The French Riviera, known in France as the Côte d’Azur (the Azure Coast – lovely, non?), is a wonderful place for a holiday. You can soak up the sun on the beach as the warm waters of the Mediterranean lap at your feet, before heading to a Michelin starred restaurant in the evening… it’s truly blissful.
The internet has plenty of resources which will help you find more information about the French Riviera, but we’ve put together this quick guide to some of the Côte’s best bits – we know you probably don’t have a lot of time to waste and you’ll want to get right to the good bits!
Read on to find out our recommendations of what to do and see in this wonderful area.
Hang Around with Pablo Picasso and Co.
The Côte d’Azur has long been loved by artists and their ilk because of the natural beauty of the place, so it only stands to reason that some of that art would have stayed in the area, leading to the creation of a number of simply superb art museums.
In Antibes you will find the incredible Musée Picasso, featuring some of Pablo’s finest works, whereas St-Paul is home to the Fondation Maeght, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2014 with a number of events.
Soak up the Sun and Style in St Tropez
St Tropez is incredible, with ostentatious wealth on show at every turn. Easily the most outlandishly rich port around, high summer will see all kinds of boats and yachts show up for people like us to gawp at.
There are some beautiful beaches in the area too, so you can lay back and let the sun’s rays wash over you – just make sure you don’t forget the sunglasses and the sun cream!
Experience the Grandeur of Monaco
If you thought that St Tropez was as glitzy as it gets, you ain’t seen nothing yet! One of the smallest countries in Europe, Monaco is also one of the richest, and it is home to some of the most expensive and exclusive addresses on the globe.
As you stroll through, you’ll be able to see tropical gardens, grandiose towers, and opulent casinos, and you may even be able to rub shoulders with the rich and famous or take in a Formula 1 race!
Where to Stay
Thankfully, the Azure Coast plays host to all manner of great places to stay, from quaint little family-run B&Bs to 5-star hotels on the sea front – take a look at the incredibly chic Boscolo Hotel Exedra Nizza for an example of real French style.
However, you can’t truly experience the French Riviera without staying in a beautiful villa; you can see more here.
Where to Eat
Of course, you have many choices to make when it comes to dining on the Côte d’Azur, but we’d recommend taking in some local cuisine at La Taverne du Safranier, in Antibes. Incredibly popular with the locals, you’ll have to book far in advance, but it’ll be worth it once you’re tucking in to your bouillabaisse!