Last Updated on twenty first January 2025 by Sophie Nadeau
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Fréjus is a“City of Art and History” that lies sleepily alongside the French Riviera. This beautiful port city was as soon as an essential Roman port and the capital of Provence. It’s for that reason that Fréjus is wealthy with Roman relics and, as such is the second vacation spot in France with probably the most historical monuments (after Arles). Here’s your final information on the most effective issues to do in Fréjus!
What is Fréjus recognized for?
Fréjus is famend for its magnificence and wealthy historic curiosity. Home to a plethora of Roman stays and distinguished medieval ecclesial sights, it’s some of the frequented seaside resorts on the French Riviera and in addition boasts one of many largest seashores within the Côte d’Azur.
The city will be discovered only a fifteen minute drive away from Saint Raphaël, which means that each locations will be visited over the course of a day.
Best issues to do in Fréjus
As Fréjus is such a small city, you don’t want a lot time to discover, so I like to recommend setting apart half a day to wander round this pastel-hued delight.
Walk across the previous city
The previous centre of Fréjus exudes allure and historic intrigue. Interspersed with slender cobbled lanes, among the architectural kinds you possibly can count on to see embrace Roman, medieval, and Gothic.
Roman metropolis partitions as soon as surrounded Fréjus, the crumbling stays of which might nonetheless be seen at this time whereas wandering round.
Visit Saint Léonce Cathedral and the Cloisters
The Cathedral of Saint-Leonce tends to be the spotlight for individuals who go to Fréjus, because of its intricate carvings that adorn the archways to the attractive Twelfth-century cloisters that conceal behind.
Fréjus Cathedral, because it’s extra generally referred to, is taken into account the oldest Christian construction of Provence and was the official seat of the Bishop of Fréjus from the fifth century.
Discover the town’s Roman previous
While the primary settlers of Fréjus are believed to be Celto-Ligurian, the primary civilisation to actually go away their mark on the settlement, as they’ve with so many others, is undoubtedly the Romans.
The coastal city is sometimes called the “French Pompeii”, because it was over 2,000 years in the past that Julius Cesar got here to the realm and made Fréjus, the Roman’s first naval base within the Mediterranean.
For these curious of antiquity, among the Roman stays to see in Fréjus embrace:
- Roman Arena – Known as Arènes de Fréjus in French, this amphitheatre might seat 12,000. In newer instances, the positioning has been used as a venue to host rock concert events and hosted artists the likes of David Bowie and Queen.
- Roman Aqueduct – This distinctive construction runs 42 km in size and stands at a top of 481 metres. The 36 aqueduct bridges had been constructed in the course of the first century, with development taking simply 20 years to construct, the aqueduct was in use for over 450 years.
- Port des Gaules – The Gateway to Gaul, located within the west of the town, is likely one of the best-preserved components of the Roman wall. In 1886, it was listed as a Historic Monument.
Archaeological Museum
Found beside the cathedral is a small museum which homes a captivating assortment of Roman artefacts found whereas excavations proceed in Fréjus.
One of probably the most noteworthy issues to see within the museum is the double-headed bust of Hermes, which was unearthed in 1970 and is believed to this point again to the first century AD. It is now the image of the city.
City History Museum
The Museum of History and Local Traditions leaps into the previous and returns to the roots of Fréjus. It is ready throughout three ranges, every of which has a unique focus and explores each the non-public and collective lifetime of the town’s inhabitants from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Sample native drinks at Fréjus distillery
Missiri Mosque
One of the extra uncommon issues to see on the outskirts of city is the Missiri Mosque. In 1930 an inexact reproduction of the Great Mosque of Djenne was constructed for the Senegalese Tirailleurs based mostly in army camps within the city on the time.
Sitting empty and decrepit, the cement construction is painted a shiny ochre color and pops in distinction to the azure blue skies above.
Fréjus seashore
Of course, whereas within the French Riviera, a favoured pastime is to move to the seashore, Plage de Fréjus extends over 1 km of golden sand, and the Mediterranean Sea laps at its shores. During summer time, this is likely one of the hottest seashores to frequent and as such, can get very busy each on the sand and within the water.
Go mountain climbing at Estérel volcanic massif
For among the greatest views overlooking the Côte d’Azur, head up one of many many mountain climbing trails that lead up into the Alpine foothills. The Estérel Massif is a volcanic mountain vary which is characterised by its pink rhyolite rocks.
The massif covers an enormous 32,000 hectares and boasts beautiful views of glowing blue waters and fascinating pink rock formations.
Barrage de Malpasset (Malpasset Dam)
Slightly additional exterior of Fréjus are the grim stays of the notorious Barrage de Malpasset, which collapsed in 1959 and killed tons of of individuals when it flooded the city.
This unprecedented catastrophe was brought on by a tectonic fault within the rock base, which had sadly been inadequately surveyed. Today, large items of concrete nonetheless lie within the space.
Where to remain in Fréjus
Fréjus makes the idyllic spot to remain alongside the French Riviera for these searching for a quieter vacation spot away from the hustle and bustle of crowds. That being stated, good resorts are onerous to search out within the space, and plenty of locations are as an alternative vacation leases now.
While it’s costly to remain alongside the Côte d’Azur, notably in peak months, there are nonetheless loads of affordable choices to select from. Here are just a few ideas of the place to remain (based mostly on net evaluations):
Hotel Le Flore – Situated only a 2-minute stroll from Fréjus Cathedral, this easy finances lodge is completely positioned, however rooms are fairly primary. Breakfast is offered at an additional cost. Check costs and availability right here.
Hôtel l’Arena – This charming lodge presents Provençal-style rooms and includes a backyard, health club space, an outside pool and an on-site restaurant. It is located 1.4 km from Fréjus Cathedral and simply over 3 km from the seashore. Check costs and availability right here.
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