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The weather and sea conditions are more certain to be sunny and warm here than any other region of France. But the beaches are often stony and frequently expensive to access.

The coast from Marseille and as far as the French border with Italy is a role call of every high-glamour French seaside resort you can think of, including:

• Toulon
• St Tropez and beaches e.g. Bouillabaisse, Graniers Beach, Jumeaux and Pampellone
• Sainte-Maxime
• Cannes
• Antibes
• Nice
• Villefranche-sur-Mer
• Cap Ferrat
• Monaco & Monte-Carlo
• Menton

- from Marseille to Martigues the coast is known as the Cote Bleue

- from Cassis to La Croix-Valmer passing by St Tropez is the Cote des Maures

- Frejus and St Raphael are on the Cote de l'Esterel

- the Cote d'Azur runs eastwards from Antibes via Cannes, Monte Carlo and Villefranche-sur-Mer. The closer you are to the Italian border, the more likely the coast will be known as the French Riviera.

(See more about the Mediterranean coast and smaller resorts along this stretch of coastline in the Cote d'Azur travel guide).

Beach at Villefranche-Sur-Mer
photo is copyright