Les Arènes

Côte d'Azur


In comparison to some of Provence's other Roman ruins, Fréjus' amphitheatre is a little underwhelming – it was badly damaged during archaeological digs, and some half-hearted reconstruction hasn't quite recaptured the atmosphere of what was once one of Gaul’s largest amphitheatres (seating 10,000 spectators). Plans have been mooted to rebuild it properly, but so far no joy.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Côte d'Azur attractions

1. Musée Archéologique

0.39 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. Cloître de la Cathédrale de Fréjus

0.4 MILES

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…

3. Porte d’Orée

0.48 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…

4. Théâtre Romain

0.5 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…

5. Musée Archéologique de St-Raphaël

2.11 MILES

The waters off St-Raphaël are home to the largest number of antique shipwrecks in France, and this museum explores the town's maritime heritage. You’ll…

6. Chapelle Cocteau

3.26 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

11.19 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

11.78 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…