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Tourist information for the Cote d'Azur
The French Riviera boasts a combination of fine weather and sparkling blue
seas, making this area one of the most magnetic in the world. Its mountain
backdrop, exquisite light and sheer chic have drawn a diversity of adherents,
not least some of the twentieth century's most famous artists. Travel here for
smart resorts, wonderful beaches and warm seas or escape to the quieter
hinterlands and the excellent art museums. This area is usually associated with
sun, sea and sand and there's plenty of that. But the Cote d'Azur also has
gorgeous mountain scenery only a short drive from the bustling resorts. Medieval
hilltop villages host art and craft festivals and beautiful walks abound in the
scented countryside.
Map of the Cote d'Azur
A useful website about the
Alpes Maritimes.
Activities on the Cote d'Azur:
Anything to do with the sea and water sports, shopping, promenade strolling.
Special Attractions on the Cote d'Azur:
Cannes film festival, Picasso museum at Antibes, Fondation Maeght (outstanding
collection of twentieth century art), Matisse and Chagall museums at Nice.
Towns and places of interest on the Cote d'Azur:
Antibes. Wealthy old town with Chateau Grimaldi and the Picasso museum.
Has a popular market, private and public beaches and a wealth of restaurants.
Less showy than Cannes and less busy than Nice it is a good centre for visiting
some of the best art museums.
Biot. Pretty village and home to the excellent Fernand Leger museum.
Fernand Leger was a colleague of Picasso with a strong commitment to art
celebrating the working man and the skill of turning huge art pieces into
ceramic mosaics.
Cannes. Busy, flashy harbour and marina. Famous for its film festival and
smart beaches. Boat trips can be taken to the nearby Iles de Lerin, which are
small, quiet havens of pine-scented woods and shores.
Cassis. Surrounded by spectacular cliffs.
Frejus. Roman remains, medieval centre and Aquatica aquapark.
Grasse. Centre of the world famous perfume industry.
Hyere. Quieter old summer resort
Juan-les-Pins. Antibes' neighbour is known for its jazz festival at the
end of July and its tiny remnant of the ancient pine forests that once covered
this area.
La Ciotat. Surrounded by excellent beaches.
Marseilles. This is still a thriving port and cosmopolitan city with a
thriving nightlife and a reputation for hot tempers. In town are several
interesting museums, ceramics, contemporary and twentieth century art and around
are several beaches and smaller coves to explore.
Menton. Last stop before the Italian Riviera, this town has a strong
Italian influence and has probably the best climate on the coast being sheltered
by the surrounding hills. It has a pebble beach and many public gardens and is a
somewhat calmer place to stay especially out of season when its weather is often
warmer than the other towns of the area.
Monaco/Monte Carlo. The fairy-tale Principality whose Prince captivated
the heart of Grace Kelly. The castle and surrounding gardens are spectacularly
situated on a promontory with breathtaking views over the harbour of Monte Carlo
with yachts the size of tennis courts. Perhaps the most famous, and certainly
the most picturesque, Formula One motor race takes place through the streets of
Monte Carlo.
Nice. This is a busy, crowded, Italianate city. Old Nice, filled with the
perfume of the flower market, has tiny streets and numerous chapels whilst the
new town has good shopping and art museums (modern and contemporary art, Matisse
and Chagall). The famous Promenade des Anglais with its elegant hotels and
casino runs alongside the pebble beach and the Phoenix Floral Park with theme
rides and animals.
St. Paul de Vence. Very pretty fortified village full of art galleries
and near the Fondation Maeght which houses the most extraordinary collection of
art works collected by the Maeghts. They were art dealers and friends with
artists such as Giocometti, Miro, Chagall, Picasso, Braque and many others.
St. Raphael. This is an expensive resort with good beaches, watersports
and a casino.
St. Tropez. Not to be missed for the sheer extravagant show of wealth but
probably best visited in spring and autumn to avoid the crowds and the most
excessive prices.
Vence. Ancient city with good exhibition of twentieth century French art
and a chapel decorated by Matisse who lived here. Smart shops and restaurants.
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