The French Riviera, glamour on the seaside

The French Riviera, glamour on the seaside

Dreaming of the French Riviera? From the film festival crowds of Cannes to the medieval lanes of Èze, from Nice’s sun-soaked promenade to the improbable glamour of Monaco, the Côte d’Azur rewards every kind of traveler. Paris-Toujours arranges private tailor-made stays across the region — hilltop villages, coastal hikes, perfume workshops, and yacht tours included — with a private guide who knows where the crowds end and the real Riviera begins.

Ideal for culture lovers, families, and anyone who travels for the view.

French Riviera — Côte d’Azur, Cannes, Nice & Monaco

The French Riviera extends along the Mediterranean coast from Cassis, Toulon, or Saint-Tropez in the west, to Menton, on the border with Italy, in the east. In French, the region is known as the Côte d’Azur, or azure coast — and one glance at the sparkling hue of the Mediterranean will tell you why.

French Riviera holidays have a long history: the region is said to be one of the world’s first modern resort areas. It contains several glamorous cities and plenty of rustic hilltop villages, as well as 14 regional natural parks.

What to see and do on the French Riviera

Cannes

The glamorous city of Cannes is most famous for the international film festival held there every May. If you visit at festival time, the city is awash with celebrities on the red carpet. But Cannes is a well-known celebrity playground, and star-spotting is one of the most fun things to do year-round.

In Le Suquet, the city’s old town, you’ll find a medieval castle built by monks in the 12th century, now known as the Musée de la Castre. Just below the castle is the 17th-century Église Notre-Dame de l’Espérance, and the adjacent medieval ramparts. It’s a bit of a hike up to the old town — including 109 steps — but the reward is spectacular 360° views of the city and the harbor.

Nice

Some 30 km (18 miles) along the coast from Cannes is Nice, a unique hybrid of a city which only became part of France in 1860, and has kept one foot firmly in Italy. Here, you’ll find fresh pasta shops on every corner, Italian-style buildings, and a local dialect which owes as much to Italian as to French.

Nice has been a major tourist attraction since the 1700s, when rich Europeans came for a breath of sea air. The reasons for holidaying in Nice in the 18th century aren’t so different from those that bring visitors today: fine food, year-round sunshine, and an array of fantastic restaurants, cafés, and bars.

A ten-minute hike — or take the elevator from the Promenade des Anglais — takes you up from the old town to the Colline du Château (Castle Hill), where you’ll find the ruins of the former citadel and cathedral, and spectacular views over the port, the Baie des Anges (Angels’ Bay), and the old town.

Antibes and Cap d’Antibes

Antibes is another town to add to your French Riviera checklist. Its 16th-century ramparts, boat-filled port, and attractive old town of cobblestoned streets adorned with flowers make it a charming place to visit. Art enthusiasts will recognize several scenes here, as Picasso painted the town extensively — there’s even a museum dedicated to him. And if it’s sunbathing you’re seeking, Antibes’ beaches are stunning. Beyond the city, the Cap d’Antibes offers a wooded cape with plenty of walking trails and seaside mansions.

Monaco

There’s another must-see destination on the French Riviera which isn’t actually part of France at all: Monaco. Bordered by France to the north, east, and west, and by the Mediterranean Sea to the south, Monaco is the world’s second-smallest sovereign state — only the Vatican City is smaller. It’s been a prime party spot for the jet set since the early 20th century.

Monaco Ville (also known as Le Rocher) is the only part of Monaco to have retained its old-world charm. Perched on a jutting rock, it’s home to small, winding medieval lanes, colorful houses, and monuments. Elsewhere, there’s still fun to be had spotting millionaires’ yachts and admiring the unlikely-looking Monte Carlo Casino, built in 1863.

For a slice of history, don’t miss the majestic Prince’s Palace, the official residence of the Sovereign Prince of Monaco. And for travelers with kids, the Oceanographic Museum, with its aquariums and kid-friendly exhibits, makes for a wonderful day out.

Cap-Ferrat, Villa Ephrussi, and Èze

Jutting out into the Mediterranean between Nice and Monaco is the Cap-Ferrat peninsula, dotted with the homes and second homes of millionaires, and home to the prosperous village of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. The peninsula’s 14 km (9 miles) of walking paths make it a pleasant place for a stroll, but the highlight is the rose-colored Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, a belle-époque villa built in the 19th century by Baroness Béatrice de Rothschild. Thanks to the Baroness’s penchant for art collecting, the villa is a cornucopia of Sèvres porcelain, Fragonard paintings, and Louis XVI furniture — surrounded by nine themed gardens, including Spanish, Japanese, French, cactus, and stone.

A wonderful example of the Riviera’s more rustic side is Èze, a rocky village perched precariously on a windswept hillside. The medieval village, with its ramshackle stone houses, winding lanes, and impressive panoramic views, can get extremely busy — so arrive early if you want it to yourself.

The best time to go to the French Riviera

Thanks to protection from the hills in the west and the Alps in the northwest, the French Riviera enjoys almost 300 days of sunshine every year. The high season is in July and August, when the glitterati descend for a few weeks of partying and soaking up the Mediterranean climate.

June and September are far less crowded, and a good option for a quieter stay.

However, the region’s best-kept secret, according to locals, is the winter. Temperatures rarely reach freezing, and the cities and several of the smaller towns host traditional Christmas markets.

Travel to the French Riviera with Paris-Toujours

We have plenty of activities, tours, and trips to offer on the French Riviera — from private day tours to hilltop villages like Gourdon, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, and Tourrettes, to a private hiking trip on the red rocks of the Esterel mountain.

We can also organize private tours to Monaco for a day of yacht-spotting and exploring the old town, to the hilltop village of Èze, or to the rose-colored Villa Ephrussi.

For something a little different, we can organize a private perfume-making workshop in Grasse, a small town home to some of the world’s most famous perfume houses.

Or, for a truly luxurious afternoon, why not take to the seas with a private yacht tour?

Dreaming of soaking up the sun on the Côte d’Azur? Contact us to start planning your trip today!

Only with Paris-Toujours

A private trip to the Îles de Lérins, two small islands just off the coast of Cannes. Sainte-Marguerite, the larger of the two, is covered with pine trees and green oaks, and laced with paths — perfect for a hike or a gentle stroll. Since large boats are not allowed to approach the island’s coast, it remains a peaceful retreat from the bustle of the city. The smaller island, Saint-Honorat, is home to the 5th-century Abbaye de Lérins, where monks still grow wine and lead exclusive, appointment-only wine tastings.