FRANCE - Europe by Eurail 2015: Touring Europe by Train - page 179

The site where Saint-Raphaël now stands has played an exciting part in the his-
tory of the Mediterranean. Because of its natural harbor, which is deep enough to
accommodate even the deepest-draught warships, the Romans developed it first
as a holiday center. The town's casino is built over the original foundations of the
Roman baths and a fish-holding tank. Villas of the rich Romans who had come to
Saint-Raphaël to “take the sea air” were destroyed by Saracen pirates. By the time
the pirates were driven from the area in the 10th century, the land lay deserted.
Much of Saint-Raphaël's modern development has been due in great part to the
establishment of the cut-flower industry started there in 1880 by Alphonse Karr.
Although its biggest revenues today are developed by the tourist industry, Saint-
Raphaël is still a large and prosperous center for cut flowers.
An excellent excursion-boat service operates from Saint-Raphaël. The tourist in-
formation office will have to provide you with schedules and fares, as they are too
varied to mention here. There are short cruises on the Mediterranean as well as
full-day excursions to many ports of call on the Riviera.
Saint-Tropez, summer home of Brigitte Bardot and one of the better “topless”
beaches of France, can be reached from Saint-Raphaël by bus ( Tel: [phone]
63) or boat ( Tel: [phone]). Journey time: 1 hour and 25 minutes in each
direction, but connections can be made that allow almost seven hours of visit-
ing and sightseeing in this quaint resort town. For details on bus service between
Saint-Raphaël and Saint-Tropez, consult the rail information office in Nice or Saint-
Raphaël or ask for assistance from the tourist office in Saint-Raphaël. There is no
rail service between Saint-Raphaël and Saint-Tropez.