Saint-Raphaël, Mediterranean coastal commune in Var, France
Saint-Raphaël is a coastal commune in the Var department of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, stretching along 36 kilometers (22 miles) of Mediterranean shoreline. The commune includes several beaches, three harbors, and different neighborhoods between the Estérel and Maures massifs.
The town grew from a small fishing village that was transformed into a seaside resort during the 19th century by mayor Félix Martin and writer Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr. The railway reached the area in 1863, opening it to travelers from across Europe.
The name comes from Saint Raphael, patron of travelers, reflecting the town's long connection to the sea. The three harbors shape daily life, where fishing boats work alongside leisure craft and local traditions mix with tourism.
The train station at Saint-Raphaël-Valescure connects the town to Paris through high-speed trains and to regional destinations through local services. The beaches spread along the entire coastline, with sandy stretches in the west and rockier coves toward the east.
The village of Agay in the eastern section keeps its own character, with red rocks from the Estérel massif dropping straight into the sea. The Île d'Or in the western part inspired Hergé's comic The Black Island from the Tintin series.
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