Côte d'Azur Travel Guide

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Côte d'Azur

St Tropez

The French Riviera is renowned the world over for its glamorous nightlife, glorious beaches and gigantic gin-palaces; the chic resorts of Cannes and St Tropez have long attracted Europe's most affluent, from Russian Tsars to the Hollywood stars. Along with neighbouring Monaco, the Côte d'Azur retains its reputation as the playground of the rich and remains one of the most desirable Mediterranean destinations.

The beauty of the hills and the lively towns has inspired several great artists and the area has wonderful museums displaying their works. The quaint Provence hill villages abutting the coast, that once attracted Picasso and Matisse, now draw French and international tourists by the planeload.

Centre of the Riviera is the pleasant city of Nice; like all the resort towns that run into each other along this over-developed coastal strip it is packed with holidaymakers jamming its restaurants, bars and beaches during July and August. Visitors are drawn just as much by the wish to see and be seen in this desirable location as by the sultry sunshine, bright blue sea and luxurious facilities.

Resorts

See our separate guides to the following Côte d'Azur holiday resorts: Cannes and St Tropez

Attractions

Beaches

People don't just come to St Tropez for the nightlife, it also has some of the best beaches in France. Most are away from the centre; although the family beaches, Plage des Graniers and Plage des Cannebiers, are within walking distance. The most... see full details

Cimiez

In a residential area in the hills above the hustle and bustle of the city, the grounds of 'Cimiez' include a large park set amidst olive groves, the Archaeology Museum, Matisse Museum and the Franciscan Museum and Monastery. Also within the gardens the Musée... see full details

La Croisette

The long, shop-studded promenade of La Croisette, and its seven miles (11km) of beach, is Cannes' major attraction. Palatial hotels line this strip each with their own private beach and this is where you are most likely to spot a familiar face, or... see full details

The town centre

Behind the cafés, the small streets and old buildings of St Tropez form a picturesque scene, but they are popular venues for their multitude of shops and restaurants rather than their historical significance. Place aux Herbes is a lively square that has been a... see full details

Excursions

Around St Tropez

The area immediately around St Tropez is pretty grim; congested roads are lined with billboards and neon signs, but the surrounding hills are almost uninhabited and make for a welcome excursion from the masses and the mayhem. The best view of this richly... see full details

Ile St Honorat & Ile St Marguerite

The two islands of Lerins - Ile St Marguerite and Ile St Honorat lie within a 20-minute boat ride from Cannes. Ile St Honorat is a tiny forested island, the smallest and most southern of the Iles de Lerins. It has been the... see full details

Events

Cannes Film Festival

The Cannes Film Festival is one of the most renowned film festivals in the world. Each year a selection of the finest filmmakers from the international scene judge entries from across the globe. Hollywood often choose to screen blockbuster films on opening night too and the small town on the Cote d'Azur hosts the biggest celebrities and their famous after-parties. The prestigious festival is attended by industry professionals and the media, however the public are able to view films out of competition on large open-air screens.

Venue: Cannes
Date: 14-25 May 2008
Website: www.festival-cannes.fr