Festival International des Jeux (Games Festival)
Annually in February, in the Palais des Festivals, over 170,000 enthusiasts come together for the three day Games Festival.
A once coastal port town that is steeped in history
Fréjus was the first naval base in the Mediterranean for the Romans back in the first century BC, with ruins including an amphitheatre, theatre and aqueduct.
The harbour still has an ancient tower that enabled protection of the fleet and the town itself is filled with Roman ruins and artefacts. An impressive 10,000 seater amphitheatre still hosts events in the 21st century - bullfighting and theatre are amongst the spectacles that are featured. Roman walls, baths, gates and an aqueduct can also be explored by visitors. A fine Roman theatre hosts concerts during the summer.
Arts and culture are further represented in the town with plenty of decent shops and galleries.
The port offers all things nautical from windsurfing to Scuba diving, and there are several beaches along the seven mile coastline.
With numerous festivals and events taking place in this small town there will always be some spectacle to hold your interest or to be the reason for a visit to this charming port town.
Perhaps one of the better known events in the area is the Bravades de Fréjus. This takes place each year on the third weekend after Easter and is a feast day in honour of Saint Francois de Paule.
Annually in February, in the Palais des Festivals, over 170,000 enthusiasts come together for the three day Games Festival.
Fans of Napoleonic history won't want to miss this re-enactment of the landing of Emperor Napoleon after his exile in Elba. On 1 March, 1815, Napoleon arrived with his army, and the scene is played out each year on the beach in Vallauris Golfe-Juan.
The Fête de la Musique is a celebration that takes place every summer solstice on 21 June in cities, towns and villages across France.
Bastille Day is celebrated across the whole of France with a bang...well, several in fact, fireworks always feature heavily.
Exceptional locations around France, including Cannes, will be open to visit on the Journées du Patrimoine - a European wide event inspired by by France’s Journées Portes Ouvertes which started in 1984.
The history of this medieval city is very similar to that of Provence.
It was destroyed many times in spite of the presence of the Roman Legions. After the Roman emperor, Julius Cesar gave the port its prosperity it went on to become one of the most important ports in the Mediterranean, however the decay of Rome led to similar decay of the great Roman cities, including Fréjus.
Between the 7th and 9th centuries, Muslim invaders repeatedly raided the city leaving many monuments in ruins, whilst the sea was encroaching more and more on the land thereby eroding the coastline. By the 10th century there was very little left of the colony, and sea-borne silt clogged up the port and led to the formation of a huge swampy plain, which then separated the village from the sea.
In more recent times, Napoleon Bonaparte landed at Frejus on October 9, 1799, returning from Egypt in order to ostensibly defend the French Directory in Paris. During the First World War Fréjus became the main centre for hivernage (wintering) for the Senegalese Tirailleurs, (French Army infantry who were recruited from Senegal).
The baptistery of Fréjus Cathedral was built in the 5th century, making it the oldest in the Provence region and one of the oldest in France. The cathedral square itself is a great place to sit, relax and watch the world go by, plus you can enjoy the markets here on a Saturday.
The Archaeology Museum is a good starting point to discover the Roman heritage in the area. They will be able to provide you with details of the main sites to visit, although a walk around town should reveal them all.
As well as the numerous Roman ruins to explore, it's also worth taking a hike up to the ruins of the Malpasset dam.
Les Calanques de l'Esterel are rocky inlets and coves that expand from Saint-Raphael to Mandelieu-la-Napoule and drop steeply into the limpid waters of the Mediterranean.
Established in 1971, the Zoological Park Frejus is located in a typical Mediterranean natural landscape and enjoys the mild climate of the Riviera.
Situated right next to the cloisters of the Cathedral in Fréjus, the museum houses some great examples of Roman artefacts from the ongoing excavations in the city.
Dating back to the 5th century when the baptistery was built makes it the oldest in the Provence region and one of the oldest in France. At this ancient, Merovingian style baptistery you can still see a 5th century baptismal basin for full immersion, as well as Roman columns.
This beautiful church was built as part of the plans by Mayor Felix Martin to "transform" St Raphael into a more attractive town for people to live in and tourist resort. Abbot Bernard commissioned the project to architect Pierre Aublé.
Fréjus is situated next to the coast, so it has its own beach which leads to the popular coastal resort of San-Raphaël. Scuba diving and windsurfing are just two of the many watersports on offer, and there are miles of wide sandy beaches and calm waters for the family to enjoy.
The stretch of coast between St Raphael and Cannes is known as the Corniche Esterel. There are many small beaches and coves along this route, some better than others.
This series of soft sand beaches just west of Cannes have some beautiful red rocky outcrops providing some good snorkelling opportunities and a gorgeous view across the Bay of Cannes to the Esterel Mountains.
This long and thin stretch of white sand beach runs the length of the Boulevard du Midi from the parking at the Vieux Port towards Cannes la Bocca.
Clean and well maintained but free to use. No umbrellas, chairs or sun loungers are provided but you can pick your spot to lay down your towel for the day.
Enjoy the calm waters and amazing views without paying through the roof for a private beach area.
Tucked away on the western side of Pointe Croisette, Palm Beach is a quiet and relaxed public beach with a great view and plenty of watersports activity.
L'Or Bleu, a Michelin-starred restaurant, offers an unforgettable dining experience where cuisine is elevated to the level of art. Set in an elegant, contemporary setting with breathtaking views over the bay of Théoule-sur-Mer, this Relais & Châteaux establishment is the perfect place for a memorable evening.
The Château de la Tour feels like a private residence, offering an intimate and refined experience. With Meilleur Ouvrier de France 2000, Chef Didier Anies, at the helm, the restaurant is a true destination for elegance, creativity and exceptional cuisine - unique in Cannes.
Belle Plage has a relaxed atmosphere, waterfront ambiance and a traditional cuisine.
Maema Plage is ideally located with an exotic decor, bamboo, yucca, cozy atmosphere and beds. The restaurant offers a unique setting in a refined and trendy decor.
Beautifully decorated, the beach club offers stunning views of the Lerins Islands and the Esterel.
The decor is pretty special, it is almost like a private lounge. XXIV menu offers a variety of burgers to suit all tastes.
If you fancy a different and fun night out in Cannes, then head to Cannes Bowling in Cannes La Boca. There are 16 alleys and over 2,500m² of pure bowling entertainment.
With an authentic French feel you will find yourself sitting in this cellar bar surrounded by wine, cheese, paintings by local artists, hanging hams and good food!
Nestled in the narrow streets of Cannes oldest district, Le Suquet, this jazz bar hosts some great musicians.
You will find all games in this casino, including private poker rooms, English roulette, blackjack and various gaming tables.
A fun, hip and affordable option open for lunch and dinner. With chic decor and lots of outdoor tables, this place really buzzes in the summer.
This small bar serves cocktails, wines and beers from unique wineries and breweries. They also have some savoury nibbles on offer.
The park of the ancient Roman aqueduct is a wonderful place for walking, picnicking and bike riding.
There is also a safari park near the city (Parc Zoologique de Frejus), and for family entertainment you can also visit the water park Aqualand Frejus, the biggest waterpark along the Riviera.
It's worth taking the 7km hike up to the ruins of the Malpasset dam, which broke in the floods of 1959, killing more than 400 people in Fréjus. For longer hikes, both the Esterel Mountains and the Maures range have wonderful hikes (including the GR51), but they are not easily acccessed from Fréjus town by foot as the area is very built up.
With numerous slides, including the King Cobra - unique is western Europe - this is the largest waterpark on the Cote d'Azur! Inludes a rest area, show area, clockroom, fast food, grill and pizzeria, ice creams, drinks, and shop.
Take a trip onboard this luxury yacht along the Riviera to any destination of your choosing.
Discover more than 30 dive sites with the help of this diving school, located on the Port Santa Lucia in St Raphael.
The golf course is situated near the famous Riviera resort of Saint Raphael on the outskirts of Cap Esterel.
Since 1994, the team at this diving school have been located in Saint Raphael in the Var department.
The course was designed by the renowned architect Harry Colt.
Jack III is a stunning Riva 63 Vertigo motor yacht built in 2015 and is currently based in Saint-Raphaël, France. With its sleek and stylish design, Jack III is an epitome of luxury on water. This 2-cabin motor yacht can comfortably accommodate up to 4 people in 2 spacious double cabins.
Since 1994, the team at this diving school have been located in Saint Raphael in the Var department.
Discover more than 30 dive sites with the help of this diving school, located on the Port Santa Lucia in St Raphael.
Accommodation is not a problem in Fréjus, there is a good selection of budget hotels, mainly aimed at the business traveller. There is also an abundance of French Riviera style campsites close by.
Exceptional villa "feet in the water" to rent with view on the sea and on the red rocks of the Esterel, between Saint Raphael, Cannes and Saint Tropez.
Villa 8km from Mandelieu, in a domain 15 minutes from the beaches, on St Jean de l'Estérel in the heart of the "Parc Résidentiel de l'Estérel", luxurious property with an enclosed park of 1 hectare.
8 km from Mandelieu, in a domain 15 minutes from the beaches, on St Jean de l'Estérel in the heart of the "Parc Résidentiel de l'Estérel", beautiful contemporary villa located on a plot of 3000 m2.
In the town of Adrets, in a domain 15 minutes from the beaches, comfortable new villa situated on a 3000m² terraced plot with a beautiful sea view.
On St Paul in Forest, 5 km from Fayence, in a quiet residential area, beautiful villa on a plot of 6000m². Private pool with steps (8m x 4m, Depth 120/160 - Alarm). Terraces with garden furniture and sunbeds. Car park. All shops 2 km. Village center 2 km. Sea and beach 35 km
On the heights of Théoule, pleasant villa with a magnificent sea view located on a plot of 1000m² in terraces.
Exceptional villa "feet in the water" to rent with view on the sea and on the red rocks of the Esterel, between Saint Raphael, Cannes and Saint Tropez.
9 km from Cannes on the heights of Mandelieu, beautiful Provencal house located on a 1200m² garden with pool heated on request (10mx5m - 80-200cm depth - Alarm).
3-room apartment of 70 m² with air conditioning on the 2nd floor
8 km from Mandelieu, in a domain 15 minutes from the beaches, on St Jean de l'Estérel in the heart of the "Parc Résidentiel de l'Estérel", beautiful contemporary villa located on a plot of 3000 m2.
In the town of Mandelieu, 3km from the sea, magnificent residence of character located on a plot of 5000m².
Situated in a private estate of very high standing, this magnificent, spacious, light-filled, walk-through flat is on the 3rd floor.
Perched high above the Corniche d'Or in Théoule-sur-Mer, the five-star Tiara Miramar Beach Hotel & Spa boasts balconies and terraces that cascade down to a secluded private beach.
The Tiara Yaktsa, a five-star Relais & Châteaux hotel, offers an unforgettable stay with spectacular views of the Mediterranean. With just 22 rooms and suites, it provides an intimate and luxurious setting perfect for a romantic and gastronomic escape.
Often associated with St Raphaël, both towns are located in the east of the Var department of Provence.
If travelling by air the closest airport is Nice Côte d'Azur International, around 45 minutes away. Other smaller airports near by include, Cannes and Saint Tropez. Travelling by car along the A8 motorway, you can take the 'Fréjus & Saint Raphaël' exit and follow signs to the town centre.
From Nice airport to Cannes, they handle the rest. The Côte d’Azur's most trusted private transfers.
For Cannes and the surrounding areas, Loisirs Animations offers excursions by minibus or coach to help you discover the stunning Provence surroundings. They also offer transfers from Nice airport in their comfortable minibuses that seat up to eight passengers.
Chabe Transfers are a renowned luxury transfer and taxi service operating in the French Riviera.
With an International fleet of jets and helicopters based across Europe it is quick and easy to get a private charter flight for business, pleasure or an airport transfer.
Created in 1976 this company has grown and has now transported well over 100,000 passengers. They have a fleet of 12 craft to meet client demands.
Heli Securite offer transfers on a helicopter from the airport to your yacht or various destinations in and around the Cannes area, St Tropez and Monaco. In addition to this they also service all of the main French ski resorts from their base in Courchevel.
Nestled in the heart of the prestigious Terre Blanche estate, this superb property of approximately 428 m² of living space is set on one hectare of landscaped grounds, one of the largest on the estate, offering spectacular views of the surrounding hilltop villages and a rare living environment that is both luxurious and peaceful.
Set in the prestigious Domaine de Terre Blanche, Villa Augusta is the epitome of contemporary luxury.
A beautifully renovated 16th century bastide with panoramic views.
Exceptional Penthouse with Stunning Views of the Old Port
Prime Location - walking distance to the centre
Find out all about what is happening in Cannes and how to make the most of your time here. The latest news, reviews of fun activities, fabulous beaches, current events and the trendiest restaurants, as well as interviews with leading locals, insider's guides and our top choices for things to do, see and experience in this glamorous city.
See allLatest News & ReviewsYou will not be short of entertainment in this beautiful French Riviera town, especially during the summer. Perhaps the best known of all the events is the highly glamorous Cannes Film Festival – certainly worth a day trip to the city just to see which celebrities you can spot. There are also markets, international fairs and plenty of cultural and musical festivals.
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