Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¼´Ê±¿ª½±

Cloister of the cathedral Saint-Leonce in Frejus, France.

© JWackenhut/Getty Images/iStock

Cloître de la Cathédrale de Fréjus

Top choice in Côte d'Azur


Fréjus’ star sight is its 11th- and 12th-century cathedral, one of the region's first Gothic buildings. Its cloister features rare 14th- and 15th-century painted wooden ceiling panels depicting angels, devils, hunters, acrobats and monsters in vivid comic-book fashion. The meaning and origin of these are unknown. Only 500 of the original 1200 frames survive. Afterwards, peek at the octagonal 5th-century baptistery, which incorporates eight Roman columns; it's one of the oldest Christian buildings in France and is exceptionally well preserved.


Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¼´Ê±¿ª½±'s must-see attractions

Nearby Côte d'Azur attractions

1. Musée Archéologique

0.02 MILES

Fréjus' Roman remains have seen better days, so the town's archaeological museum makes a useful accompaniment. There are some fascinating treasures on…

2. Porte d’Orée

0.14 MILES

At the southeastern edge of the old town is the 3rd-century Porte d'Orée, the only remaining arcade of monumental Roman thermal baths. The scant remnants…

3. Théâtre Romain

0.29 MILES

North of the old town are the ruins of a Roman theatre, where plays, dances and musical performances would have been staged (the gruesome stuff and…

4. Les Arènes

0.4 MILES

In comparison to some of Provence's other Roman ruins, Fréjus' amphitheatre is a little underwhelming – it was badly damaged during archaeological digs,…

6. Chapelle Cocteau

3.1 MILES

This was one of the last pieces of work embarked upon by Jean Cocteau (1889–1963), best known for the fishermen's chapel he decorated in Villefranche-sur…

7. Chapelle Sainte-Roseline

11.59 MILES

A 1975 mosaic by Marc Chagall illuminates this 13th-century Romanesque chapel, 4.5km east of Les Arcs-sur-Argens. The church contains a crystal shrine…

8. Plage des Salins

11.75 MILES

Just east of St-Tropez, Plage des Salins is a 600m-wide pine-fringed beach at the southern foot of Cap des Salins. At the northern end of the beach, on a…