Cote d'Azur, France travel guide
The Cote d'Azur is the region of south-east France that runs along the coast from Bandol, west of Toulon, to Menton and the Italian border in the east. Part of the coast is also known as the French Riviera. Cote d'Azur therefore includes the southern edges of the Var and Riviera departments.
Places to visit on the Cote d'Azur
The Mediterranean coast (Cote d'Azur / Riviera) of south-east France includes such renowned resorts as Nice, Antibes, Saint-Tropez and Cannes. Rich, exclusive, sophisticated...and rather crowded.
The coastline here is very beautiful, if best visited outside high summer, and the weather is more consistently sunny than any other part of France (corsica excepted). There are many small villages and towns along the coast and slightly inland where you will want to stop and explore when the beaches, shopping, crowds and glamour all becomes a bit tiring.
Heading along the coast from west to east and starting from Marseille, some of the highlights during your visit include:
A little east from Marseille is Cassis and the stunning Calanques of Marseille
Var department
Visit the pleasant resort at Bandol (well known also for its fine wines) and also nearby Sanary-sur-Mer. The port of Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer is also close to hand.
Continue via Toulon, a large town and French naval base, to the town of Hyeres, and the Iles d'Hyeres (includes the Ile du Levant, Porquerolles and Port Cros) off the coast to the east of Toulon.
Visit the village of Bormes-les-Mimosas and the villages of (and views from) the 'twin villages' of Ramatuelle and Gassin before visiting the attractive resort at Cavalaire-sur-Mer.
Be sure to visit the glamorous and active resort of Saint Tropez, one of the most well known resorts on the cote d'Azur, then around the gulf of St Tropez to the 'medieval perched village meets sophisticated marina' at Grimaud and Port Grimaud and, continuing around the Gulf from Saint-Tropez you will come to Sainte-Maxime.
Continuing west along the riviera we find Frejus, on the Cote d'Azur, with its Roman remains and medieval centre, and nearby Saint Raphael. Between the two is the popular holiday village at Cap Esterel.
French Riviera
Moving now into the true 'French riviera' visit Cannes, a major French riviera resort, and the important and popular resorts of Antibes and Juan-les-Pins
The resort of Cagnes-sur-Mer, and slightly inland to the artistic towns of Vence and the most visited village in Provence at St-Paul-de-Vence are next along the coast
Next comes the major town of Nice (one of the largest cities in France, and the most popular seaside-holiday resort in France), then on to Cap Ferrat and the attractive old town and harbour at Villefranche-sur-Mer. Continue to the principality of Monaco (including Monte Carlo) - not really part of Provence of course, but you will most likely visit Monaco during your visit to this region.
Visit the nearby villages, including Roquebrune-Cap-Martin and La Turbie, then Menton, sophisticated port town on the Cote d'Azur and close to the border with Italy. Slightly inland from Menton are the villages of Peillon and Gorbio.
Travel further inland from Menton - a nice day trip from your coastal vacation - to reach Sospel, then into the Roya Valley close to the French border with Italy to reach Saorge and Tende, two more interesting hill towns in the region, the latter at the entrance to the Mercantour National Park and the Valley of Merveilles.
Visit Cote d'Azur - tourist information
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See also Cote d\'Azur (version Francais)
