Southeastern France: Riviera

Region at a glance

Major city: Nice, Cannes, Monte Carlo (Monaco)

Mediterranean beach resorts and casinos

Sunny, mild climate

Small villages perched on cliffs or coastal fishing villages

Excellent and numerous golf course

The French Riviera along the Mediterranean coast, provides its guests with fashionable elegant surroundings in an international atmosphere. Visitors can choose between the livelier towns of Nice and Cannes, home of the famous film festival, and the calmer more discreet villages of Beaulieu, Menton or Cap Ferrat.

The quaint harbor fishing villages have become chic tourist destinations, now full of pleasure yachts and crowded summertime beaches. The famous resorts of Juan-les-Pins and Cap d'Antibes attract the stylish jet set.

Up in the hills are the quieter medieval villages. Sainte-Agnès offers magnificent panoramic views of the sea and mountains. In St. Paul-de-Vence tourists can browse through shops and galleries set on narrow winding cobblestone streets. Throughout the region are charming country homes and terraced private villas overflowing with colorful flowers.

Grasse is the perfume capital of the world. The factories invite tourists to visit and learn how French perfumes are made.

Places of interest

Antibes

17th-century ramparts, 12th-century castle with a 16th century tower, old city, Archeological Museum, Picasso Museum, beaches, Chateau Grimaldi, Marineland, Church of the Immaculate Conception

Biot

Antique shops, outdoor cafés, Fernand Léger Museum

Cannes

Popular for conventions and festivals, Cannes Film Festival, la Croisette, old city, Castre Museum, Palm Beach Casino, beaches

Grasse

Capital of perfume industry, cathedral, Art and History of Provence Museum

Juan-les-Pins

Popular nightlife spot

Mandelieu

Famous golf course, chateau, casino

Menton

Warmest of coastal cities year-round, Cocteau Museum, Parvis and Church of St. Michel, Promenade du Soleil, Bioves Garden

Monte Carlo

Main city of Monaco, casinos, gardens, Napoleon Museum, Oceanographic Museum, Wax Museum, views from the Corniche

Mougins

Golf course

Nice

Promenade des Anglais, fine arts museum, Matisse Museum, Chagall Museum, Ruhl Casino, Parc des Miniatures

Roquebrune

Chateau, Ste-Marguerite Church, golf course

Sainte Maxime

Fishing port, Tour Carré des Dames, Phonograph Museum, golf course

Saint Paul de Vence

Medieval village, Maeght Foundation

Saint Raphael

Archeological Museum, old port, church.

Technical tourism and sports

Perfume factories, flowers, pottery, leather goods, wood carving, glass and stained glass.

Water sports, biking, golf, tennis, horseback riding, winter sports.

Cuisine

The Rivera shares its cuisine with Provence enjoying the same vegetable and fish dishes prepared with vivid seasonings. the most famous are bouillabaisse, a fish soup, anchoyade, soupe au pistou, pissaladière, ratatouille and salade Niçoise. Anise flavored pastis is the Riviera's favorite drink.