French Riviera: Cities and Towns to Stay or Stop-off in
France’s answer to the ultimate road trip is the beautiful 115km long stretch of coast that is the Cotê d’Azur. The French Riviera offers scenes of non-stop beaches, picturesque towns and cities and historical sights abound. Benefitting from 310 to 330 days of sunshine per year, 115 kilometres of coastline and beaches, 18 golf courses, 14 ski resorts and 3,000 restaurants, it’s no wonder it attracts tourists in their droves all year round.
And if you’re heading to Cannes for the film festival, you’ll be much better off staying in one of the less hectic towns along the coast, and so will your pocket (you can get a homestay in Nice for around €30 a night!). The train system along the riviera means each city and town is easily accessible so you’re not confined to one.
I was lucky enough to live on the Cotê d’Azur, and I made it a personal mission to see as much of the coastline as I could while I was there. Here are my top towns and cities along the French Riviera.
1 Antibes
Photo credit: Thomas Leth-Olsen
I’m a little biased here as this is one of the towns I called home. In between Nice and Cannes, this small city lies perched on the coast. Boasting a beautiful stretch of beach, an old town with a beautiful harbour and new town with a lovely square which often holds events. Taking time to explore the Cap d’Antibes peninsula here is a must too, just play it cool and try not to gawk at the numerous huge châteaux and mansions.
2 Juan-les-Pins
Just down the road from Antibes, a lively little beach town, Juan-les-Pins is where a lot of French families descend upon during the month of August. But with hundreds of apartment blocks and hotels stretching out on the coast road, it's also where many people stay during the Cannes Film Festival. Head for sun, sea, beach bars and good restaurants.
3 Valbonne
I’m cheating here a little bit as Valbonne is technically not on the coast. But it’s not far from it, and it’s well worth the journey when you’re in the area. This little 16th-century village has managed to keep it’s charm, even though the surrounding areas have been built up and residents increased in number.
4 Grasse
In the hills, north of Cannes lies Grasse. Famous for the perfume industry and more recently as a popular tourist spot. Made up of narrow, winding streets and stunning historic buildings and squares.
5 Cagnes-sur-Mer
Photo credit: Fredrik Enestad
Another typical Riviera-looking town in between Nice and Antibes is the seaside resort Cagnes-sur-Mer and old village, Haut-de-Cagnes. And like many old Fresh villages, it winds itself up a hill and converges with a plethora of narrow streets, cute terraced houses, and a castle. Of course, there’s a lovely stretch of pebble beach to soak up the sun and sea here too.
Taking a trip to the Cotê d'Azur?
Written by Kim Gillick
Kim’s obsession with travel stems from a love affair with food and the thrill of ordering a beer in another language. Her first real adventures took her around Asia 10 years ago and she hasn’t stopped since.
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