most picturesque roads along the French Riviera, and one of the top driving roads in Europe.

Coastal road connecting the `Var` region to the `Alpes Maritime` region

Musée d`Archéologie Sous-Marine (Museum of Underwater Archaeology)

The museum houses local heritage and prehistory collections as well as Roman remains. At one time, rumors circulated about a `lost city` off the coast of St-Raphael. Jacques Cousteau came to investigate; instead of a sunken city, he discovered a Roman ship that had sunk while carrying a full load of building supplies. The city has been digging up exciting artifacts from the ancient city of Forum Julii and many of the best pieces are in this museum. The artifacts reveal insight about the makeup of the city and customs of the people who lived there.

Rue de la Vieille Eglise, 83700 Saint-Raphael, France

Fréjus Cathedral

The cathedral is embedded in a complex of medieval buildings, some going back to the earliest days of Christianity in France. It is a national monument located in the town of Frejus in the Var department of Provence. Known as the Cité Épiscopale, this ensemble was fortified and set around the Gothic Bishop`s Palace dating between the 5th - 13th centuries when Frejus was the religious and commercial hub of Provence. The church is part of a building of a larger fortified complex of medieval religious comprising a parish church and a cathedral under one roof.

58 Rue de Fleury, 83600 Fréjus, France

Amphitheater (Frejus)

Until the last few years the city`s amphitheater had been a picturesque ruin, with big chunks of the seating terraces and arena decaying but still very easy to make out. The building has since been restored as a venue for public events, and the ancient sandstone has been covered with white concrete as a way of preserving the original structure and stopping it from deteriorating any further. What you`re left with doesn`t look much like an ancient building at all, but it is illuminating to see how the amphitheater might have appeared when it was complete in Roman times.

296 Rue Henri Vadon, 83600 Fréjus, France

Wineries and Vineyards

You can`t visit the region without touring a vineyard or two - and there`s an abundance from which to choose. For many, a highlight of a visit to this region is the opportunities to enjoy its fine and famous wines.

Provence saw the first grapes planted in France, in about 600 B.C., by the Greeks. Romans built on what the Greeks started, realizing that Provence had an ideal climate for producing wine. The regions offer a chance to sample wines blended from several grapes resulting in flavors unlike anything elsewhere. French wines typically have a lower alcohol level than American or Australian wines, most French wines have subtler flavors. The French judge a wine by how well it pairs with a meal. Provencal vintners can blend wines using a maximum of 13 different types of grapes allowing a great range of personalizing their wine.

Massif de Maures Hills

Stretching almost 40 miles long from Hyeres to Frejus, the hill range covers almost a quarter of the Var area. Its highest point, at signal de la Sauvette, is 2,559 Ft high offering some magnificent views of the Mediterranean Sea. The name Maures is derived from maouro, Provencal for black, describing its dark, deep forests of umbrella and Aleppo pines, chestnuts and cork. The densely forested hill is the wildest and oldest area of Provence with 26 villages either nestled in the hills or clinging to its slopes.

National Park of Port Cros

Created in 1963, the National Park of Port Cros is the oldest national parks and the first marine park. The National Park has a considerable historical heritage with an estimated thirty ship remains and a number of military forts. The island offers beautiful hiking trails and several forts to hike to, two different beaches, and a few mountains.

83400 Hyères, France

Beaches

We recommend during your visit you explore as many of the beaches as possible since they are really quite different in character. From the private beach clubs to the lesser-known beaches, there are many to choose from and the coastal towns offer welcoming stretches of beach with an incredible shade of blue just to relax or enjoy the entertaining water sports available.