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By Txllxt TxllxT – Wikimedia

Top 10 Things to do in Fréjus

Fréjus is a port town on the Côte d’Azur, southeastern France. Its previous occupants, the Romans left traces of their existence like the amphitheatre, theatre and aqueduct.

Other Roman artefacts can be found in the archaeological museum. The Romanesque buildings with distinct Gothic style are present too, Saint Leonce cathedral with painted cloisters and Roman column at the baptistry is an example. This church is one of the oldest in France.

The Norte Dame de Jerusalem chapel designed by Jean Cocteau in the 1960s is another testament of the impeccable Roman architecture.

The architecture in this city is not the only attraction, its sandy beaches are something to look forward to especially during the summer.

While not at the beach and sated by the architectural sights, you could head to the historical museums. In there you will get to see monuments dating back to the 17^th century.

With that brief tease on what to expect in this port city, here are the top 10 things to do in Frejus.

A tour of Cathedral De Fréjus

Inside the Cathedral By Fran̤ois de Dijon РWikimedia

The medieval structures housing the cathedral are as old a true representation of the ancient Christianity France. The place was known as the Cite Episcopal and was well guarded behind the Palace of the Gothic Bishop.

A tour of this cathedral will tell how distinct and unique it is from its tower that cube-like shaped. most parts of the cathedral was built in the 13^th century.

One will also notice two naves joined by an arcade, one of the church spaces belonged to a parish that no longer exists.

Inside the cathedral, one will also notice the painted wooden ceiling panels that resemble angels, devils, hunters, acrobats and monsters, the inspiration behind the painting is unknown. There were initially 1200 wooden frames, only 500 exist at the cathedral.

The baptistry is another place to check out, it dates back to the 5^th century. This place is well preserved and one of the oldest churches in France.

Practical Information

Address: 58 Rue de Fleury, 83600 Frejus, France

Website:

See the Cloister of the episcopal buildings of Fréjus

Still within the same vicinity is the Cloister north of the Cathedral. Walking through this place one cannot help but admire the Roman columns and defined arches that date back to the 13^th century.

The capitals of the cloister portray the keys to the tons Bishops while the Fleur de Lys represents the ruler Charles I of Anjou.

The galleries have interesting paintings and have images carved on the wooden ceilings. The paintings, just like in the cathedral show different animals and personalities from the 1300s and other mythologies.

This cloister served as a chapter house before other buildings were added to the cathedral in the 5^th and 14^th centuries.

It stands on the site of the ancient Roman city that was founded by Julius Caesar. The cloister was used by the clergymen as a reflection area. take your time, take in all the delicate details or maybe reflect too. Over to you.

Practical Information

Address: 48, rue du Cardinal Fleury, 83600 Fréjus

Website:

Know the History of the City at the Archaeological Museum

There is a lot to learn about this city and the beauty is that it is all preserved in the archaeological museum. You will get to learn more about this place that the streets could tell.

By now you know that Frejus used to be under the Roman empire it is therefore only right to find artefacts from those days that still have history lingering on it.

These artefacts keep being discovered since the 19^th century. Inside the museum exhibition, one will get to see the perfect Roman floor mosaics, striking sculptures among them one of Hermes of Frejus, household ceramics among many others.

The collection in the museum is a representation of the diversity of artistic systems of the ancient Romans. They give a clear history of life in the city before the 20^th century.

Your visit to the museum will be an eye-opening experience and for the history lovers, a rich information session.

Practical Information

Address: 3 Place Calvini, 83600 Fréjus

Website:

Head over to the Roman Aqueduct in Frejus

Aqueduct Bridge By Rjdeadly – Wikimedia

Next on your to-do list is to visit the Roman Aqueducts remains that were constructed in the 1^st century AD. They stretch to at least 50 km and was used to draw water from the mountains to the city.

It is amazing that several parts of the aqueducts still stand today and visitors can tour the place and marvel at this invention. Paths are leading to the aqueducts, places that remain untouched and give the best angle of how everything was done along the rivers.

These aqueducts were essential to the town people because they cut down their travel up and down the mountain for water. Back in the city, you will also notice four tall piers at the Parc de la Villa Aurélienne.

Practical Information

Address: Avenue du XVème Corps, 83600 Fréjus

Website:

View the Baptistery at the Cathedral

You are probably wondering why this would be one of the recommendations while in Frejus and especially at the Cathedral. Well, this section that served a very important role during the early Christianity in France, deserves its separate entry just to marvel at its interior.

It dates back to the 400s and is part of the oldest Christian sites in Provence and one of the oldest in France just like the cathedral.

The cathedral was not in use for some time and so was the baptistery, so for the most part of the 14^th century till 20^th century, it disappeared.

It was rediscovered by archaeologists in 1925 and they found a 1,600-year-old marble floor, a terracotta pool four feet deep and another large octagonal pool believed to be for full immersion of adults.

Inside the baptistery are granite pillars that are Roman and is believed to be one of the Forum Julius monuments.

Practical information

Same location as the Cathedral

Go to the Marine Museum

We now take a small detour away from the cathedral and onto another museum that I believe is worth visiting.

As mentioned earlier, the city of Frejus served as an important port city to the Romans, as well as the modern France naval base. This city served as the biggest military bases in France.

To restore and preserve this important history, the marine museum was established in the late 17^th century by Cardinal Richelieu.

A visit to the museum will give you the history of the development of the Modern-day French Navy.

You will also get a glimpse of France’s colonial aspiration and achievements from the 17^th century. There are models of ships, weapons, uniforms, documents and other paraphernalia exhibited. The exhibition also shows the timeline of the cultural and technological advancement of the navy.

Practical Information

Address: 167 Avenue Troupes de Marine, 83600 Fréjus, France

Visit Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Jerusalem

Notre-Dame de Jerusalem Chapelle By Cyrilb1881 – Wikimedia

Another chapel that is worth your visit. In here you will get to see part of France’s 12th-century culture that is reflected and felt in this chapel.

This chapel was designed by a well-known French film-maker and artist, Jean Cocteau. He, unfortunately, passed on in 1963 and did not get to finish the beautiful work in the cork and pine forest.

His son Edouard Dermit, who also happened to an artist, completed his fathers work by adding wall mosaics and murals following the outline of sketches left by his dad.

This chapel as meant to be part of the larger Tour de Mare Neighbourhood. It got commissioned by Jean Martnon, a banker.

Practical Information

Address: Route de Cannes, 83600 Fréjus

Website:

Hike up  Mont Vinaigre in Frejus

This mountain sits on a dusty range between Frejus and Cannes. Mont Vinaigre is the tallest of the range and can be accessed using the DN7 road on your way to Cannes.

Before embarking on this excursion, ensure you are well dressed and ready for a steep climb up and will roughly take you an hour and a half to get to the top. Along the way, you will sell junipers, lavender, rosemary and other wild herbs.

Once at the top, you will be able to see Saint Tropez, Cannes and the azure Mediterranean below in the distance.

An interesting fact about this mountain is that it acted as a hideout for Gaspard de Besse in the 18^th century, he was the Provence’s, Robin Hood.

During that period, this mountain was considered to be a dangerous area in the Esterel Massif.

On a clear day, one can see the Italian Alps and Ste-Baume.

Frejus Amphitheatre

This is located in the outskirts of the city and is a significant landmark in Frejus. What is a Roman city without and entertainment arena?

It can host more than 1,500 spectators while it held more the number in its active days.

It served as an important entertainment centre for those that loved games and gladiator fights. Its massive arena attracted thousands.

This spectacular entertainment centre was built in the 1^st century AD. The initial height of the walls is believed to have been at least 30 metres tall.

Although not all the parts of the wall are still standing, the remnants can be seen as they were rebuilt to enable the visitors to make out the outline of the old arena.

Part of the original arena, like the sandstone has now been covered by concrete to preserve the original structure from quick deterioration.

Practical Information

Address: 296 Rue Henri Vadon, 83600 Fréjus

Website:

Spend some time at the Beach

By E v Schoonhoven,-Wikimedia

Last on the list is the beach, perfect for relaxation on its warm sand. This city has always been a summer resort for many tourists. There are at least eight beaches on either side of the port.

The beaches are loved by families, solo travellers and also those that travel on groups. the car park and other beach facilities have been designed with all in mind. It is easily accessible by the elderly and the disabled.

One thing to note is that the beach in Frejus is divided into both private and public areas.

There are several beach activities to do here such as kite surfing, windsurfing, beach volley among many others.