Luxury yachts, expensive cars, luxurious hotels, impressive casinos, magnificent villas, lacy beaches, are some of the words with which one can describe the French Riviera. This strip of land on the coast of southern France is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Mediterranean, exuding a cosmopolitan mood and an air of luxury to the visitor. Nice, Monaco, Antibes, Cannes, Menton, Saint-Tropez are some of the main resorts of the so-called Blue Coast (Côte d'Azur).
When to go?
The best time to visit is undoubtedly from May to September. If you choose to go in the middle of summer, be aware of the particularly high traffic and traffic jams that you will definitely encounter. Avoid the periods when the Cannes Film Festival and the Monte Carlo Grand Prix are taking place, as room prices skyrocket!
How to get there
The shortest but most expensive way is to land via a connection at Nice airport. The most economical way is to fly from either Athens or Thessaloniki to Bergamo, Italy with Ryanair and then rent a car. A car is something you will need anyway to see as many places as possible on the Côte d'Azur. Keep in mind that most car rental companies charge extra for roadside assistance in another country, so shop around.
Where to stay?
Choose Nice as your base. Nice is located in the center of the French Riviera and from there, about half an hour away, you can find Cannes, Antibes and Saint-Tropez to the west and Monaco and Menton to the east. We stayed and we recommend it to you this one.
Driving
The shortest way is to take the A8 motorway. However, if you want to have the best view of the Riviera, immediately after Menton, follow the so-called Grand Frame (D2564) to Nice. Stop in the village of La Turbie to admire the Principality of Monaco from above. On the remaining days, drive along the coastal road Lower Corniche (D6098) and on the shores of the Mediterranean.
What to see
Depending on how many days you have and what you want to see, organize your day trips in a way that suits you. The main points worth visiting are:
– The medieval settlement Eze. Located between Nice and Monaco, at an altitude of 429 meters. Tour the gardens Le Jardin Exotique with the magnificent view (ticket 6 euros). Stroll through the village and the medieval castle, follow the Nietzsche path and visit the Fragonard perfumery, where you will see the process by which perfumes are made.
– The principality of Monaco. It is the most densely populated state in the world, while its inhabitants are called Monegasques. The name of the region in ancient times was Monoikos and is related to the cult of Hercules. Even today the main port is called the Port of Hercules. In Monaco you will visit:
- The Rock of Monaco. There is the palace (ticket 8 euros), the cathedral where Rainier and Grace Kelly are buried, and the Oceanographic Museum (ticket 11 euros).
- The Exotic Garden of Monaco and the grotto (ticket 8 euros). The car collection of Prince Rainier and the Fontvieille marina. There are many options for coffee and food there, the best being Graziell and Moshi Moshi.
- The port of Iraklis, where you will eat and drink your coffee at the Monaco Yacht Club.
- Spend your evening at Café de Paris and the famous Casino Monte Carlo (entrance fee applies).
– The historic city of AntibesThis is ancient Antipolis, which was founded in 5the century BC by the Phocaeans. In the city you will admire:
- The Picasso Museum. Pablo Picasso lived for a short time in Antibes in 1946, during which time he created paintings, ceramics, sketches and decorative items. Some of these he donated to the city council, which created this museum. (Entrance fee 6 euros)
- The city's castle and fortifications. They were built in various periods from the 10th century.the century and later, while Fort Carre (fortress) was built in the 17ththe.
- Kazantzakis' house. It is located at the intersection of Rue du Bas Castelet and Rue du Haut Castelet. The marble plaque on the wall of the house informs you that this is where the great writer lived the last years of his life.
- The Archaeological Museum. It has a small collection of ancient Greek finds, mainly from shipwrecks, but also from excavations (admission 3 euros).
– The famous ones CannesThe city that exudes a glamorous atmosphere with Hollywood stars visiting it for the film festival and more.
- Start your walk from the castle to enjoy the view. Skip the castle museum and the Church of Hope and head through the Marché Forville market to the film festival site (Palais des Festivals). There you will see that the so-called red carpet is not red but…pink! Continue your walk on the promenade (La Croisette) with its expensive shops and towering palm trees. Try Italian flavors and fish at Angolo Italiano and admire the architecture of the Intercontinental Hotel where in 1950 Alfred Hitchcock's film with Grace Kelly, “To Catch A Thief”. Take a walk through Rue d'Antibes for shopping therapy or simple window shopping.
– The cosmopolitan NiceIt was founded in 350 BC by Greeks from Marseilles, with its name coming from the goddess Nike.
- Walk through the open-air market Cours Saleya. Let yourself get lost in the old town and see the Nice Cathedral on Rosseti Square.
- If you want to visit museums, Nice has a number of particularly noteworthy ones: The Marc Chagall National Museum, the Matisse Museum, the MAMAC (modern art museum), the Palais Lascaris (an aristocratic baroque residence), etc.
- Stop at Place Massena and notice the ochre-colored Napoleonic buildings, a typical example of Provence.
- Climb the hill of the castle Colline du Chateau to admire the view, which on one side overlooks the port of Nice and on the other the Promenade des Anglais.
- Admire the Belle Époque buildings on the Promenade des Anglais and stop for a coffee at the unique Hotel Negresco. Tip: Download the Velobleu app on your phone and rent a bike to ride the promenade from the castle to the airport! You will remember me…
Closing
Identified with the glamour of the era when Brigitte Bardot, Alain Delon, Aristotle Onassis, Cary Grant and many other celebrities spent their holidays there, the Côte d'Azur will not leave anyone unmoved! The luxury reflected in the oversized boats and the very expensive cars, the authentic beauty of the picturesque beaches and medieval settlements will impress you. Let the magic of the French Riviera captivate you and feel its cosmopolitan air in every corner…. Goodbye!
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