Resort on the Cote d'Azur. Budget resorts on the Cote d'Azur - are there any? From the airport to other cities

The cities of the Cote d'Azur of France have long become synonymous with luxury, wealth, and relaxed relaxation near rocky sea bays. The sea is warm all year round, and nowhere else in the world will you see such gorgeous green and bright blue shades of water shimmering in the sun.

Many people dream of visiting these picturesque lands. That is why, when travelers find themselves in this country, they always include the cities of the French Riviera in their itinerary.

At the beginning of the last century, the modern cities of the French Riviera were unremarkable villages inhabited by fishermen. In 1870, the writer and poet Stéphane Liéjard praised the local beauty in the book “Côte d’Azur” (Côte d’Azur), and this name forever entered into the everyday life of the French and foreign visitors. The writer was so delighted with the color of the water and the picturesque views of the sea from secluded bays that he could not help but dedicate his work to them. With the light hand of Liegear, the Côte d'Azur of France has gained worldwide popularity.

• Don't miss it:

In the post-war years, Europeans had the opportunity to receive paid holidays, and the 300-kilometer strip of beaches turned into a tourist Mecca.

Modernity of the French Riviera

Today, the French Riviera is the entertainment capital of the world, where celebration reigns all year round. Carnivals and processions give way to fireworks, festivals, and presentations. It is not for nothing that the cities of the French Riviera are chosen by celebrities and the richest people in the world. No other resort can boast so many villas, palaces, multi-star hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants.

Over the years, King Leopold II of Belgium, members of the Rothschild family, Empress Maria Alexandrovna, and Pierre Cardin vacationed on the Cote d'Azur. Elton John, Rod Stewart, Ornella Muti, Ringo Star, Tina Turner and Claudia Schiffer have acquired their own homes on the prestigious shore.

The most famous and attractive cities of the French Riviera are Nice, Monte Carlo, Cannes, Saint-Tropez, Antibes.

Nice

Nice was once a small village, but since the mid-19th century it has been a fashionable resort among the local nobility, very popular among the aristocracy around the world. This is where many wealthy emigrants from all over the world flock. Today, the largest city on the French Riviera lives in celebration every day. In winter, a flower carnival and a film festival start here. In summer, Nice turns into the capital of world jazz, gathering the most talented musicians. It was Nice that once discovered the names of Louis Armstrong, Stephanie Grappelli and Charles Mingus.

• More about France:

Cannes

Cannes, surrounded by magnolia trees, was a small settlement at the dawn of its formation, and only through the efforts of Lord Bragham, who attracted the English aristocracy to these places, the city achieved its current splendor. Every year, Cannes becomes the center of one of the most remarkable events in world cinema - the festival of fiction and documentary films.

And of course, it is difficult to imagine this city on the French Riviera without the famous pyrotechnics festival. Thousands of tourists and citizens take to the streets to watch fireworks light up the sky over the bay. Tourists will be interested in visiting another local attraction - the fort on the island of Saint-Honoré - the place of imprisonment of the “Iron Mask”. Now within the walls of the former prison there is a sea museum and a diving center.

Monte Carlo

Monte Carlo, the capital of the Principality of Monaco, is a fashionable resort, as if specially created to satisfy the whimsical demands of wealthy tourists. Back in the 50s of the last century, the small principality was just a dwarf state with limited resources.

However, after the wedding of Prince René III and the famous American actress Grace Kelly, more and more celebrities and business people are arriving in Monaco. Largely thanks to foreign capital and the popularity of Princess Grace, Monte Carlo became the capital of the gambling business. This city of the French Riviera also hosts the Television Festival, Formula 1 Grand Prix, Circus Arts Festival, etc.

Saint Tropez

Saint-Tropez, known to our moviegoers from the famous film about the adventures of a gendarme, has long become a holiday center for the richest people in the world. Over the years, artists Paul Signac, Matisse, Picabia and Van Dongen worked here. In the 20th century, the fishing settlement located in a picturesque location became the location for the filming of many film masterpieces: “And God Created Woman”, “The Gendarme of Saint-Tropez”, “In the Bright Sun”.

Today, tourists come here not only to soak up the gentle sun, but to take part in a theatrical street procession dedicated to Saint Tropes, as well as visit local attractions: the Sea Museum, the Butterfly Museum and art exhibitions.

Antibes

Antibes is often called the “city of five ports”, the center of world yachting. The most prestigious exhibitions of yachts and sailboats are held in this city of the Cote d'Azur. Antibes is also known for its jazz festival, which paved the way for many legendary musicians. Nature lovers will appreciate the botanical garden Exflora with its thematic exhibitions, but those who want to get acquainted with the history of this region should visit the Museum of Napoleon, History and Archeology.

• This is interesting:

The cities of the French Riviera are blooming pearls where it is never cold. You can relax here all year round; mild winters and cool summers create a special microclimate, and the delightful Mediterranean landscapes add a touch of romance to your vacation. Maybe that’s why the French Riviera will always remain one of the most prestigious and expensive resorts in Europe.

Which is comfortably located between the Italian Riviera and the Principality of Monaco. Menton is a unique old center, it has endless green gardens, it has incredible beaches, it is a colorful, fascinating, cosmopolitan city.

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The beaches of Menton are deservedly considered one of the best on the coast; they delight their guests with cleanliness, a safe coastline, developed infrastructure and soft sand (although you can also find pebble beaches).

However, coming to Menton and spending all your days on the beach would be an unforgivable mistake. You should definitely look into the Old Town, stroll through its narrow cobbled streets and squares, see the Saint-Michel Cathedral, look into the Carnolet Palace, which is also the Museum of Fine Arts, and visit the Jean Cocteau Museum. You can have a great time and relax from the bustle of the city in the parks and gardens of Menton, and they also deserve the title of a work of art and are a must-see for travelers. The Parc du Pian, the Jardin de Colombiere, the garden of Villa Maria Serena and the botanical garden of Val Ramay are amazing places where you can spend a pleasant evening admiring the scenery. By the way, beautiful panoramas also open in the Old Port of the city - take a look there!

On the road from Menton to Nice, you cannot miss the amazing village of Eze. It is not large at all, but so picturesque that it captivates you from the first meeting - with its green mountains, red roofs, ancient stone houses and cobbled streets, as well as the luxurious Exotic Garden located at the top.

Cost of living: 3* - from €82, 4* - from €145.

Nice

Nice is one of the most famous resorts on the Cote d'Azur, which is preferred by a very wealthy public, because holidays here are not accessible to everyone. Nice is a mix of good beaches and luxury hotels, expensive villas and fashionable boutiques, an amazing Old Center and vibrant nightlife. It’s not for nothing that it acquired the unofficial status of the capital of the French Riviera.

Most of the beaches are paid, entrance to them costs from €12-15 or more, but we still recommend visiting them, since the municipal ones are quite dirty and unkempt. Paid beach areas are equipped with all the necessary infrastructure, the coastline is safe, the water and sand are clean. If you are only focused on relaxing by the sea, then it makes sense to go outside the city, to the beaches of the nearest provinces, which are not inferior to the beaches of Nice, and some are superior.

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Yes, as we already said, Nice is not a cheap place. Therefore, budget tourists and young people prefer to stay in the central part of the city. And they are doing the right thing, because here it is not only more accessible, but also much more interesting. The old town with its small streets, ancient cathedrals, churches, the Town Hall and squares, as well as museums is an ideal place for walks and a pleasant, romantic pastime. We should also talk about museums, because for art lovers Nice is simply a paradise. Visit the Chagall Museum and the Matisse Museum, as well as the Museum of Fine Arts, where you can see works by Degas, Renoir and Monet. In the Massena Palace or the Lascari Palace, the Valrose Castle you can also find many interesting paintings and sculptures, and it’s just worth stopping by to admire their beauty.

Not far from Nice is Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat - one of the most tranquil corners of the coast among pine groves. Its fame was brought not only by the unique nature and picturesque bays, but also by two famous villas: Villa Leopold, which is recognized as the most expensive in the world and is considered a real work of art, as well as the Villa of Baroness Beatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild, which today is a large unique museum with a rich a collection of works of French art from different eras.

Cost of living: 3* - from €90, 5* - from €347.

Antibes

Between the two main coastal resorts - Nice and Cannes, on Cape Antibes there is a picturesque town of the same name. It is of interest primarily to lovers of yachting, because here is the largest yacht port of the entire Cote d'Azur. And you can not only admire the large and original yachts, but also take a ride on them.

It also attracts young people, because, firstly, it is a more affordable resort than the “star” Nice and Cannes, and secondly, it is famous for its rich and vibrant nightlife, and its dance clubs, bars, and discos are ready to entertain young hearts until the morning .

Landmark hunters head straight to the Old Town with its museums, chapels, squares, cathedrals, fountains and monuments. Fans of active recreation head to the beaches, where they can enjoy diving, water skiing, seaplanes, paragliding and other water activities.

Antibes is one of the few cities on the Cote d'Azur that is suitable for families with children. The Maryland Marine Water Park with a huge pool and daily sea shows, located near the city of Luna Park, as well as the Butterfly Valley will make your kids’ vacations unforgettable.

If you don’t want to sit still, then your second stop can be the resort of Juan-les-Pins, which can be found in Golfe-Juan Bay. Wide clean beaches, many good restaurants with exquisite French cuisine, small islands and bays, and, of course, pine groves - all this is Juan-les-Pins. Music lovers should definitely visit this place in mid-July, when one of the most popular jazz festivals in Europe is in full swing in the city.

Cost of living: 3* - from €75, 4* - from €172.

Cannes is a city that does not require much introduction, and all thanks to the legendary film festival, which made this place on the Cote d'Azur iconic. But besides the red carpet at the Palais des Festivals and the famous Croisette, it has much more to offer its guests.

The main cultural center of the city is the Suquet quarter, leading to the slope of the same name, where the Fortress Museum is located, located in an ancient castle. On the territory of the museum there is an ancient tower, the chapel of St. Anne, and all this is surrounded by an amazing garden.

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In the sea “opposite” is located the real pearl of the region - the Lérins Islands. Two of them - Sainte-Feréol and Tradelier - are uninhabited, but Sainte-Marguerite and Sainte-Honoré are worth a look. Sainte-Marguerite is famous for its Royal Fort and the prison from the times of Louis XIV, where the legendary prisoner Iron Mask once served his sentence. Saint-Honoré is an amazing green island, overlooked by Lérins Abbey, on the territory of which was previously one of the oldest monasteries in Europe, and today is a unique church complex surrounded by beautiful gardens.

Budget tourists who are counting on a beach holiday in Cannes are better off choosing another place on the coast. The municipal beaches of Cannes will not please you with either cleanliness or tranquility; in the warm season there is nowhere to fall, and entrance to paid beaches will cost from €20-25 and more. But at the same time, there is a chance that your favorite actor or actress will be sunbathing on a nearby sun lounger.

Cost of living: 3* - from €80, 5* - from €480.

Not so long ago, Saint-Tropez was a calm, quiet resort, where famous actors, directors, writers, artists preferred to relax from the hustle and bustle, and then exalted it in their creations. Today, this is one of the most party parts of the coast, where the young, rich and famous like to make noise in luxurious villas or in famous nightclubs.

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The landscapes of Saint-Tropez will seem “native” to all film fans, because it was against their backdrop that the stories of famous characters Brigitte Bardot, Louis de Funes, Pierre Richard and many other actors unfolded. Pine groves, sandy beaches, picturesque embankments and the Old Town cannot leave you indifferent, and it is unforgivable not to capture them.

Socialite people will enjoy a holiday in Saint-Tropez: dinners in expensive restaurants and shopping in fashionable boutiques, walks along the promenade and relaxation on the famous Pampelonne beach, parties on yachts and in nightclubs - everything here is really like in the movies.

Saint-Tropez is hardly suitable for a holiday with children; there is practically no entertainment here. Curious tourists will only be interested in the Musée de l’Annonciade with an impressive collection of works by Matisse, Signac, Bonnard Picabius and other famous artists, as well as the “House of Butterflies” with a large collection of exotic moths from around the world. But gastrotourists have plenty of freedom here: the city has a lot of high-level restaurants, including those marked with Michelin stars.

Cost of living: 3* - from €115, 5* - from €273.

Toulon

On the road from Nice to Marseille, one cannot help but notice the amazing city of Toulon, notable for the second largest port on the coast, as well as interesting excursion places. And if you get tired of lying on the beach, it’s worth a look here.

Toulon became famous thanks to its old center (several streets that have been preserved since the time of King Louis XIV), as well as picturesque squares and incredible fountains. The Algiers and Lafayette districts will be an excellent place for walking, and a rich evening program can be found in the bustling Harbor or Porto, where life is in full swing day and night and where it’s nice to drop into some coastal bar and relax over a couple of glasses.

Architecture lovers should see the Clock Tower and the Opera building, and to admire the panorama of the entire city and coastline, you need to climb Mount Faron, which can be done either on foot or by cable car.

For a beach holiday, Toulon is not the best option; its coastal areas are somewhat inferior to neighboring resorts in terms of cleanliness and infrastructure. For a good beach holiday, it is better to go to the outskirts of the city - to the beaches of Cap Brun and Anse Mango, famous for their calm and secluded atmosphere, or to neighboring small towns and villages.

Not far from Toulon is the small town of Hyeres - a small resort known for its old fortress, ancient churches and cathedrals, and is also considered one of the centers of water sports on the coast. There are diving schools, sailing schools, yacht centers and many other interesting places for outdoor enthusiasts.

Cost of living: 3* - from €70, 5* - from €458.

Marseilles

Our route ends with Marseille, perhaps the largest and noisiest city on the Cote d'Azur. This is a large port and industrial center of France, a multinational, colorful city, with an abundance of attractions, many museums, cafes, restaurants, shopping centers, but at the same time with good beaches and an excellent coastline. Simply an ideal place for anyone who dreams of combining a beach and active holiday.

Perhaps the three main symbols are the unique Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde, the Marseille Cathedral and the Old Port. They are the first thing you need to see upon arrival in the city. And then you should go to the Longchamp Palace, which is not only an architectural masterpiece, but also a museum of natural history and fine arts. It also houses an observatory, a zoological garden, and a park with fountains.

The beaches of Marseille are very diverse, and everyone can find a comfortable place for themselves. Some of the most popular beaches are Prado, Borely and Bonvin. They are clean, well-groomed, with a safe coastline, with a gentle entrance to the water, and therefore are suitable for vacationers with children. And Uvon Beach will delight surfers with high waves and strong winds.

If, after noisy Marseille, you want peace and quiet, the ideal place will be the picturesque town of Martigues, charming with its Old Center, port and embankment. The city cannot boast of an abundance of tourists, but this is only its advantage, since no one disturbs the peace of vacationers by the sea, in the gardens or on the shores of Lake Etang de Berre.

Cost of living: 3* - from €53, 5* - from €350.

I was never particularly interested in holidays on the Cote d'Azur, considering the local resorts too hyped and pompous, but I radically changed my mind after spending some time in Menton. In subsequent years, I returned here several times to different cities and discovered more and more new facets of this region.

Cote d'Azur - an apt nickname given to the region by the poet and writer Stéphane Liegeard, perfectly reflects the vibrant beauty of the French Riviera.

The string of resorts stretching from the Italian border towards Marseille is renowned as an exclusive holiday destination. Ancient architecture, azure water, lush vegetation and mild climate attract many tourists.

In the old days, the Côte d'Azur was favored by royalty and the aristocracy, the creative elite came here, and today the Riviera is loved by oligarchs and celebrities. And although many local cities have long become a symbol of luxury and the sweet life, holidays here are available even on a limited budget.

The Riviera is diverse: luxurious villas, buildings in the Belle Epoque style coexist with modest fishermen's houses, chic restaurants with affordable cafes, and expensive private coastal clubs alternate with excellent free beaches.

The Cote d'Azur is not only fashionable seaside resorts, there are also quiet medieval towns frozen in time, picturesque mountain villages, nature reserves with untouched nature, beautiful art museums, monuments of the ancient period, the UNESCO-listed “Valley of Miracles” with unique rock paintings, and even the French “Silicon Valley” Sophia Antipolis.

How to get there

The most convenient way to get to the Cote d'Azur from Russia is by plane. You can also come from Moscow by train. If your route starts from other European cities, a bus is a suitable option, along with train and plane.

By plane

The gateway to the Cote d'Azur is Nice Airport (Airport Nice Cote d'Azur), one of the largest airports in France. Most European airlines fly here.

The airport consists of 2 terminals, and you can move between them by a free bus that runs every 5-10 minutes.

Aeroflot and Rossiya operate direct scheduled flights to Nice from Moscow and St. Petersburg. The flight takes approximately 4 hours. Flights arrive at Terminal 2. Prices vary depending on the season. In the summer, if purchased in advance, the cost of a round trip ticket will average 280–300 EUR (17,000–18,000 rubles). You can save a lot by purchasing a ticket with a transfer. I always keep an eye out for special offers that Air France, Swiss Airlines, Air Baltic and other airlines have. Current ticket prices can be viewed.

From the airport to the center of Nice

The airport is located near the center, from here there are many travel options to suit any budget:

From the airport to other cities

There are a couple more small airports on the Cote d'Azur: Cannes Airport ( Airport de Cannes – Mandelieu) and Saint-Tropez Airport ( Aeroportde La Mole – Saint-Tropez). They mainly accept private jets, helicopters from Nice, as well as a small number of charter flights.

There is a regional airport in Toulon ( Toulon – Hyères regional airport), it serves flights from other cities in France, as well as from Brussels, Rotterdam and London.

You can also get to the cities of the western part of the Cote d'Azur from the large international airport of Marseille Marseille-Provence. There are no direct flights from Russia there, but there are flights from many other European cities. Marseille Airport is conveniently connected by a free shuttle to the nearby train station Vitrolles Airport Marseille Provence, there are also buses from the airport. The route network diagram can be seen in this figure.

By train

Railway lovers will be pleased with the presence train 017B( - Nice), departing from Belorussky Station every Thursday. You will spend almost two days on the road. The cost of a one-way compartment ticket starts from 250 EUR (15,000 rubles).

On the Côte d'Azur, the train makes stops in Menton and Monaco, its final station is Nice, the main railway station Gare de Nice – Ville.

From this station you can easily reach other cities of the Riviera by train or bus.

You can also arrive to the Cote d'Azur by train from other major European cities (Paris, Genoa, etc.). French railways SNCF periodically offer quite attractive rates.

By bus

There are no regular bus routes to the cities of the French Riviera from Russia. However, you can come here from Genoa, Milan, Turin, Munich, Barcelona, ​​Madrid and other European cities. Many bus companies offer such routes (EUROLINES, FLIXBUS, OUIBUS). Prices can be quite attractive:

• – Nice from 9 EUR,
• – Nice from 17 EUR,
• – Nice from 29 EUR.

By car

The road to the Cote d'Azur from Russia passes through several countries and is very picturesque. If you have free time, such a route can bring many wonderful experiences.

By ferry

Ferries to the Cote d'Azur run from Corsica and Sardinia. For schedules and prices, see, for example, aferry.com.

In addition, many European cruise itineraries include stops in Cannes and Villefranche-sur-Mer. Small ships sometimes stop at the port of Nice itself.

Clue:

Cote d'Azur - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 1

Kazan 1

Samara 2

Ekaterinburg 3

Novosibirsk 5

Vladivostok 8

When is the season? When is the best time to go

I think the Riviera is good all year round. It has a pleasant Mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm, sunny summers. The western part of the Cote d'Azur is cooler. The closer you are to Marseille, the more noticeable the influence of the cold mistral wind, which is strongest in winter and spring. The eastern part of the Riviera is protected from the fury of the winds by mountains.

If you, like me, cannot imagine a sea holiday without swimming, the season will open for you at the end of May - beginning of June. Summer attracts a huge number of tourists, so you will have to either put up with this inconvenience or wait until the beginning of autumn to travel.

Côte d'Azur in summer

The weather is mostly sunny. The air temperature rarely rises above +30 degrees. The heat is tolerable quite easily; a refreshing breeze often blows from the sea.

July and August are the high season. At this time there are the most people and prices reach their peak. The water temperature is comfortable (+23-24 °C), but popular beaches can be a bit crowded.

Côte d'Azur in autumn

The beginning of autumn is my favorite time. The water temperature is still high, but the air is getting a little cooler. An excellent time both for swimming and for long walks and sightseeing. An undoubted plus is that the tourist flow is gradually decreasing, and prices are also declining. The velvet season lasts until mid-October. The end of October and November are some of the rainiest months. The rains here are torrential, but, as a rule, not prolonged.

Cote d'Azur in spring

A beautiful time when nature blooms. Air temperature from +13 to +20 °C. It also rains, but there are still more sunny days. The beach season opens at the end of May, the water is still cool, but sunbathing is already quite comfortable.

Cote d'Azur in winter

In the 19th century, the Cote d'Azur was a winter holiday destination for wealthy families escaping the cold. Not surprising, because winter here is very pleasant. The air temperature fluctuates between +10–16 °C. If the sun is warm, you can even afford to sit in open cafes. Snow rarely falls on the coast; as a rule, it occurs only in the mountains. Winter attracts with the opportunity to visit the famous carnivals in Nice and Menton. You can also visit the numerous ski resorts of the Alpes-Maritimes.

Clue:

Cote d'Azur - weather by month

Conditional areas. Descriptions and features

The boundaries of the Cote d'Azur are arbitrary and are not indicated on the map. It starts from Italy and stretches towards Marseille. Some consider it to be the last city of the Cote d'Azur; other sources also include Cassis. I will stick to this version too.

Officially, the Côte d'Azur is located on the territory of a large French region Provence – Alpes – Cote d'Azur. This region is in turn divided into smaller departments. The Côte d'Azur covers three of them: Alpes-Maritimes, Var and a small piece Bouches-du-Rhone.

I will list the most interesting cities for tourists in each department.

Alpes-Maritimes

Var

Bouches-du-Rhone

What are the prices for holidays?

The Cote d'Azur cannot be called a cheap place. The main expense item is probably accommodation, especially if the trip occurs during the high season.

Accommodation

A room in a 2-star hotel in summer is unlikely to cost less than 70–80 EUR. Most hostels are located in Nice, expect to pay around 30 EUR per bed. Room prices can be viewed and booked at. If you are going on vacation with your family, it is cheaper and more practical to rent an apartment. Prices can be viewed.

Nutrition

A modest lunch in a cafe costs on average 15 EUR per person. Don't ignore the dish of the day (plat du jour), which is usually offered at a very attractive price.

Dinner for two with a glass of wine in a cafe or inexpensive restaurant will cost more, from 60 EUR.

Naturally, as in any place, there are budget food options on the Cote d'Azur. For example, delicious sandwiches and filled baguettes in local boulangerie bakeries, for which you will spend 4-6 EUR. If you cook at home, there are supermarkets at your service (Carrefour, Monoprix, Casino, Lidl), where, by the way, you can buy ready-made food in the culinary department relatively inexpensively.

A special pleasure is visiting Provencal markets. Choosing products at such a market is an immersion in a colorful kaleidoscope of colorful colors, perky sellers and dizzying aromas, but the prices are often higher than in a supermarket. You have to pay for the color... There are markets in every city.

The most popular of them:

• Marche des Halles, Menton;
• Marche aux Fleurs, ;
• Marche Provencal, Antibes;
• Marche Forville, Cannes;
• Place des Lices Market, .

Attractions and beaches

If you plan to visit many attractions, it makes sense to consider purchasing a special pass, which is valid for 24, 48 or 72 hours. This could also include using public transport in Nice and the surrounding area. There is another pass - for 45 EUR, which provides free access to many attractions plus has some flexibility in use: it is valid for any 3 days (not necessarily consecutive) for 6 days.

As for the beaches, they are free, unless, of course, you want the additional comfort of sunbeds and umbrellas, which the beach club can provide (15–30 EUR per day per person).

On a free municipal beach, your maximum financial expenditure will be buying an umbrella, which is sold in any supermarket. To relax on a pebble beach (especially if the pebbles are large, like in Nice), I also advise you to purchase a special mat and slippers for entering the water.

Main attractions. What to see

It is not easy to describe the sights of the Cote d'Azur in one article. There are natural and man-made beauties, as well as places of historical and cultural interest.

Top 5

• Nice. The architecture of the most famous city of the French Riviera combines picturesque antiquity, the gloss of the Belle Epoque and original modern buildings. All this is inscribed in a beautiful natural landscape, washed by an azure bay with a romantic name - the Bay of Angels. The old town of Nice is a cozy tangle of streets and bright, noisy squares.
  Remember to pay attention to detail. For example, don't miss the so-called House of Adam and Eve (8 Rue de la Poissonnerie), a 16th-century structure with a funny grisaille bas-relief: a man and a woman stand opposite each other with clubs in their hands, apparently depicting the first family conflict in history. The modern face of the city is also interesting and fresh. Probably, few people have not seen the sculptures on the pillars glowing in the evening on Place Massena.
  Less popular, but no less interesting, is the library building in the shape of a human head.
  We cannot forget the famous Promenade des Anglais, the main advantage of which, in my opinion, is the amazing color of the sea. As for views, my favorite is from La Colline du Chateau.
  
• Monaco. You can have different attitudes towards this dwarf state. Some people consider its architecture to be kitsch and see it as excessive luxury; others, on the contrary, expect more and are disappointed at the sight of the boring typical multi-storey buildings of some areas. But this place will be etched in your memory in any case. The imposing rock on which stands the castle of the princes of Monaco, delightful gardens, a casino surrounded by cars that cost beyond reason, beautiful churches, postcard views, and an atmosphere of prosperity, prosperity and tranquility... It is worth seeing and feeling.
  
• Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild(Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild) was built by Baroness Beatrice from the Rothschild dynasty on the picturesque cape of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.
  The interiors of this elegant building are beautiful, but I much enjoyed walking around the 4 hectares of gardens that surround the villa. There are nine gardens in total: Spanish, Florentine, French, Provencal, Sevres, exotic, Japanese and stone gardens, as well as a rose garden. And what views there are from here... The ticket price includes an audio guide (available in Russian), which is issued against the security of a document. You can get there by bus number 81 (Passable stop) or on foot from the Beaulieu-sur-Mer railway station (1.5 km, but the road is uphill and can be difficult in hot weather).
• Saint-Paul-de-Vence- a city in the past favored by many representatives of the art world, which, unfortunately, could not but be reflected in the number of modern visitors filling its countless shops and art galleries. During the high season, this place is so packed with tourists that it seems like just a colorful decoration. But as soon as you turn onto some side street, miraculously empty, you begin to feel the true charm of this medieval town.
  During your walk, do not forget to visit the modest but touching grave of our compatriot Marc Chagall.
  From Nice, getting to Saint-Paul-de-Vence is easy by taking bus number 400 going to the city of Vence, you need the St Paul – Village stop.
• Eze. The cozy 10th-century village is located on a high cliff above the sea.
  The medieval houses are mysterious, the winding streets are fascinating; it’s not for nothing that the great storyteller Walt Disney loved this place. The main treasure of the village is the exotic cactus garden, which offers incredible views of the surrounding area. You can get to Eze from Nice by bus 82 (Eze village stop). Another option is to go to Gare SNCF Eze train station and take bus 83 up the mountain. If you are in good physical shape, you can also walk along the famous Nietzsche Trail, which I will talk about below.

Beaches. Which ones are better

The Cote d'Azur has some very beautiful beaches, but if your only goal is swimming in the sea, I would recommend thinking about other holiday options. Most of the local beaches cannot be called spacious (with the exception of the surroundings of Saint-Tropez), and they may disappoint a tourist spoiled, for example, by chic Asian beaches. Especially if you come here during the high season, when the concentration of vacationers is maximum. And yet, the beauty of nature, architecture and the charm of these places more than make up for this slight inconvenience.

Generally speaking, the beaches east of Nice towards Menton are mostly pebbly, the beaches west of Nice are sandy. The coastline is very diverse, there are beautiful bays, small bays with crystal water, long sandy beaches, cliffs picturesquely overhanging the sea.

I will list my favorite beaches from east to west.

• Sablettes Beach, . The main advantage of this beach, located between 2 marinas, is the magnificent view of the old city. The pebbles here are small, and the entrance to the water is gentle, with few waves. The beach is perfect for the whole family. There are many shops and cafes around. Part of the beach is municipal; there are also paid beach clubs nearby.
  
• Larvotto beach, Monte Carlo. A beautiful public beach with loose sand just steps from Princess Grace Avenue. Entry into the water is very convenient, the water is clean, there is even a net on the beach that protects against jellyfish. There are many restaurants and shops around.
  
• Mala Beach, Cap d'Ail. Many people consider this beach, surrounded by picturesque cliffs, to be one of the most beautiful in the area. A cozy bay, very clear turquoise water and lush nature around. Part of the beach is sandy, part is pebble. There is a free public area, as well as two paid beaches. The only drawback is that getting to this place is not so easy. You must go down a long staircase, or come here along the coastal path. According to some sources, the beach is named after the famous Russian ballerina Matilda Kshesinskaya, who owned a villa nearby (Mala was her name in French in a diminutive version).
  
• Beach Petite Afrique, Beaulieu-sur-Mer. A nice pebble beach where you can relax in the shade of palm trees, which, apparently, should create some kind of African mood. At least this is what the name of this place hints at - Little Africa. In addition to palm trees, there are other beauties in abundance here - for example, views of Cap d'Ail. The beach has all the necessary infrastructure, as well as a beach club with a restaurant.
• Marineres Beach, Villefranche-sur-Mer is the main beach of this cute town; sand is mixed here with fine gravel. Beautiful views and clear water make it perhaps one of the most popular in the area.
  
• Beaches of Nice. Quite large stones on the beaches of Nice scare away many tourists. For comfortable entry into the water, I recommend buying special slippers. You will also need a mat, since lying on boulders is not an acquired taste. These difficulties will be rewarded with the amazing color of the water. In my opinion, in Nice it is the most azure on the entire coast. But I wouldn’t recommend vacationing here with small children. Entering the water over large boulders can be an overwhelming task for them.
  
• Gravette Beach, . But children will definitely like this beach. It is sandy, sheltered from the waves, and the entrance to the water is gentle. The advantage of the beach is also its proximity to the old town of Antibes, or rather to the wonderful food market, where you can buy ingredients for a picnic overlooking the sea.
  
• Ponteil beach and the neighboring beach Salis, . More spacious beaches of Antibes. Here you will find sand and beautiful views of the old town on one side and the Cap d'Antibes on the other.
• Beach Grande, Juan-les-Pins is a public beach with excellent sand and clear water. Nearby there is all the necessary infrastructure.
  The beach lives up to its name and is quite large, although it can get a bit crowded in the summer. In the neighborhood there are many private beaches with restaurants, whose tables are set right on the sand in the evening for romantic dinners a few meters from the sea.
• Beach Croisette, Cannes - Cannes' most famous beach, along which stretches a string of luxury hotels and restaurants.
  Much of this long sandy beach is occupied by expensive beach clubs, with free sections nestled at the eastern and western ends. During the summer months it can get a bit crowded. In this case, I advise you to try a less visited beach Midi, located behind the old port (Le Vieux Port).
• Beach Aiguille, Theoule-sur-Mer. Sandy beach, notable for its proximity to the beautiful natural park Pointe de l’Aiguille.
  You can also snorkel here, following a buoyed underwater trail. At the city's tourist office (1 Corniche d'Or, Théoule sur Mer) you can take a special waterproof map on which the main underwater beauties are marked. The beach has a restaurant, shower and toilet. There are usually fewer people here than on the beaches described above.
• Beach Pampelonne, Ramatuelle. This is perhaps the most famous beach in the vicinity of Saint-Tropez, where Brigitte Bardot walked in the film “And God Created Woman.” Since then, many celebrities have walked on the golden sand of this beach, but it has been able to maintain its natural naturalness and pristineness. The five-kilometer beach is divided into several sections: wide free areas, an area for nudists and expensive beach clubs and restaurants, where luxurious parties for the rich & beautiful are often held; one of the most famous local establishments is Club 55.
  

Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?

I especially remember the following temples:

• Basilica of St. Michael, Basilique Saint-Michel, Parvis Saint-Michel, . Basilica of the 17th century in Baroque style.
  It is located on a very beautiful small square, where two steep stairs lead from the embankment. Don’t be lazy to get up: the views from the square are worth it! The Basilica is open from 10.00 to 12.00 and from 15.00 to 17.00. Services on Sundays at 11 am. Every year in August, classical music concerts are held in the square near the basilica.
• Monaco Cathedral, Cathedrale Notre-Dame-Immaculee, also known as Saint Nicholas Cathedral (after the old church that stood on this site and was destroyed in 1874), 4 Rue Colonel Bellando de Castro, Monaco. The main cathedral of the principality, which serves as the tomb of the princes of Monaco. This is where the grave of the famous beauty, Princess Grace, is located.
  The cathedral is very beautiful both outside and inside. The main altar is made of Carrara marble; paintings and domed mosaics also deserve attention. Visiting hours: from 8.00 to 19.00 (May – September); from 8.30 to 18.00 (October - April).
• Cathedral of Saint Reparata(Cathedrale Sainte-Reparate), 3 Pl. Rossetti, . A luxurious 17th century Catholic cathedral in the center of the old town of Nice. Be sure to go inside to admire the lush baroque interior.
  Cathedral opening hours: 9.00-12.00 / 14.00-18.00 (Tuesday - Friday); 9.00-12.00 / 14.00-19.30 (Saturday); 9.00-13.00 / 15.00-18.00 (Sunday).
• Chapel of Mercy(Chapelle de la Misericorde), Cours Saleya, . You're sure to see this small church as you walk around Nice, its cheerful yellow façade dominating one of the city's main squares. The church was built in the 18th century and belongs to the Catholic Brotherhood of Black Penitents.
  
• St. Rita's Church(Eglise Sainte Rita), 1 Rue de la Poissonnerie, Nice. The small church, founded in the 13th century, was rebuilt many times and acquired its final Baroque appearance in the 17th century. The church is very popular, people come here to pray for the sick. Saint Rita was famous for the gift of healing even hopeless patients. The church is open to the public on weekdays from 7.00–12.00 / 14.30–18.00, on Sundays from 8.00–12.00 / 15.00–18.00.
• St. Nicholas Cathedral, Avenue Nicolas II, Nice. The main temple of the Russian community on the Cote d'Azur, erected in 1868 under the patronage of Emperor Nicholas II and his mother, Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna. It must be said that the Russian community in these parts has always been very large, and the cathedral turned out to match it: large and impressive. No wonder it is considered the largest Orthodox church in Western Europe. In 2010, after a long legal process, the cathedral became the property of the Russian Federation. You can admire the beautiful decoration of the cathedral every day from 9.30 to 17.30.
  
• Chapel of the Rosary(La Chapelle du Rosaire) convent of the Dominican order, 466 Avenue Henri Matisse, Vence. If you want to see something unusual, come here. This is the work of the artist Henri Matisse, who considered the chapel the pinnacle of his creativity. Unfortunately, admission is paid and, in my opinion, quite expensive: 7 EUR, children under 12 years old are free. Schedule: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday – 10.00–12.00/14.00–18.00; Wednesday and Saturday – 14.00–18.00 (from November to March the chapel closes an hour earlier, at 17.00).
  
• Church of Our Lady of the Good Voyage(Eglise Notre Dame de Bon Voyage), 2 Rue Notre Dame, Cannes. This church was built in the 19th century on the site of an older temple. The name reflects its purpose; fishermen prayed here before going to sea. Another interesting fact from the history of this place: it was from here that the campaign of Napoleon, who fled from Elba, began. Opening hours: 9.00–12:30/14:30–18:30 (Monday–Saturday); 10.00–11.30/16.00–18.00 (Sunday).
• Frejus Cathedral(Cathedrale Saint-Leonce de Frejus), 58 Rue de Fleury, Frejus. This slightly gloomy but impressive cathedral is worth seeing if only because it is one of the oldest Christian buildings in France. The cathedral's baptistery dates from the 5th century.
  

Museums. Which ones are worth visiting?

The Côte d'Azur is famous for its art museums and galleries. How could it be otherwise, since artists such as Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Paul Cézanne, Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet, Auguste Renoir, Marc Chagall and many others lived and worked on this land. There are also interesting natural science museums here. I recommend visiting:

• , 2 Quai de Monleon, Menton. The museum's collection, lovingly assembled by American businessman Severin Wunderman, an ardent admirer of Jean Cocteau, includes works by Cocteau himself and his friends. The museum is spacious and modern, the exhibition is supplemented with audio and video materials. The price of an adult ticket is 8 EUR, 6 EUR for people over 65 years of age and students; free for children under 18 years old.
  
• Oceanographic Museum, Avenue Saint-Martin, . One of the best oceanographic museums in the world, whose director from 1957 to 1988 was Jacques Cousteau. The mighty building, rising above the sea on a cliff, has long turned into one of the main calling cards of the principality.
  You will see both the museum of marine nature and navigation itself, and a wonderful aquarium, which contains 6,000 species of marine life.
  There is a beautiful terrace and restaurant on the roof of the museum. Ticket price in July and August: 16 EUR - adults, 14 EUR - teenagers 13-18 years old; 8 EUR – children 4-12 years old. In other months, depending on the date, an adult ticket costs 11-14 EUR, a ticket for a teenager – 7-10 EUR, a child ticket – 5-7 EUR.
• , Rue Gustave Eiffel, Beaulieu-sur-Mer. A thorough reconstruction of an ancient Greek villa, created at the beginning of the 20th century. The fruit of the joint work of the lover of ancient history Theodor Reinach and the architect Emanuel Pantremoni. Here you can admire beautiful interiors made from valuable materials, as well as relics from the ancient period. Adult ticket – 11.5 EUR, children under 18 years old – free.
  
• Matisse Museum, 164 Avenue des Arenes de Cimiez, Nice. The museum displays many works by the artist, who lived in Nice from 1918 to 1954, as well as his personal belongings. Adult ticket – 10 EUR (children under 18 years old and students – free). The ticket is valid for 24 hours and includes entry to a number of other museums in Nice.
• , 36 Avenue Dr Menard, Nice. It contains a collection of works by Chagall, dedicated to biblical themes. Adult ticket with audio guide – 8 EUR; children under 18 years old are free.
• Museum of Modern Art or MAMAС, Place Yves Klein, Nice. The museum presents the history of modern art from 1950 to the present day. The building itself is very impressive. From its terrace, by the way, you can enjoy a good view of the city. Adult ticket – 10 EUR (children under 18 years old and students – free). The ticket is valid for 24 hours and includes admission to other museums in the city.
  
• Mag Foundation(Fondation Maeght), 623 Chemin des Gardettes, Saint-Paul-de-Vence - a rich private collection of contemporary art, founded by the Maeght family in 1964. Located near the ancient town of Saint-Paul-de-Vence. The museum building is quite remarkable in itself; it was built by a student of the great Le Corbusier, José Luis Sert. You can get there by bus number 400 Nice – Vence (stop Maeght Foundation). Adult ticket price: 15 EUR, children (10-18 years old) – 10 EUR, children under 10 years old – free.
• Picasso Museum, Place Mariejol, Antibes. The museum is located in the medieval Grimaldi Castle, which for some time served as the artist’s studio. Pablo Picasso bequeathed all the works painted here to the city. Several other artists are also represented in the collection. The price of an adult ticket is 6 EUR, children under 18 years old are free.
  
• International Perfumery Museum, 2 Boulevard du Jeu de Ballon, Grasse. More than 3,000 years of the history of this craft are described in detail here, there are many interesting exhibits, and you can also “listen” to the smells that were popular in different eras. The price of an adult ticket is 4 EUR, children under 18 years old are free.
• Museum of the History of Navigation in the Citadel of Saint-Tropez, 1 Montée de la Citadelle, 83990 Saint-Tropez. The fact that it is located within the walls of an ancient 17th century fortress gives the museum a special charm. The fortress is perfectly preserved; the observation deck at its top offers a good view of the city and surrounding area. Adult ticket – 3 EUR; children under 12 years old – free.
  

Parks

The Cote d'Azur is a very green region, there are parks at every turn. I'll tell you about my favorite places. I give a description of paid parks with links, after studying which you will see the current prices and opening hours.

Neighboring regions

Nearby Islands

Food. What to try

High-quality products, a wealth of spices and the creativity of local chefs have given the world many delicacies. I will list only the most popular dishes of the Cote d'Azur:

Holidays

The Cote d'Azur is famous for its festivals. The most famous events:

Safety. What to watch out for

First of all, you need to be wary of pickpockets, be careful on buses and trains (especially in high season), and also not leave valuables unattended.

During the summer season, there are jellyfish in the sea, which can cause discomfort, especially if you are prone to allergies.

Things to do

• Go to a national park Mercantour to see beautiful mountain scenery and a UNESCO-listed Valley of Miracles(Vallee des Merveilles), where more than 40,000 petroglyphs (rock carvings) from the Bronze Age were discovered.
• Visit a picturesque Russian cemetery on a hill above the old town of Menton.
  
• Take a walk around customs officers' path. This trail was created during the French Revolution to monitor suspicious ships carrying contraband. A particularly picturesque section runs along the cape Cap d'Ail, from here you can turn to beautiful beaches or continue your walk all the way to Monaco.
• See in La Turbie - a memorial erected by Emperor Octavian Augustus in the 6th century BC in honor of the conquest of local tribes by the Roman Empire. Originally it was a snow-white building 49 meters high, with a statue of Emperor Augustus in the role of Hercules. But time has not been kind to the monument. What we see now is a reconstruction of the supposed appearance of the memorial.
  In addition to the historical component, it’s worth coming here for the breathtaking views of the sea, Monaco and the Cote d’Azur as a whole.
• Try your luck at the oldest and most luxurious casino in Europe - Casino. Even non-gamblers should come here, if only to see the lush (sometimes even too much) interiors.
  You don’t have to spend a lot of money; you can just enjoy the surroundings. The minimum banknote for playing slot machines is 5 EUR. The casino starts working from 14.00. Entrance to three halls costs 10 EUR. Access to private salons and verandas will require another 10 EUR. You must have an identification card with you (persons under 18 years of age are not allowed). Dress code prohibits beach look. Photography is also prohibited; cameras can be left in a storage room. If the game does not interest you, then from 9.00 to 12.00 for the same 10 EUR you will have the opportunity to walk through the empty halls and admire the design without a crowd of people.
• Watch changing of the guard on the square near the Prince's Palace in Monaco (daily at 11.45).
  
• See with your own eyes how princes live. State apartments Princely Palace, the current residence of the ruling family of the Principality of Monaco, is open to tourists in 2017 from April 2 to October 15 (except weekends during the Formula I period).
• Take a walk around Nietzsche's path in Eze. This fairly steep trail goes from seaside Eze-sur-Mer to the medieval village of Eze on Mt. Its length is 1.6 km.
  The famous writer found inspiration here for his epic novel Thus Spake Zarathustra. Allow at least an hour and a half for the ascent and about an hour for the descent. The trail is quite difficult in places, so it is not recommended for small children and elderly people. You need comfortable shoes, water and sun protection.
  
• Admire the colorful flower market on the square Course Salya in Nice.
• Take a leisurely stroll along the magnificent boulevard with palm trees, Promenade des Anglais in Nice, following the example of Queen Victoria and the English aristocracy, in whose honor the embankment received its name. Then head to Cannes and walk around Croisette, a worthy rival to the Promenade des Anglais with no less beautiful palm trees and golden beaches. And then decide who won.
• Drive to "". The tourist train "Train des Pignes" departs from Nice Gare de Nice CP train station to Digne-les-Bains, stopping in beautiful mountain towns. You can get off at one stop, take a walk, get on the next train and continue your journey. The most interesting places along the route, in my opinion, are Entrevo, Anno, And Saint-André-les-Alpes.
  
• Challenge yourself in the art of perfumery by creating your own perfume in a boutique Molinard, 20 rue St-François de Paule, Nice.
• Visit the killer whale show in Marineland, 306 Avenue Mozart, 06600 Antibes. This is a theme park dedicated to the sea and its inhabitants. It is divided into several zones: a dolphinarium, a zoo, a water park, mini golf, a children's amusement park and the Marineland Resort hotel. The park is 200 meters from Gare de Biot station.
• Admire multi-million dollar yachts while walking along the " billionaires' embankment"in Antibes.
  
• Climb to the observation deck next to the church Notre Dame de la Garoupe at Cap de Antib to see the panorama of the coast.
  
• Walk up the steps of the main staircase Cannes Palais des Festivals and feel like a star at the Cannes Film Festival.
• Climb to the top of the hill in the quarter Suquet– the cozy old town of Cannes, from where Cannes, the sea and the islands are visible at a glance.
  
• Take a ride on tourist train according to Grasse. Your route will pass through incredibly narrow streets, the residents of which will not even be able to open the doors of their houses until the “train” passes.
  
• Visit Port Grimaud(Port Grimaud) – a small Provençal Venice. This small town, cut by canals, was built in the 60s of the 20th century according to the bold design of the architect Francois Spoerri.
  
• Take an exciting sea voyage along calanques Cassis by boat.
  
• Climb to Cape Canaglia(Cap Canaille) is the highest rock in France (394 m), located between the cities of Cassis and La Ciotat.
  

Shopping and shops

The Côte d'Azur features both stores of world-famous brands and small local boutiques, which, in my opinion, are always more interesting to visit. Most shops are open from 10.00 to 19.00, some close at lunch from 12 to 14.00 or 15.00. Sunday is usually a day off.

Almost every city hosts open-air clothing markets on certain days of the week. If you are interested in this format of budget shopping, I recommend going to an Italian Ventimiglio. On Fridays, from early morning until mid-afternoon, there is a gigantic market where you can buy clothes, accessories, food and all sorts of things.

Antique lovers should check out Marche aux Fleurs market, Cours Saleya, in Nice on Monday. In the summer, every evening there is also a market of works by local craftsmen.

If you prefer shopping centers, pay attention to:

Extreme Sports

The Cote d'Azur has all the conditions for extreme sports. Here you can practice paragliding, hot air ballooning, rock climbing, kayaking, windsurfing and much more. But perhaps the most extreme and spectacular entertainment in the area is bungee jumping, rubber rope jumping from one of the highest bridges in Europe Pont de L'Artuby

Taxi. What features exist

Taxi is a very expensive way to get around the Cote d'Azur. All taxis are equipped with meters. Make sure that the driver does not forget to turn it on.

There are surcharges for baggage, Sundays, evening/night time.

Taxi contacts in different cities of the Riviera can be viewed, for example.

Public transport

Train

Most of the coastal cities are connected by a railway line running from Italy to Marseille. There are also branches from Nice to Cuneo and Digne. And from Cannes there is a line to Grasse. You can find out the ticket price, schedule and buy a ticket online on this website.

You can purchase a ticket on site at the box office or ticket machine. Please note that ticket offices (especially at small stations) are not always open and there are long queues. An alternative is to buy a ticket through a machine. Unfortunately, most ticket machines for regional trains “speak” only French, but there is no need to be afraid.

Select your tariff (Tarif Normal), direction (you will be offered a list of the most popular places, if yours is not there, select Autres Destinations and continue searching from the extended list), then confirm the ticket type Billet Tarif Normal, select class 1 or 2, ticket to one way (Aller Simple) or round trip (Aller Retour), number of passengers and date. As a result, we will be shown the final cost, which must be paid by credit card or coins (banknotes are not accepted). Before boarding the train, the ticket must be validated in special yellow machines, otherwise it is considered invalid.

Bus

Bus service is quite well developed. Tickets can be purchased in advance or from the driver. Entrance to the bus is through the front door. The ticket must be validated in special devices, which are usually located at the beginning of the salon.

Buses stop at stops upon request. To do this, you need to press the red button, and the message Arret demande will appear on the display near the driver. If you are waiting for a bus at a bus stop, you can stop it with a wave of your hand.

If the bus is crowded, it may ignore new passengers and not stop. This is especially true in the summer, when the wait for a free bus on popular routes can be very long.

The Côte d'Azur is served by several bus companies: Lignes d'Azur, Palm Bus, Envibus, Sillages, etc.

Transport rental

The car provides additional opportunities to enjoy the beauty of the Cote d'Azur. It is indispensable if you want, for example, to go on a trip to Provence or explore nearby mountain villages. It is more convenient to rent a car directly at the airport, but this will usually cost more than at city agencies. Prices start from 35 EUR. You can rent a car in one city and return it in another, but this will increase the rental cost. Price options for rental cars can be viewed.

The price of gasoline as of April 2017 is about 1.45 EUR, diesel is 1.25 EUR.

There are toll highways in the region. They can be avoided by using free roads, but here you have to choose what to save: money or time.

If you're traveling along the coast during high season, you'll need to be prepared for traffic jams and parking problems in popular towns.

Parking lots are mostly paid, and it is not so easy to find a free space. The price depends on the area, the average cost is 2.2–2.6 EUR per hour. Fortunately, in many places you can park your car for free from 20:00 to 9:00 and on weekends.

Another thing to remember is caution. According to car accident statistics, the Côte d'Azur region is among the top most dangerous areas in France. It is not clear whether this is due to the beauty of the local landscapes, which distract drivers, or to the number of inappropriate tourists driving, in any case, vigilance will not hurt. There are many cameras on the roads, so remember to obey the speed limit, even if you are driving on the legendary Grand Prix circuit in Monte Carlo.

Cote d'Azur - holidays with children

Children will like:

Ski holiday

The Alpes-Maritimes, at the foot of which lies the Côte d'Azur, has a variety of ski resorts to offer. I didn’t even expect that they were so close: they were only one and a half to two hours away from the coast. The season here usually lasts from mid-December to mid-April. There are many places for skiing, I will list only the most famous resorts:

Ski passes

A ski pass costs on average 32-34 EUR per day, there are discounts when purchasing for several days, for a family visit, etc. Current prices can be checked on the official websites of the resorts.

5 must-do things in this region

Anything to add?

The amazing and charming French Cote d'Azur with its magnificent resorts of Cannes, Nice, Monaco - many people dream of a holiday here. Cote d'Azur- this is a kind of symbol of luxury and a fun life, but this is in the summer, and in the spring - this is simply a paradise for ordinary average tourists.

The resorts of the Cote d'Azur owe their fame not only to their favorable location, excellent climate and wonderful architecture and a large number of monuments, but also to the fact that life in all its manifestations is bustling here around the clock: many festivals, holidays, parties, you will find something to do here, both lovers of a beautiful life and simply active tourists.

The fashion for relaxing on the Cote d'Azur appeared in the nineteenth century, when Russian aristocrats and English rich people fell in love with this place. And immediately after the Second World War, a film festival began to be held in Cannes, which began to attract celebrities from all over the world. It must be said that the Cote d'Azur primarily owes its name to cinema: many films were filmed here, making its resorts famous throughout the world. For example, Saint-Tropez, which was once a small fishing village, has now become a fashionable holiday destination whose charm is impossible to resist: majestic pine groves, wonderful sandy beaches, narrow Provencal streets, and all thanks to the film “And God Created Woman” with Brigitte Bardot.

But those who think that the Cote d'Azur are just glamorous resorts, where rich people ply the sea on their luxury yachts and “golden European youth” party at pretentious parties, are greatly mistaken: the advantage of a holiday on the Cote d'Azur is its diversity. Each coastal resort town is absolutely individual and different from the others. For those who cannot afford a vacation in expensive hotels, it is easy to find a modest refuge in comfortable apartments, and a substitute for Michelin-star cuisine can be found in budget restaurants. You can come to the Cote d'Azur all year round to take part in a fun carnival, admire the unique medieval village of Eze, visit the perfume museum in Grasse, go all-in at the Monaco casino... and the sun and sea are just a pleasant addition to this already , intense pastime.

Nice. Nice is called the gateway to the Cote d'Azur. This place is very dear to many Russians, and many of our compatriots, having come here once, stayed forever. Many cultural monuments in this wonderful city will tell you about the Russian heritage, for example, the Cathedral of St. Nicholas, which was built with donations from the royal family. And, if previously it was a resort only for the elite, now you can find fairly inexpensive hotels here. In general, Nice is the fifth largest French city. Every year a carnival festival is held here, usually in February or March. At this time, cheerful processions move along the central streets, and the city is filled with bulky papier-mâché dolls. At the Promenad des Anglais, a battle of flowers is held - symbolizing the welcome of spring.

Cannes. The Côte d'Azur resort of Cannes is not only a world-famous holiday destination, but also the film capital of France. And every film fan dreams of strolling along the Croisette during the film festival, as well as sitting on the magnificent terraces of the luxurious Majectic, Martinez, and Carlton hotels, where some famous Hollywood movie star could easily be at the next table. But there are other equally exciting entertainment options in Cannes. If you are a nature lover and a history buff, then be sure to visit the island of St. Margaret, located nearby. There you can find yourself on the island where the famous French “prisoner in the iron mask” was kept for many years. You can also take a ride on a mini-train that will take you up the mountain and visit the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de l'Esperance, built in 1645.

Menton. A town located near the Italian border and the easternmost point of the Cote d'Azur. Vacationers here say that this is a place where there is no place for boredom. Menton has a wonderful climate and ideal conditions suitable for subtropical plants, including lemons. By the way, the second, poetic name of Menton is the “capital of lemons”. And the holiday dedicated to the citrus fruits of this city usually takes place at the end of February - at the beginning of March. Then, in the center of the city, huge towers and sculptures of tangerines and lemons are built, music and laughter are everywhere. In general, at this time there are plenty of reasons to have fun and try lemon pie or citrus jam.

Monaco. This tiny principality on the shores of the Cote d'Azur of France is the habitat of the most privileged secular society, but what is most surprising is that you will not see any signs of excessive chic and luxury here. A huge part of this wonderful principality is occupied by gardens and parks. And in addition to the world-famous casino, another must-see place is the Prince’s Palace and its unique natural apartments, the Napoleon Museum, where the things of the famous commander are presented to the public, including the well-known “little corporal” cocked hat. Be sure to visit the Oceanographic Museum, because its tropical aquarium is one of the largest in Europe. The male half will most likely be delighted with the wonderful collection of rare cars of the Prince of Monaco. Monte Carlo also hosts the most popular Monte Carlo Rally in the world. If you are planning to attend this significant event, then make sure to make your hotel reservations in advance; the day before, there may not be room available.

These are the different, but no less interesting, resorts of the French Riviera. And a person with a thick wallet or a budget traveler can visit here!

• Last minute tours to France

The Cote d'Azur is the famous southern region of France, stretching along the Mediterranean Sea from Marseille to the border with Italy. The wonderful climate, picturesque nature, warm sea and fashionable hotels make it a favorite holiday destination for wealthy people. The main thing on the Cote d'Azur is not the sea at all: people come here for parties, entertainment, restaurants, discos and casinos.

Often, only the southeastern part of the coast, which begins in the Toulon area, is called the Côte d'Azur. In addition to the territory of France with the world famous Nice, Cannes, Saint-Tropez, the region includes the Principality of Monaco. The region offers its guests the best of France: sea and rocky ledges, sun and lush greenery, luxury shops and ancient attractions, delicious food and excellent wines.

The area owes its poetic name to the French writer Stéphane Liéjard, who wrote the novel “Côte d'Azur”.

How to get to the Cote d'Azur

By plane

There are three airports on the Côte d'Azur: Nice Côte d'Azur, Marseille Provence and tiny Cannes Mondelieu, which only accepts private jets. Direct flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg fly to Nice, but you will have to get to Marseille with a transfer, for example, in Paris or Amsterdam. Flights are operated by Aeroflot, Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, the minimum travel time is 6 hours.

From airport to city

For those landing in Nice, the most convenient way to travel to the center is by city bus. Routes No. 98 and 99 depart directly from the airport, and flights No. 23, 52, 59 and 94 also stop nearby (the ticket for them is cheaper, but you will need to move a little away from the airport terminal).

Those arriving in Marseille must first take the free shuttle, which takes 5 minutes to the Vitroles Aeroport train station, from there trains go to Saint Charles station, and then you can either walk to the desired location or take the metro.

A taxi from Nice airport will take you to the city for 23-28 EUR, Marseille - for 55-65 EUR. Prices on the page are for October 2018.

Search for air tickets to Nice (the nearest airport to the Cote d'Azur)

By train

Direct trains depart from Moscow's Belorussky Station twice a week to Nice. Travel time is about 2 days, an adult ticket costs 331 EUR.

The earlier you buy a ticket, the cheaper it will be. In addition, French Railways often offer discounts.

Districts of the Cote d'Azur

The Côte d'Azur is the entire southeastern part of the Mediterranean coast, which belongs to France. The territory extends to the Italian border and includes the Principality of Monaco. The region includes the southern part of the Alpes-Maritimes and Var departments, as well as a small section of the Bouches-du-Rhône.

The most popular area among tourists is the Alpes-Maritimes, where the famous Nice, Cannes and Monaco are located. These places are traditionally considered the center of luxury, comfort and expensive living, and the capital of the department, Nice, is one of the most famous resorts in the world, although this city is more interesting for its cultural heritage and attractions than for its beach.

In Var, the pace of life slows down sharply, and the quality of the beaches improves noticeably. It was these lands that became the classic example of the Cote d'Azur: cozy villages and towns, lavender fields, vineyards, blue sea. The most famous cities are Toulon and Saint-Tropez.

And Bouches-du-Rhône is the eastern department of the region, in which Marseille, the largest, busiest and most unusual settlement of the Cote d'Azur and the capital of Provence, is located. From here you can go to ancient Arles, Aix-en-Provence and see many attractions. Near Marseille there are quiet seaside villages with good conditions for a beach holiday.

Transport

The most convenient way to travel around the region is by train. The railway network covers almost the entire coast, and you can get to remote settlements by buses that belong to the local railway company, they even have the same tickets. It is better to buy them in advance at the office. French Railways website.

In large cities, public transport is represented by buses, less often by trams; in Marseille there is a metro. But usually tourists only explore the central part of cities, so you can also get around on foot. A taxi within one locality costs 20-35 EUR; if you travel by car between cities, you will have to pay 80-110 EUR.

In addition, getting around the Côte d'Azur is easy and pleasant by bicycle. There are often bicycle paths, but even where there are none, it is convenient to ride. In large cities there are city bike rentals, their prices are usually lower, and in smaller places you can find private companies. It is worth choosing a mountain model, since on the way you will most likely encounter dirt roads near vineyards and hills.

Difficulties can only arise when driving along the cobbled streets of the central part of small towns. In this case, it is better to leave the bike and go for a walk.

And, of course, having the sea nearby, you can use water transport. While renting a yacht is not affordable for everyone, many can afford a ferry ticket or sea taxi fare. Ferries sail both over long distances, for example, connecting the region with Corsica or Sardinia, and over very tiny ones: they run between the two shores of the Old Port in Marseille.

Car rental

Most tourists coming to the Cote d'Azur rent a car. This is convenient and practical: you can explore the entire region and not depend on train and bus schedules. However, there is also a downside: the highway along the coast of southern France is crowded, and there are often traffic jams in the high season. The easiest way is to rent a car directly at the airport, although you can also use city rentals in Nice, Cannes, Marseille and other cities. Or even in small villages.

The police treat tourists well, are always ready to help, but require impeccable compliance with traffic rules.

There are many parking lots in the region, but they are all paid, and there are parking meters on the streets. And it’s not so easy to find a place. It is worth preparing in advance and looking at the addresses of multi-level parking lots in cities along the route, sometimes they are the only thing that saves you. There are often toll roads, which also have traffic jams at the entrance. During long journeys, especially in rural areas, experienced drivers advise filling the tank with gasoline for future use, since gas stations are not available everywhere.

Cote d'Azur Hotels

The Côte d'Azur is a very diverse region, and its hotels also vary. These are luxurious, five-star complexes where celebrities stay, and modest home hotels in small towns, and guest houses, where they will not only provide overnight accommodation, but will also delight you with real Provençal cuisine, and modern apartments, and fashionable secluded villas, and simple, affordable price of hostels. The cheapest accommodations offer bed and breakfast and Wi-Fi, while the most expensive ones offer everything from restaurants and casinos to spas, jewelry boutiques and beauty salons for people and pets.

A night in a hostel costs 12-40 EUR, a double room in a 3* hotel costs 41-230 EUR, and if you want real five-star chic, you will have to pay 150-610 EUR per day. In small towns the cost of living is usually lower.

Beaches of the Cote d'Azur

The Côte d'Azur has a reputation as one of the best places in the world for a seaside holiday. The conditions here are actually quite good, but the quality of the beaches varies greatly. Nevertheless, everywhere there are paid sunbeds and umbrellas, toilets, showers, changing cabins, cafes and various water activities.

Most tourists strive to get to Nice or Cannes, but the coast here can be disappointing: in Nice, guests will find high waves and very large pebbles, more like cobblestones (stock up on beach shoes!), and in Cannes the sand is not bad, but almost the entire area belongs to hotels, sunbathing It won't work for free.

But further along the coast, starting from Antibes, is a real haven for vacationers. In Antibes itself there is a beach of the same name, a very long and clean beach, surrounded by rocky slopes with pine trees growing on them. The second city beach, Grania, is noisier, with lots of water activities. In Cassis there are two small sand and pebble areas, which are also framed by stones of amazing beauty, and immediately behind them begins the road to the calanques - narrow rocky bays where you can enjoy the views. De la Grande Mer beach deserves higher ratings.

A wonderful sandy beach, awarded the Blue Flag, is located in the village of La Ciotat near Marseille. It is perfect for families with children, as the entrance to the water is gentle. The second most popular “children's” resort is in Mandelieu-la-Napoule, which is also shallow and calm. Another good place to relax with kids is San Maxime and the so-called Elephant Beach. Of course, there are no elephants there, but there is soft, fine sand and a very comfortable descent into the sea.

The famous Du Prado beach in Marseille is a two-kilometer stretch of coastline covered with pebbles. But you need to remember that Marseille is a large port city, so the water is not very clean and cannot be compared with neighboring towns, which can be reached in a few minutes.

Those traveling by car should head towards Frejus and turn towards the wild, deserted shores; they are considered the most deserted and beautiful, although there is no infrastructure there.

But the most famous seaside resort for many years has been Saint-Tropez - indeed, very picturesque and well-equipped, but at times too crowded. Here, the beach of De Pampelonne is recognized as the best section of the coast, although the prices there are very high: for a set of two sun loungers and an umbrella you will have to pay 30 EUR, despite the fact that on more modest beaches the cost does not exceed 15 EUR.

Not far from Toulon is the town of La Londe-les-Maurs - another piece of the coast with the Blue Flag, it is very nice and almost deserted, since there are no large hotels nearby.

Diving

The depths of the sea off the Cote d'Azur are very unusual places for diving. Firstly, if weather conditions are favorable, you can dive even in winter, although the best time is still from May to October. Secondly, there is an amazing world hidden under the water, a little less rich than in tropical latitudes, but no less fascinating: fish, including the giant rock grouper, more than 20 thousand rock caves, each of which is inhabited by inhabitants unusual for humans, and sunken ships.

The most famous dive site is near Saint-Raphael. Not far from the coast there are as many as 5 sunken ships: 4 of them are relatively young, sank to the bottom during the Second World War, and the 5th has been resting since the mid-16th century and, according to one version, is considered part of Barbarossa’s army. The depth varies - from 6 to 67 m, therefore the requirements for the level of training of divers vary.

Shopping

Despite the fact that the Cote d'Azur cannot be called a place for bargain shopping, many travelers, when going here, dream of real French shopping. You should follow him to Nice, Cannes, Menton and Saint-Tropez. Almost all world and French brands are represented there, and boutiques occupy entire blocks. Another suitable place is Marseille. There are mainly mid-price brands here, the stores are located in the Old Port area.

Sales take place twice a year, from mid-January to mid-February and throughout July. Discounts can be significant: up to 70%, and a month before the start of the promotion, sellers are prohibited from raising prices. Almost all shops have a two-hour lunch break, many are closed on Sunday, but in the most tourist areas these rules are sometimes waived.

Cicadas are considered one of the main symbols of the Cote d'Azur; all kinds of souvenirs with their images are made here: keychains, magnets, brooches and large wall decorations (they can be seen on the houses of local residents). Provencal herbs, traditional poppy syrup and handicrafts are also brought from here.

It is impossible not to mention the traditional gifts of Provence - lavender, wines, olive oil and cheeses. Bunches of dried lavender are found in every store, but you can bring something more practical: lavender honey or soap, sachets for scenting linen or home decor. The range of wines will amaze even an experienced traveler, because grapes have been cultivated on the Cote d'Azur for several thousand years. It's definitely worth bringing a bottle of Cotes de Provence rosé. When choosing olive oil, make sure that the packaging bears the Extra Virgin designation. And finally, cheeses - a true French classic! For transportation, hard ones are preferable, although varieties with white or blue mold are more popular.

Cuisine and restaurants of the Cote d'Azur

The cuisine of the Côte d'Azur differs from classical French; it is simpler and more “rustic”, but at the same time very tasty. The eastern part, such as Nice, was greatly influenced by Italy.

In addition to luxurious restaurants, found mainly in large cities by the standards of the region, guests will find brasseries, cafes and bistros where they can have an inexpensive and tasty lunch. The establishments are similar to each other, only brasserie is a larger format, cafes are usually designed for several tables, and bistros offer a limited range of dishes (usually 3-4 signature dishes). A separate discussion concerns pastry shops, where they sell fresh baked goods, including the famous baguettes and croissants.

In the afternoon, the kitchen in almost all establishments is closed until 16:00-17:00, you can only order drinks.

To prepare the dishes, they use the gifts of the local land and sea: olive oil, garlic, basil, tomatoes, rosemary, fish and seafood. You should definitely try bouillabaisse, a Marseille dish that is a combination of fish soup and fish main dish. Popular seafood options include oysters, mussels and yantina clams. Those who love meat will appreciate Sisteron lamb.

In the south of France they make excellent banon cheese, which is aged in chestnut or grape leaves. Vegetables and fruits are served everywhere, but in Menton citrus fruits are especially valued, and local Cavaillon melons are not only eaten as independent dishes, they are used to prepare culinary masterpieces in restaurants. The baked artichoke with lard and mushrooms becomes a hit with many tourists.

Dinner with a glass of wine in a restaurant will cost 40-50 EUR. However, prices on the terrace are usually slightly higher than inside.

As a light and healthy snack that replaces fast food, use “fougasse” - a flatbread with olive oil, olives, anchovies and other fillings. There are also sweet options - with candied fruits and nuts. It costs 2-4 EUR.

The best photos of the Cote d'Azur

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Beautiful Nice attractions: these include museums, archaeological sites, natural beauty, cathedrals, and much more.

Those who are more interested in the luxury and splendor of the eastern part of the region visit the first gambling house in Europe, the Monte Carlo casino, the fashionable Hotel Negresco, where celebrities have stayed since the beginning of the last century, and the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, where the Cannes Film Festival is held every year .

The grandest and brightest celebration - the final of the International Fireworks Festival - takes place in Monaco at the end of summer. These days, the sky over the principality blooms with hundreds of lights dancing to the music.

There are several museums in Nice, among them the Chagall and Matisse museums deserve special attention. In addition, a trip to Arles, where Van Gogh lived, to Aix-en-Provence, where Cezanne’s studio has been preserved (Avenue Paul Cezanne, 9) and to the Antibes Grimaldi Castle with the Picasso Museum located in it, will be very exciting. Mariejol). The unusual open-air complex Roman Hill is a well-preserved ruin of the ancient Cemenelum, which once existed on the site of Nice.

In addition, there are several churches on the Cote d'Azur: the Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Nice - this Orthodox church looks like a real miracle in the Mediterranean landscapes, the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde in Marseille, famous for the fact that it contains models of ships and seascapes (Rua Fort du Sanctuaire) and the gloomy cathedral complex of Fréjus with the ancient baptistery (Rue de Fluery, 58).

Many travelers go to the Nice Opera, famous not only for its productions, but also for its architecture. You need to buy tickets in advance, and don’t forget to take an evening outfit for the trip.

If the lush luxury of the resorts is boring, you can go to natural attractions and visit the Lérins Islands with the first Christian monastery of Gaul or the calanques - the so-called “French fjords”, narrow rocky bays near Cassis. And of course, it’s worth taking a stroll along the region’s two most famous embankments: the Promenade des Anglais in Nice and the Croisette in Cannes, as well as going to the Old Port of Marseille and taking a free ferry there.

7 things to do on the Cote d'Azur

1. Enjoy the sea and sun on the magnificent beaches of the Cote d'Azur.
2. Take a walk along the Croisette in Cannes.
3. Visit the magnificent Chagall Museum in Nice.
4. Reflect on the vagaries of history at the Grimaldi Castle in Antibes.
5. You should have a blast at the discos of Juan-les-Pins and spend the rest of your hard earned money in the local Casino.
6. Take photos in the most cinematic places in Saint-Tropez.
7. Experience the French-Italian charm of Menton and visit its Mediterranean neighbors for a day.

Weather on the Cote d'Azur

You can come to the Cote d'Azur all year round, but beach holidays are available from May to October. July and August are considered the “velvet season”, although at this time there are usually too many tourists and very hot.

Precipitation is rare, the number of sunny days per year is close to 300, and all harsh weather conditions are softened by the combination of sea and mountains. The only exception: the mistral is a very strong north wind, which sometimes comes in the cold season. According to legend, people and animals go crazy from it. It is because of the Mistral that houses on the Côte d'Azur on the northern side have no windows, and churches have wrought-iron bell towers: the wind passes through the bars without destroying them.