Saint-Raphaël lies between Fréjus and the Estérel massif. The Belle Époque resort, with its basilica and seafront promenade, extends eastwards through a string of neighbourhoods and small ports, each with its own coves.
Choosing where to stay in Saint-Raphaël means deciding first between the town and the wilder Estérel coast. We have selected the places in this guide one by one; you’ll find the full list on our page of hotels in Saint-Raphaël.
Which neighbourhood to choose in Saint-Raphaël
The town stretches along more than thirty kilometres of coastline, and the atmosphere changes from one neighbourhood to the next:
- The town centre and Old Port: the old town, seafront, markets and boat piers; the best choice if you arrive by train.
- Valescure: the golf district, wooded and residential.
- Boulouris: a peaceful residential neighbourhood with shops, small beaches and a Monday market.
- Le Dramont and Agay: the headland facing Île d’Or, followed by a sheltered bay at the foot of the red rocks.
- Anthéor and Le Trayas: where the Estérel plunges into the sea; beautiful, but remote.
For a car-free weekend, the town centre wins; for a week with the family, a house with a pool is worth a few car journeys. Our selection leans towards the latter.
Guesthouses with pools
Four guesthouses for peaceful surroundings, gardens and pools, just a few minutes from the coast.
La Garriniere
A guesthouse with a garden and heated outdoor pool, a welcome treat from the first warm days of the year. The air-conditioned rooms have kitchenettes, and private parking is free. The beaches and Estérel trails are just a few minutes away by car.
VILLA MESSILIA Guest Rooms French Riviera
Every room has its own terrace, where you can read in the shade without crossing paths with anyone. There’s a heated pool, garden, air-conditioned rooms, free Wi-Fi and free private parking. Ideal for couples alternating Estérel hikes with afternoons by the water.
La Maravilla
The sea view is the main draw, best enjoyed from the terrace over a continental breakfast. There’s a garden, free private parking and an outdoor pool that’s open only during part of the year: check availability out of season.
Bed,Kitchen and Swimming Pool Villa Esterel
Somewhere between a guesthouse and a rental, this property offers air-conditioned rooms and apartments, with a garden, terrace and pool overlooking the surroundings. The beaches are within walking distance, and the Estérel trails start nearby. The apartments are well suited to week-long stays.
Villas for families and groups
For eight or ten people, renting an entire house is simpler than booking several rooms. Each of these two villas has five bedrooms.
Vacances en Famille ou entre Amis
A 200 m² villa whose name says it all: five bedrooms and just as many bathrooms, so there’s no waiting around in the morning. A terrace, garden, sea views and free private parking round out the property. It’s too large for a couple travelling alone.
Belle villa dans clos privé - Saint Raphaël Boulouris
An entire house in Boulouris, within a private compound, with five bedrooms, a garden, a terrace facing the hills and a private saltwater pool. Saint-Raphaël’s beaches are within walking distance. A good fit for an extended family looking for both the sea and a peaceful setting.
What to see in Saint-Raphaël
Start your visit in the old town, around the Romanesque church of San Peïre. Its forecourt is home to the Museum of History, Prehistory and Underwater Archaeology, with amphorae from Roman shipwrecks, crypts and prehistoric finds. Near the Old Port stands the Basilica of Notre-Dame-de-la-Victoire, dating from the late 19th century.
A small pyramid commemorates Bonaparte’s landing in 1799 on his return from Egypt. Film buffs can visit the Louis de Funès Museum, with more than 350 documents, photographs and film clips.
The real showstopper is the Estérel: the coastal road follows the red volcanic rocks all the way to Le Trayas. At Le Dramont, a trail loops around the headland facing Île d’Or, and the beach recalls the Allied landings in Provence on 15 August 1944.
Nearby
- Fréjus: the neighbouring town, with Roman remains and a medieval episcopal complex.
- Saint-Tropez, the Lérins Islands and the calanques: boats leave from the Old Port and Agay in high season.
- The Estérel massif: Pic de l’Ours and Cap Roux for hikers.
When to visit Saint-Raphaël
Spring and autumn are ideal for walking in the Estérel and enjoying the coves without the crowds. Summer is lively, with night markets and fireworks in the bay and neighbourhoods. Winter is mild and quiet.
Every July, the Saint-Raph’ Jazz Festival brings marching bands through the town centre. In late July or early August, the Fête de la Saint-Pierre, celebrating the patron saint of fishermen, features a procession at sea, Provençal jousting and dancing around the Old Port. Book early for these dates.
Worth knowing: in summer, access to the Var’s massifs, including the Estérel, is regulated according to fire risk and may be prohibited on certain days. Check the prefecture’s map before setting out.
Getting there and getting around
Saint-Raphaël-Valescure station is right in the town centre, a few steps from the beach. It is served by direct TGV trains from Paris and coastal TER trains, which also stop at Boulouris, Le Dramont, Agay, Anthéor-Cap-Roux and Le Trayas. Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is about 65 km away.
In the town centre, you can get everywhere on foot; for houses in the residential neighbourhoods, a car is more convenient. Find other places to stay in the region on our Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur page.
Saint-Raphaël is part of our guide to where to stay in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. To compare it with nearby resorts, also read where to stay in Sainte-Maxime, farther west on the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, where to stay in Cannes, at the other end of the Estérel, and where to stay in Le Lavandou, facing the Hyères Islands.
Frequently asked questions
Essentials for planning a stay in Saint-Raphaël.
What is the best neighbourhood to stay in Saint-Raphaël?
For a first visit without a car, the town centre is the most convenient: the station, Old Port, old town, beaches and boat piers are all within walking distance. Boulouris suits those looking for a peaceful residential neighbourhood with shops and small beaches. Agay and Le Dramont let you settle into the rhythm of the Estérel, but you’ll rely more on a car or TER trains.
Can you visit Saint-Raphaël without a car?
Yes, for the most part. Saint-Raphaël-Valescure station, right in the town centre, is served by direct TGV trains from Paris and coastal TER trains, which also stop at Boulouris, Le Dramont, Agay, Anthéor-Cap-Roux and Le Trayas. In high season, boats connect the Old Port with Saint-Tropez. A car is useful if you’re staying in a villa or guesthouse in the residential neighbourhoods.
Can you hike in the Estérel in summer?
Yes, but not every day. In summer, access to the Var’s forested massifs, including the Estérel, is regulated according to fire risk: a map published by the prefecture shows whether access is permitted. On days of extreme risk, the massifs may be closed altogether. Check the map before setting out and take water. In spring and autumn, the trails around Cap Dramont and Pic de l’Ours are much more enjoyable.
When should you book for Saint-Raphaël?
July and August are the busiest months, with the Saint-Raph’ Jazz Festival in July and the Fête de la Saint-Pierre in late July or early August. For these dates, and especially for a five-bedroom villa, book several months in advance. In spring and autumn, the town is quieter, the Estérel trails are more enjoyable and there’s more choice.
Is Saint-Raphaël suitable for families and groups of friends?
Yes. The beaches in the town centre and Boulouris are easy to reach, and there’s plenty to do, from boat trips to the calanques to the Louis de Funès Museum. For a group, an entire villa with a pool and five bedrooms is often the simplest option; guesthouses with kitchenettes or apartments suit smaller families. Check each property’s rules before booking.
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