From the Latin forum Julii, literally the "market of Julius", the Roman city was founded by Julius Caesar in 49 BC. The city was located on the Aurelian road that linked Arles to Genoa, following the course of the Argens river. The center was located on a sandstone hillock of the Estérel massif which dominated the Argens and Reyran plains by 34 m, protected by a rampart. Forum Julii became the great military port of the Roman armies in Gaul. A large basin was dug and connected to the sea by a 500 m long canal. In 31 BC, Octavian defeated the fleet of Mark Antony and Cleopatra at Actium and brought back to Frejus more than 300 ships taken from the enemy. Frejus was an important road junction on the Via Aurelia, built in 13 BC under the emperor Augustus. It was connected to the Domitian Way in the Rhone Valley. Its layout corresponds more or less to that of the current RD N7. Christianity spread rapidly throughout the region and Fréjus became the seat of a bishopric in 374.Ruined by the Saracens, the city was rebuilt by Bishop Riculfe. A city of markets and merchants, well placed on the salt route and a base for trade between Provence and Italy, Fréjus enjoyed great prosperity, but was invaded by the imperialists in 1536, by the Savoyards in 1707, by the Austro-Piedmontese in 1746. The rupture of the Malpasset dam on December 2, 1959, caused deep wounds in the crops, roads and houses washed away. Following this disaster, modernization was underway, with the canalization of the Reyran and the urbanization of the Villeneuve and Agachon districts and the construction of Port-Fréjus, which was inaugurated on July 12, 1989. 20 years later, it is under a new breath and a great dynamism that Port-Fréjus II was born. A perfect combination of history and modernity, this canal of more than 400 meters is in keeping with its past and stretches to the Avenue de Provence, at the gates of the historic center.Fréjus also has a long ribbon of fine sand, punctuated by beaches, which extends from the confines of Saint-Raphaël to Saint-Aygulf. Lovers of nature, of walks and hikes, horseback riding, cycling, mountain biking, will also find their happiness in the Estérel massif, with the numerous circuits proposed. Sports enthusiasts should not miss the Roc d'Azur, the world's largest mountain bike event, which is sure to be held at the Fréjus nature base until at least 2023.

What to visit Fréjus?

Weather at the moment

Loading...
Organize your trip with our partners Fréjus
Transportation
Accommodation & stays
Services / On site

Pictures and images Fréjus

Port-Fréjus Christian MUSAT - Fotolia
Crique de la plage de Saint-Aygulf, Fréjus Lawrence BANAHAN - Author's Image

Find unique Stay Offers with our Partners

Send a reply