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In this area hundreds of archaeological sites have been located dating back to the Stone Age. St Rapheal has been awarded a certificate of "France Station Nautique" as it has the highest quality and widest range of watersports in France
St Raphael is an ideal yachting location being one of the main watersports centres in France and a popular location for leisure boats. There are five ports which offer good protection and mooring s for up to 3,500 boats. The new port called Santa Lucia Port, has 1,800 yachts. Due to the large number of ship wrecks in the area, it is very popular for diving schools. Dozens of divable wrecks and underwater archaeology make Saint Raphaël a major diving center. Underwater finds in the town's archaeological museum testify to its antiquity as a thriving commercial port.
The town's peaceful bays are virtually littered with history. There are four large sandy beaches which are well protected. The closest to the town is called the Veillat, then there is also Boulouris, Le Dramont and Agay. Two quieter and lesser known ones are at Le Trayas and Antheor. The town is linear in shape and has spread out along the main Route de la Corniche (N98). The beautiful red rocks of the Massif de L'Esterel come right the way down to the sea, making the coastline very dramatic and colourful.
The area dates back to prehistoric times, but the main settlements that remain are from the Roman period. The ruins of one villa are on the site of the Golf de L'Esterel club house. In the 11th century the Monks from the Islands of Lerins came and established the town. Later it was a thriving fishing port during the 11th and 12th centuries. The most famous Frenchman to land on the shores here was Napoleon Bonaparte after visiting Egypt. The town became popular with writers and artists as a holiday destination at the end of the 19th century due to the encouragement and efforts of Alphonse Karr and the Mayor at that time.
There are many restaurants to be discovered in the town and along the coastal route, as tourism is the main business for the local people. There is a wide variety of cuisine to choose from traditional, Mediterranean, Oriental, Indian to home catering and even a pancake house. Head for the Place de la Republique and the Place Victor Hugo for the best brasseries, coffee shops and the market, which is open every day. Around the port of Santa Lucia there are some expensively priced gourmet restaurants mixed with pizzerias and creperies.
When visiting the market it is well worth looking around the 12th century church called L'Eglise San Rafeu. In the summer classical concerts are held outside as well as in the old church. Next to the church is the Archaelogical museum which is full of Roman exhibits found from the wrecks off this part of the coast.
There are plenty of other sporting activities for the tourist in this area not forgetting the Latitudes golf course which is in the heart of the Esterel Mountains and just a few kilometers north of the town. This is a challenging course due to the many pine trees and water hazards.
The other golf club is called the Valescure Golf Club and also has tennis facilities as well. The course was established in 1895 and is only 5km east from the town centre.
