The Côte d’Azur — the French Riviera — is a byword for effortless glamour: turquoise sea, palm-lined promenades, hilltop villages and a string of resort towns where the beautiful people have been summering for a century. Here is a run down the coast, from Nice to the Monaco border.
Nice: Gateway to the Riviera
The capital of the coast is where sea meets sky along the famous Promenade des Anglais. Behind the seafront, the ochre lanes of Vieux Nice (the old town) are full of markets, cafés and the scent of socca — the local chickpea pancake. Nice is also the easiest base, with the region’s main airport just minutes away.
Cannes: Festivals and Beaches
Famous for its film festival every May, Cannes is all designer boutiques along La Croisette, sandy beaches and grand seafront hotels. Even out of festival season it keeps its air of glamour — walk the Croisette, then escape to the quieter old quarter of Le Suquet for the view.
Saint-Tropez: Style and Yachts
Once a humble fishing village, Saint-Tropez is now a magnet for superyachts and celebrities. Beyond the packed harbour and famous beach clubs, the old port and its pastel houses still have real charm — best enjoyed with a coffee before the summer crowds arrive.
Èze: Medieval Charm
Perched high on a rocky crag between Nice and Monaco, the medieval village of Èze is a tangle of stone lanes and flower-filled corners, crowned by an exotic garden with a breathtaking drop to the sea far below. It is the antidote to the coast’s glitz.
Monaco: Principality of Glamour
The tiny principality is pure spectacle: the belle-époque Monte-Carlo casino, the harbour packed with yachts, and the streets that turn into the Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit each May. Even on a budget, it is worth a day trip for the sheer theatre of the place.
FAQ
How do you get around the French Riviera?
A coastal train links Nice, Cannes, Monaco and Menton cheaply and scenically; buses reach the hilltop villages, and a car helps for the back country.
When is the best time to visit?
May, June and September are ideal — warm and sunny without the peak-summer crowds and prices of July and August.
What is the nearest airport?
Nice Côte d’Azur (NCE), France’s third-busiest airport, is the gateway to the whole coast.
