If you’re thinking to visit Provence next year and currently looking for recommendations, here are 7 places you should visit in Provence Alpes Cote d’Azur. More than just glitz and glamour, next summer not only you can catch Formula 1 Grand Prix in Monaco, Cannes Film Festival in Cannes and Lemon Festival in Menton, but also explore little towns like Villefranche sur Mer, Saint Jean Cap Ferrat, Antibes and many more.
Nice
I believe Nice is the perfect start for your holidays in Provence Alpes Cote d’Azur. What’s better than afternoon stroll along Promenade des Anglais until Port of Nice, beach day at Opera Plage, and lunch at Vieux Nice or the old town to give you an introduction about the good life in French Riviera. Even if you’ve always wanted to learn French, there are few language schools offering French lessons with intensive weekly program for those visiting Nice for a short period of time. Also, when in Nice, it’s a must to try socca or chickpea pancake, Nicoise salad and of course crepe.
You know if we can describe our perfect summer getaways in French Riviera that would be: lunch date in Nice, shopping in Saint Tropez, gamble and party in Monaco, dinner in Cannes and finally aperitivo in Antibes. We know Leonardo DiCaprio loves Antibes but who doesn’t love this resort town afterall. When you’re not sunbaking on the beach, exploring museum or lighthouse around Cap d’Antibes, the old town is the perfect place to enjoy your afternoon. Grab a seat and order a cup of espresso, a glass of wine, ice cream and crepe. Antibes doesn’t offer a lot of things to do like Nice, but that’s what makes Antibes so special. Quaint and unbelievably charming.
Saint Jean Cap Ferrat
French Riviera is the perfect holiday destination if you’re looking for the sun, beach, a little glitz and glamour, beautiful people, great food, excellent wine, luxury and nature. There are so many places to visit from Cannes to Menton, but when it comes to nature and the perfect afternoon stroll along the beach, nothing beats Saint Jean Cap Ferrat. To get here, you can take a train to Beaulieu-sur-Mer. From the train station you can start walking to Saint Jean Cap Ferrat, just follow a clockwise direction and it will take you to Passable beach. The total walk probably take around 2-3 hours, it’s a very easy walk and if you need a little break you can always stop by at Port de Saint Jean Cap Ferrat for a little snack. Wear your most comfortable shoes, bring a bottle of water and sunscreen.
 |
| Saint Jean Cap Ferrat |
Remember the scene in Disney’s Beauty and The Beast where Belle takes a walk around her village? Yes, we’re talking about the romantic, picturesque old town with cobblestone streets, art galleries and little shops. Well, Eze Village located between Nice and Menton looks a lot like a mini Disneyland with a perfect blend of fairytale storybook and rich French culture. Local people says so many tourists visiting Eze Village in summer, less crowded in winter. The beach and mountains are only few minutes away from the village. So either you want to soak up the sun, go hiking, or even just visiting other towns in French Riviera you know you just have to go down to the train station or rent a car. You can also visit Jardin Exotique - a beautiful garden at the top of Eze Village, few perfumeries and art galleries. If you always dreamed of a simple life in French Rivier ( good wine, good food, good life ) then Eze is the place to be.
Menton
Menton, also nicknamed the Pearl of France is well known for not only one of the most colorful towns in France but also home for the biggest lemon festival in Europe. Situated on the French Riviera or only less than 10 minutes train ride from Monaco, Menton has its unique charm despite of being not as popular or glamorous as Monaco, Cannes or Saint Tropez. When you exit the train station and walk towards the old town, you’ll see many cafes and restaurants. Menton has so much Italian influence, so when it comes to food it’s not so hard to find great Italian restaurants. But also do try their food specialty like socca ( chickpea pancake ), seafood, and desserts. Menton old town probably really small but it’s definitely beautiful and romantic with its cobblestone streets, colorful buildings and vintage shops. It gets really busy in February as the lemon festival starts from early February to March just before the grand prix season in Monaco begins. Each year the lemon festival has a special theme, fill the entire main street with colorful parade, music, good food and beautiful people. While in summer a lot of people come to French of Riviera to soak up the sun and dance under the moonlights, be sure to also visit Menton. Even if its just half day, there’s something different and magical about Menton that you can’t quite experience it in other French Riviera towns.
Monaco
Welcome to the richest and world’s second smallest country situated on the French Riviera. Monaco is a playground for the rich and famous, a home to the most expensive event of the year: Formula One Grand Prix. It’s glamorous, everything you ever dreamed of from luxury cars, champagne and caviar, expensive hotel rooms with private elevator and view, to party with famous people at Jimmy’z. The glitz and glamour of Monaco is too hard to resist. While in Monaco, you can also hike up to Tête de Chien to see the French Riviera from above then continue with lunch at Parc Naturel Departemental de la Grande Corniche.
 |
| Monaco |
Villefranche sur Mer
The best way to get to Villefranche sur Mer from Nice? We’d suggest you to walk from Port of Nice. Follow the main road, you’ll pass coastal path and within an hour you’ll arrive in a beautiful Villefranche sur Mer. The walk is just simply beautiful, but in case if you’re too lazy to walk you can take a train from Nice main station. A perfect half day trip to Villefranche sur Mer would include a nice lunch by the beach, afternoon stroll around the old town, and a nap at Plage des Marieneres.
 |
| Villefranche sur Mer |
