The French Riviera is, without any argument, the most popular French holiday destination in the world. Situated on the southern end of France, the French Riviera or the Cote d’Azur extends from the Italian border to the other end of the country – a playground of the rich and famous, the place is filled with azure blue beaches and the most exotic resorts in the world, from 5* boutique hotels to some amazing offerings from QualityVillas.com.
Though August is considered the tourist season, the Riviera has been blessed with a beautiful climate that does not change much for most of the year. If you are not the kind of person who likes being in a crowd, go during the spring season, which is considered as off season here. During this time, the streets are less crowded and the prices are somewhat lower.
Some of the most famous holiday cities in the world are located here too, since it will be impossible to list out all of them, we will talk about the most popular among them.
Cannes
Cannes, the city made world famous by the Cannes International Film Festival, has got more to it than the glitz and glamour associated with it. Once a small fishing village, the city is now bustling with night clubs and casinos.
If you are someone who likes it nice and quiet, the nearby streets of La Suquet is the place for you. With its cobbled streets and small roadside bistros, it is perfect for a nice evening of relaxation.
Reaching Cannes is easy by any mode of transport. The closest airport is the Nice International Airport. While getting around Cannes, the best method is by walking. This will also give you a chance to see the sights that you might otherwise miss.
Grasse
The city of Grasse is synonymous with perfume. The home of the perfume industry, the city is in the inland region of the French Riviera. Filled with tiny, quiet villages, Grasse is one of the regions of the Riviera that has not been ruined by the throngs of tourists.
If you want adventure, you could hike in the sweeping hills or go horse riding or mountain biking. One thing to not miss would be a visit to the legendary perfumeries of Grasse.
If you don’t find anything to do, you can kick back and relax from the hills above watching the coastline. You can reach Grasse by train from Nice or Cannes. You could also reach by road from Vence.
Nice
Nice, one of the most populated cities in France is also one of the most popular cities there due to the fact that it has something to offer every person who comes there.
With the beautiful waterfront, the Promenade des Anglais, Nice is also known for its pebble filled beaches. For the shopaholics, there is the iconic flower and food market in the old quarters of the city. Of late, almost all the popular international brands have opened shops here. Nice is accessible by any mode of transport. The closest is the Nice International Airport.
Now that we have seen the most important places to visit, we will look at some of the fun things to do in the French Riviera. Since most people know about the night clubs and casino, we will discuss some of the unusual things you could do here.
Take a long walk
As we said earlier, the best way to see the Riviera is to take a walk. Don’t worry about getting lost; everything you need is quite close. A walk along the cobbled streets of the old regions of the Riviera is an unforgettable experience.
Smell the perfumes
Another economical way to spend your vacation is to visit the perfumeries in Grasse. Though some tours might be expensive, there are legendary perfumeries, like the one started by Fragonard in the 18th century, that gives free guided tours.
Eat!
Instead of eating the high priced, small portions of food from the high class restaurants and hotels, walk around the small streets and eat from the tiny roadside restaurants to get an authentic taste of France.
Run by the locals, these little restaurants are a great way to enjoy the Riviera and also to make some friends.
Though these are some of the places to visit and some of the things to do in the French Riviera, to get the real feel of the place, there is no other way than to visit it.
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