About Nice, France
Nice, capital of the Alpes-Maritimes department on the French
Riviera, sits on the pebbly shores of the Baie des Anges. Founded by
the Greeks and later a retreat for 19th-century European elite, the
city has also long attracted artists. Former resident Henri Matisse is
honored with a career-spanning collection of paintings at Musée
Matisse. Musée Marc Chagall features some of its namesake’s
major religious works.
Plan and Book:
Overview
The Greeks founded Nice, naming it Nike, or Victory. They could not
have been more accurate, as Nice has come to represent the perfect
combination of French urban chic (it’s the fifth largest city in
France) and laid-back European enjoyment. It’s also one of the most
visited locales in the world, with students from seemingly every country in the world
converging here during the summer months. Monaco is just a short train
ride away, as are Cannes and Villefranche. Even though you will be
attracted to the opulence and grandeur of Monte Carlo, or the haute
culture of Cannes, don’t sell Nice short.
While Nice is the unofficial capital of the French Riviera, it is more
than just a beach town. Seven museums, a beautiful opera house, and
diverse world architecture all come together to contribute an air of
culture to the city. Artists, writers, and philosophers have been drawn
here throughout the centuries, with the city counting Victor Hugo,
Alexandre Dumas, and Friedrich Nietzsche among its visitors over the
years. As much as Nice tries to gain a reputation as a well-rounded,
cultured city, its city fathers know that tourists help pay the bills,
and some gorgeous hotels and resorts extend along Promenade des Anglais
and Quai des Etats-Unis, the beautiful beachside promenade in Nice. The
beaches are busy virtually year round, as Nice enjoys excellent weather
throughout the four seasons. There are over 300 days of sunshine per
year here, so you will have no problem working on your tan.
Attractions and Activities
A Day in the French Riviera: From the serenity of medieval Eze; to
the plush yachts bobbing in Monaco’s marina; to the artistic ambience
of Saint Paul de Vence; to the Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit in Monte
Carlo, this tour captures the French Riviera’s remarkable diversity.
Guided Tour of Nice: Nice, the gateway to the heart of the Cote d’Azur,
is a melting pot of rich elegance, vibrant youth, and sun seekers! This
guided tour will reveal Castle Hill’s Greek history, the wealthy suburb
of Cimiez, and, surprisingly, the biggest Russian church outside
Russia.
Tour of Antibes, Cannes, and St. Paul de Vance: Get the best out of the
Cote d’Azur and take in dazzling views of the Mediterranean Sea, the
magnificent scenery of Antibes, and the luxury of Cannes. Follow in the
footsteps of famous faces at the film festival palace before visiting
the medieval village of St. Paul de Vence.
A Day in Provence: Uncover scenic Provence with a tour that takes you
to the heart of this alluring coastal region. Meander around the
luxurious port of Antibes, soak up some glamour at Cannes, and treat
your nose to some sensory seduction at a perfume factory in Grasse.
Antibes and Cannes, with Fragonard Perfume Factory: Marvel as the azure
waters of the Mediterranean Sea provide a glittering backdrop to your
tour of the Cote d’Azur. Trace the stunning coastline and stop to
discover Antibes, Cannes, and Grasse.
Surrounding Areas
Haut-de-Cagnes
At the heart of the French Riviera, Haut-de-Cagnes, a small hilltop
village, has successfully preserved its Medieval character and
authentic Provencal charm. Surrounded by ramparts and dotted with small
shady squares, nestled among the sinuous alleyways, it invites visitors
to unwind and take peaceful strolls. The village is built upon a hill
and surrounds the Chateau Grimaldi, which is now a museum. The view of
Cagnes-sur-Mer, which envisages of both the sea and the rising hills of
the backcountry, is stunning.
Haut-de-Cagnes has been a source of inspiration to numerous painters,
such as Renoir, Soutine, Klein, Foujita, Modigliani and Derain. Also,
writers and artists, such as Georges Simenon, John Lewis, Brigitte
Bardot and Greta Garbo, have had their homes and villas here. It still
remains a favourite location for artistic expression and a gathering
place for prominent figures of the art world. Indeed, since 1945, this
village has been a premier rendezvous spot for artists and celebrities
from around the world, which led to it being named the Montmartre of
the French Riviera. Haut-de-Cagnes is 10 km from Nice.
Antibes
The town of Antibes is a perfect, picture-postcard seaside resort
hugging the shores of the Mediterranean between Nice and Cannes on the
French Riviera (Côte d’Azur). It’s known for its old
town enclosed by 16th-century ramparts with the star-shaped Fort
Carré. This overlooks luxury yachts moored at the Port Vauban
marina. The forested Cap d’Antibes peninsula, dotted with grand
villas, separates Antibes from Juan-les-Pins, a chic resort with
buzzing nightlife and the Jazz à Juan music festival. Greater
Antibes takes in Antibes, the gorgeous private villas of Cap
d’Antibes, the technopolis of Sophia Antipolis to the north, and
glitzy modern Juan-les-Pins, internationally known for its summer jazz
festival.
Cannes
Cannes, a resort town on the French Riviera, is famed for its
international film festival. This legendary seaside resort has all the
glitz and allure of the Côte d’Azur: private beaches, marinas
filled with luxury yachts, stylish boulevards, elegant Belle Epoque
hotels, and fashionable restaurants. In an enchanting setting on Golfe
de la Napoule bay, Cannes is blessed with a balmy Mediterranean
climate.
Cannes’ Boulevard de la Croisette, curving along the coast, is lined
with sandy beaches, upmarket boutiques and palatial hotels. It is also
home to the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, a modern
building complete with red carpet and Allée des Stars – The
Cannes Walk of Fame.
Saint-Tropez
Saint-Tropez is a coastal town on the French Riviera, in the
Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region of southeastern France. Pouting
sexpot Brigitte Bardot came to St-Tropez in the ’50s to star in Et Dieu
Créa la Femme (And God Created Woman; 1956) and overnight
transformed the peaceful fishing village into a sizzling jet-set
favourite. Long popular with artists and millionaires whose yachts
jostle for moorings on the waterfront, it remains known for its beaches
and nightlife. The cobblestoned La Ponche quarter recalls its past as a
fishing village, although yachts now outnumber fishing boats in the
Vieux Port (Old Port).
Villefranche
Villefranche-sur-Mer is one of the most charming — if not the
most charming — authentic French and Niçoise fishing
village on the French Riviera, in the heart of the Cote d’Azur.
The Bay of Villefranche, reputed as one of the five most beautiful bays
in the world, is embraced by the Cap of Nice on one side and Cap Ferrat
on the other. Nestled between Monaco and Nice, it is hard to believe
that it can retain its charm and authenticity of a little village where
people still know each other. The charming Old Town cascades down the
hillside to the sea, and the sandy kilometer-long beach offers great
recreation throughout the year. Although it’s such an authentic
village, Villefranche is also surrounded by an fascinating,
international scene. It attracts a very interesting cosmopolitan group
of visitors and residents, including students who attend the renowned
French language school, Institut de Français.
Monte Carlo
The Principality of Monaco is something of an anomaly in today’s
democratic world. Monarchies worldwide have either dissolved completely
or they have seen their once absolute power reduced to ceremonial
titles. But Monaco presses on, with the Grimaldi Dynasty having been in
control of these 370 acres since 1297.
Almost all of the country’s economy is centered around gambling and
tourism. Not surprisingly, the economy is doing fine. Mercedes and
BMW’s are common here, and the public transportation system is flush
with electronic displays keeping track of the buses and trains. Even
the train station in Monte Carlo would pass as a tourist attraction in
some places. There is no income tax in Monaco, which has made the
Principality the chosen home of many of the world’s wealthiest people.
Monte Carlo is host to most of the Circuit de Monaco, on which the
Formula One Monaco Grand Prix takes place. It also hosts world
championship boxing bouts, the European Poker Tour Grand Final and the
World Backgammon Championship as well as the Monaco International Auto
Show, fashion shows and other events.
Menton
Unlike its high flying neighbours, Menton is a sleepy town on the
edge of the Côte d’Azur. It is known not only for its beaches and
gardens like the Serre de la Madone garden, showcasing rare plants,
exquisite medieval heart and an extraordinary setting between mountains
and sea. Beloved by genteel visitors who come for its microclimate –
said to be 3C warmer than the rest of France, The cuisine has a notably
Italian influence, being so close to the border, which means it comes
up trumps for foodies. Its beaches – a mix of stony and sandy, public
and private – are packed in high summer, but out of season they were
empty. You don’t stroll around the gorgeous old town; you hike up it.
The steep cobbled medieval steps and alleyways are dark, narrow and
winding. Shafts of sunlight reveal jumbled dwellings in muted shades of
ochre and pink and gold.
Ventimiglia
Ventimiglia is on the edge of Italy; the first town visitors see
when they enter the country from France. It has a character unlike any
other Riviera town, retaining its traditional identity while adopting
an eclectic selection of the new. There’s none of the glitz and
glamour of its neighbours; instead it’s an honest, understated
yet comfortable place to visit, explore or just be. Every Friday all
year round, French residents and tourists from across the border flock
to its popular street market along the lungomare (seafront). They also
come for the daily indoor fruit and vegetable market, for which the
town is justly famous.
San Remo
Fifty kilometres east of Europe’s premier gambling capital lies San
Remo, Italy’s own Monte Carlo, a sun-dappled Mediterranean resort with
a casino, a clutch of ostentatious villas and lashings of Riviera-style
grandeur. Long a haunt of Europe’s crowned heads, nobility, wealthy and
fortune-hunters, Sanremo is at the heart of the colourful and sunny
Riviera dei Fiori, the Riviera of Flowers. An old-fashioned seaside
resort with several interesting tourist sights, picturesque views and
good travel links, Sanremo is a good base for a holiday in this western
end of Liguria. The Mediterranean resort is busier and hotter in
summer, but makes a pleasant destination at almost any time of the
year.
Savona
An overlooked gem with lots of sparkle compared to some of the other
tourist destinations in Liguria. With 60,000 inhabitants Savona is one
of the biggest cities and sea ports in the region. As an industrial
town which has been heavily based on the iron industry, Savona has not
got the best reputation. In spite of this, Savona is a fabulous
location locked into a sunny bay between the sea and the Ligurian Alps
and other interesting places to explore.
Grasse
Grasse is a town on the French Riviera, in the hills north of
Cannes. It is known for its long-established perfume industry, and this
heritage is celebrated at the Musée International de la
Parfumerie, in the town center. Large perfumeries like Fragonard,
Molinard and Galimard offer tours. Grasse Cathedral, a former Roman
Catholic cathedral in the old town, contains many paintings, including
some by Rubens.
The old town (“vieille ville”) is large, old, and extremely
interesting. Tiny streets wind forever between the 17th and 18th
century buildings, up and down ancient steps, passing through arched
tunnels and sometimes opening out onto large squares. Many of the
streets aren’t as clean as they should be, but still worth a wander.
Vence
The small town of Vence is slightly north of the the coastal resort
at Cagnes-sur-Mer. It is a very attractive town that developed on a
rocky ledge and is still surrounded by its original fortifications. The
old town, which is the most interesting part for visitors, is still
entered through the original gateways in these ramparts, where you will
discover a fascinating and substantial historical centre to Vence.
Among the many beautiful places both along the Cote d’Azur and in the
surrounding Provencal countryside we particularly recommend that you
visit the villages of Saint-Paul-de-Vence a few kilometres south of
here, and Tourrettes-sur-Loup, to the west of Vence.
There is still a strong art connection in Vence and there are numerous
small art galleries to see. Matisse and Chagall, along with many other
artists, were attracted here by the town, the surrounding countryside,
and the closeness to so many beautiful landscapes. D H Lawrence died in
Vence in 1930, and was buried here for a few years before being exhumed
and his ashes sent to Mexico.
Touët-sur-Var
Situated in the Gorges du Cians, in the Roudoule valley, Touët
is a unique medieval village which will not fail to surprise you:
literally stuck to a vertical cliff, very tall houses, tightly packed
together and just in balance remind one strangely of the architecture
of Tibetan villages. Each house has a large attic open to the elements
which in times gone by was used for drying figs. The narrow sloping
streets, and stepped lanes are full of charm and character. You’re sure
to notice small architectural details, or appreciate the harmony of
colours between the stones and tiles from the balconies in the streets
which offer superb panoramic views over the village rooftops and the
Var valley. Touët-sur-Var is 50km north west of Nice, take the RN
202 in the direction of on Digne.
Entrevaux
Entrevaux is to the south-east of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
department and a few kilometres east of Annot. A medieval village,
Entrevaux is very picturesque, in a raised position above a bend in the
river Var, and surrounded by the craggy slopes of the lower provencal
mountains. The town is entered by way of a narrow ancient bridge and
through a gate in the fortified walls (in all there are three of these
medieval gateways in Entrevaux). Inside the walls you will find a
warren of winding streets lined by ancient houses to explore, passing
shady squares and babbling fountains. Many of the houses have
interesting features – be sure to amble up the narrow side streets to
get a real feel for the village.
Annot
Annot is a village to the south-east of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
department, in the Alps of Provence. A small village, Annot is in an
enviable location surrounded by steeply sloping wooded hills and
scenery and cascading streams and rivers. The village itself is almost
part of the mountain – enormous boulders surround and are part of the
village, with houses built against the great sandstone rocks.
A popular way to reach the village is on the little train that runs
between Digne-les-Bains and Nice. This is a good way to admire the
scenery as the train (the ‘Train des Pignes’) winds between the trees
and the rocks to arrive at the village. The Annot train also stops at
nearby Entrevaux making for a nice trip with the visits combined.
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