Tourist Places To Visit In French Riviera (Cote d'Azur)

Côte d’Azur is a brilliant south of France coast that is touched by the Mediterranean sea and is famous for its luxurious resorts and beaches. It has been a retreat of artists and actors and writers and the rich and famous of the world since the early 60s, and today makes for a very plush, luxurious holiday destination. From the charm of Nice to the rustic coastal villages around Saint Tropez, Monaco’s beauty and Cannes’ aristocracy, Côte d’Azur is sure to leave you spell bound with its tourist places. Read on to begin weaving this spell.

Monaco is officially not a part of France, but an independent city state of the coastline, headed by its own Parliament and the Royal House. Monaco has become famous after the James Bond movies, portraying the city as the hub of upscale casions, car racing tracks, yacht harbours and posh boutiques. Monte Carlo is one of Monaco’s major districts and hosts a grand casino, along with night clubs, bars, restaurants and hotels. Some coveted places to explore in Monaco include Palais du Prince, Musée Oceanographique, Monaco Cathedral and Monte Carlo Casino. You can choose to go swimming and sunbathing to Monaco Harbour or Larvotto Beach.

Nice is one of the biggest cities on the coast and also the capital of Alpes-Maritimes department. The city of Nice is renowned for its pebbled beaches of Baie des Anges and the iconic stretch of Promenade des Anglais. Nice was founded by Greeks once upon a time and later became a place for Europe’s high society to buy holiday homes. You will find many churches, old museums, hotels, cafes and night clubs too. You must visit the Old Town or Vieille Ville for a cultural dose of Nice, and also tour the main town square - Place Masséna, resplendent with its chequered black and white floor. Promenade des Anglais or the English Walk is the best place to unwind by the pebbled beach side and you also have many shops and boutiques on the way. Also check out Beau Rivage beach and Blue Beach.

Another seaside town of Côte d’Azur, Saint-tropez is located in the beautiful region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. It is a town known for its hip nightlife and stunning beaches, along with the cobble-stone lined city streets and square. Rome around the Vieux Port, which is the city centre and hub of all social activity here. Some of the best beaches around Saint-Tropez are Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, and Le Club 55. Other places to visit are Bay of Canebiers, Maritime museum, and the 16th Century Musee de l’Annonciade.

Renowned as the host city of the Cannes International Film Festival, this seaside resort town is as posh and plush as its is lovely. Located in the French Riviera, Cannes becomes a bustling hub of the glamorous lot of the world in the summer months of May-June during the festival. It also has many sandy beaches, upscale boutiques and hotels to serve its tourists. You must make it a point to visit Allée des Étoiles or the Cannes’ walk of fame, La Croisette promenade, Île Ste-Marguerite beach, Fort de l'Ile and Rue Meynadier. Rue Meynadier is great for shopping wines and cheeses, along with yummy French treats like croissants and macaroons.

Where most French Riviera towns are known for their beaches, Menton is renowned for its gardens. The most beautiful of them all is the Serre de la Madone garden, brimming with perfection and some rare flora. Menton also makes the end of the French Riviera or Côte d’Azur territory of France and the beginning of the Italian coast. This town is not very famous, nor does it attract many celebrities. But that is just what makes it so peaceful for a holiday. Visit the Basilique Saint-Michel, La Chapelle des Pénitents-Blancs, Val Rahmeh Botanical Garden, Salle des Mariages and Old Château Cemetery. You can also rest and enjoy by the Sablettes Beach.

A small resort town located between Nice and Cannes, Antibes is a beauty of ancient times. The town is encased by city ramparts and 16th Century stone walls, linked with the Fort Carré. From these ramparts of its walls and castles you can get brilliant views of the sea and the Port Vauban. The town is also home to Cap d’Antibes peninsula, Chateau Grimaldi, the Naval and Napoleonic Museum and Picasso Museum. Jazz music is celebrated here and the night life is one of the best in the region. For beaches, you can try Plage du Ponteil or Plage Mala. The Vieil old town is another great half day walk, with maze-like streets and pastel coloured houses and cafes.