Located in southeast France, the commune of
Fréjus is situtated in the
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. It is a part of the department of Var, and is a constituent commune of the Arrondissement of Draguignan. This district consists of 58 communes and 12 cantons.
Though the history of
Fréjus dates back to the Roman era, the town itself successfully moulds medieval as well as modern elements to attract its fair share of tourists in the area. While the old part of town has a completely medieval air to it, the newer part of the city is a beautiful seaside resort that attracts many tourists throughout the year. The commune is also well known for its cultural and artistic inclinations.
Interestingly, the history of
Fréjus is quite similar to that of Provence. Over the years, this city has been ravaged and built back many number of times.
During the Roman rule of Julius Caesar,
Fréjus was once a village with a busy port area. Caesar named it ‘Forum Julii’ which when translated means ‘the market of Julius’. The port was later given the name ‘Claustra Maris’ meaning ‘sea bolt’.
With the fall of the Roman Empire, the erstwhile village of ‘Forum Julii’ crashed too. Around the period from the 7th to the 9th century, the Muslims came and took over the area.
Fréjus has a number of must-see sites. The St. Maximinus Church, for one, is situated in this city. The Sicilian king Charles II initiated the construction of the church in the 13th century, which concluded only in the 15th century. The church actually pays a tribute to Mary Magdalene as a saint, and contains tombs dating back to the first century AD.
Architectural remains from Forum Julii have also been found in
Fréjus. The Roman Amphitheater, Oree Gate arcades, and Aqueduct arches are just some of them.
