The French Riviera

The Côte d'Azur (known in English as the French Riviera) is the Mediterranean coastline of the southeast corner of France. In the 1900s, it became one of the first modern resort areas, frequented by the British upper class and Russian aristocrats. In the warm summer months, the French Riviera is a major yachting destination, hosting half of the world's superyacht fleet in and around its marinas.

 

Every summer in high school, my parents sent me to Europe to study foreign languages. For two years, I went to Marbella, Spain and one year, to Antibes, France. On the weekends, when I was not in class, I left the small beach town and explored the rest of the Côte d'Azur with friends.

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Towns:

• Monte Carlo

  • The principality of Monaco; a fun and glamorous place.

• Nice

  • The largest city on the French Riviera, home to a very accessible international airport.

• Antibes

  • An elegant old beach town, predominantly visited by the French.

• Juan-les Pins

  • Situated slightly west of Antibes, a major international holiday destination.

• Cannes

  • Famous for its nightclubs and film festival.

• Saint Tropez

  • The go-to spot for the jet-set crowd.

• Grasse

  • The perfume capital of the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Accommodation:

• Charter a fully staffed yacht to enjoy the Mediterranean sea.

• One of the most all-encompassing resorts on the Riviera is Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Antibes. There is a heated infinity pool, five clay tennis courts, cabanas, a spa, champagne lounge, restaurant and ice cream cabin. What more could you ask for?

• Cap Estel

• Hotel Byblos

• Five-star Château de la Chèvre d’Or is a sanctuary located above the sea.

 

Activities:

• Hop on the train into the countryside to visit the perfumeries in Grasse. You will go on tours to learn about the history of the region and the modern perfume making process.

• The castle in Antibes is now the Picasso Museum, who lived in the town for six months in 1946.

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Food:

• Book well ahead for a table at Zoa sushi bar, opposite the Palais des Festivals. This south-east Asian restaurant has an excellent range of cocktails and live or DJ'ed music.

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Nightlife:

• Cannes: The most up-market of Cannes nightspots is Le Baoli. If you get in, you will experience various ambiances, both inside and out. Spend a night at the prestigious Gotha (RIP Palais). The world’s biggest DJ’s always perform there on summer tours attracting celebrity clients such as Leonardo di Caprio and Justin Bieber. It is undoubtedly one of the hottest spots on the Riviera. Night Clubs can stay open until 7am but the bars must close at 5.30am.  Casino Le Croisette is built into the Palais des Festivals (venue for the Cannes Film Festival).

• Juan-les-Pins: Check out Le Village, Iguana and Anfer.

• Saint Tropez: