Basic moments

From the very beginning, the French Riviera was treated kindly by the attention of the European beau monde, which for life secured it the title of the most pretentious and expensive vacation spot in the entire Mediterranean. Cult filmmakers, media personalities of all levels of fame, carefree billionaires - this is the main audience that has flooded the glamorous beaches of Nice, Cannes and Saint-Tropez. However, the average tourist on the Cote d'Azur also does not refuse, tempting him with a pleasant Mediterranean climate, a fun get-together and Provencal cuisine.

People come here to take spicy photos of celebrities hiding behind dark lenses of glasses, empty bank accounts and taste southern wines. Sometimes the listed pleasures are diluted with a traditional cultural program and the development of the snow-covered slopes of the Maritime Alps. But most often a vacation on the Cote d'Azur takes place in the style of a protracted marathon, whose participants randomly move between beaches, casinos and nightclubs, looking into hotel room just to take a nap for a couple of hours and gain strength for the further race for entertainment.

History of the Cote d'Azur

Even in prehistoric times, the southeast coast of modern France was not empty. The first to develop these lands were the Cro-Magnons, who were replaced by the tribes of Ligurs, Phocians and Celts. However, in 123 BC. NS. the barbarians had to make room for themselves, since the territory of the Mediterranean was crushed by the Roman Empire. In general, Roman patronage had a beneficial effect on the development of the southern region of the future French state. It was during this period that Cannes was founded here, and the first road network was designed, which is still in use today.

The French Riviera owes its miraculous transformation to a major resort to the English Lord Henry Brohem, who in 1834 accidentally stopped in Cannes and was pleasantly struck by the extraordinary mildness of the local climate. By the way, until the middle of the 19th century, only British subjects rested on the Cote d'Azur, choosing Hyères as their residence. Well, since pretty soon the town ceased to accommodate the elite, hungry for idle entertainment, such previously inconspicuous places as Nice and Menton took up the baton. But the main tourist flow poured into Cote d'Azur after the region acquired its own railway linking Nice with Paris. As a result, by the end of the 19th century, the resort experienced a real invasion of the Russian elite, including representatives of the Romanov dynasty.

Best time to travel

Cote d'Azur is a region that always has sunny days and warm weather for vacationers. The most fashionable resort in Europe is famous for its mild Mediterranean climate, with long hot summers and short warm winters. As for swimming, the optimal time for this is considered to be the period from May to September, although the main influx of tourists is observed at the height of the velvet season, which begins here in July and ends in August.

Summer on the Cote d'Azur is sultry, but not sizzling, with an average mark of +26 ° C. In July, local thermometers often freeze at + 35 ° C, but due to low air humidity, such temperatures are surprisingly easily tolerated. With the beginning of autumn, the flea market on the Mediterranean coast is gradually thinning, so until September only tourists stay here who do not like the heat, but plan to splash a little in the already cooling sea.

By the end of October, the local beaches are completely calm, and the resort begins to be visited by strong, but short-term showers. In total, there are at least 300 sunny days for the whole year here, of which a decent part falls in the winter months. Snow in this part of the country is an exceptional phenomenon, and the air temperature, even in January, rarely drops below +10 ° C. True, the local winter has its own "wormhole": from December to February, the resort is under the influence of the mistral - a piercing north wind with destructive power.

Main resort destinations

If we measure the size of the resort in administrative units, then we can say that the French Riviera settled on the territory of the cultural and historical region of Provence - Alpes - Cote d'Azur. Or rather, on the lands of such departments as the Alpes-Maritimes, Var and partly Bouches-du-Rhône.

The status of the most tourist-oriented part of the resort remains with the Alpes-Maritimes, which include Nice and Cannes - glamorous classics of southern France. In addition, Monaco with its pretentious casinos and Formula 1 races is just a stone's throw from here. Less gloss and more silence in mountain villages and communes like Sospel, Gourdon, Tenda and Saorge, which were once preferred by French bohemians. At various times, Paul Cezanne, Henri Matisse and Raoul Dufy climbed the rocky slopes of the Maritime Alps in search of a suitable nature. And the great rebel Modigliani, always traveling penniless, even introduced a new currency here - his own sketches, which he used to pay with the owners of local hotels.

Var is already a typical Provence with its lavender fields, vineyards and excellent cuisine. To feel the atmosphere of this department, it is enough to settle in any of the local villages. For example, in Le Lavandou, where, according to reviews, the most picturesque beaches. Or Bormes-les-Mimosas, with its toy houses and an abundance of mimosa trees. Travelers who are indifferent to regularity and pastoral landscapes should better go to Toulon or Saint-Tropez, which is completely buried in European celebrities.

In Bouches-du-Rhone, Marseille pulls the blanket over himself - largest port Mediterranean, a city with a windy character, endless change of mood and vast museum heritage. Holiday-makers who yearn for a quiet and peaceful rest have their favorites here too. Most often these are cozy communes like Sainte-Marie-de-la-Mer with beaches undisturbed by civilization and a slow pace of life. You can hide from the tiresome bustle of Marseilles in the calanques of Cassis.

Attractions and interesting places of the resort

The sights of the French Riviera are a topic for serious exploration, which is unlikely to be able to fit into one vacation. However, this is the main idea of ​​the resort: to turn your head and make you come back again.

The classic must-see of the Côte d'Azur is the Monte Carlo casino, the Palais des Festivals (Cannes), the Croisette and the Promenade des Anglais, as well as the Negresco hotel. There are enough visitors at the Gran Jas cemetery in Cannes. Among the memorial steles of the necropolis, one can find the graves of Prosper Mérimée, the Faberge jeweler, as well as the tombs of our noble compatriots, who, even after death, could not part with their beloved resort. In Monte Carlo, the Japanese Garden stands out. The landscape park consists entirely of green spaces taken out from the Land of the Rising Sun, which is already a sufficient reason to visit it.

You can get a portion of aesthetic pleasure while walking peacefully through the historic center of Nice, where every building is either an example of classicism or a pure Renaissance. The modern face of the city is also capable of surprising, which is confirmed by the building of the library of Louis Nycera, repeating the contours of a human head half hidden under a giant cube. Well, it is most convenient to admire the panorama of the resort itself from the height of the Roman Hill (at the same time, you can take a couple of selfies against the background of ancient ruins).

The region's cultural past is worth looking for in Nice's museums. For example, Rodin's "Bronze Age" and Fragonard's exquisite pastorals have become part of the Museum of Fine Arts. Inherited in the funniest city of the resort and Marc Chagall. The leader of the world avant-garde has a separate museum here. Henri Matisse was also not deprived of attention: the entire mansion, in which the artist once lived, has now been turned into his own gallery, where little-known masterpieces of the master are exhibited, including collages "drawn with scissors".

But European bohemia is not the only one alive. If you take a ride to other places of the Cote d'Azur, it turns out that quiet villages and small communes were in no less demand among the ministers of art. For example, Cézanne, Braque and Chagall preferred Saint-Paul-de-Vence, which eventually evolved into the main art gallery in the region. By the way, Chagall's grave is also located here. In Le Cannet, Renoir, Bonnard and Lebasque were "pulled back", while the author of the scandalous "Scream" Edvard Munch had more respect for Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. You can see the works of Picasso and Modigliani in the Grimaldi castle (Antibes), where the "father of Cubism" lived for more than six months. But Claude Monet could not decide on his favorite resort, so in different seasons the painter was brought to Bordinières, then to Villefranche, then to Juan-les-Pins, and this, not counting Cannes and Saint-Tropez.

If you are tired of excursions to mainstream destinations, you can look for quieter routes. For example, visit the main perfumery "factories" of the country - the communes of Eze and Gourdon. The latter is famous not only for its lavender fields, but also for a real medieval castle, as well as a meeting place for Hollywood star Grace Kelly and the Prince of Monaco. It is relatively quiet in Vallauris, a cozy city that almost merges with neighboring Antibes, whose main specialization is the production of ceramics. You can breathe fresh air saturated with the scent of eucalyptus on the Lérins Islands (Cannes region). Anyone interested in ancient monasteries and sea fortresses is recommended to look here. For example, on the island of Saint-Honoré, the monastic abode deserves special attention, and on the island of Saint Margaret - an abandoned fort, in which at the time Louis XIV hid a mysterious prisoner nicknamed the Iron Mask.

Try to destroy the myth that a vacation on the Riviera is a compulsory reclining on the beach, spending money in a casino and swimming in the sea a hundred times a day and take a ride deep into the Maritime Alps. In particular, lovers of medieval architecture will have something to look at in Sospel. In Mougins, first of all, the old part of the city is interesting, as well as numerous gourmet restaurants. At various times, Christian Dior, Pablo Picasso and Francis Picabia have appeared on the list of the most honored guests of this place.

Transport

Most of the resort towns are connected by rail, so that by train you can get to almost any part of the Côte d'Azur. There are three types of railway transport between settlements: TGV (electric train that runs between the resort area and other cities in France), Corrail (high-speed train) and TER (trains that operate only in high season). Tickets for them can be bought at railway ticket offices or vending machines. If you have chosen a city that the trains have not yet reached, then in 99 cases out of 100 some OUIBUS bus route goes there. For your information: all buses are the property of the railway company, so you can order a ticket for them on the official SNCF website: http://www.sncf.com/en/passengers. The most expensive and at the same time comfortable option is to call a taxi. On average for little trip between the two settlements of the French Riviera, you have to shell out about 100 EUR.

Public transport of the Côte d'Azur is represented by buses (the most common type), trams (quite rare) and the metro (only in Marseille). As for pedestrians, they are quite comfortable at the resort, since the architectural sights of each city of the Riviera are located within its own historic center... Accordingly, they are easy to get around on foot, saving on the purchase of a travel card.

Local rental offices will provide adherents of an active lifestyle with a bicycle, since there are plenty of bike paths in the region, not to mention the rental centers themselves. In Nice alone, the number of bike stations is approaching two hundred. If you plan to travel outside the village, it is wiser to rent a "mountain", which will allow you to overcome the steep paths and unchanging dirt road, typical for the "grape" part of the region.

The resort's water transport is not only geared towards premium card holders, so if you can't afford a major yacht, take a look at the local ferries. For example, from Nice on them you can sail to neighboring Corsica or Sardinia, taking your personal vehicle with you. On average, the journey by ferry to the same Corsica takes from 6 to 8 hours.In Saint-Tropez, Nice, Cannes, Monaco and Saint-Raphael, you can take a ride on a sea taxi, of which there are two varieties: an elite one - for moneybags and a public one - for the average health resort visitor.

Car rent

If you do not want to limit yourself to one resort and are inevitably drawn to explore all the southern departments, it is wiser to rent a car. This can be done at the airport or in any city on the coast. In the same Cannes, Nice or Marseille, there are several large offices that are ready to conclude a rental agreement with a tourist. There are also such in small communes. Driver requirements are standard: age from 21 years old, driving experience of at least a year, international driving license and credit card (necessarily issued by a European bank).

Going on a trip along the Cote d'Azur at the height of the season, you should remember that loneliness on local roads does not threaten you, but intense traffic flow and many kilometers of traffic jams - yes. The parking situation is typical for a fashionable resort: all of them are paid and are almost always overcrowded. We'll have to hurry up a little with fuel: refueling in the villages is rare. Most of high-speed roads in the region are paid. You can identify such a track by the letter "A" on the index. Usually, at the entrance to the toll road, an electronic board is installed indicating the fare. Payment is made through a machine that issues a coupon for the onward journey. By the way, the ticket itself must be kept until the exit from the motorway.

Food

Provencal cuisine reigns on the Cote d'Azur, interspersed with Italian culinary masterpieces. The influence of the Apennine traditions is especially clearly felt in Nice, which until the middle of the 19th century was part of Italy. So ravioli, pasta and corn polenta are regulars on local tables. Of the abundance of fish in this part of the Mediterranean, sardines and anchovies are preferred. The latter, by the way, are an indispensable component in nicoise salad - Nice's culinary business card. The famous Marseille invention of bouillabaisse (fish soup with seafood) can be tasted today in any restaurant on the coast. It is also easy to find fish baked on charcoal: usually in local taverns, customers are treated to sea rooster, ruff and red mullet, which can be diversified with freshly caught squid, octopus, mussels and unchanging oysters.

From meat delicacies, gourmets especially distinguish Sisteron lamb, Arles sausages and liver pies with spinach in a fat shell. All this yummy is generously flavored with herbs and served with an indispensable bottle of olive oil. And, of course, what is Provence without vegetables and fruits: ratatouille, mesclane, pisto sauce - at the heart of each of these dishes are only the gifts of the French land. It also grows the world's best lemons and melons of the "Cavaillon" variety, which the Provencal people love to eat with smoked ham. The pastries and sweets in the south are also peculiar. To understand this, it is enough to try a landmine cake stuffed with anchovies, olives and bacon, a local hybrid of candied fruit and almond cake - calisson or a sponge cake with custard - patisier.

There are plenty of restaurants on the Cote d'Azur where you can have a good lunch. For the elite on the coast, gourmet restaurants are open: Le Chantecler (Nice), Mantel (Cannes), Le Louis XV (Monte Carlo) and others. Budget gourmets should wander through the village taverns, or turn their attention to all kinds of bistros and brasserie cafes, where the food is almost as tasty as in a restaurant, and the bill is several times less.

7 things to do on the French Riviera

• Rent a boat in the harbor of Marseille and sail on an excursion to the Chateau d'If, where the most mysterious prisoner of France, the Iron Mask, was once kept, and from where the Count of Monte Cristo so masterly escaped.
• Discover Russian Nice by visiting the Cathedral of St. Nicholas and the Cocade cemetery.
• Taste local culinary business cards - baked artichokes, fried zucchini flowers and sea urchin fillets.
• Find the hotel "Oasis" (Nice), where Chekhov wrote his "Lady with the Dog".
• Wander the corridors of the Golden Dove Hotel in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, which has promoted itself with a collection of paintings by Modigliani, Picasso, Chagall and Soutine, as well as star guests including Brigitte Bardot, Yves Montand and Sophia Loren.
• Walk around half of the clubs and eateries in Juan-les-Pins, the jazz capital of the coast, to listen to local and visiting jazz bands.
• Take a selfie in front of the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, then post it on social networks with the hashtag #nothing_special.

Entertainment

The Cote d'Azur knows how not only to attract attention, but also to keep it for a long time. In any case, local casinos are very reluctant to part with their guests. There are gambling houses on the French Riviera in almost every city, so gambling vacationers will always find where to put their money on the line. If slot machines and roulette are not enough and you want more ambiance, visit the Monte Carlo Casino in Monaco. This is a real gaming empire in which the European elite has been wasting money for more than a century and a half.

For those who crave simple family fun, we recommend an excursion to the Marineland Zoo (Antibes), where there is a marine circus. The pride of the establishment is a 30-meter walking tunnel with tiger sharks. The Aquasplash water park is located next to Antibes. This is certainly not the only object of this kind on the coast, but one of the most interesting in terms of the variety of water attractions and thematic zones.

After you have plenty of water in the Aquasplash pools, move on to the heavy artillery and take a look at Antibes Park. This is the place where anyone can pump their vestibular apparatus on a booster or arrange a test drive for the nervous system in a falling elevator. If a drastic change of scenery is required, head to the Reserve des Monts d'Azur, where bison, Przewalski's horses, deer, and dozens of other mammals live. By the way, there is no need to chase the inhabitants of the park: the staff of the reserve regularly organize safaris for guests, so the animals have long been accustomed to people and are calm about their daily photo sessions.

Beach holidays on the French Riviera

Travel guides describe the Cote d'Azur as a beachfront fairytale. Indeed, in terms of infrastructure, the local bathing places have something to be proud of: umbrellas, comfortable sun loungers, showers, changing cabins - all these attributes of civilized relaxation are present even on small village beaches, not to mention Nice and Cannes. But the snow-white sand, which advertising brochures like to focus on so much, is not present everywhere on the French Riviera. For example, in the same Nice, the coastline is dotted with large pebbles and pebbles polished by the sea.

In search sandy shore and the azure sea, it is better to go to the Antibes area - the city on whose berths oligarchs' yachts are most often moored. For example, the Gavett beach can be chosen not only for the absence of pebbles under your feet, but also for the gentle entrance to the sea. Salis offers poetic views of Old city, and on Grania it's great to have fun on water attractions. Very soft sand in the Juan-les-Pins area, which has practically become a suburb of Antibes, as well as in Fréjus. Well, the most spectacular beach selfies are obtained in the calanques of Cassis - a kind of mini-fjords with mountain slopes overgrown with trees, in whose tiny bays ultramarine waters splash.

For your information: on the Cote d'Azur there are both public beaches and areas owned by hotels, the entrance to which is paid.

Young tourists should be taken to the beach of the village of La Ciotat: the water here is clear (the place is marked Blue flag), and the shallow water zone is extensive. Soft sand and relative tranquility can be found on the beaches of the town of San Maxima, of which the Elephant is especially popular. Quite good conditions for swimming are offered by the commune of La Londe-le-Maures, which is in the vicinity of Toulon: the coast is well-groomed and sandy, in addition, the village has a beach with a Blue Flag - Silver. Théoule-sur-Mer, with its deep sea, red spruce cliffs and rocky-sandy slopes to the water, can offer a cardinal change of scenery.

Those wishing to combine beach vacation with a party awaits the hype Saint-Tropez - a city with an overwhelming concentration of celebrities. De Pampelonne Beach is one of these places of the resort soaked through with glamor and pathos. Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is also crowded, with Passable being recognized as the commune's most favored beach. For some reason, our compatriots especially adore him.

Diving

The diving season on the Cote d'Azur lasts from May to October, but the most desperate divers do not stop surfing the local bays during the winter months. Most often, they practice wreck diving at the resort, although the places of all kinds of disasters also have their fans. For example, scuba divers who come to the Riviera often hang out in the square where the Exupery plane (the Marseille region) supposedly crashed.

Note: not all Côte d'Azur diving clubs are ready to donate equipment to beginners. In some centers, only tourists with CMAS and CEDIP certificates are trusted. So, inexperienced divers are better off staying in Cannes, whose schools and diving clubs are aimed specifically at novice explorers of the deep sea.

Cassis, Marseille and Saint-Raphael are recognized as the most popular dive sites on the coast. Nice does not lag behind these three: the favorite places of local divers are Villefranche Bay with its fantastic underwater cave and a bomber resting at the bottom, as well as Cape Nice.

As for the animal and flora, in this regard, the Mediterranean is inferior to its tropical counterparts. But for the unspoiled diver, there will always be an experience here. Giant groupers, snake fish, moray eels, stingrays, octopuses - with due diligence, it is not so difficult to catch all this company in the lens.

Holidays and events

You can come off and fool around on the French Riviera at any time of the year: almost every month in different parts the resort hosts annual festivals and all kinds of celebrations. There are four events in January alone, including the Monte Carlo Rally and the International Circus Festival. The main event in February is the Carnival in Cannes, at the time of which the city turns into one large concert venue and is filled with tons of flower petals. In the same month, the Mimosa Festival opens in Mandelieu-la-Napoule, and Menton prepares for the Lemon Festival.

In March, yachtsmen, singers and illusionists flock to the Cote d'Azur, as it is at the beginning of spring that such popular events as the Nice Boat Show, the World Music Awards, and the Golden Dove magic festival take place. In April-May, tourists will find the International Tennis Tournament, the Pumpkin Festival, the Film Festival, the rally of retro cars, as well as the good old Formula 1 races.

Summer on the south coast of France is a time of musical events, flower parades, a wine festival and jazz concerts. In September as part of international exhibition"Yacht show" here is a "yacht defile", which announces the latest shipbuilding news. Well, somewhere in the middle of autumn, the resort plunges into an endless series of dance festivals, blues parties, car exhibitions and food fairs.

Ski resorts of the French Riviera

All ski resorts in the region are concentrated at the foot of the Alpes-Maritimes, so you can get to them from Cannes or Nice in just an hour and a half. The skiing season in these places begins in mid-December and lasts until April, so especially active comrades manage to combine two types of recreation at once: beach and ski.

The French themselves prefer to book ski passes for Isola 2000, which is next to the Mercantour Nature Reserve, 100 km from Nice. The resort offers 46 ski slopes with a total length of about 120 km. For the opportunity to practice heli-skiing and night skiing, Izola is especially favored by extreme sports. Oron has a fairly good reputation, which is connected to Nice by an intensive bus service. In total, the resort owns 36 slopes, which are served by 18 lifts.

For your information: the average cost of a one-day ski pass in the Alpes-Maritimes for adults is about 35 EUR; for children - about 27 EUR.

Walberg is besieged mainly by supporters of family fun. The resort has almost 50 km of slopes without major differences in elevation, ideal for beginners. Of the additional "buns" offered by the town, one can note rails and a high-pipe. Well, and a calm atmosphere, relative seclusion and gentle slopes are better to look for at small ski resorts, for example, in Saint-Etienne-de-Tignes, La Colmian-Valdeblore or Rubyon-le-Bouis.

Shopping

The main points of attraction for all shopaholics of the coast are Cannes, Nice and Monaco, with the maximum concentration of malls and showrooms occurring in the streets of D'Antibes and Meinadier (Cannes), as well as Jean Madissin and De Verdun (Nice). Galleries and boutiques of Saint-Tropez are "sharpened" mainly for stylish snobs, while Marseille shopping centers focus on middle-market goods. In general, the price tags in the brand stores of the Cote d'Azur are too high, so it is wiser to visit them during the sales season. The most "delicious" sales start in July and the second half of January. All this action is accompanied by grandiose bustle and kilometer-long queues at the ticket offices, which, however, stops few people.

The classic working hours of the trading floors of the French Riviera are from 10:00 to 19:00. Sunday is almost universally considered a day off, although in large malls popular resorts this rule does not apply and shops are open, but according to a reduced schedule - until 13:00. Supermarkets and private shops of eastern emigrants are more hospitable in this regard, since they are open from 8:00 to 21:00.

The range of souvenirs and gastronomic delights at the resort is impressive, so it is not customary to leave the French Riviera without shopping. The top most popular hotels among our compatriots include sanctioned mold cheeses, olive oil, lavender and cosmetics based on it, as well as Provencal wines and herbs. Of the cute little things, we can name various accessories with the image of a cicada - the official symbol of the Côte d'Azur, ceramic knick-knacks, tropezienne sandals and fragrant Marseilles soap.

Where to stay on the French Riviera

Since it was never accepted to save on the Cote d'Azur, housing prices are far from democratic. However, if you drive away from the "busy" resorts and move inland, you can count on relatively acceptable options. Those who have come to the south to have a good time in the casino and hunt with a camera for representatives of the world of show business will have to fork out.

Finding a room in resort "fives" in the high season for less than 300 EUR is an unheard of success. Four-star options have gone not far in this regard, the day of living in which starts from 160 EUR and gradually moves up to 200 EUR. The "three rubles" appetites are more modest - on average, from 100 EUR for a standard room. Those wishing to live in the bosom of Provencal nature can look for wooden bungalows with Wi-Fi, stuffed with household appliances and scattered in the most visually attractive areas of the Cote d'Azur. For adherents of economical rest, the only type of available accommodation is hostels, which estimate a bed in a common room at 30-40 EUR.

How to get there

The best way to go to conquer the beaches and ski resorts of the Cote d'Azur is by plane. The largest international airports in the region are located in Nice and Marseille (Cannes airport, which accepts exclusively private flights, does not count). Optimal options for direct routes: Moscow - Nice and St. Petersburg - Nice. But to Marseille you will have to fly in a roundabout way with transfers in Amsterdam or Paris.

You can get from the airport to the city by bus, train or taxi. In the case of Nice, these are buses No. 98, 99, as well as routes No. 23, 52, 59, 99, whose stop is located near the airport. At the Marseille airport, travelers are greeted by a free shuttle that delivers its passengers directly to railway station Vitrolles, from where trains are already leaving in the direction of the city station Saint-Charles.

Fans of travel by rail should look at the Belorussky railway station in Moscow, from which a direct train leaves twice a week to Nice. Usually the journey takes about 2 days, the ticket price is from 315 EUR. There is also a combined version, when a tourist arrives in Paris and from the French capital travels to the south of the country by train. On average, such a trip lasts from 3.5 (Marseille) to 5 (Nice) hours and costs 35-40 EUR.

The southeast coast of the Mediterranean in the region of France bears the poetic name of the French Riviera. The second name of the area - Cote d'Azur - was entrenched in it thanks to the little-known French writer Stéphane Liègeard, who published a novel of the same name in 1870.

Geographically, the French Riviera begins east of Marseille and stretches three hundred kilometers up to the Italian border. The Cote d'Azur, indented by numerous bays, consists mainly of sandy beaches and coastal cliffs. From the north and east, the French Riviera is covered by the Alps, from the west - by Saint-Baume. Mountain ranges form on the Cote d'Azur the very climate that makes the Mediterranean coast one big resort. Three hundred sunny days a year, average air temperature from +24 to +35 and water from +20 to +25 ° C, low humidity, minimal stuffiness and picturesque tropical vegetation attract tourists from all over the world to the French Riviera.

French Riviera - PHOTOS

Monte Carlo is known all over the world as the capital of the gambling business, unprecedented luxury and magnificent sun illuminating the delightful sandy beaches. As in all of Monaco, life in Monte Carlo is predominantly nocturnal. At this time, the doors of the numerous casinos of the city and its main gambling symbol - Le Grand Casino open before the holidaymakers. By day, life in Monte Carlo flows unhurriedly and is concentrated in the area of ​​beaches and expensive brand stores. The popular Monte Carlo rally starts here every year. The Formula 1 track runs through the city.

Hotels: Monte Carlo City

Located in the Bay of Angels, the unofficial capital of the French Riviera is one of the most popular European resorts. Endless beaches, warm Mediterranean sea with turquoise waters and picturesque palm trees coexist in Nice with numerous hotels, museums, art galleries, shops, restaurants and nightclubs. The city is replete with historical and architectural landmarks, including the famous 17th century Baroque cathedral Saint-Reparat, the Palais des Communes, the Place Saint-François.

Hotels in Nice city

The small port town of Antibes, located between Nice and Cannes, has more than two thousand years of history. It was formed in the VI century BC as a colony of Marseilles and was called Antipolis. The reliable fortifications of Antibes have preserved to this day many historical monuments: the castle of Grimaldi (XII century), the bastion of Saint-André (now it houses the Museum of History and Archeology), the miniature chapel of Notre-Dame-de-Garoupe, Botanical Garden Thuret (1857). The pebbly and sandy beaches of Antibes stretch along the coast for twenty-four kilometers.

Hotels in Antibes

Saint-Tropez gained world fame thanks to French cinema. The fun adventures of the "local" gendarmes, led by the charming comedian Louis de Funes, still attract numerous tourists to this Provencal port town. The unchanging sun, beaches, clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea and the magnificent pine groves of Saint-Tropez have also come to the liking of the cultural elite. The villas of many famous actors, artists and couturiers are located within the recognized center of social life Cote d'Azur.

Hotels in Saint-Tropez

Modern Cannes is known all over the world as the venue for several prestigious international festivals: the film festival, the pyrotechnics festival and the Cannes Lions advertising festival. Meanwhile, this city was just a few centuries ago an ordinary fishing village. Cannes received the status of a city only in the 1830s, when French and later Russian aristocrats began to settle in them. Like modern holidaymakers, they were attracted to the city by the temperate Mediterranean climate with twelve hours of sunshine in the summer months, a variety of tempting restaurants, hotels and boutiques.

Hotels in Cannes

Located to the north of Cannes, the Provencal town of Saint-Paul-de-Vence is considered one of the most romantic places in modern times. Its medieval streets with stone houses of the XVI-XVIII centuries, ancient fountains and cobblestone pavements are filled with floral aromas, known far beyond the borders of the country under the brand of "Grasse rose". Saint-Paul-de-Vence is a city of dreamers and artists. It houses numerous museums and art galleries of contemporary art.

Hotels in Saint-Paul-de-Vence

Menton is the westernmost and most picturesque resort on the French Riviera. Numerous gardens of the city gave it the name "Pearl of France", and the mild climate, ideal for growing citrus fruits, made it the "Capital of Lemons". The Citrus Festival is held annually in Menton, during which the local streets are filled with huge figures of yellow lemons and orange oranges. The main sights of the city are located in its old part. There are also several markets where you can buy Mediterranean delicacies and flowers.

Hotels in Menton City

The Provencal port town of Fréjus is located in the south, twenty kilometers from Saint-Tropez. The now popular resort was founded by Julius Caesar for his fleet. Today "Forum Julia" serves as a haven for fashionable yachts and wealthy vacationers. However, everyone who gets to the Cote d'Azur can visit the sandy beaches of the city. Lovers of architectural landmarks can admire in Fréjus fragments of Roman port structures, the Roman theater and amphitheater, and various buildings of the IV-XIV centuries.

Hotels in Fréjus

Originated in ancient times as the Greek colony of Olbia, modern Hyères attracts vacationers with its ancient charm and thirty-nine kilometers of sandy beaches, suitable not so much for sunbathing as for practicing aquatic species sports. Among the historical sights of Hyères are the ruins of an ancient Greek city that have survived to this day, buildings from Roman and medieval times - the Port-Massillon gate, the Tour des Templar tower (XII century), the Monastery of Saint-Louis (XIII century), the Castle of Saint-Bernard ( XI century).

Hotels in Hyères

Located between Marseille and Saint-Tropez, Toulon is one of the most popular tourist places Western Europe. Its port hosts the most important naval base... The main attractions of Toulon are located in the Old Town. These include the 11th century cathedral, the National Naval Museum (opened under Napoleon), the Louis Blanc square with the Tambourine fountain located on it (1839). An important cultural feature of Toulon is its developed wine traditions.

Hotels in Toulon city

The ten best resorts on the French Riviera are worth visiting! Each city can offer a unique set of local attractions and entertainment, as well as delight vacationers with the invariable sun, clean beaches and gentle waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

Magnificent France has attracted travelers from all over the world at all times. And today millions of tourists from different countries come to see this amazing country, get acquainted with its history and culture, admire the unique monuments of art, culture and architecture.

Most of the guests dream of seeing the resorts of France. Everyone wants to go to the sea, and this is easily explainable, because numerous reviews of the lucky ones who have been here indicate that it is amazing. Resorts in France are ideal for family holidays. On the sea for children and adults, the most comfortable living and recreation conditions are created: playgrounds and sports grounds, clubs, separate pools and a special menu in restaurants.

How to choose resorts in France

At sea in France, you can admire more than 3 thousand kilometers of the coast. It overlooks both the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean... All resorts located here have their pros and cons.

For example, on the Atlantic coast, the water is cooler even during the height of the beach season, but at the same time it is cleaner and suitable for healing procedures. In the Atlantic, the beaches are sandy, but there is a problem of ebbs and flows. In some areas, the sea recedes a kilometer from the coast (this happens especially often in Brittany and Normandy). Therefore, vacationers swim here only at high tide.

The Mediterranean Sea is much warmer and the coastline sunnier. Advertising also plays an important role. Interestingly, the French themselves believe that the Atlantic resorts are more attractive, largely due to their less congestion.

Benefits of seaside resorts

French resorts on the sea (you can see a photo of them in this article) provide tourists not only with beaches and related entertainment services (casinos, golf clubs, discos and nightclubs), but also medical procedures that, according to vacationers, make them feel better with various, sometimes very serious diseases.

It's no secret that France is the birthplace of thalassotherapy. The very first thalassotherapy center was opened in 1899 in Roscoff. Now in the country there are several dozen centers aimed at treating such ailments as rheumatism and acute pain in the spine, as well as post-traumatic rehabilitation.

Climate

For vacationers, it is important to know the climatic conditions at the place of stay. Thus, the Atlantic coast of France is characterized by a cool maritime climate - the temperature difference between summer and winter values ​​is small (+ 7 ° С and + 20 ° С). The swimming season lasts three summer months.

French resorts on the Mediterranean (you can see the photo in the article) are distinguished by a classic subtropical climate - winters are mild and sunny, and summers are dry and hot. In this article, we will present you the most popular and most visited holiday destinations, where both the French and numerous tourists spend their holidays.

French Resorts by the Sea: Cote d'Azur

A narrow and long strip on the northern coast of France on the Mediterranean Sea, which stretches from Marseille to La Spezia (Italy), is united by a common name - Riviera. sometimes referred to as the French Riviera.

French resorts on the sea, photos of which regularly appear on the pages of glossy publications, are known all over the world not only for their amazing nature and living conditions.

The city of Cannes, located on the shores of the picturesque Gulf of Napoule, is a prestigious and fashionable summer destination. The same applies to Nice. Cannes is also significantly uplifted by the annual May Film Festival.

Until the beginning of the 19th century, it was a small fishing village, until the French and foreign aristocracy discovered the picturesque area and began to build boarding houses and villas here. Today Cannes retains the status of a resort for high society, of international importance.

Cannes is a southern French city with a population of about seventy thousand people who are almost entirely employed in the tourism sector. The beach of this resort is sandy and wide. It is closely adjacent to the world-famous Croisette. In the city with a well-developed infrastructure, many excellent hotels have been built, guaranteeing guests a comfortable stay.

Monaco

French resorts on the Mediterranean attract tourists, in addition to excellent conditions for recreation and living, a wonderful climate. For example, in Monaco, on average, there are at least three hundred sunny days a year. The principality has many superbly equipped beaches and swimming pools, thalassotherapy centers.

Here you can stay in comfortable hotels, most of which are four- and five-star. A superbly groomed sandy beach strip does not exceed two kilometers, as the main landscape is cliffs. Beaches in Monaco are paid, and their cost significantly exceeds average price around the country.

Cap d "Agde

Probably there is no person who would not dream of visiting French resorts by the sea. Inexpensive compared to previous places, you can relax in Cap d'Agde - largest resort province of Languedoc, created in the 60s of the last century. Its beaches, which stretch for fourteen kilometers, are covered with fine, clean sand. The city has a well-developed infrastructure. To services of tourists - thalassotherapy, water park, golf and tennis, an island of entertainment and other pleasures of resort life.

On the coast of Languedoc, there are still small resort villages however, the conditions here are somewhat inferior to the resting places on the Cote d'Azur. In this regard, they are unpopular with wealthy tourists. The main advantage of a vacation in Languedoc is the affordable cost for middle-income guests.

The resort village of Port Camargue is known as a calm and quiet place for families. In addition, it is a large entertainment center with a yacht school and a modern thalassotherapy center.

Quiberon

Unfortunately, some French resorts (by the sea) have a very short beach season. For example, Quiberon, in the south of Brittany, is located on a narrow spit protruding into the sea. The beach season here lasts only two months - from July to August.

The named resort is famous for the thalassotherapy institute, which is recognized as the best in the world. There are great beaches pine forests, dunes, golf club. In addition, those who wish can go to neighboring Karnaka to see the collection of megaliths (the largest in the world) - ancient stone sculptures.

Rest in Quibron is indicated for people with metabolic disorders and disorders of the nervous system.

La baule

The resort is located in the center of the Cote d'Amour coast. Prestigious and fashionable, it is comparable in image to the Breton Dinard and Norman Deauville. There are magnificent hotels lined up along the beach. The best of them is Le Royale.

French Riviera(fr. Côte d "Azur) - the southeastern coast of the Mediterranean in France, located east of the city of Toulon to the border with Italy. Another name - French riviera(as part of the Riviera located in both France and Italy). The Cote d'Azur is not just a geographic place, but rather an idea, fantasy, dream. Turquoise sea, tropical plants, magnificent landscapes, wonderful sun-drenched beaches and coves of the Mediterranean.

The popularity of the Cote d'Azur is due to its pleasant subtropical climate - mild warm winters and cool summers. The Côte d'Azur is considered one of the best holiday destinations in the world. More than eight million people annually visit the French Riviera.

The French Riviera is the southeastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea in France, located east of the city of Marseille to the border with Italy (western part of the Riviera) at the foot of the Alpes-Maritimes. The question of the western end of the Riviera is controversial: in addition to Marseille, the westernmost resort is called Cassis, Toulon or Hyères.

The Principality of Monaco is also located on the Côte d'Azur, which until the end of the 19th century included Roquebrune and Menton. East of Menton begins the Italian Riviera.

The length of the Cote d'Azur is about 300 kilometers, along the coastline cut by bays there are mountains up to 3143 m above sea level, which creates a favorable climate: warm summers (average July temperature + 24-26 ° C), mild sunny winters (average January temperature about + 10 ° C).

The Cote d'Azur has about 300 sunny days a year. In summer, the air temperature sometimes rises to + 35 ° C, but due to low humidity and constant light wind, the heat, and even more stuffiness, is not felt. The local climate is the warmest in France. Rains are quite rare here, mainly in March-April and October-November. The swimming season on the Cote d'Azur begins at the end of May and lasts until October. The water temperature during this period is kept within + 20-25 ° C.

Sometimes (most often at the beginning of summer) a strong cold reaches the coast. North wind from the mountains, blowing along the valley of the Rhone river - mistral. The wind blowing from the west towards the sea is called tramontana. In the area of ​​Marseille up to 90 windy days a year. The wind is weaker to the east.

Palms, cypresses, chestnuts are characteristic of the Cote d'Azur. There are many landscaped parks in the cities, gardens, vineyards, and the cultivation of essential oil crops are widespread.

Administratively, the territory of the Cote d'Azur is not defined, so it is impossible to accurately determine the number of inhabitants. More than two million people live within traditional borders, 70% of them are French. The rest are Italians, Spaniards, Catalans, immigrants from other countries of Europe, Asia, Africa. One and a half million lives in Marseille and Nice.

The region has famous cities- Nice, Cannes, Saint Tropez, Antibes, Monte Carlo. Less known, but very interesting are the towns and villages located in the mountains - Breuil-sur-Roya, Gourdon, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Saorge, Sospel.

The most cosmopolitan city is Marseille. It is home to 80,000 Jews, 80,000 Armenians, 100,000 Muslims, mostly of North African descent. The main religion of the region is Catholicism, but all along the coast you can see Protestant, Orthodox churches, mosques, synagogues.

The beaches of the Côte d'Azur occupy about a third of the entire coast. From Menton to Antibes - "Italian" pebble beaches, from Antibes to the west - "French" sandy. In the western part of the Cote d'Azur, there are also rocky bays, which in the Cassis region resemble the Norwegian fjords and are called calanques in the local dialect. Also an attractive place for tourists are the islands located near the Cote d'Azur: from the island of Saint Margaret, where the mysterious prisoner Iron Mask was imprisoned, to the village of Port Grimaud.

In France, all beaches are publicly accessible according to the law on the ownership of the sea coast by the state, but on the Côte d'Azur there are also paid private beaches, owned either by hotels or clubs, and equipped with infrastructure: sun loungers, sun umbrellas, showers, toilets, cafes, bars, the presence of water entertainment - scooters, boats, water skis. Any paid zone has a free site.

Cannes beaches are equipped with imported sand, so they are strictly paid, there is only a small public beach - not far from the Palais des Festivals.

Beach cafes are almost an integral part of local beaches... During the day you can have a snack or a glass of cool rosé wine, and in the evening you can dine by candlelight to the sound of the surf.

Almost every city on the Côte d'Azur has its own casino, the most famous is in Monte Carlo (Monaco). Restaurants, nightclubs, amusement parks are also common.

Holidays and festivals, known far beyond France, take place throughout the year on the Côte d'Azur. Major sporting and cultural events are also held. One of the most famous and attended shows is the Nice Carnival of Flowers, which takes place in February. The Promenade des Anglais is decorated with large flower arrangements. The city comes alive with daily processions, flower parades, luxurious parades, all kinds of concerts and fireworks.

The Côte d'Azur has always been popular with artists.

Auguste Renoir, being seriously ill, painted Mediterranean landscapes here. Another famous artist - Paul Cezanne - painted hundreds of canvases in oils and watercolors here. Paul Signac's favorite theme is the Mediterranean coast of France. In his works, focusing on the manner of J. Seurat, he introduced a lot of new things into the technique of pointillism. The founder of Fauvism, Henri Matisse, after a trip to Saint-Tropez, painted the famous painting "Luxury, Peace and Bliss." Later Matisse lived in Nice. Another fauvist, Raoul Dufy, also considered Nice to be the ideal nature for his work. Pablo Picasso lived on the French Riviera for 27 years - in Antibes, Vallauris and Mougins. In the 1920s. Parisian artists Signac, Bonnard, Utrillo, Modigliani often visited the medieval town of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, staying, as a rule, at the Golden Dove hotel, with which they paid with their works. Today the hotel owns a large collection of paintings, and its walls look like a prestigious art gallery.

Later, Marc Chagall lived in this city. Many tourists visiting Saint-Paul-de-Vence come to the local cemetery to see his grave. Nice has the Chagall Museum, which has a large collection of the artist's works.

You can get to Nice by a direct flight from Moscow or St. Petersburg. There is one airport in Nice - "Nice - Côte d'Azur". Air from Nice airport can get you to two cities of the Riviera - Marseille and Monaco. A helicopter flies to Monaco every 20 minutes.

The French Riviera has an extensive network of road and railways, which allows you to easily and quickly move from one city to another. There are railway stations in most cities and even in some mountain villages. TGV trains connect the Riviera with major cities in France and Europe. On the coast, they stop at the train stations of Menton, Nice, Antibes, Cannes, Saint-Raphael, Toulon and Marseille. TER trains are like electric trains. This is the main railway transport on the Cote d'Azur, with its help you can quickly get to any small settlement. They run during the season with an interval of 15-20 minutes. Buses on the Riviera can get you to places where local trains do not run.

The Cote d'Azur is replete with expensive luxury hotels, which coexist with more modest hotels 2-3 *. It is worth noting that proximity to the sea is not always decisive for a hotel category. You can find both 2-3 * hotels in close proximity to the sea, and 5 * hotels far from the coast.

Shopping on the Cote d'Azur is in no way inferior to shopping in Paris: from large shopping malls to small craft shops, from democratic chain stores to exclusive brands. In Saint-Tropez there is the world famous boutique Les Tropeziennes, where since 1933 the most fashionable and comfortable sandals and sandals in the world have been created by hand. It is worth buying perfume in Grasse. In Saint-Paul-de-Vence, look out for ceramics and paintings by local artists.

A huge number of attractions are concentrated on the Cote d'Azur, both in Nice itself and in its environs. You can take a guided walking tour of Old Nice, go to Cannes, Antibes, Juan les Pins, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, see with your own eyes the famous Monaco and Monte Carlo with world-famous casinos and the circuit where Formula 1 races are held and much more.

Excursions along the Cote d'Azur

Schedule:

Excursion service in Nice:

Description of excursions on the Cote d'Azur:

Villas and gardens

To begin with, from the height of Fort Mont Alban, we will admire the enchanting panorama of Villefranche Bay and the peninsula of billionaires Saint-Jean Cap Ferrat. Going down the lower cornice to Villefranche, we will discover all the charm of this medieval town, its mysterious Citadel. It is from this city that the history of Russians staying on the Cote d'Azur begins ... A visit to the Cap Ferrat villa and seven magnificent gardens that once belonged to Baroness Ephrussi de Rothschild, then a short walk along the peninsula, where there are parks and villas of the richest people in the world. We conclude our acquaintance with the most beautiful villas of the Riviera in the town of Beaulieu-sur-mer with a visit to the Greek villa "Kerillos" (Sea swallow).

Entrance fees to the villas are included in the price.

Duration: 4 h.

Saint Paul de Vence

Saint Paul de Vence is located at the height of a hill, protected by embankments of the 15th century. This Provencal jewel is the second most visited village in France. The colorful view from the embankments fascinated famous artists who came here to create (Renoir, Chagall, Picasso).

The romantic atmosphere of the shady streets will envelop you as you walk, watching the ball players in front of the Café de la Place, where Yves Montand loved to play.

In Saint Jeanne, where the vineyard has been growing since ancient times, you will penetrate into the heart of the Province with its centuries-old traditions. The winemaker will give you a tasting of the complex aromas of his wines and share the secrets of making wine in his cellar.

Tasting is included in the price.

Duration: 4 h.

Historical Nice

From the height of the Castle Hill, it seems that the Bay of Angels is crashing into Nice, a city named after the goddess of victory Nike by its founders by the Greeks in 600 BC, in a graceful arc. NS. The graceful port, the Genoese quarters of the old city, the lush villas of Belle Epoque testify to the historical wealth of the capital of the Alpes-Maritimes. The contrast between pl. Garibaldi and the Promenade of the Arts perfectly illustrates the city's rapid evolution. On the Cimiez hill with its Roman baths and arenas - the Regina hotel, the winter residence of Queen Victoria, the amazing Matisse museum in an 18th century mansion. in an olive grove, Monastery of Franciscan monks with gardens and a rose garden. The most beautiful Cathedral of the Russian Diaspora is, of course, in Nice. And without the English Promenade, this crowded irresistible Promenade des Anglais along the Bay of Angels, Nice is simply unimaginable.

Duration: 3 h.

Italy and Menton

Less than one hour of panoramic drive from Nice, which looms over the coast, and the Italian Riviera opens its doors to you. While walking, discover the authentic charm of the Italian markets, the variety of their products (shoes, accessories, luggage), local products and an incomparable atmosphere. Enjoy a leisurely cappuccino on the terrace of one of the cafes.

After the busy markets, relax in the serenity of the seaside terrace and sample Italian specialties from Giuseppe (not included, optional). Wander the pedestrianized quarter of Menton before returning to France along the waterfront.

Duration: 8 h.

Cannes – Antibes - Juan les Pins

Descending from the foothills to the coast in Cannes, you will find yourself on the front of the Côte d'Azur, in front of the Palais des Festivals. An endless series of the most expensive boutiques, luxurious Belle Epoque hotels, snow-white sand of magnificent beaches, luxury yachts - this is the current city of world cinema stars, a once ordinary fishing village, the birthplace of the unforgettable Gerard Philippe.

Further, our path lies along the amazing coast - to Antibes, a city the same age as Nice, through the Juan-les-Pins resort with its casino, numerous boutiques, restaurants; where a traditional international jazz festival is held annually in July. Cape Antibes, La Garoupe lighthouse is one of the most picturesque panoramas of the Cote d'Azur. The coolest villas, of course, are here ... Walk along the fortified wall in the center of the ancient city of Antibes. Fort Carré, giant yachts off the billionaires' embankment, Picasso's museum medieval castle(except Monday).

Duration: 4 h.

Monaco – Monte Carlo – Eze

From the height of one of the three famous "Corniches", mountain roads along the French Riviera, a breathtaking panorama of Nice and the Bay of Villefranche opens before you, where Russian ships anchored for the first time ...

Visiting the medieval quarters of the Principality of Monaco: 45 min. free time (chambers and the throne of the princely palace are open from June to October inclusive). Stop in Monte Carlo, Casino Square (20 min.), Formula 1 Grand Prix route.

Duration - 5 hours/ 8 h.

Panoramic views of Nice and Villefranche

Stop at the medieval village of Eze, which looms over the sea, with individual shops built right on the cliff. An excursion to the Fragonard perfumery - the refinement of the essences of Provence.

Arrival in Monaco on a mountain road above the sea, presence at the guard shift. A visit to the Cathedral, where Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier were combined, inspecting their graves, the Palace (open from June to October - 7 euros), the oceanographic museum (13 euros), gardens. Free time for lunch on the streets of Old Monaco.

Visit Monte Carlo: Walk through the gardens and boutiques of billionaires around the Casino. The way back lies along the famous Formula 1 Grand Prix route.

Return along the Coast: experience the aristocratic appeal of the coastal towns.

Tickets are not included in the price

Monaco and Monte Carlo by night

In the kaleidoscope of the rays of the setting sun, there is a special charm on the coast of the Riviera. With the onset of evening, going on a date with Monte Carlo, you perceive in a completely new way the rocky and seascapes you have seen before. You are greeted by a picturesque panorama of Monaco sparkling with lights, the princely palace, the Cathedral. There is extraordinary excitement on the Monte Carlo hill near the casino, with illumination streams reflected in the luxurious limousines and in the fountains in front of the casino entrance.

The atmosphere of an eternal holiday is also felt in the lavish receptions of guests at the Hotel de Paris. And you involuntarily convey the thrill of excitement, the festive excitement of the non-decreasing crowd at the Golden Square, at the Cafe de Paris. Dinner in one of the restaurants of your choice, then perhaps a try of your luck in the game ... In any case, an unforgettable experience awaits you on this bright, almost carnival evening.

Entrance to the Casino (10 euros) is not included in the price, entry after 18 years.

Duration: 5 h.

Panorama - Riviera

The most complete tour in one day!

A journey along the French Riviera begins with a breathtaking panorama of Nice and Villefranche from the height of the mountain cornice. A mountain road takes you to a cliff in the Principality of Monaco.

You will visit the Princely Palace and Cathedral, where Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier were married, and their flowering graves.

One of the roads of the annual Formula 1 route will take you to Monte Carlo - a world of luxury and elegance. Stop at the famous Monte Carlo Casino

Next is the medieval Eze, a village with lively medieval streets. Discover your sensuality on a visit to a perfume shop, in our old tradition, followed by a stop at the flower market in Old Nice.

Afternoon - in Cannes, on the famous Croisette near the Palace of Film Festivals, on the Avenue of Stars, then returning along the seashore through the picturesque resort of Juan-les-Pins, Cape Antibes and La Garoupe to ancient Antibes, the city of antiques and second-hand booksellers, where a young Napoleon Bonaparte, where Picasso worked, where Maupassant loved to moor his yacht "Dear Friend". The splendor of the largest yachts at the “billionaire dock” against the backdrop of Fort Carré will not leave anyone indifferent.

Duration: 9 h.

Countryside

Cannes-Grasse-Gourdon-Saint Paul de Vence

Walk in Cannes, around the Palais des Film Festival, along the Croisette, bordered by famous sandy beaches and luxury boutiques.

You will discover all the charm of the Provencal towns, the Vallee du Loup (Valley of the Wolf), Gourdon, located on a rocky spur (weather conditions permitting) and the capital of the spirits of Grasse. Excursion to the Fragonard perfumery or free time to visit the old city.

Saint-Paul de Vence, an adornment of medieval architecture, a place of meetings of great artists, this picturesque village will enchant those in love with an authentic Province.

Duration: 8 h.

Saint Tropez

You will cross the Adre forest to reach the port of Saint-Maxime, where a ship (summer only) awaits you for a trip to Saint-Tropez along the magnificent yachts strewn in a row.

The peaceful village of Saint-Tropez in summer connects to the Côte d'Azur and its seething rhythm.

Walk or shop along the elegant boutique streets of the old port, admire paintings by artists on the embankments, climb up to the fort for a panoramic view or visit the maritime museum.

The culmination of Provencal life: the market in the famous Place de Lis (on Tuesday and Saturday) - the concentration of the joy of life of the inhabitants around tastes and always new smells.

Leave the excitement and crowds to walk along the beaches towards Ramatuelle, then take a small winding road over the hill with panoramic views of the Golf towards Gassin.

Finally, you will make a stop at Port Grimaud, called "Little Venice", where you can admire the canals, bridges, shops and charming Provencal villas.

Duration: 8 h.

Dinner in Monte Carlo

Dinner on the terrace of the restaurant "Bistroke", a stone's throw from the Casino Square. This terrace overlooks part of the famous Formula 1 route. You will be offered a choice of gastronomic menus, including an aperitif cocktail, starter, main course, dessert, half a bottle of wine, one beer or one soft drink, and coffee.

A short stop near the palace with a panoramic view of Monaco in the illumination. After dinner, free time to explore the Casino and its gardens.

Entrance to the Casino (10 euros) is not included in the price, entry after 18 years.

Dress code: sneakers, shorts, flip flops are prohibited.

Duration: 5 h.

Fragonard perfume museum

Entering the building of the museum, the visitor will immediately feel the delicate aroma of perfume - the air is permeated with it, and it even seems that you can taste it. The Fragonard Museum introduces the technology of perfume production, distillation, infusion, enfleurage (one of the ways to obtain essential oils).

Visitors will learn, for example, that to make 1 liter of flower essence, you need to collect a whole ton of flowers, moreover, one person can only collect about 4 kilograms a day. And also that the first perfumes were fondants and were smeared on the body, and only in the 15th century there were perfumes of a liquid consistency. And only a century later, for perfumers, they began to make porcelain dishes for storing perfumes.

The Fragonard Museum is also a shop selling the products of the Fragonard perfume factory of the same name. In total, there are about 11 fragrances: "Love Island", "Emily", "Diamant", "Miranda", "Kiss", "Night Beauty", "Fantasy" and others. Of course, the store also sells dry perfumes, soaps, eau de toilette and colognes made from the most fragrant flowers.

• Last Minute Tours To France

Cote d'Azur - famous southern region France, stretching along the Mediterranean Sea from Marseille to the border with Italy. The wonderful climate, picturesque nature, warm sea and luxury hotels make it a favorite vacation spot for wealthy people. The main thing on the Cote d'Azur is not the sea at all: people come here for parties, entertainment, restaurants, discos and casinos.

Often the Cote d'Azur is called only the south eastern part coastline that begins in the Toulon area. In addition to the territory of France with world-famous Nice, Cannes, Saint-Tropez, the region includes the Principality of Monaco. The region offers its guests the very best of France: sea and rocky ledges, sun and lush greenery, luxury shops and historic sites, delicious food and excellent wines.

The area owes its poetic name to the French writer Stéphane Liéjard, who wrote the novel “Cote d'Azur”.

How to get to the French Riviera

By plane

There are three airports on the Côte d'Azur: Nice Côte d'Azur, Marseille Provence and tiny Cannes Mondelieu, which only accepts private jets. Direct flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg fly to Nice, but you will have to get to Marseille with a transfer, for example, in Paris or Amsterdam. Flights are operated by Aeroflot, Air France, Kay-El-Em, Lufthansa, the minimum travel time is 6 hours.

From the airport to the city

For those who land in Nice, the most convenient way to go to the center is by city bus. Routes 98 and 99 depart directly from the airport, flights 23, 52, 59 and 94 also stop nearby (tickets for them are cheaper, but you will need to move a little from the terminal building).

Arriving in Marseille, you must first take a free shuttle, which takes 5 minutes to get to the Vitroles Aeroport railway station, from there trains go to Saint Charles station, and then you can either walk to the desired place or use the metro.

A taxi from Nice airport will take you to the city for 23-28 EUR, Marseille - for 55-65 EUR. Prices on the page are for October 2018.

Search for flights to Nice (closest airport to the French Riviera)

By train

There are direct trains to Nice from Belorussky railway station in Moscow twice a week. Travel time is about 2 days, an adult ticket costs 331 EUR.

The earlier you buy a ticket, the cheaper it will be. In addition, French Railways often offer discounts.

Areas of the French Riviera

The Cote d'Azur is the entire southeastern part of the Mediterranean coast, which belongs to France. The territory stretches to the border with Italy and includes the Principality of Monaco. The region includes the southern part of the Alpes-Maritimes and Var departments, as well as a small section of Bouches-du-Rhône.

The most popular area among tourists is the Alpes-Maritimes, it is here that the famous Nice, Cannes and Monaco are located. These places are traditionally considered the center of luxury, comfort and expensive life, and the capital of the Nice department is one of the most famous resorts in the world, although this city is more interesting for its cultural heritage and attractions than the beach.

In Vara, the pace of life slows down dramatically, and the quality of the beaches improves markedly. It is these lands that have become a classic example of the Côte d'Azur: cozy villages and towns, lavender fields, vineyards, blue sea. The most famous cities are Toulon and Saint-Tropez.

And Bouches-du-Rhône is the eastern department of the region, where Marseille is located, the largest, liveliest and most unusual town of the Côte d'Azur and the capital of Provence. From here you can also go to ancient Arles, Aix-en-Provence and see many sights. There are quiet seaside villages near Marseille with good conditions for a beach holiday.

Transport

The most convenient way to get around the region is by train. The railway network covers almost the entire coastline, and remote settlements can be reached by buses that belong to the local railway company, they even have the same tickets. It is better to buy them in advance at the office. website of the French Railways.

V large cities public transport represented by buses, less often by trams, there is a metro in Marseille. But usually tourists visit only the central part of cities, so you can move around on foot. A taxi within one settlement costs 20-35 EUR, if you travel by car between cities, you will have to pay 80-110 EUR.

In addition, the Côte d'Azur is easy and pleasant to cycle around. Cycle paths are common, but even where there are none, it is convenient to ride. In large cities, there are city bike rentals, the prices are usually lower, and in smaller towns you can find private companies. It is worth choosing a mountain model, as on the way, most likely, there will be dirt roads near vineyards and hills.

Difficulties can arise only when driving along the cobbled streets of the central part of small towns. In this case, it is better to leave the bike and go for a walk.

And, of course, having the sea close by, you can use water transport. If renting a yacht is not available to everyone, then many can afford a ferry ticket or pay for a sea taxi. Ferries sail both long distances, for example, connecting the region with Corsica or Sardinia, and very tiny ones: they ply between the two banks of the Old Port in Marseille.

Rent a Car

Most tourists who come to the French Riviera rent a car. It is convenient and practical: you can explore the entire region and not depend on the train and bus schedules. However, there is a downside: the route along the coast of the south of France is overcrowded, there are often traffic jams in the high season. The easiest way is to take a car right at the airport, although you can also use city car rentals in Nice, Cannes, Marseille and other cities. Or even in small villages.

The police treat tourists well, they are always ready to help, but they require impeccable observance of traffic rules.

There are many parking lots in the region, but they are all paid, there are parking meters on the streets. And it's not so easy to find a place. It is worth preparing in advance and looking at the addresses of multi-level parking lots in cities along the way, sometimes they are the only ones that save you. There are often toll roads, at the entrance to which there are also traffic jams. During long journeys, especially in rural areas, experienced drivers advise to fill the tank with gasoline for future use, since refueling is not available everywhere.

Cote d'Azur Hotels

The Côte d'Azur is a very diverse region, and the hotels in it also vary. These are luxurious five-star complexes where celebrities stay, and modest home hotels in small towns, and guest houses, where they will not only provide accommodation, but will also delight you with real Provencal cuisine, and modern apartments, and luxurious secluded villas, and simple, affordable hostels. The cheapest accommodation options offer bed, breakfast and Wi-Fi, while the most expensive accommodations offer anything from restaurants and casinos to spas, jewelry boutiques and beauty salons for people and pets.

A night in a hostel costs 12-40 EUR, a double room in a 3 * hotel is rented out for 41-230 EUR, and if you want a real five-star chic, you will have to pay 150-610 EUR per day. In small towns, the cost of living is usually lower.

Cote d'Azur beaches

The Côte d'Azur has a reputation for being one of the best places in the world for a holiday by the sea. The conditions here are really good, but the quality of the beaches varies greatly. Nevertheless, everywhere there are paid sun loungers and umbrellas, toilets, showers, changing cabins, cafes and various water activities.

Most tourists strive to get to Nice or Cannes, but the coast here can be disappointing: in Nice, guests will find high waves and very large pebbles, more reminiscent of cobblestones (stock up on beach shoes!), And in Cannes, the sand is not bad, but almost the entire territory belongs to hotels, sunbathe it won't work for free.

But further along the coast, starting from Antibes, it is a real expanse for vacationers. In Antibes itself, there is a very long and clean beach of the same name, surrounded by rocky slopes with pine trees growing on them. The second city beach, Grania, is noisier, with a lot of water activities. In Cassis there are two small sandy and pebble areas, which are also framed by stones of amazing beauty, and immediately behind them begins the road to the calanques - narrow rocky bays where you can enjoy the views. De la Gran Mer beach deserves higher ratings.

Wonderful sand beach, awarded the Blue Flag, is located in the village of La Ciotat near Marseille, it is great for families with children, since the entrance to the water is gentle. The second most popular "children's" resort - in Mandelieu-la-Napoule, there is also shallow and calm. Another good place to relax with kids is San Maxim and the so-called Elephant Beach. Of course, there are no elephants there, but there is soft fine sand and a very comfortable descent into the sea.

The famous Du Prado Beach in Marseille is a two-kilometer stretch of coastline covered with pebbles. But you need to remember that Marseille is a large port city, so the water is not very clean and cannot be compared with the neighboring towns, which can be reached in a few minutes.

Those who travel by car should go in the direction of Frejus and turn to the wild, deserted shores, they are considered the most deserted and beautiful, although there is no infrastructure there.

But the most famous seaside resort Saint-Tropez has remained for many years - indeed, very picturesque and beautifully equipped, but at times too crowded. Here, the De Pampelonne beach is recognized as the best part of the coast, although the prices there are very high: you will have to pay 30 EUR for a set of two sun loungers and an umbrella, while on more modest beaches the cost does not exceed 15 EUR.

Not far from Toulon is the town of La Londe-les-Maures - another piece of the coast with the Blue Flag, it is very nice and practically deserted, since there are no large hotels nearby.

Diving

The depths of the Côte d'Azur are very unusual places for diving. Firstly, if the weather conditions are favorable, you can dive even in winter, although the best time is still from May to October. Secondly, an amazing world is hidden under the water, a little less rich than in tropical latitudes, but no less fascinating: fish, including a giant rock perch grouper, more than 20 thousand rocky caves, each of which is home to inhabitants unusual for humans, and sunken ships.

The most famous dive site is located near Saint Raphael. Not far from the coast lie as many as 5 sunken ships: 4 of them are relatively young, went to the bottom during the Second World War, and the 5th has been resting since the middle of the 16th century and, according to one version, is considered part of Barbarossa's army. The depth is different - from 6 to 67 m, therefore the requirements for the degree of diving training vary.

Shopping

Despite the fact that the Côte d'Azur cannot be called a place for bargain shopping, many travelers, going here, dream of real French shopping. You should follow him to Nice, Cannes, Menton and Saint-Tropez. Almost all world and French brands are represented there, and boutiques occupy entire neighborhoods. Another suitable place is Marseille. There are mainly brands of the middle price category, the shops are located in the area of ​​the Old Port.

Twice a year, from mid-January to mid-February and throughout July, there are sales. Discounts are significant: up to 70%, and a month before the start of the promotion, sellers are prohibited from raising prices. Almost all shops have a two-hour lunch break, many are closed on Sundays, but in the most touristy areas these rules are sometimes canceled.

Cicadas are considered one of the main symbols of the Côte d'Azur.All kinds of souvenirs with their images are made here: key rings, magnets, brooches and large wall decorations (they can be seen on houses local residents). Provencal herbs, traditional poppy syrup and handicrafts are also brought from here.

It is impossible not to mention the traditional gifts of Provence - lavender, wines, olive oil and cheeses. Bunches of dried lavender are found in every store, but you can bring something more practical: lavender honey or soap, sachet for scenting linen or home decor. The range of wines will amaze even experienced traveler because grapes have been cultivated on the French Riviera for several thousand years. You should definitely bring a bottle of pink Cotes de Provence. When choosing olive oil, make sure that the packaging is labeled Extra Virgin. And finally, the cheeses are real French classics! For transportation, hard ones are preferable, although varieties with white or blue mold are more popular.

Cote d'Azur cuisine and restaurants

Cote d'Azur cuisine is different from the classic French, it is simpler and more "rustic", but very tasty. The eastern part, for example, Nice, was greatly influenced by Italy.

In addition to luxury restaurants, found mainly in large cities by the standards of the region, guests will find brasseries, cafes and bistros where you can have an inexpensive and tasty lunch. The establishments are similar to each other, only the brasseries are a larger format, cafes are usually designed for several tables, and the bistro offers a limited set of dishes (usually 3-4 specialties). A separate conversation is pastry shops, they sell fresh pastries, including the famous baguettes and kraussans.

In the afternoon, the kitchen in almost all establishments is closed until 16: 00-17: 00, you can order only drinks.

For cooking, the gifts of the local land and the sea are used: olive oil, garlic, basil, tomatoes, rosemary, fish and seafood. You should definitely try "bouillabaisse" - a Marseille dish, which is a combination of fish soup and fish "second". Oysters, mussels and yantina clams are popular seafood. Those who love meat will appreciate the Sisteron lamb.

In the south of France, they make excellent banon cheese, which is aged in chestnut or grape leaves. Vegetables and fruits are served everywhere, but citrus fruits are especially appreciated in Menton, and local Cavaillon melons are not only eaten as independent dishes, culinary masterpieces are prepared with it in restaurants. The baked artichoke with bacon and mushrooms becomes a hit for many tourists.

Dinner with a glass of wine at the restaurant will cost 40-50 EUR. At the same time, prices on the terrace are usually slightly higher than inside.

As a light and healthy snack that replaces fast food, there is a "mine" - a flatbread with olive oil, olives, anchovies and other fillings. There are also sweet options - with candied fruits and nuts. It costs 2-4 EUR.

The best photos of the French Riviera

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Wonderful Nice sights: museums, archaeological sites, natural beauty, cathedrals, and much more.

Those who are more interested in the luxury and splendor of the eastern part of the region visit the first gambling house in Europe, the Monte Carlo casino, the fashionable Hotel Negresco, where celebrities have stayed since the beginning of the last century, and the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, which hosts the Cannes Film Festival every year. ...

The most grandiose and bright holiday - the final of the International Fireworks Festival - takes place in Monaco at the end of summer. These days, the sky over the principality blooms with hundreds of lights dancing to the music.

There are several museums in Nice, among them the Chagall and Matisse museums deserve special attention. In addition, a trip to Arles, where Van Gogh lived, to Aix-en-Provence, where Cézanne's workshop (Avenue Paul Cezanne, 9) and the Antibes Castle of Grimaldi with the Picasso Museum (Place Mariejol). Unusual complex under open air The Roman hill is a well-preserved ruin of the ancient Cemenelum, which once existed on the site of Nice.

In addition, there are several churches on the Côte d'Azur: the Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Nice - this Orthodox church looks like a real miracle in the Mediterranean landscapes, the Basilica of Notre Dame de la Garde in Marseille, famous for the fact that it contains models of ships and seascapes (Rua Fort du Sanctuaire) and the gloomy cathedral complex of Fréjus with an ancient baptistery (Rue de Fluery, 58).

Many travelers go to the Nice Opera, famous not only for its performances, but also for its architecture. You need to buy tickets in advance, and do not forget to take an evening outfit on your trip.

If the lush luxury of resorts is bored, you can go to natural attractions and visit the Lerins Islands with the first Christian monastery of Gaul or the Calanques - the so-called "French fjords", narrow rocky bays near Cassis. And of course, it is worth strolling along two of the most famous promenades of the region: the Promenade des Anglais in Nice and the Croisette in Cannes, as well as going to the Old Port of Marseille and taking a ride there on the free ferry.

7 things to do on the French Riviera

1. Enjoy the sea and sun on the magnificent beaches of the French Riviera.
2. Take a walk along the Croisette in Cannes.
3. Visit the magnificent Chagall Museum in Nice.
4. Reflect on the vagaries of history at the Grimaldi Castle in Antibes.
5. How to "break away" at the discos of Juan-les-Pins and release the remaining "earned by overwork" in the local Casino.
6. Take pictures in the most cinematic locations of Saint-Tropez.
7. Feel the Franco-Italian charm of Menton and look for a day to the neighbors in the Mediterranean.

Weather on the French Riviera

You can come to the Cote d'Azur all year round, but beach holidays are available from May to October. " Velvet season»July and August are considered, although at this time there are usually too many tourists and very hot.

Precipitation is rare, the number of sunny days a year approaches 300, and all harsh weather phenomena are mitigated by a combination of sea and mountains. The only exception: the mistral is a very strong north wind that sometimes comes in the cold season. According to legend, people and animals go crazy with him. It is because of the mistral in the houses of the Cote d'Azur on the north side there are no windows, and forged bell towers are built near the churches: the wind passes through the gratings without destroying them.