ST RAPHAEL - FAQ`S
The main airport servicing Saint-Raphael is the Nice International Airport (nice.aeroport.fr), about 40 miles/50 minutes away, depending on traffic. There are a few options for transportation such as buses, taxi, Uber, or car rental.
By Bus: The Express bus Varlib route 3003 bus service to Saint-Raphael departs from Terminal 1 - platform 5 and Terminal 2 - platform 1. All buses stop at both Place Paul Vernet in Frejus and the train station in Saint-Raphael. The journey takes an hour to Frejus and 1 hour 15 minutes to Saint-Raphael and the costs is about €20 per person one way. The bus station in Saint-Raphael is adjacent to the train station and taxis can be easily found here.
By Train: Saint-Raphael is serviced by high-speed TGV trains as well as slower TER trains. Check SNCF (www.sncf.com), France`s national train system, for schedules.
Head to the Nice Ville Train station from the airport by taking the number 99 bus from the airport to Nice Ville (town) departs from a stand opposite arrivals exit A3 around every 25 minutes (this is a 20 minute walk from Terminal 1). It takes around 15 - 20 minutes (possibly longer in summer) and completes its journey opposite the Nice Ville train station.
Trains run frequently from Nice Ville to both Saint-Raphael and Frejus stations and the journey time is about one hour. Tickets from Nice Ville to Saint-Raphael Valescure are about €8. The first train departs at 5:55 am, and the last train departs at 8:53 pm.
By Car: One of the most convenient ways to get around the Riviera is by car. All of France and Europe`s major car rental companies have branches at Nice Airport. To reach Saint-Raphael from Nice, head west along the A8 before cutting south at exit 38 on the D37 to Frejus and then East on the D100 to Saint-Raphael.
Uber or Taxi: Either a Taxi or Uber will take about an hour from Nice Airport to Saint-Raphael. Keep in mind that a taxi is very expensive and taxi drivers have a reputation in France for over charging.
An Uber (www.uber.com) is a much better option from the airport. No cash exchanges hands, all dirver`s info is on your phone, and the drivers are known to be friendly and professional. You can also opt for Uber`s upgraded higher priced service, the Uber Black Car, which works the same but your driver will be in a suit and tie while driving a luxury sedan.
How do I get from the train station to my hotel?The train station of Saint-Raphael is Gare de Saint-Raphael-Valescure. The bus station, Varlib (www.varlib.fr) is located behind the train station and provides local and regional service. The train station is on Avenue Victor Hugo, right in the center of town.
How do I find a taxi?Taxis are easy to come by. Should you need to call one, the following numbers should be useful:
Central Radio Taxi - Gare de Saint-Raphael -- Tel. + 33(0)4 94 83 24 24
Boulouris M Touret Jean-Pierre -- Tel. +33(0)6 09 52 32 24
I will have a car in Saint-Raphael, where can I park?Covered car parks are open 24 hours a day/7 days a week (except Lamartine square parking). The following is a list of covered parking garages:
Parking Bonaparte
Car Park Railway Station
Parkgin Jean Cagnat
Parking Coullet
Parking Victor Hugo
Parking Lamartine
Parking Kennedy
Costs of parking will vary depending on the parking garage. There are free parking spaces available year round in the city center of Saint-Raphael (about 500 free spaces). And additional free parking spaces are available outside the town (green zone).
Paid Parking (two tariff zones):
Orange zone: paid parking every day except Sundays and public holidays from 9 am to noon and from 2 pm to 7 pm: € 0.30 for every 20 minutes, parking limited to about 3 hours.
Green zone (seaside and Agay): paid parking only from June 1st to September 30th, every day during this period (Sundays and public holidays included), from 9 am to 7 pm:
Green zone A (Beau Rivage): € 0.90 per hour, parking limited to 10 hours.
Green zone B (Santa Lucia and Agay): € 0.30 for every 20 minutes, parking time limited to 10 hours.
You should be able to get around to everywhere you need to be in Saint-Raphael on foot: your hotel, the beach, restaurants, cafes and bars.
Are there trails and areas that I can get around by bike?Bike rentals run about €12 per day; mountain bikes €15; and scooters €35. Two mountain bike trails loop inland from the tourist office. Ask for a map inside, then try the 20 mile Balcons d`Azur ride for panoramic views, or the gentler 7.5 mile Lac de l`Écureuil lakeside route. Also check out the many other cycling trails that Saint-Rafael has to offer.
Is Saint-Raphael a dangerous city?Saint-Raphael is generally a very safe place, but tourists are still subject to being targets for petty crime. Common sense safety should be practiced while traveling. Pickpockets tend to target places where tourists congregate, so be cautious when going to historic sites, museums, restaurants, or when taking public transportation. Keep your most important documents such as your passport close to you body. Don’t keep all your money in one place and it is better to put your money in your front pocket along with credit cards, where it is more difficult for pickpockets to get to. Always keep an eye on your belongings.
If driving in Saint-Raphael, leave your car locked and valuables out of sight. Thieves will patrol parking lots looking for things like computers, electronics, cameras or other valuables.
Can I pay/tip in US dollars?The currency of France is the Euro, US dollars are not accepted. Credit cards are widely accepted in shops, restaurants and bars in major towns. However, it is advisable to keep cash with you just in case your credit card isn`t accepted/taken. In more rural areas, small restaurants and shops usually operate on a cash-only basis.
Generally, banking hours are Monday through Friday from 9 am - 5 pm; some banks are open on Saturdays and certain evenings and many close for lunch, often from 12 pm until 2 pm.
What is the weather like?Saint-Raphael boasts a mild, sunny climate. The warmest months are June through August, when average highs reach above 80F. During this time, average lows are around 60F. Summer is the driest time of the year in Saint-Raphael and the area averages ten or more hours of sunlight per day.
During the winter (December, January and February), average highs are around a mild 50F, while lows are in the upper 30`s overnight. These months are the wettest, seeing between 8 to 10 days per month of rain, and the average sunlight per day is about four to five hours.
French is the official language spoken in Saint-Raphael and on the French Riviera. The area has a large population of international tourist and you will find that many people speak English in the restaurants, bars and hotels. If you do decide to travel into the surrounding, more rural villages, or head off the beaten track you may find less people that speak the English language. We suggest you get a good English-French guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1-10.
What is the food like?For years, food had never really been the main attraction for Saint-Raphael, but that has been changing in the recent years. Really good food is becoming a part of the town`s appeal. From the fresh seafood markets to the abundance of locally grown fruit and vegetables, the area is widely renowned for offering healthy, flavorsome and colorful cuisine, as well as traditional dishes. There is a mix of unique flavors only available in this region - traditional Provençal and Niçoise cuisine (the term coined for the style of food) isn`t the typical French food. With influences from the Mediterranean Sea, its warm and sunny climate, and proximity to Italy, the offerings include lots of fresh fish, vegetables, and herbs, along with Italian favorites such as pizza and gelato. What sets Nicoise cuisine apart from traditional French fare is the use of olive oil rather than butter. In fact, the use of olive oil in the French Riviera cuisine is reflected by the fact this region is one of the main suppliers of olive oil in France and a staple in the Mediterranean diet.
Remember the main meal is at lunch time so do as the French do and have your main meal between 12 and 2 pm. Meals between 2 and 6 pm are usually not available unless you`re in a major tourist spot.
In Saint-Raphael you will find a shopping mall, premium outlets, and your favorite big-box stores, as well as a great selection of independent stores. There is a large number of shops around the harbor, a very clean and modern area where you can escape from the sunshine. Behind the harbor there is a colorful old town, quite small but pleasant with narrow streets that include charming boutiques, and daily fruit and vegetable markets.
Note: Value-added tax (VAT) rate is currently 20% in France for standard goods. A reduced rate of 10% applies to restaurants, transport, and certain medical drugs. And a 5.5% tax applies to food, water and non alcoholic beverages, books, some entertainment events and some domestic personal services.
Saint-Raphael does not offer much when it comes to nightlife. Sitting at a café and watching the sunset, is what you`ll find in regards to evening relaxation. If you are looking for a more active bar scene it may be worth your while to check out neighboring areas, such as Santa Lucia. Otherwise, there is a concentration of bars and clubs around Rue Jules Barbier, near the harbor.
There is also the casino, Casino Barriere de Saint-Raphael, located on Square de Grand near the harbor, that is open until 4 am most nights and 5 am on Saturdays. Here you can try your luck at over 150 slot machines or the tables that offer black jack, poker and roulette. Also, there are dance parties that take place during the summer months, beginning at 10 pm. The casino offers three different restaurants and two bars on the premises.
Saint-Raphael has a number of beaches along the coastline where you will not be short of places to sunbathe, swim, snorkel and explore the rock pools and cliffs. The bay of Saint-Raphael and the marine nature preserve of Agay also have a host of dive sites and there are various dive schools you can use as a great way to explore the area further. Some of the most famous beaches are:
Beach of Veillat, the main beach of Saint-Raphael
Beaching Landing, pebble beach
Beach Beaumette, a beach less frequented than that of the Veillat
Calanque des Anglais, small pebble coves
Beach Camp Long, one of the most beautiful beaches of the Cote d`Azur
In case of emergency, call SAMU (medical emergencies): 115
European Emergency Line: Dial 112
Police Emergency: Dial 117