Welcome to the Côte d’Azur.

Stretching from Theoule-sur-Mer in the south west of France to the town of Menton that hugs the Italian border in the east, the Côte d’Azur is one of the country’s greatest treasures. Known as the French Riviera in English, holidays here are unbelievably popular and it’s easy to see why. Captivating cities are fringed by the welcoming waves of the Mediterranean. The glitz and glamour of million dollar mansions mingle together with small French villages which pride themselves on traditional crafts such as pottery and glass blowing. Long and sunny summer days, world famous attractions and events, scenic beaches and a stunning coastline combine to create the ultimate playground.

Beginning with Nice

Perhaps one of the best known entry points is Nice, a city that’s certainly aptly named. Cosmopolitan and attractive, it’s the capital of the French Riviera. The Old Town sees buildings packed in like sardines along the narrow streets. The tiny boutique shops and tongue tingling eateries exude an individual and friendly spirit. This makes way for the new portion of the city where you will find a much more modern persona. A bustling hub of restaurants, shops and grand boulevards. The beautiful beach promenade and beach proves popular. Nearby, you will find a varied choice of hotels in which you can happily base yourself. The nearby mountains filled with traditional villages will surely be calling. Take some time out to explore the landscape with a hire car in France inbetween your time spent shopping at the markets, sunning yourself at the beach and of course pleasing your palate!

Explore Cannes

Cannes takes the title as the most famous place along the coast. Due of course to the world renowned Cannes Film Festival. At this time of the year, the crowds can be particularly unbearable. Celebrity spotting becomes the norm. You’ll find a city oozing glamour with its abundance of casinos, great nightlife and expensive restaurants. Outside of festival time when you might have more of a chance to breathe and explore. It also has a simpler side with cobbled streets and plentiful opportunities to sit on a street side table and watch the world go by. Some of its best delights include a stroll along La Croisette, the walkway that lines the shores and the upmarket shops beyond.

Other places not to miss

Some smaller gems that also hit the headlines include the towns of Antibes, Vallauris, Mougins. Each made famous by Picasso and all equally worthy of a visit. Antibes is a welcome middle ground to the busy atmosphere of Nice and gold paved streets of Cannes, without sacrificing the great beaches and a delightful old town. It is here you will also find one of the greatest collections of Picasso’s work. Vallauris on the other hand is well known as a pottery region and Mougins, just 15 minutes from Cannes, is a delightful medieval village surrounded by pines, olive groves and citrus trees.

The towns and cities are just half of the story though; there are plenty more essential experiences that you should fit into your explorations of the French Riviera. With over 160 million bottles of wine produced annually, a visit to one or two of the vineyards should also surely be a staple, not to mention partaking in the fantastic shopping, awing the many jaw dropping marinas filled with unbelievably large yachts, tackling some of the coastal paths, relaxing on a boat trips and immersing yourself in the café culture.

With all this and so much more on offer, it’s easy to see why France is the most visited country in the world!