Guide to the Cote d'Azur: the best cities and resorts in France. Cote d'Azur France Cote d'Azur France name

The Côte d'Azur of France offers its visitors a holiday of the highest standard: to the initially mild climate and Cote d'Azur, hotels and inns of the highest class, well-groomed beaches, a promenade and entertainment for every taste have been added. The French Riviera (Côte d'Azur is also called that) stretches for 300 km towards the Italian border. Reliably sheltered from the winds by mountain ranges, the Cote d'Azur has its own special microclimate, the summers here are quite hot by European standards, and the winters are warm and mild. There are about 300 sunny days a year here, a record number for European resorts. All the beaches in the region are clean and well-groomed, this is strictly monitored by local authorities. The beaches have sun loungers, umbrellas, toilets, changing cabins and other conditions necessary for tourists to relax.

When choosing a resort on the French Riviera, it is worth considering that in the eastern part of the coast there are pebble beaches (Menton, Antibes, Nice), everything to the west has sandy beaches (Cannes, Saint-Tropez). In the very west of the Cote d'Azur there are also so-called calanques, because... rocky bays. In terms of infrastructure, all the resorts of the French Riviera are equally good, they are easy to get to, at the resorts themselves everything is tailored for tourists, which is why a holiday on the Riviera is considered one of the most comfortable.

I would like to dispel the myth about the high cost of the local resorts. Yes, and these days, the resorts have many luxury hotels and entertainment for the rich, but the democratization of French resorts has done its job, and now finding accommodation in the mid-price category in the resorts of the French Riviera is not so difficult. Read about how to find cheap housing on the Cote d'Azur here: Next to luxury hotels there are three-room hotels, next to casinos there are chain supermarkets, next to Michelin-starred restaurants there are inexpensive street cafes where it is so nice to sit in the evenings or hide from the heat summer day.

1.Nice, France

Nice is rightfully considered the pearl of the French Riviera. The Mediterranean climate, surrounded by hilly terrain, becomes even milder, so during the holiday season (from May to the end of September) the weather is hot with minimal rainfall. The charm of the resort town is given by buildings of the 19th and early 20th centuries, lavishly decorated with stucco, as well as cathedrals and churches in the Baroque style. The main beach of Nice is public, located in the city center, equipped with everything necessary, the bottom and shore are pebbly. There are also about 20 private beaches in Nice if you want privacy, because... The central beach is always in demand among tourists; there is often nowhere for an apple to fall.

You should start your exploration of Nice from Place Rosetti - this is where the main architectural attractions of the city are concentrated, for example, the Saint-Reparat Cathedral. It is also definitely worth visiting the area of ​​the so-called “Russian Nice” with a tour of the two main churches - St. Nicholas Cathedral and the Church of St. Nicholas and Alexandra. Remember that Nice in France is not only a beach resort, but also a city of museums! If you have a moment, you should definitely go to the Matisse or Chagall museum. Nice is also a city of promenades and shopping. The Promenade des Anglais is considered the most elite in this regard. The views of the sea from it offer stunning views. It’s not for nothing that the resort’s most fashionable hotels are located here!

You can find out more about the availability and cost of accommodation in Nice hotels for specific dates on the booking website Booking.com—>.

Rodrigo Soldon/flickr

2.Cannes, France

Cannes in France is associated, first of all, with the famous film festival, when all the “high society” from cinema flocks to the Festival Palace, or rather to its red carpet, where cameras are already dazzling with their lights, and interviews are generously given out. Believe it or not, at any other time of the year the Festival Palace is nothing remarkable; in Cannes it is much more interesting to walk along the Croisette or climb the Suquet hill.

A special feature of the Cote d'Azur in Cannes is the almost complete absence of free beaches. Along the Croisette there are orderly rows of paid sandy beaches, the average cost for a holiday is about 20 euros. However, budget tourists can find a way out here too - there is still a public beach in Cannes, and it is located next to the very Palace of Festivals. Here you can swim and sunbathe for free.

The main attractions of the resort are all kinds of villas and houses of famous people who decided to buy real estate here. The most impressive building is perhaps the Villa of P. Cardin. If possible, go on a boat excursion to the Lerens Islands near the Cote d'Azur. They have green, well-kept gardens, where it can be very pleasant to hide from the midday heat.

You can find out more about the availability and cost of accommodation in hotels in Cannes for specific dates on the booking website Booking.com—>.

3.Saint-Tropez, France

Long sandy beaches, an endless promenade of cafes, restaurants and bars, a long line of luxury boutiques, narrow streets of the old town - all this is Saint-Tropez. Once upon a time, the resort was famous for its elitism, mainly French movie stars vacationed here, but time does not stand still, and now anyone can easily add Saint-Tropez to their list of must-see towns on the Cote d'Azur. The beaches here are entirely sandy, this is what attracts tourists who do not like the rocky shores of Nice. And of course, the atmosphere of universal relaxation that reigns at the resort is also an important factor in choosing this particular resort town.

There are no historical attractions as such in Saint-Tropez, but walking through the old part of the city will bring you a lot of pleasure, especially in the midday heat. If you want to look at the resort from top to bottom, then it makes sense to climb the 16th century citadel, from where you can see views of both the city itself and the water surface. Saint-Tropez hosts many entertainment events, for example, in October there is a sailing regatta and a parade of luxury cars.

Saint-Tropez is located on the peninsula of the same name, surrounded by pine forests, so you should definitely go for a walk through the forest along numerous equipped routes. Here and there you will come across celebrity villas along the way. The swimming season on this Cote d'Azur of France lasts from June to September.

You can find out more about the availability and cost of accommodation in hotels in Saint-Tropez for specific dates on the booking website Booking.com—>.

4.Antibes, France

Among other resort towns on the Cote d'Azur, Antibes is perhaps the richest in attractions. Many medieval buildings have been preserved here, including Fort Carré or Grimaldi Castle from the 12th century! Antibes itself is located on the cape of the same name, the views of the sea here are simply stunning, so even if there were not such a cluster of cultural attractions, it would be worth coming to Antibes just to admire the sea views. It is not for nothing that the place was once chosen by numerous writers and artists. In general, if Antibes did not exist, it would be worth inventing it. And to this day, artists from all over the world gather in port restaurants and clubs.

Antibes has both pebble and sandy beaches; this is a kind of junction where the earth rocks change. Among other things, Antibes is also a port city; cruise ships often come here, and the most popular sport, for obvious reasons, is yachting. The narrow streets of Antibes will completely enchant you with their originality; there are many cozy restaurants at an adequate price category, small museums containing paintings by world-famous artists who once loved to spend their time in Antibes. Antibes as a resort is perhaps not as popular as other resorts on the French Riviera, but its charm is more than enough for several cities!

You can find out more about the availability and cost of living in Antibes hotels for specific dates on the booking website Booking.com—>.

Dhinal Chheda/flickr

5.Menton, France

Menton (or Menton) is the most Italian of all French cities. Located 30 km from the Italian border, the city has absorbed the culture and traditions of the neighboring country. The climate of the city is very mild, so the whole of Menton is literally planted with flowers and plants, a kind of garden city. The symbol of the city is the lemon, so every year Menton hosts a festival dedicated to lemons. Craftsmen make skillful figurines from lemon fruits, a spectacle truly worthy of the attention of tourists. Several cathedrals and bastions of the town deserve special architectural value. The city center is decorated with numerous baroque buildings, and the streets themselves, as if like an amphitheater, descend to the Cote d'Azur.

The beaches of Menton are all clean, well-groomed and equipped with everything you need. On the coast you can find both pebble and sandy beaches. The climate here is mild all year round; you can come here on vacation as early as February, when the air temperature warms up to +15, +18 C. By the way, the lemon festival is held in February. Those who want to travel to Italy, finding themselves so close to its border, usually go to the northern Italian resorts of San Remo or Turin.

You can find out more about the availability and cost of accommodation in Menton hotels for specific dates on the booking website Booking.com—>.

Daniel70mi/flickr

6.Monte Carlo, Principality of Monaco

Monte Carlo rather attracts those who love excitement, because the place is popular all over the world for its luxurious casinos. The city is located in the Principality of Monaco, so it has its own rules and laws that are different from the French ones. Being in a mountainous area, the city has terraced buildings; some of the uphill climbs are quite steep and require some skill. However, city guests travel mainly in luxury cars.

Apart from the numerous casinos, the most popular tourist attraction is the palace in the upper central part of the city and the sandy beaches below. More respectable tourists come to Monte Carlo for luxury shopping, fans of sports competitions come to watch the rallies held here. Well, fewer people come here for the beaches, although they are wonderful here. However, renting an apartment or hotel will not be affordable for the vast majority of tourists, which is why the beaches are not very popular.

In general, many tourists who have visited any resort on the French Riviera are of the opinion that Monte Carlo is, to a certain extent, an overrated place for leisure, although there are also connoisseurs.

You can find out more about the availability and cost of accommodation in Monte Carlo hotels for specific dates on the booking website Booking.com—>.

Practical and eventful travels to you!

There are convenient transport connections between all resorts. You can use buses (No. 23, No. 98, No. 99) or commuter trains.
Buses run from 6 am until midnight. For example, the fare from Nice to Cannes is 17 euros. You can buy a ticket directly from the driver.
Electric trains run every 15-20 minutes; tickets can be purchased from specialized machines at the stations.
Also, you can always take a taxi to your desired destination. For example, you can get from Nice to Cannes in half an hour, the cost is 45 euros.

Climate

The weather here is sunny and warm almost all year round. In summer, the maximum temperature reaches +35°C, but a light sea breeze makes it much easier to bear the heat. In winter, thanks to the Southern Alps, strong winds and thunderstorms do not penetrate the region. Temperatures in the winter months rarely drop to +6°C - +8°C.
The largest amount of rain falls in March and October.

When is the best time to visit the Cote d'Azur?
The most popular months for holidays are July-August. At this time, crowds of tourists come here on vacation.
If you want to spend your vacation in a more relaxed environment, then it is better to visit the French Riviera in September, then the velvet season begins and there are much fewer vacationers than in summer.

Beaches of the Cote d'Azur

All resorts (Cannes, Antibes, Juan-les-Pins, Saint-Tropez) that are located to the west of Nice have sandy beaches. In Nice itself and up to Italy there are pebble beaches. The main disadvantage of all beaches is their small width (up to 50 meters).
There are free (city) and paid (rented for several years by hotels or businessmen) beaches. Entrance to paid beaches is 20 euros. This price includes the use of a shower, sun loungers, umbrellas, and mattresses. If you visit a beach that is rented by the hotel where you are staying, entry may be free or only half the price.
Municipal beaches are usually always crowded with people.
On each beach there are cafes and restaurants where you can order drinks or a light snack delivered directly to your sunbed.

Attractions

Cannes is the capital of the Cote d'Azur. The city was founded by the Romans in 40 BC. At that time it was just a small fishing village. But thanks to the English Lord Bragham, who stayed here in 1834, everything changed. The beautiful nature and mild climate charmed the Englishman, and he built his house here. Many of his fellow countrymen and French aristocrats followed his example.

Very soon Cannes- turned into a place where the high society of all European countries gathered. This continues to happen to this day.

The main place in the city for walking is the Croisette. Here you can admire luxury hotels, villas, boutiques on one side, and beautiful sea views on the other.

And if you're lucky, you might meet some celebrity during your walk. The likelihood increases in May, when the city hosts an international film festival. At this time, the city is crowded with famous people, journalists and simply curious tourists. The main place is the Palace of Festivals and the Avenue of Stars.

For your first walk around the city, choose the Promenade des Anglais. The promenade has several kilometers of beaches, benches under palm trees, fashionable boutiques, luxury hotels, five-star restaurants, cafes with outdoor terraces.
Then, to experience the amazing flavor of Nice, take a stroll through the Old Town and visit the local markets. Nowadays, Arabs live in this part of the city. This is a very busy area. Every Monday in the Old Town, on the site of the flower market, a flea market is opened.

World-famous stars have always stayed at the famous Hotel Negresco. Now the building is more like a museum: crystal chandeliers, marble floors, antique furniture, each floor of the hotel is designed in a certain style.

Near the hotel is the Massena Museum, where you can learn about the history of the city and the works of local artists.

Nearby is the Albert I City Park, where there is an arch and a theater. Various performances are often held there.
A tourist train departs from the park every 20 minutes and takes you on tours of the city.

The Marc Chagall Museum is a great place to see the works of the famous artist. In the collection you can see 17 paintings on Old Testament themes.
Entrance fee is 7 euros.

The city center is Place Massena. There is a large fountain in the middle of the square. Along the perimeter there are fashionable shops and expensive hotels. To the left, from the square, is the street of the same name. Large shopping centers and department stores are concentrated on it (Galeries Lafayette, Nice Etoile-Center, CAP - 3000).
You can see a large number of flowers in the city all year round.

Antibes is located next to Nice.

The Napoleon Museum (Le Musee Napoleon), Fort Carré, Grimaldi Castle, Immaculé Concepcion Church are the main attractions of the resort to visit. The Grimaldi Castle (le Choteau Grimaldi) houses the Picasso Museum. In addition to paintings by the famous artist, the museum displays works by Atlan, Balthus, Ernst, Magnelli and Picabia. Also in the city you can visit a large flower park.

It will be interesting for children to visit the water park Marineland. This is the first water amusement park in Europe. Marine inhabitants (dolphins, jellyfish, exotic fish, killer whales, etc.) will be interesting for young visitors, as well as for their parents.
A giant swimming pool with a transparent glass tunnel is the main attraction of the park. Every day in Marineland there are performances with the participation of trained fur seals and dolphins. The amusement park is open daily from 10am to 8pm. The park is closed for maintenance in January. Entrance ticket for adults costs 30 euros, for children under 12 years old - 20 euros.

Antibes is home to the largest yacht port on the Cote d'Azur.

Antibes and Juan les Pins are a single administrative unit.
The resort is an excellent place for a holiday with children (butterfly park, children's water school, oceanarium, animal farm).

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is a popular resort for water activities.
The main attractions of the city:
- Old Port;
- chapel of the 17th century;
- Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild;
- zoo.

What to visit in Menton:
- Town Hall (Hotel de ville);
- Palace of Europe (Le Palais de l’Europe);
- Church of St. Michael (L'eglise Saint-Michel) - the largest baroque church on the Cote d'Azur;
- cemetery of the castle Du Vieux Chateaux;
- port;
- Jean Cocteau Museum (Le Musse Jean Cocteau);
- Boulevard of the Sun (Le Promenade du Soleil);
- Le Quartier du Garavan is the most luxurious area of ​​the city.

He thought of holding the carnival in Nice, in Monte Carlo, where at this time the most selective society flocks - the same one on which all the benefits of civilization depend: the style of tuxedos, the strength of thrones, the declaration of wars, and the well-being of hotels.

Ivan Bunin. "Mr. from San Francisco"

“I will take you to Nice and save you.”

Michael Bulgakov. "Zoyka's apartment"

For 150 years, the French Riviera has been the main resort in Europe. The sun, the mild Mediterranean climate, the charm of mountain and sea landscapes and small villages attracted kings, industrial magnates, writers and artists. Today, the French Riviera is not only the pristine beauty of nature, but also villas, palaces, and elegant yacht marinas.

The Côte d'Azur, or French Riviera, is a region in southwestern France. This is the Mediterranean coast from the border with Italy in the east to Toulon in the west. The length of the coastline is over 200 km. From the north, the coast is protected by the Maritime Alps and the mountains and Mor.

In the 19th century, this region became a favorite vacation spot for the European aristocracy. Since then, the Côte d'Azur of France has been one of the main resorts in Europe, invariably winning hearts with its pleasant mild climate and diverse nature.

The cultural richness of the region, whose history goes back thousands of years, is also impressive.

Administrative structure

Cote d'Azur- part of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur) and belongs to the Alpes-Maritimes and Var department. The unofficial capital of the Côte d'Azur is the city. The largest airport in the region is also located here .

20 km east of Nice is the Principauté de Monaco, an independent dwarf state.

Other important cities of the Cote d'Azur: , Hyères, Toulon.

Population

Estimates of the population of the Côte d'Azur vary depending on what is considered the western border of the region. Together with the population of the French Riviera exceeds 2 million people. The largest city on the Cote d'Azur is Nice (360,000 inhabitants).

Most of the population of the Cote d'Azur are French. There are quite a lot of other Europeans here (Italians, Spaniards, etc.), as well as emigrants from Africa, Asia and South America.

Official language is French, Italian is also spoken in the Nice area. Hotel employees and waiters speak English. In schools, children also learn the Provencal dialect of the Occitan language, a historical language supplanted by French after the annexation of the Cote d'Azur by France in 1860.

Climate on the Cote d'Azur

The climate of the Cote d'Azur is Mediterranean, with hot summers and mild winters. The sun shines about 300 days a year. The remaining 60-odd days it rains - usually in March-April and October-November.

The key influence on the climate of the Cote d'Azur is wind mistral(mistral), blowing from the northwest. It is strongest in the Toulon region, but weakens to the east. It is the mistral that is responsible for sunny weather and clean local air.

Swimming season begins on the French Riviera at the end of May and continues until the end of September– during this period, the water temperature remains between 20-25°C.

Beaches of the Cote d'Azur

Beaches occupy approximately a third of the coastline of the Cote d'Azur. All beaches to the west of Antibes (to Saint-Tropez) are sandy, to the east they are pebble (from Monaco to Antibes). There are small sandy areas in Monaco, Menton, but the sand here is imported.

There are many beaches on the Cote d'Azur with paid infrastructure. They are separated from free ones by a symbolic fence. City beaches are kept perfectly clean.

In the 19th century, thanks to its ideal climate, the Cote d'Azur served as a winter refuge for many wealthy northerners, including Russians. People went here simply to spend the winter - away from snow and frost.

After the revolution, there were many Russian emigrants on the Cote d'Azur. Chaliapin lived and worked in Nice, lived in Grasse not far from Nice, and in “Dark Alleys” the action partly takes place on the Cote d'Azur.

The Cote d'Azur is a land of contrasts. There are vibrant university towns and small mountain villages clinging to the rocks, hanging over the cliffs. a couple of hours drive from the warm sea. There are vineyards, olive groves, villas in gardens with shining orange trees, mimosa forests, icy and warm lakes, excellent museums, research departments of companies in small villages, port cities.

I was never particularly interested in holidays on the Cote d'Azur, considering the local resorts too hyped and pompous, but I radically changed my mind after spending some time in Menton. In subsequent years, I returned here several times to different cities and discovered more and more new facets of this region.

Cote d'Azur - an apt nickname given to the region by the poet and writer Stéphane Liegeard, perfectly reflects the vibrant beauty of the French Riviera.

The string of resorts stretching from the Italian border towards Marseille is renowned as an exclusive holiday destination. Ancient architecture, azure water, lush vegetation and mild climate attract many tourists.

In the old days, the Côte d'Azur was favored by royalty and the aristocracy, the creative elite came here, and today the Riviera is loved by oligarchs and celebrities. And although many local cities have long become a symbol of luxury and the sweet life, holidays here are available even on a limited budget.

The Riviera is diverse: luxurious villas, buildings in the Belle Epoque style coexist with modest fishermen's houses, chic restaurants with affordable cafes, and expensive private coastal clubs alternate with excellent free beaches.

The Cote d'Azur is not only fashionable seaside resorts, there are also quiet medieval towns frozen in time, picturesque mountain villages, nature reserves with untouched nature, beautiful art museums, monuments of the ancient period, the UNESCO-listed “Valley of Miracles” with unique rock paintings, and even the French “Silicon Valley” Sophia Antipolis.

How to get there

The most convenient way to get to the Cote d'Azur from Russia is by plane. You can also come from Moscow by train. If your route starts from other European cities, a bus is a suitable option, along with train and plane.

By plane

The gateway to the Cote d'Azur is Nice Airport (Airport Nice Cote d'Azur), one of the largest airports in France. Most European airlines fly here.

The airport consists of 2 terminals, and you can move between them by a free bus that runs every 5-10 minutes.

Aeroflot and Rossiya operate direct scheduled flights to Nice from Moscow and St. Petersburg. The flight takes approximately 4 hours. Flights arrive at Terminal 2. Prices vary depending on the season. In the summer, if purchased in advance, the cost of a round trip ticket will average 280–300 EUR (17,000–18,000 rubles). You can save a lot by purchasing a ticket with a transfer. I always keep an eye out for special offers that Air France, Swiss Airlines, Air Baltic and other airlines have. Current ticket prices can be viewed.

From the airport to the center of Nice

The airport is located near the center, from here there are many travel options to suit any budget:

From the airport to other cities

There are a couple more small airports on the Cote d'Azur: Cannes airport ( Airport de Cannes – Mandelieu) and Saint-Tropez Airport ( Aeroportde La Mole – Saint-Tropez). They mainly accept private jets, helicopters from Nice, as well as a small number of charter flights.

There is a regional airport in Toulon ( Toulon – Hyères regional airport), it serves flights from other cities in France, as well as from Brussels, Rotterdam and London.

You can also get to the cities of the western part of the Cote d'Azur from the large international airport of Marseille Marseille-Provence. There are no direct flights from Russia there, but there are flights from many other European cities. Marseille Airport is conveniently connected by a free shuttle to the nearby train station Vitrolles Airport Marseille Provence, there are also buses from the airport. The route network diagram can be seen in this figure.

By train

Railway lovers will be pleased with the presence train 017B( - Nice), departing from Belorussky Station every Thursday. You will spend almost two days on the road. The cost of a one-way compartment ticket starts from 250 EUR (15,000 rubles).

On the Côte d'Azur, the train makes stops in Menton and Monaco, its final station is Nice, the main railway station Gare de Nice – Ville.

From this station you can easily reach other cities of the Riviera by train or bus.

You can also come to the Cote d'Azur by train from other major European cities (Paris, Genoa, etc.). French railways SNCF periodically offer quite attractive rates.

By bus

There are no regular bus routes to the cities of the French Riviera from Russia. However, you can come here from Genoa, Milan, Turin, Munich, Barcelona, ​​Madrid and other European cities. Many bus companies offer such routes (EUROLINES, FLIXBUS, OUIBUS). Prices can be quite attractive:

• – Nice from 9 EUR,
• – Nice from 17 EUR,
• – Nice from 29 EUR.

By car

The road to the Cote d'Azur from Russia passes through several countries and is very picturesque. If you have free time, such a route can bring many wonderful experiences.

By ferry

Ferries to the Cote d'Azur run from Corsica and Sardinia. For schedules and prices, see, for example, aferry.com.

In addition, many European cruise itineraries include stops in Cannes and Villefranche-sur-Mer. Small ships sometimes stop at the port of Nice itself.

Clue:

Cote d'Azur - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 1

Kazan 1

Samara 2

Ekaterinburg 3

Novosibirsk 5

Vladivostok 8

When is the season? When is the best time to go

I think the Riviera is good all year round. It has a pleasant Mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm, sunny summers. The western part of the Cote d'Azur is cooler. The closer you are to Marseille, the more noticeable the influence of the cold mistral wind, which is strongest in winter and spring. The eastern part of the Riviera is protected from the fury of the winds by mountains.

If you, like me, cannot imagine a sea holiday without swimming, the season will open for you at the end of May - beginning of June. Summer attracts a huge number of tourists, so you will have to either put up with this inconvenience or wait until the beginning of autumn to travel.

Cote d'Azur in summer

The weather is mostly sunny. The air temperature rarely rises above +30 degrees. The heat is tolerable quite easily; a refreshing breeze often blows from the sea.

July and August are the high season. At this time there are the most people and prices reach their peak. The water temperature is comfortable (+23-24 °C), but popular beaches can be a bit crowded.

Côte d'Azur in autumn

The beginning of autumn is my favorite time. The water temperature is still high, but the air is getting a little cooler. An excellent time both for swimming and for long walks and sightseeing. An undoubted plus is that the tourist flow is gradually decreasing, and prices are also declining. The velvet season lasts until mid-October. The end of October and November are some of the rainiest months. The rains here are torrential, but, as a rule, not prolonged.

Cote d'Azur in spring

A beautiful time when nature blooms. Air temperature from +13 to +20 °C. It also rains, but there are still more sunny days. The beach season opens at the end of May, the water is still cool, but sunbathing is already quite comfortable.

Cote d'Azur in winter

In the 19th century, the Cote d'Azur was a winter holiday destination for wealthy families escaping the cold. Not surprising, because winter here is very pleasant. The air temperature fluctuates between +10–16 °C. If the sun is warm, you can even afford to sit in open cafes. Snow rarely falls on the coast; as a rule, it occurs only in the mountains. Winter attracts with the opportunity to visit the famous carnivals in Nice and Menton. You can also visit the numerous ski resorts of the Alpes-Maritimes.

Clue:

Cote d'Azur - weather by month

Conditional areas. Descriptions and features

The boundaries of the Cote d'Azur are arbitrary and are not indicated on the map. It starts from Italy and stretches towards Marseille. Some consider it to be the last city of the Cote d'Azur; other sources also include Cassis. I will stick to this version too.

Officially, the Côte d'Azur is located on the territory of a large French region Provence – Alpes – Cote d'Azur. This region is in turn divided into smaller departments. The Côte d'Azur covers three of them: Alpes-Maritimes, Var and a small piece Bouches-du-Rhone.

I will list the most interesting cities for tourists in each department.

Alpes-Maritimes

Var

Bouches-du-Rhone

What are the prices for holidays?

The Cote d'Azur cannot be called a cheap place. The main expense item is probably accommodation, especially if the trip occurs during the high season.

Accommodation

A room in a 2-star hotel in summer is unlikely to cost less than 70–80 EUR. Most hostels are located in Nice, expect to pay around 30 EUR per bed. Room prices can be viewed and booked at. If you are going on vacation with your family, it is cheaper and more practical to rent an apartment. Prices can be viewed.

Nutrition

A modest lunch in a cafe costs on average 15 EUR per person. Don't ignore the dish of the day (plat du jour), which is usually offered at a very attractive price.

Dinner for two with a glass of wine in a cafe or inexpensive restaurant will cost more, from 60 EUR.

Naturally, as in any place, there are budget food options on the Cote d'Azur. For example, delicious sandwiches and filled baguettes in local boulangerie bakeries, for which you will spend 4-6 EUR. If you cook at home, there are supermarkets at your service (Carrefour, Monoprix, Casino, Lidl), where, by the way, you can buy ready-made food in the culinary department relatively inexpensively.

A special pleasure is visiting Provencal markets. Choosing products at such a market is an immersion in a colorful kaleidoscope of colorful colors, perky sellers and dizzying aromas, but the prices are often higher than in a supermarket. You have to pay for the color... There are markets in every city.

The most popular of them:

• Marche des Halles, Menton;
• Marche aux Fleurs, ;
• Marche Provencal, Antibes;
• Marche Forville, Cannes;
• Place des Lices Market, .

Attractions and beaches

If you plan to visit many attractions, it makes sense to consider purchasing a special pass, which is valid for 24, 48 or 72 hours. This could also include using public transport in Nice and the surrounding area. There is another pass - for 45 EUR, which provides free access to many attractions plus has some flexibility in use: it is valid for any 3 days (not necessarily consecutive) for 6 days.

As for the beaches, they are free, unless, of course, you want the additional comfort of sunbeds and umbrellas, which the beach club can provide (15–30 EUR per day per person).

On a free municipal beach, your maximum financial expenditure will be buying an umbrella, which is sold in any supermarket. To relax on a pebble beach (especially if the pebbles are large, like in Nice), I also advise you to purchase a special mat and slippers for entering the water.

Main attractions. What to see

It is not easy to describe the sights of the Cote d'Azur in one article. There are natural and man-made beauties, as well as places of historical and cultural interest.

Top 5

• Nice. The architecture of the most famous city of the French Riviera combines picturesque antiquity, the gloss of the Belle Epoque and original modern buildings. All this is inscribed in a beautiful natural landscape, washed by an azure bay with a romantic name - Bay of Angels. The old town of Nice is a cozy tangle of streets and bright, noisy squares.
  Remember to pay attention to detail. For example, don't miss the so-called House of Adam and Eve (8 Rue de la Poissonnerie), a 16th-century structure with a funny grisaille bas-relief: a man and a woman stand opposite each other with clubs in their hands, apparently depicting the first family conflict in history. The modern face of the city is also interesting and fresh. Probably, few people have not seen the sculptures on the pillars glowing in the evening on Place Massena.
  Less popular, but no less interesting, is the library building in the shape of a human head.
  We cannot forget the famous Promenade des Anglais, the main advantage of which, in my opinion, is the amazing color of the sea. As for views, my favorite is from La Colline du Chateau.
  
• Monaco. You can have different attitudes towards this dwarf state. Some people consider its architecture to be kitsch and see it as excessive luxury; others, on the contrary, expect more and are disappointed at the sight of the boring typical multi-storey buildings of some areas. But this place will be etched in your memory in any case. The imposing rock on which stands the castle of the Princes of Monaco, delightful gardens, a casino surrounded by cars that cost beyond reason, beautiful churches, postcard views, and an atmosphere of prosperity, prosperity and tranquility... It is worth seeing and feeling.
  
• Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild(Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild) was built by Baroness Beatrice from the Rothschild dynasty on the picturesque Cape Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.
  The interiors of this elegant building are beautiful, but I much enjoyed wandering around the 4 hectares of gardens that surround the villa. There are nine gardens in total: Spanish, Florentine, French, Provencal, Sevres, exotic, Japanese and stone gardens, as well as a rose garden. And what views there are from here... The ticket price includes an audio guide (available in Russian), which is issued against the security of a document. You can get there by bus number 81 (Passable stop) or on foot from the Beaulieu-sur-Mer railway station (1.5 km, but the road is uphill and can be difficult in hot weather).
• Saint-Paul-de-Vence- a city in the past favored by many representatives of the art world, which, unfortunately, could not but be reflected in the number of modern visitors filling its countless shops and art galleries. During the high season, this place is so packed with tourists that it seems like just a colorful decoration. But as soon as you turn onto some side street, miraculously empty, you begin to feel the true charm of this medieval town.
  During your walk, do not forget to visit the modest but touching grave of our compatriot Marc Chagall.
  From Nice, getting to Saint-Paul-de-Vence is easy by taking bus number 400 going to the city of Vence, you need the St Paul – Village stop.
• Eze. The cozy 10th-century village is located on a high cliff above the sea.
  The medieval houses are mysterious, the winding streets are fascinating; it’s not for nothing that the great storyteller Walt Disney loved this place. The main treasure of the village is the exotic cactus garden, which offers incredible views of the surrounding area. You can get to Eze from Nice by bus 82 (Eze village stop). Another option is to go to Gare SNCF Eze train station and take bus 83 up the mountain. If you are in good physical shape, you can also walk along the famous Nietzsche Trail, which I will talk about below.

Beaches. Which ones are better

The Cote d'Azur has some very beautiful beaches, but if your only goal is swimming in the sea, I would recommend thinking about other holiday options. Most of the local beaches cannot be called spacious (with the exception of the surroundings of Saint-Tropez), and they may disappoint a tourist spoiled, for example, by chic Asian beaches. Especially if you come here during the high season, when the concentration of vacationers is maximum. And yet, the beauty of nature, architecture and the charm of these places more than make up for this slight inconvenience.

Generally speaking, the beaches east of Nice towards Menton are mostly pebbly, the beaches west of Nice are sandy. The coastline is very diverse, there are beautiful bays, small bays with crystal water, long sandy beaches, cliffs picturesquely hanging over the sea.

I will list my favorite beaches from east to west.

• Sablettes Beach, . The main advantage of this beach, located between 2 marinas, is the magnificent view of the old city. The pebbles here are small, and the entrance to the water is gentle, with few waves. The beach is perfect for the whole family. There are many shops and cafes around. Part of the beach is municipal; there are also paid beach clubs nearby.
  
• Larvotto beach, Monte Carlo. A beautiful public beach with loose sand just steps from Princess Grace Avenue. Entry into the water is very convenient, the water is clean, there is even a net on the beach that protects against jellyfish. There are many restaurants and shops around.
  
• Mala Beach, Cap d'Ail. Many people consider this beach, surrounded by picturesque cliffs, to be one of the most beautiful in the area. A cozy bay, very clear turquoise water and lush nature around. Part of the beach is sandy, part is pebble. There is a free public area, as well as two paid beaches. The only drawback is that getting to this place is not so easy. You must go down a long staircase, or come here along the coastal path. According to some sources, the beach is named after the famous Russian ballerina Matilda Kshesinskaya, who owned a villa nearby (Mala was her name in French in a diminutive version).
  
• Beach Petite Afrique, Beaulieu-sur-Mer. A nice pebble beach where you can relax in the shade of palm trees, which, apparently, should create some kind of African mood. At least this is what the name of this place hints at - Little Africa. In addition to palm trees, there are other beauties in abundance here - for example, views of Cap d'Ail. The beach has all the necessary infrastructure, as well as a beach club with a restaurant.
• Marineres Beach, Villefranche-sur-Mer is the main beach of this cute town; sand is mixed here with fine gravel. Beautiful views and clear water make it perhaps one of the most popular in the area.
  
• Beaches of Nice. Quite large stones on the beaches of Nice scare away many tourists. For comfortable entry into the water, I recommend buying special slippers. You will also need a mat, since lying on boulders is not an acquired taste. These difficulties will be rewarded with the amazing color of the water. In my opinion, in Nice it is the most azure on the entire coast. But I wouldn’t recommend vacationing here with small children. Entering the water over large boulders can be an overwhelming task for them.
  
• Gravette Beach, . But children will definitely love this beach. It is sandy, sheltered from the waves, and the entrance to the water is gentle. The advantage of the beach is also its proximity to the old town of Antibes, or rather to the wonderful food market, where you can buy ingredients for a picnic overlooking the sea.
  
• Ponteil beach and the neighboring beach Salis, . More spacious beaches of Antibes. Here you will find sand and beautiful views of the old town on one side and the Cap d'Antibes on the other.
• Beach Grande, Juan-les-Pins is a public beach with excellent sand and clear water. Nearby there is all the necessary infrastructure.
  The beach lives up to its name and is quite large, although it can get a bit crowded in the summer. In the neighborhood there are many private beaches with restaurants, whose tables are set right on the sand in the evening for romantic dinners a few meters from the sea.
• Beach Croisette, Cannes - Cannes' most famous beach, along which stretches a string of luxury hotels and restaurants.
  Much of this long sandy beach is occupied by expensive beach clubs, with free sections nestled at the eastern and western ends. During the summer months it can get a bit crowded. In this case, I advise you to try a less visited beach Midi, located behind the old port (Le Vieux Port).
• Beach Aiguille, Theoule-sur-Mer. Sandy beach, notable for its proximity to the beautiful natural park Pointe de l’Aiguille.
  You can also snorkel here, following a buoyed underwater trail. At the city's tourist office (1 Corniche d'Or, Théoule sur Mer) you can get a special waterproof map on which the main underwater beauties are marked. The beach has a restaurant, shower and toilet. There are usually fewer people here than on the beaches described above.
• Beach Pampelonne, Ramatuelle. This is perhaps the most famous beach in the vicinity of Saint-Tropez, where Brigitte Bardot walked in the film “And God Created Woman.” Since then, many celebrities have walked on the golden sand of this beach, but it has been able to maintain its natural naturalness and pristineness. The five-kilometer beach is divided into several sections: wide free areas, an area for nudists and expensive beach clubs and restaurants, where luxurious parties for the rich & beautiful are often held; one of the most famous local establishments is Club 55.
  

Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?

I especially remember the following temples:

• Basilica of St. Michael, Basilique Saint-Michel, Parvis Saint-Michel, . Basilica of the 17th century in Baroque style.
  It is located on a very beautiful small square, where two steep stairs lead from the embankment. Don’t be lazy to get up: the views from the square are worth it! The Basilica is open from 10.00 to 12.00 and from 15.00 to 17.00. Services on Sundays at 11 am. Every year in August, classical music concerts are held in the square near the basilica.
• Monaco Cathedral, Cathedrale Notre-Dame-Immaculee, also known as Saint Nicholas Cathedral (after the old church that stood on this site and was destroyed in 1874), 4 Rue Colonel Bellando de Castro, Monaco. The main cathedral of the principality, which serves as the tomb of the princes of Monaco. This is where the grave of the famous beauty, Princess Grace, is located.
  The cathedral is very beautiful both outside and inside. The main altar is made of Carrara marble; paintings and domed mosaics also deserve attention. Visiting hours: from 8.00 to 19.00 (May – September); from 8.30 to 18.00 (October - April).
• Cathedral of Saint Reparata(Cathedrale Sainte-Reparate), 3 Pl. Rossetti, . A luxurious 17th century Catholic cathedral in the center of the old town of Nice. Be sure to go inside to admire the lush baroque interior.
  Cathedral opening hours: 9.00-12.00 / 14.00-18.00 (Tuesday - Friday); 9.00-12.00 / 14.00-19.30 (Saturday); 9.00-13.00 / 15.00-18.00 (Sunday).
• Chapel of Mercy(Chapelle de la Misericorde), Cours Saleya, . You're sure to see this small church as you walk around Nice, its cheerful yellow façade dominating one of the city's main squares. The church was built in the 18th century and belongs to the Catholic Brotherhood of Black Penitents.
  
• St. Rita's Church(Eglise Sainte Rita), 1 Rue de la Poissonnerie, Nice. The small church, founded in the 13th century, was rebuilt many times and acquired its final baroque appearance in the 17th century. The church is very popular, people come here to pray for the sick. Saint Rita was famous for the gift of healing even hopeless patients. The church is open to the public on weekdays from 7.00–12.00 / 14.30–18.00, on Sundays from 8.00–12.00 / 15.00–18.00.
• St. Nicholas Cathedral, Avenue Nicolas II, Nice. The main temple of the Russian community on the Cote d'Azur, erected in 1868 under the patronage of Emperor Nicholas II and his mother, Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna. It must be said that the Russian community in these parts has always been very large, and the cathedral turned out to match it: large and impressive. No wonder it is considered the largest Orthodox church in Western Europe. In 2010, after a long legal process, the cathedral became the property of the Russian Federation. You can admire the beautiful decoration of the cathedral every day from 9.30 to 17.30.
  
• Chapel of the Rosary(La Chapelle du Rosaire) convent of the Dominican order, 466 Avenue Henri Matisse, Vence. If you want to see something unusual, come here. This is the work of the artist Henri Matisse, who considered the chapel the pinnacle of his creativity. Unfortunately, admission is paid and, in my opinion, quite expensive: 7 EUR, children under 12 years old are free. Schedule: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday – 10.00–12.00/14.00–18.00; Wednesday and Saturday – 14.00–18.00 (from November to March the chapel closes an hour earlier, at 17.00).
  
• Church of Our Lady of the Good Voyage(Eglise Notre Dame de Bon Voyage), 2 Rue Notre Dame, Cannes. This church was built in the 19th century on the site of an older temple. The name reflects its purpose; fishermen prayed here before going out to sea. Another interesting fact from the history of this place: it was from here that the campaign of Napoleon, who fled from Elba, began. Opening hours: 9.00–12:30/14:30–18:30 (Monday–Saturday); 10.00–11.30/16.00–18.00 (Sunday).
• Frejus Cathedral(Cathedrale Saint-Leonce de Frejus), 58 Rue de Fleury, Frejus. This slightly gloomy but impressive cathedral is worth seeing if only because it is one of the oldest Christian buildings in France. The cathedral's baptistery dates from the 5th century.
  

Museums. Which ones are worth visiting?

The Côte d'Azur is famous for its art museums and galleries. How could it be otherwise, since artists such as Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Paul Cézanne, Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet, Auguste Renoir, Marc Chagall and many others lived and worked on this land. There are also interesting natural science museums here. I recommend visiting:

• , 2 Quai de Monleon, Menton. The museum's collection, lovingly assembled by American businessman Severin Wunderman, an ardent admirer of Jean Cocteau, includes works by Cocteau himself and his friends. The museum is spacious and modern, the exhibition is supplemented with audio and video materials. Adult ticket price – 8 EUR, 6 EUR for people over 65 years old and students; free for children under 18 years old.
  
• Oceanographic Museum, Avenue Saint-Martin, . One of the best oceanographic museums in the world, whose director from 1957 to 1988 was Jacques Cousteau. The mighty building, rising above the sea on a cliff, has long turned into one of the main calling cards of the principality.
  You will see both the museum of marine nature and navigation itself, and a wonderful aquarium containing 6,000 species of marine life.
  There is a beautiful terrace and restaurant on the roof of the museum. Ticket price in July and August: 16 EUR - adults, 14 EUR - teenagers 13-18 years old; 8 EUR – children 4-12 years old. In other months, depending on the date, an adult ticket costs 11-14 EUR, a ticket for a teenager – 7-10 EUR, a child ticket – 5-7 EUR.
• , Rue Gustave Eiffel, Beaulieu-sur-Mer. A thorough reconstruction of an ancient Greek villa, created at the beginning of the 20th century. The fruit of the joint work of the lover of ancient history Theodor Reinach and the architect Emanuel Pantremoni. Here you can admire beautiful interiors made from valuable materials, as well as relics from the ancient period. Adult ticket – 11.5 EUR, children under 18 years old – free.
  
• Matisse Museum, 164 Avenue des Arenes de Cimiez, Nice. The museum displays many works by the artist, who lived in Nice from 1918 to 1954, as well as his personal belongings. Adult ticket – 10 EUR (children under 18 years old and students – free). The ticket is valid for 24 hours and includes entry to a number of other museums in Nice.
• , 36 Avenue Dr Menard, Nice. It contains a collection of works by Chagall, dedicated to biblical themes. Adult ticket with audio guide – 8 EUR; children under 18 years old are free.
• Museum of Modern Art or MAMAС, Place Yves Klein, Nice. The museum presents the history of modern art from 1950 to the present day. The building itself is very impressive. From its terrace, by the way, you can enjoy a good view of the city. Adult ticket – 10 EUR (children under 18 years old and students – free). The ticket is valid for 24 hours and includes admission to other museums in the city.
  
• Mag Foundation(Fondation Maeght), 623 Chemin des Gardettes, Saint-Paul-de-Vence - a rich private collection of contemporary art, founded by the Maeght family in 1964. Located near the ancient town of Saint-Paul-de-Vence. The museum building is quite remarkable in itself; it was built by a student of the great Le Corbusier, José Luis Sert. You can get there by bus number 400 Nice – Vence (stop Maeght Foundation). Adult ticket price: 15 EUR, children (10-18 years old) – 10 EUR, children under 10 years old – free.
• Picasso Museum, Place Mariejol, Antibes. The museum is located in the medieval Grimaldi Castle, which for some time served as the artist’s studio. Pablo Picasso bequeathed all the works painted here to the city. Several other artists are also represented in the collection. The price of an adult ticket is 6 EUR, children under 18 years old are free.
  
• International Perfumery Museum, 2 Boulevard du Jeu de Ballon, Grasse. More than 3,000 years of the history of this craft are described in detail here, there are many interesting exhibits, and you can also “listen” to the smells that were popular in different eras. The price of an adult ticket is 4 EUR, children under 18 years old are free.
• Museum of the History of Navigation in the Citadel of Saint-Tropez, 1 Montée de la Citadelle, 83990 Saint-Tropez. The fact that it is located within the walls of an ancient 17th century fortress gives the museum a special charm. The fortress is perfectly preserved; the observation deck at its top offers a good view of the city and surrounding area. Adult ticket – 3 EUR; children under 12 years old – free.
  

Parks

The Cote d'Azur is a very green region, there are parks at every turn. I'll tell you about my favorite places. I give a description of paid parks with links, after studying which you will see the current prices and opening hours.

Neighboring regions

Nearby Islands

Food. What to try

High-quality products, a wealth of spices and the creativity of local chefs have given the world many delicacies. I will list only the most popular dishes of the Cote d'Azur:

Holidays

The Cote d'Azur is famous for its festivals. The most famous events:

Safety. What to watch out for

First of all, you need to be wary of pickpockets, be careful on buses and trains (especially in high season), and also not leave valuables unattended.

During the summer season, there are jellyfish in the sea, which can cause discomfort, especially if you are prone to allergies.

Things to do

• Go to a national park Mercantour to see beautiful mountain scenery and a UNESCO-listed Valley of Miracles(Vallee des Merveilles), where more than 40,000 petroglyphs (rock carvings) from the Bronze Age were discovered.
• Visit a picturesque Russian cemetery on a hill above the old town of Menton.
  
• Take a walk around customs officers' path. This trail was created during the French Revolution to monitor suspicious ships carrying contraband. A particularly picturesque section runs along the cape Cap d'Ail, from here you can turn to beautiful beaches or continue your walk all the way to Monaco.
• See in La Turbie - a memorial erected by Emperor Octavian Augustus in the 6th century BC in honor of the conquest of local tribes by the Roman Empire. Initially, it was a snow-white building 49 meters high, with a statue of Emperor Augustus in the role of Hercules. But time has not been kind to the monument. What we see now is a reconstruction of the supposed appearance of the memorial.
  In addition to the historical component, it’s worth coming here for the breathtaking views of the sea, Monaco and the Cote d’Azur as a whole.
• Try your luck at the oldest and most luxurious casino in Europe - Casino. Even non-gamblers should come here, if only to see the lush (sometimes even too much) interiors.
  You don’t have to spend a lot of money; you can just enjoy the surroundings. The minimum banknote for playing slot machines is 5 EUR. The casino starts working from 14.00. Entrance to three halls costs 10 EUR. Access to private salons and verandas will require another 10 EUR. You must have an ID with you (persons under 18 years of age are not allowed). Dress code prohibits beach look. Photography is also prohibited; cameras can be left in a storage room. If the game does not interest you, then from 9.00 to 12.00 for the same 10 EUR you will have the opportunity to walk through the empty halls and admire the design without a crowd of people.
• Watch changing of the guard on the square near the Prince's Palace in Monaco (daily at 11.45).
  
• See with your own eyes how princes live. State apartments Princely Palace, the current residence of the ruling family of the Principality of Monaco, is open to tourists in 2017 from April 2 to October 15 (except weekends during the Formula I period).
• Take a walk around Nietzsche's path in Eze. This fairly steep trail goes from seaside Eze-sur-Mer to the medieval village of Eze on Mt. Its length is 1.6 km.
  The famous writer found inspiration here for his epic novel Thus Spake Zarathustra. Allow at least an hour and a half for the ascent and about an hour for the descent. The trail is quite difficult in places, so it is not recommended for small children and elderly people. You need comfortable shoes, water and sun protection.
  
• Admire the colorful flower market on the square Course Salya in Nice.
• Take a leisurely stroll along the magnificent boulevard with palm trees, Promenade des Anglais in Nice, following the example of Queen Victoria and the English aristocracy, in whose honor the embankment received its name. Then head to Cannes and walk around Croisette, a worthy rival to the Promenade des Anglais with no less beautiful palm trees and golden beaches. And then decide who won.
• Drive to "". The tourist train "Train des Pignes" departs from Nice Gare de Nice CP train station to Digne-les-Bains, stopping in beautiful mountain towns. You can get off at one stop, take a walk, get on the next train and continue your journey. The most interesting places along the route, in my opinion, are Entrevo, Anno, And Saint-André-les-Alpes.
  
• Challenge yourself in the art of perfumery by creating your own perfume in a boutique Molinard, 20 rue St-François de Paule, Nice.
• Visit the killer whale show in Marineland, 306 Avenue Mozart, 06600 Antibes. This is a theme park dedicated to the sea and its inhabitants. It is divided into several zones: a dolphinarium, a zoo, a water park, mini golf, a children's amusement park and the Marineland Resort hotel. The park is 200 meters from Gare de Biot station.
• Admire multi-million dollar yachts while walking along the " billionaires' embankment"in Antibes.
  
• Climb to the observation deck next to the church Notre Dame de la Garoupe at Cap de Antib to see the panorama of the coast.
  
• Walk up the steps of the main staircase Cannes Palais des Festivals and feel like a star at the Cannes Film Festival.
• Climb to the top of the hill in the quarter Suquet– the cozy old town of Cannes, from where Cannes, the sea and the islands are visible at a glance.
  
• Take a ride on tourist train according to Grasse. Your route will pass through incredibly narrow streets, the residents of which will not even be able to open the doors of their houses until the “train” passes.
  
• Visit Port Grimaud(Port Grimaud) – a small Provençal Venice. This small town, cut by canals, was built in the 60s of the 20th century according to the bold design of the architect Francois Spoerri.
  
• Take an exciting sea voyage along calanques Cassis by boat.
  
• Climb to Cape Canaglia(Cap Canaille) is the highest rock in France (394 m), located between the cities of Cassis and La Ciotat.
  

Shopping and shops

The Côte d'Azur features both stores of world-famous brands and small local boutiques, which, in my opinion, are always more interesting to visit. Most shops are open from 10.00 to 19.00, some close at lunch from 12 to 14.00 or 15.00. Sunday is usually a day off.

Almost every city hosts open-air clothing markets on certain days of the week. If you are interested in this format of budget shopping, I recommend going to an Italian Ventimiglio. On Fridays, from early morning until mid-afternoon, there is a gigantic market where you can buy clothes, accessories, food and all sorts of things.

Antique lovers should check out Marche aux Fleurs market, Cours Saleya, in Nice on Monday. In the summer, every evening there is also a market of works by local craftsmen.

If you prefer shopping centers, pay attention to:

Extreme Sports

The Cote d'Azur has all the conditions for extreme sports. Here you can practice paragliding, hot air ballooning, rock climbing, kayaking, windsurfing and much more. But perhaps the most extreme and spectacular entertainment in the area is bungee jumping, rubber rope jumping from one of the highest bridges in Europe Pont de L'Artuby

Taxi. What features exist

Taxi is a very expensive way to get around the Cote d'Azur. All taxis are equipped with meters. Make sure that the driver does not forget to turn it on.

There are surcharges for baggage, Sundays, evening/night time.

Taxi contacts in different cities of the Riviera can be viewed, for example.

Public transport

Train

Most coastal cities are connected by a railway line from Italy to Marseille. There are also branches from Nice to Cuneo and Digne. And from Cannes there is a line to Grasse. You can find out the ticket price, schedule and buy a ticket online on this website.

You can purchase a ticket on site at the box office or ticket machine. Please note that ticket offices (especially at small stations) are not always open and there are long queues. An alternative is to buy a ticket through a machine. Unfortunately, most ticket machines for regional trains “speak” only French, but there is no need to be afraid.

Select your tariff (Tarif Normal), direction (you will be offered a list of the most popular places, if yours is not there, select Autres Destinations and continue searching from the extended list), then confirm the ticket type Billet Tarif Normal, select class 1 or 2, ticket to one way (Aller Simple) or round trip (Aller Retour), number of passengers and date. As a result, we will be shown the final cost, which must be paid by credit card or coins (banknotes are not accepted). Before boarding the train, the ticket must be validated in special yellow machines, otherwise it is considered invalid.

Bus

Bus service is quite well developed. Tickets can be purchased in advance or from the driver. Entrance to the bus is through the front door. The ticket must be validated in special devices, which are usually located at the beginning of the salon.

Buses stop at stops upon request. To do this, you need to press the red button, and the message Arret demande will appear on the display near the driver. If you are waiting for a bus at a bus stop, you can stop it with a wave of your hand.

If the bus is crowded, it may ignore new passengers and not stop. This is especially true in the summer, when the wait for a free bus on popular routes can be very long.

The Côte d'Azur is served by several bus companies: Lignes d'Azur, Palm Bus, Envibus, Sillages, etc.

Transport rental

The car provides additional opportunities to enjoy the beauty of the Cote d'Azur. It is indispensable if you want, for example, to go on a trip to Provence or explore nearby mountain villages. It is more convenient to rent a car directly at the airport, but this will usually cost more than at city agencies. Prices start from 35 EUR. You can rent a car in one city and return it in another, but this will increase the rental cost. Price options for rental cars can be viewed.

The price of gasoline as of April 2017 is about 1.45 EUR, diesel is 1.25 EUR.

There are toll highways in the region. They can be avoided by using free roads, but here you have to choose what to save: money or time.

If you're traveling along the coast during high season, you'll need to be prepared for traffic jams and parking problems in popular towns.

Parking lots are mostly paid, and it is not so easy to find a free space. The price depends on the area, the average cost is 2.2–2.6 EUR per hour. Fortunately, in many places you can park your car for free from 20:00 to 9:00 and on weekends.

Another thing to remember is caution. According to car accident statistics, the Côte d'Azur region is among the top most dangerous areas in France. It is not clear whether this is due to the beauty of the local landscapes, which distract drivers, or to the number of inappropriate tourists driving, in any case, vigilance will not hurt. There are many cameras on the roads, so remember to obey the speed limit, even if you are driving on the legendary Grand Prix circuit in Monte Carlo.

Cote d'Azur - holidays with children

Children will like:

Ski holiday

The Alpes-Maritimes, at the foot of which lies the Côte d'Azur, has a variety of ski resorts to offer. I didn’t even expect that they were so close: they were only one and a half to two hours away from the coast. The season here usually lasts from mid-December to mid-April. There are many places for skiing, I will list only the most famous resorts:

Ski passes

A ski pass costs on average 32-34 EUR per day, there are discounts when purchasing for several days, for a family visit, etc. Current prices can be checked on the official websites of the resorts.

5 must-do things in this region

Anything to add?

Cote d'Azur – French Riviera– known in France as the Cote d Azur, the eastern tip of which is the western part of Provence. In the southeast, the Riviera borders the Mediterranean coast, in the west it reaches the Italian border, and in the east it passes by the kingdom of Monaco. Crowds of people come here in the summer, although this is somewhat strange, because it is nice here in October, November and even December. Christmas on the Riviera is great! The climate here is mild, plants begin to bloom as early as February.

Map of the French Riviera

The French Riviera stretches along a coastline with hills that slope down to sandy beaches with luxury resorts equipped with marinas. In between the hotels, mountains covered with forests approach the water itself. Several kilometers inland and the towns located on the hills seem to float above the sea. Main resorts of the Cote d'Azur– Nice, Cannes, Saint-Tropez, Antibes, Saint-Raphael, Principality of Monaco. Every 30 minutes, trains run along the entire coast connecting these resorts.

International airport and fast train from Paris do Nice- the most visited resort and capital of the Cote d'Azur. From the airport you can get to Nice in 15 minutes by bus. The city, with its turquoise sea, is located in Bay of Angels at the eastern tip of the Riviera. Snow-white villas, luxury hotels, wide boulevards, yachts, gardens with palm trees and magnolias - this is its modern appearance. Nice also called the “Queen of the French Riviera.” Nice is a city of music and theater festivals. It is famous for its museums: the Museum of Modern Art, Paleontology, and Navigation. In February, Nice hosts a carnival that is as colorful as the Brazilian one. It lasts 10 days. The carnival parade is accompanied by modern music and dancing. This is a place where the best musicians, theater-goers, artists and choreographers compete. The flower procession, when thousands of fresh flowers are thrown into the crowd, and the night procession of fantastic figures in shimmering rays of light are unforgettable moments of this extravaganza. A magnificent fireworks display and the burning of the Carnival King on the beach are the final chord of the holiday.

Cannes is one of the most luxurious resorts on the French Riviera, famous for its film festival. Every May, thousands of film industry professionals, world film stars and their fans come here. The most prestigious award among independent film directors is the Palme d'Or. The tourist area in Cannes is very small and can be easily covered on foot. It includes the old town of Le Suquet, located on a hill and Boulevard Croisette, stretching for 2 km along the coastline, with beautiful gardens and parks, majestic palm trees. At the end of the boulevard is the New Palace of Festivals and Congresses, where films are shown. On the famous Avenue of Stars Traditionally, many celebrities leave their handprints. The city hosts exhibitions, conferences, and international congresses. In August, the port of Cannes is filled with snow-white yachts and the most expensive cars.

Saint Tropez located on the shore of the picturesque bay of the same name with sandy beaches. Previously, this town with 5 thousand inhabitants attracted artists with the soft light and turquoise colors of the sea, now it attracts tourists’ money. The wild beaches offer ample opportunities for yachting, windsurfing, and water skiing. Saint-Tropez is a yacht port. World celebrities come here to relax. The city is full of boutiques displaying the latest fashion. Sights of Saint-Tropez: Museum of the Sea, Anonsiade Art Museum, the famous Butterfly House. The most striking sight is the market (almost oriental, noisy bazaar).

Located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea Principality of Monaco, near the border of France and Italy. It covers only 2 square kilometers of area, making it the most densely populated country in the world. Its capital Monte Carlo has a unique appearance, growing in height. There are modern sandy beaches, a casino, exotic gardens, and an oceanographic museum. Entry into the Principality of Monaco is free.

The western tip of the Riviera is quieter, cheaper and has the most beautiful sandy beaches, even in high season. If you are looking for a place to stay, the best place is the town of Pramousquier. There are hotels with reasonable prices right along the beach.

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