Mediterranean Escapes:
Saint-Tropez & Lérins

Located at the far end of the Gulf of Fréjus, on the border between the Var and the Alpes-Maritimes, Saint-Raphaël, one of the best-known Mediterranean resorts, stretches along 24 km of coastline. Along the coast you will discover lovely coves, wonderful calanques, magnificent beaches and sublime rocky landscapes, with dense greenery too. It has four large sandy beaches: Le Veillat near the town centre, Boulouris, Le Dramont and Agay, plus two smaller ones at Anthéor and Le Trayas. Offshore, the islands of Lion de Terre, Lion de Mer, the Île d'Or (private) and the Île des Vieilles dot the rocky coast. A boat trip lets you enjoy the wonders of the Côte d'Azur, and once out at sea you can go diving and enjoy the charm of the crystal-clear waters.

Saint-Raphaël is also a charming town known for two historic landings, Bonaparte's (1799) and the Provence landing (1944), as well as being a strategic economic and cultural hub. The town has a large marina that has been renovated and extended. During your stay you can visit the fish market and stop off at gourmet restaurants. Further from the town centre, the Santa Lucia harbour and other equally charming harbours await you.

A stay in Saint-Raphaël is also a chance to discover the Esterel corniche road, which well deserves its nickname, the Corniche d'Or. It offers extraordinary panoramas. Running along the magnificent Esterel massif, whose highest point is Mont Vinaigre (617 m), it winds through a series of delightfully twisting bends. Linking Cannes to Fréjus-Saint-Raphaël, this road is without doubt one of the most beautiful scenic routes in France. Alternating the blue of the sea, the green of the vegetation and the red of the Esterel, it is sure to dazzle you.

The region's other beauty spot is Cap du Dramont, in a protected natural site with particularly rich plant life. It offers breathtaking views of the Île d'Or and the bay of Agay, all the way to the Esterel. The Landing beach, just south of the cape, is a historically important site of the Allied landings in Provence during the Second World War, and also a popular spot with tourists. At the foot of the cape lies the very picturesque little fishing port of Poussaï. Sheltered from the bustle of the town and far from the tourist crowds, it offers a unique, peaceful seaside view. Pleasant, fairly priced food is served there, and the service is friendly and quick. You will have a lovely time.

Heading for more discoveries

Other excursions will take you to Cap Camarat, in the south of the Saint-Tropez peninsula. The highlight of the site is the Camarat lighthouse, 129.80 m above sea level. Brought into service in 1831, it is one of the highest in France relative to sea level and its light carries 60 km. The cape has rich and varied plant and animal life. Cap Taillat and Cap Lardier, two major headlands of the Saint-Tropez peninsula, offer lovely walks. You can admire the Côte d'Azur in all its beauty and splendour, and marvel at their rich, wild and unspoilt landscapes.

A pleasant trip at sea

In the old port of Saint-Raphaël, board a catamaran or the boat of your choice for an enriching and sensational excursion along the coast: the Lérins Islands, Saint-Tropez, Cannes or Antibes. You will sail along sublime calanques with crystal-clear turquoise water, splendid secluded coves and the blazing red rocks of the Esterel massif. This excursion is relaxing and comfortable, and offers a charming panorama.

Not far from Saint-Raphaël lies the bay of Agay, the natural gateway to the Esterel, famous for its stunning beaches and offering tourists and boaters safe anchorages. By catamaran, motorboat or sailing boat, you can discover the superb calanques of the Esterel massif and sail around the gulfs of Fréjus and Saint-Tropez.

If you want to extend your trip, visit the wild island of Port-Cros, set in an exceptionally rich land and marine environment. Visitors will experience the timeless Mediterranean, where shoals of fish brush past swimmers on the shallow beaches, rare birds nest in the cliffs and the thick maquis shelters dozens of endemic species. Port-Cros gives travellers the illusion of being alone in the world.

Also visit Mandelieu-la-Napoule. You will discover wild sea and nature landscapes, very typical of this site surrounded by red rocks that contrast with the azure blue of the Mediterranean. The area offers a wide choice of sports and leisure activities: golf, sailing, rowing, diving, parks, water-skiing, jet-skiing and parasailing.

Head to Sainte-Maxime too. You will see beautiful landscapes and magnificent historic monuments: the church has a fine 18th-century marble altar and a bell dating from 1733; the Tour Carrée houses the Sainte-Maxime museum and, from its top floor, offers a lovely view over the Gulf of Saint-Tropez and the harbour; and there is the museum of phonographs and mechanical music…