The glitz and glamor of France’s Mediterranean coastline (known as the Cote d’Azur in France) is rivaled by few other places on the globe. From the giant yachts of St. Tropez, to the uber high-end resorts of Monaco and the star-studded Cannes film festival, the glamorous French Riviera is known for its pristine blue waters, warm weather, high rollers and crowded beach towns. Most people associate the French Riviera with aggravating stop and go traffic However, this area, while expensive and overly crowded in the summer, is famous for a reason–it’s beautiful, it’s chic, and it’s a got great weather and even better food. And, while there is definitely no place to totally avoid people and high-prices, there are some great lesser-known yet equally beautiful destinations on this star studded region of France.
Saint-Tropez
Since the days when Bridget Bardot frequented the beaches of St. Tropez, the town has become an international tourist Mecca and star magnet. Although the town is mostly known for its famous and wealthy guests, the port city does have a lot to offer visitors in terms of activities and sites. The city has great people (and yacht) watching. You can sit at a side-walk cafe in the Old Port and watch as tourists, Parisian jet-setters, and international playboys cruise by. You can also watch the huge yachts line up in the port, where the rich and famous dress in their finest and dine on deck at night. The best time to visit this glitzy port town, however, is in the off-months (not summer), when you can appreciate the true nature of Saint Tropez–shop in the Place aux Herbes, buy fresh fish off the boat and enjoy the charming streets and alleys without the throngs of tourists.
Nice
This ethnically diverse large city on the French Riviera, Nice is a popular tourist destination for young and old, rich and not so rich. While most of the beaches consist of stones, taking a swim in the azure Mediterranean waters is still popular among residents and visitors here. Also, because Nice is a major port city in France, there is an abundance of great shopping, fresh seafood, fine restaurants and plenty of things to do. Do watch out, however, for pickpockets and guard your personal belongings from theft.
Marseilles
As the third largest city if France, Marseille is definitely not the quaint beach town many picture when they envision the French Riviera. The city is also notoriously diverse because of its location. Once the destination for immigrants from Italy and Spain, the city is now home to many people coming from Northern Africa and Turkey. Marseilles has a lot to offer visitors from the colorful and unique markets, scenic calanques (fjords), delicious seafood and busy shopping districts.
Menton
Located close to the Italian border, this lovely port town is almost as much Italian as it is French. The town has its own micro-climate, which is milder than the rest of the French Riviera and is perfect for the plants grown in the town’s many famous gardens. The sedate resort also is very pedestrian friendly, which makes the city a great stop for tourists traveling the Riviera. It also hosts a lemon festival every February, with live music and citrus themed decorations all over the city.
Cannes
Known throughout the world for its famous and influential international film festival, Cannes is synonymous with glitz and glamour. While you will usually have to fork over about 30 Euros to use one of the private beaches in Cannes, there are a few free attractions in this Hollywood studded city. Travelers can admire the fancy yachts in the harbor, check out the Palais des Festivales where the film festival takes place every year, stroll the winding narrow streets of Old Town or visit the two islands in the bay off the coast.
Antibes
Once the home and inspiration for Picasso, Antibes is now a favorite destination for vacationing French families. It is a beautiful town known for its great beaches and hilly coastline. In the evenings, everyone is town seems to flood the many outdoor restaurants at the old port. You can relax on the beach, visit the Picasso museum and shop in the provincial covered market for fresh vegetables, meat, fish and cheese.
Cassis
Known for its cliffs dropping into the ocean and sheltered inlets, this charming port town is a great place to stop along France’s Mediterranean coast. Although a popular tourist destination, Cassis tends to be less crowded and less expensive than Saint Tropez and Cannes, all while being just as (if not more) picturesque. The pastel colored buildings, scenic cliffs, beautiful beach and excellent local wines make this seaside town a must-see on the Cote d’Azur.
Weather
The weather in the French Riviera has a mild Mediterranean climate. It’s neither cold in the winter neither too hot in the summer. Although cold winter winds (The Mistral) can blow through the Riviera in the winter, the mountains by the coast usually protect the harbor towns from these harsh winds. Summer is warm and sunny, with the average temperature usually hovering around 80 degrees.
Eating and Drinking
The French Riviera has an abundance of traditional seafood dishes that every visitor should indulge in. You can taste the famous Marseilles bouillabaisse, which is a delicious stew with a variety of different kinds of shell fish and fish, herbs and spices. On a hot day, cool down with a salade nicoise, with combines tomatoes, anchovies, green beans, tuna, new potatoes, hard-boiled eggs and other vegetables over a bead of crispy lettuce. The drink of choice in this glamorous region? Champagne, but of course. So pop a bottle of bubbly and watch the sun set behind the yachts.
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