St Raphael

When it comes to glitz and glamour there is no doubting that the French Riviera is one of the world's most fashionable escapes, a destination that oozes romance, images of sun-kissed holidays and balmy beaches. At its heart the resort of St Raphael does not disappoint with a wide beachfront, a range of facilities, not to mention a liberal dash of history in the adjoining town of Frejus and numerous day trip options. This is a resort where everyone is welcome, from younger holidaymakers through to families.

The resort of St Raphael has been popular since the end of the 19th century. Today it attracts holidaymakers from all over Western Europe who come to enjoy its sunny summers and balmy springs and autumns. Visitors run the gamut from young travellers in search of a relaxed escape through to families looking to take it easy for a week or two on the beach.

St Raphael lies in the south of the country on the famous French Riviera. To the west are the cities of Marseille and Toulon and to the east is the city of Nice and its airport. The resort lies right on the Mediterranean Sea at the foot of the Massif de l'Esterel mountains. The waterfront is the hub of local life.

St Raphael's main beach is very popular with holidaymakers with a good sweep of sand fronting the Mediterranean. Various watersports are available as well as cafes and bars, sun loungers and parasols. The stretch of beach continues west into the twin town of Frejus.

St Raphael is something of a Mecca for scuba divers. As St Raphael was one of the main sites chosen for the Allied landings in WWII there are a number of wartime wrecks that are perfect for supervised diving. Both night and day dives are available through operators based in and around St. Raphael. Strolling around the back streets of the resorts is a pleasure as you can take in the grand hotels and faded buildings that were built as St Raphael first became popular.

The beaches that line the resort of St Raphael's waterfront are ideal for families, though there are also boat trips available. These head out to the Iles de Lérins, which makes for a fun day out. Boats also run as far as Port Grimaud and St Tropez for youngsters who enjoy being out on the waves.

There are plenty of shops in the resort catering unashamedly for the passing holidaymaker trade with all sorts of beachwear and souvenirs. The resort also sports a number of supermarkets, which are handy both for snacks during your stay and for stocking up on excellent value French wine. In recent years a number of classier boutique style shops have opened catering for those looking for a dash of high fashion.

The nightlife may not be as buzzing as Nice or as stylish as St Tropez, but there is plenty to do when the sun slips down over this Mediterranean resort. Most of the popular spots are down on the beachfront. La Reserve (Promenade René Coty) (website: www.la-reserve.fr) is one of the resort's busiest and most fun nightclubs. The Grand Casino (Square de Grand) is a popular nightlife haunt for holidaymakers with all the usual games and tables as well as a colourful cabaret. For a big night out just hop on a train to Nice and catch a taxi back.

For days on the beach the relaxed cafes and restaurants that line the waterfront and the streets around are the place to head. More formal restaurants await in the town itself and in nearby Frejus. L'Arbousier (6 Avenue de Valescure) (tel: (04) 9495 2500) is one of the best spots to eat in St Raphael. Here you can feast on well prepared Provencal treats in a restaurant where the emphasis is on fresh local produce.

The best way to get around the compact resort of St Raphael is on foot, with some of the resort pedestrianised. There is also a local bus service connecting with other destinations locally as well as a train station with SNCF train services for longer journeys. Taxis are also available.

The neighbouring town of Frejus to the west is pretty much a continuation of St Raphael these days. It boasts a number of attractions, the highlight of which are the Roman ruins. The Roman arena still stands and makes for an atmospheric venue for summer concerts. In town there is an 11th-century cathedral to explore, which is also home to an Archaeological Museum (Place Formige).

Push the boat out literally and hire a boat for the day. Armed with your own skipper you can do the glamorous French Riviera in style by sunbathing on deck, popping overboard for a swim and savouring lunch at sea. Speak nicely to your skipper and they may even take you to their favourite spot where few tourists go. Try Houseboat (website: www.houseboat-info.com) or Am Catamaran (website:  www.amcazur.com).

Nice International Airport (NCE)