Are you staying in Saint-Raphaël and fancy exploring the town on foot? With its prime location overlooking the Old Port, the Touring is an excellent starting point for exploring the town’s main attractions without having to take the car.
Between the seafront, the historic centre, the beaches and the coastal path, there are several walks just a few minutes’ walk away. Here are five ideas for walks in Saint-Raphaël to help you make the most of your stay on the Côte d’Azur.
1. The Jardin Bonaparte: a panoramic view of the Mediterranean
📍 From the Touring: 5 minutes’ walk – 350 m
Situated at the far end of Saint-Raphaël’s Old Port, the Jardin Bonaparte offers one of the finest views of the Mediterranean. Overlooking the port, this landscaped garden is a popular spot both for a short stroll and for admiring the panoramic view.
People come here to enjoy a moment of peace and quiet, watch the boats or simply take a break overlooking the sea. The garden is also home to the statue of Saint Raphael the Archangel and Tobias, which has become one of the city’s symbols.
Whether at sunrise or sunset, this walk allows you to appreciate the full beauty of the Saint-Raphaël coastline.
2. Stroll through the historic centre of Saint-Raphaël
📍 From the Touring: 3 minutes to the Basilica – 5 minutes to the Archaeological Museum
Just a stone’s throw from the Touring, the historic centre is the perfect place for a charming stroll.
The walk begins in front of the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Victoire, recognisable by its Roman-Byzantine architecture and its pink stone façade. A truly iconic landmark of the town, it overlooks the seafront and is an excellent starting point for exploring the heart of Saint-Raphaël.
If you carry on on foot, you’ll soon reach the shopping streets, the lively little squares and the market, where you can soak up the town’s Provençal atmosphere.
A few minutes’ walk away, the archaeological museum offers the chance to extend your visit and discover some of the local history, from the earliest settlements right through to the Roman period.
3. Follow the coastal path to Santa Lucia
📍 From the Touring: 36 minutes’ walk – 2.5 km
For walking enthusiasts, the coastal path is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful walks in Saint-Raphaël.
From the Touring, you can make your way to the Santa Lucia neighbourhood before setting off on this route which runs alongside the Mediterranean. All along the promenade, the scenery alternates between small coves, beaches, Mediterranean vegetation and unobstructed views of the sea.
This walk allows you to make the most of the Saint-Raphaël coastline whilst discovering another side to the town. The more enthusiastic walkers can even carry on as far as Dramont and admire the famous red rocks of the Estérel massif as they plunge into the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean.
An ideal route for taking the time to walk, breathe in the sea air and enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery on the Côte d’Azur.
4. Stroll along the Old Port of Saint-Raphaël
📍From the Touring: 5 minutes’ walk – 350 m
You simply can’t visit Saint-Raphaël without taking the time to stroll along the Old Port.
The quays are home to pleasure boats, traditional ‘pointus’ and the departure points for sea excursions, which set the pace of life in the harbour throughout the day. The terraces of the cafés and restaurants also contribute to this lively atmosphere, which is particularly pleasant on fine days.
In the morning, a stroll along the promenade is the perfect way to watch the harbour come to life. At the end of the day, it has a completely different atmosphere, when the boats are reflected in the water and the terraces begin to buzz with activity.
5. Walk to Fréjus Plage
📍 From the Touring: 20 minutes’ walk – 1.5 km
If you walk along the seafront, it’s easy to get to Fréjus Plage directly on foot from the Touring.
This walk offers pleasant views of the bay as you pass by several beaches along the coastline between Saint-Raphaël and Fréjus. The route is completely flat and is particularly enjoyable in the early morning or late afternoon.
Once you arrive at Fréjus Plage, you can continue your stroll along the promenade, take a break on the sand or sit out on a terrace to soak up the seaside atmosphere.
After your walk, head back to the Touring
After discovering the most beautiful walks in Saint-Raphaël, the Touring is the ideal place to round off the day.
Enjoy lunch or dinner at Café Touring, discover the Japanese specialities at Nami, or round off your evening with a cocktail at the Ring Bar, overlooking the Old Port.
Thanks to its location in the heart of Saint-Raphaël, Le Touring is an ideal base from which to explore the town on foot whilst making the most of the relaxed lifestyle of the Côte d’Azur.
