Saint-Raphael (France Riviera)

Saint-Raphael is a French Riviera cruise port in Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur region, southeastern France (Western Mediterranean Sea). The town covers a total area of approx 90 km2 (35 ml2) and has population around 35,000.

Saint-Raphael features a total of 36 km (22 ml) of coastline, owing to the many creeks and coves formed between the sea and Esterel mountains. This ranks it 2nd only to Marseilles, with coastline of 57 km (35 ml). In the west the town is almost completely urbanised, but includes more than 60 km2 (23 ml2) of protected natural forest.

In 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte along with his forces arrived from Egypt by ship, prior to his coup d'état in Paris, landing at a fishing village which was the commune of Saint-Raphael.

During the second half of the 19th century the township came under influence of writer Alphonse Karr and mayor Felix Martin, and owing to their efforts and the beneficial climate of the commune, it developed into a seaside resort much popular with artists, politicians and sportsmen.

Saint-Raphaël has 4 large sandy beaches: one close to the city centre, named Veillat; one at Le Dramont; one at Boulouris, and the 4th at Agay. There are 2 smaller ones at Le Trayas and Antheor.

• The list of French Riviera (Cote d'Azur) ports also includes Antibes, Bandol, Cannes, Cassis, Marseille, Sanary-sur-Mer, St Tropez, Toulon, Villefranche-sur-Mer (Nice) and Monte Carlo (Monaco).