Discover the Côte d’Azur – the sunniest region of France. Known as the French Riviera to English speakers, this area sits alongside the turquoise clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea where historic cities abound, and it’s surrounded by fragrant countryside which is peppered with picturesque villages.
In Nice, stroll the Promenade des Anglais, wander the old town and pause at the Cours Saleya market, one of the most famous in France. Take a dip in the sea at glamorous Cannes or swanky Saint-Tropez where yachts gleam in the picture postcard port. Discover authentic little Menton, famous for its orange and lemon trees. A leisurely cycle ride across the Esterel Massif will reveal the beauty of the countryside, sprinkled with charming villages and towns like Grasse, the perfume capital of France. Get in a round of golf, there are plenty of 18-hole courses. Indulge in southern cuisine, sun-kissed fruit and veg, olive oil and tangy tapenade. There’s so much to see and do here, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a holiday.
Why the French Riviera is great for holidays
Culture, art, gorgeous beaches, sport, fabulous cuisine and vineyards – the Côte d’Azur balances a tranquil stay, quintessential art-de-vivre and world-class events from the grand cities of Cannes to chilled villages where life is lived at a laid-back pace. But essentially the French Riviera vibe remains the same: the pastel-coloured villages, shade-giving palm trees and the beautiful turquoise Mediterranean Sea, it’s not hard to see how the colours of the Côte d’Azur inspired Matisse, Chagall, and many others.
What to see in the Côte d’Azur
Perfectly Nice: Nissa La Bella, the gateway and the capital of the Côte d’Azur, is colourful and vibrant. Explore the Cours Saleya market and visit its endless stands of local Socca and Pissaladière, homemade jams, exotic spices, beautiful flowers, local fish, organic honeys, juicy fruits, soothing lavender and local arts & crafts – all of this whilst ogling the pastel-coloured buildings as the aromas of olive oil, sea salt and smoke from the street food stalls waft around you. Stroll the famous Promenade des Anglais, get lost in the old town and enjoy aperitifs at sunset with view you’ll always remember. Did you know that it was Scottish author Tobias Smollett, after visiting Nice in the late 1800s, who coined the term ‘Côte d’Azur’
Captivating Cannes: Famous for the international film festival in May which draws hordes of celebrities to hang out in glamorous bars, bistros and beaches, Cannes is a great year-round destination. Enjoy 2 kilometres of sandy beaches, hop to the islands of Lérins, see and be seen on the stylish Croisette and explore the winding streets of the old town for a view of Cannes how it used to be.
Va va voom to Villefranche-sur-Mer: As well as being a tourist hub for one of France’s most popular destinations, Villefranche’s bay is also considered to be one of the most beautiful in the Mediterranean. The luxurious villas hidden all around the overlooking hills are known for their opulence and exclusivity and are a testament to the region’s reputation of beauty. From the hills, those who climb, or are lucky enough to holiday in one of the houses, have a splendid view over Cap-Ferrat.
Saint-Paul-de-Vence: Inland from Nice, the medieval perched village entices art lovers with its narrow streets lined with galleries, the Maeght Foundation and artworks integrated into nature (Giacometti, Calder, Braque, Matisse, Léger and more).
Marc Chagall Museum in Nice: The great artist lived in Saint-Paul-de Vence for several years and the Côte d’Azur pays homage to him with a museum which has a collection of more than 250 colourful Chagall pieces, the first of which date back to 1903.
Saint Tropez: Once a tranquil fishing village nestled in a gulf with clear waters, the town was made famous by Brigitte Bardot but has kept its charm. Don’t forget to try the local cake when you’re there, Tropezienne – a delicious concoction of brioche and cream flavoured with orange flower essence. Head for the hills and discover the Gulf of Saint-Tropez’s beautiful villages and dazzling scenery.
Grasse and its perfume museum: Head into the hills and sniff the wonderful scents of lavender, mimosa, orange trees, jasmine and roses. Visit a perfume maker in the perfume capital of France, and the perfume museum which traces the history of fragrances since Antiquity.
Antibes and Juan-les-Pins: Celebrated by many artists including Picasso, Antibes has a museum filed with his works. Explore the old port, ogle the luxurious ships, relax at the market and wander the ramparts that surround the port. In Juan-les-Pins, the Art Deco buildings and beautiful beaches await – plus a very famous annual international jazz festival.
Cagnes sur mer: A lively seaside resort with a medieval village in the Hauts de Cagnes, dominated by the Château-Musée Grimaldi.
What to do in the Côte d’Azur
Fall in love with lemons in Menton: For two weeks, between mid-February and early March, Menton hosts a fabulous Citrus Festival: parades of citrus floats, visits of fruity gardens, craft shows, a festival of orchids, night-time parade and fireworks. But this is an any time of the year place where lemon trees seem to grow on every corner from the beach to the winding streets full of pastel-coloured houses. Read about the amazing lemon festival in issue no. 40 of our free The Good Life France Magazine
Nice Carnival: The arrival of spring in Nice is celebrated in late winter – end Feb to mid-March with one of the most colourful, vibrant and feel-good carnivals in the world!
Gorgeous gardens: It’s said that the whole of Côte d’Azur is a garden but there are also several stunning public gardens such as at the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild at Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, the perched tropical gardens at Èze overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, the gardens of the perfume museum in Mouans-Sartoux, and the gardens of the Château de la Napoule.
Hop over the border to Monaco: Officially the Principality of Monaco is a sovereign city-state and microstate on the French Riviera between Nice and Menton. Famous for its casino, the tiny principality is worth a visit for the Prince’s Palace, to watch the changing of the Guard, and for the swanky restaurants.
Play petanque: Every town and village will have a petanque pitch. Join in or find a friendly café to sip something as you watch the game.
How to get to the Côte d’Azur
By plane: Nice Côte d’Azur Airport has connections to more than 117 direct destinations in 40 countries on 57 scheduled airlines. The Côte d’Azur has two other airports: Cannes – Mandelieu Airport et Saint-Tropez Gulf Airport.
By train: SNCF’s high-speed trains (TGV) connect you from Paris to Toulon in 4 hours, from Paris to Cannes in 5 hours and from Paris to Nice in 5 hours and 25 minutes and Antibes from 5 hours and 18 minutes.
Janine Marsh is the author of several internationally best-selling books about France. Her latest book How to be French – a celebration of the French lifestyle and art de vivre, is out now – a look at the French way of life. Find all books on her website janinemarsh.com
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