The French Riviera has been a favourite haunt of those seeking sun, sea and sand since the concept of holidays was first thought of back at the end of the 18th century. Initially a sun-kissed coastline of hidden coves, sandy bays and quaint fishing villages, the tourist trade has changed the French Riviera out of all recognition.
But fortunately it is still possible to find some peace and quiet amongst the glitz and glamour that is the Riviera today. For instance, the coast between St Tropez and Hyeres is relatively undeveloped, with small beaches where you could well be the only ones swimming in the clear tourquoise sea. But you might need a good map of the area and be prepared to walk a bit!
Click for detailed information on Eurocamp campsites on the French Riviera.
For most people a camping holiday in the French Riviera is an opportunity to enjoy this idyllic land without breaking the bank. The campsites are all of an excellent quality and many give good access to beaches. You can take a few days out from sunbathing and swimming to visit the famous resorts of Nice, Cannes, Monte Carlo or St Tropez. Nice is a lovely city with an extensive historic old town where you can eat well and not too expensively. Take the lift up to the hilltop chateau for a great view of the town and the Promenade des Anglais.
Cannes is more glamorous, but still worth a visit for a stroll along the promenade, whilst Monte Carlo, in the Principality of Monaco, is home to the rich and famous, as is evident by the astonishing display of super-yachts in the harbour. St Tropez has it share of conspicuous wealth but manages to retain some small-town charm.
Some of the best beaches are around the Fr�jus and St Raphael end of the Riviera, where the beaches are wide and long, and great for the kids.
Fr�jus was an important Roman town, and has a medieval town which blends well with the redeveloped marina. In the hills behind is the mountainous region of the Massif de l'Esterel, with good walking and mountain biking trails.
The main airports serving the region are Nice in the east and Marseilles in the west. The small airports of Hyeres and Avignon serve some destinations. At the airport hire a car at competitive prices.
If you're not sure of your route, take a look at our route planner, which not only gives you driving directions but also shows distances and cumulative driving times. Hotels en route are shown for you to book, offering thousands of hotels in Europe at all prices. Search them by map or by list, make your choice and book!
.The drive from Calais takes about 10 hours, not allowing for stopping. For details of all the ferry crossings click here.
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