The cathedral was built in the 19th century when the mayor of Saint-Raphaël transformed the town. Father Bernard, the head priest from 1882 to 1890, commissioned the architect Pierre Aubé to build a new church. Originally from Lyon, Aubé took inspiration from Byzantine and Moorish architecture, and the dome of the church was inspired by Saint-Sophia in Istanbul.
The growth of the town was so dramatic that the small San Rafeu church could not accommodate all of its new citizens. Father Bernard, the head priest from 1882 to 1890, commissioned the architect Pierre Aubé to build a new church. Originally from Lyon, Aubé took inspiration from Byzantine and Moorish architecture, and the dome of the church was inspired by Saint-Sophia in Istanbul. The church was built using the pink sandstone indigenous to the area. The church measures 850 m2 and has a height of 35 m. On the façade you may notice a representation of the archangel Raphaël, whose image can be found in the coat of arms for the city.
The church was inaugurated in 1887 and was named in honour of the famous maritime battle in which a Christian fleet routed the Ottoman navy on October 5th 1571. In 2004, the church became a basilica, only the second in the Fréjus Toulon diocese.
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The Pays de Fayence (Fayence district) has many great provencal villages. All of them have a particularity such as the view from Mons or the artistic streets of Tourrettes. Do no forget to stop in Seillans that has the label of "Most beautiful village in France"
North of the A8 motorway, you will find the Pays de Fayence. Saint-Cassien lake, a real oasis of freshness in the Var, awaits you! Take a break at the Lake House before visiting the villages of Bagnols-en-Forêt, St-Paul-en-Forêt or Tanneron.
The city of Roquebrune-sur-Argens is the most westerly of the destination. It includes three districts: La Bouverie, at the foot of Gorges du Blavet; The village, overlooked by its magnificent rock, and Les Issambres, with its nautical activities by the sea.
Les Adrets de l'Estérel is a small town located at the extreme southeastern Var. Bordering the Maritimes Alpes, it is composed of large green forests. The town overlooks the bay of Cannes and has an exceptional view on the Lérins Islands and the Corniche de l'Estérel.
Puget sur Argens is a small village located in the middle of many wineries. Its commercial area, near the village, includes many shopping center. North of the village, the Bois du Defens give rise to several walks.
Welcome to Les Issambres, the district of Roquebrune-sur-Argens located on the coast. True paradise with its 8 km of beaches and creeks, this family seaside resort, already frequented at the time by the Romans, is located between the Gulf of Saint-Tropez and Fréjus-Saint Raphaël.
Frejus, located halfway between Cannes and Saint-Tropez, is at the heart of the Côte d'Azur. Based on a sandstone buttress of the Esterel massif, the town dominates the valleys of Argens and Reyran. Frejus has the appearance of a small Provencal town whose new districts extend to the sea.
65km from Nice Côte d'Azur International Airport, Saint-Raphaël is located between Cannes and Saint-Tropez. This seaside resort on the Mediterranean coast is at the bottom of the great Esterel mountains. Saint Raphael, whose city center is by the sea, is divided into different neighborhoods that have all their characteristics and their personalities.
