French Riviera

Neeeeeeeees!

Côte d'Azur or French Riviera is the Mediterranean coastline of the southeast corner of France. The two most popular and gorgeous cities we will visit in this picture blog are Nice & Cannes. The French Riviera extends connecting to the Italian Riviera, noting that the very word Riviera is Italian!

Nice, South of France -

The Alps block the rain and cold wind, keeping the sky beautiful blue even in winter that combines with the striking deep blue sea. The mild Mediterranean climate in Nice has made it the winter vacation spot for the English aristocratic families. Now, this exquisite destination is enjoyed by both, the super-rich and the commoners.





When you think of France, what is the first place that comes to mind? PARIS of course.





Oh là là Paris!

Paris is undoubtedly the most romantic city there is, along with lots of history, architecture, museums, restaurants and a whole lot of everything. But when you talk about south of France, it’s totally different vibe, beachy, sunny and more relaxed.

Nice is the largest city in the region with a busy Nice Côte d'Azur Airport which is the best place to fly in here or take the train to Gare de Nice-Ville, to access this province.



Since, we’re in a French territory where the spelling of a word never matches the pronunciation, let us first try to understand how to pronounce “Nice”. This one is easy, for a change. Just say it as “Nees” or “Nis”, that’s it, very simple.



You can stay at good hotels, near the train station if you are planning frequent visits to nearby destinations like Cannes, Saint Tropez, Monaco, where Monte Carlo Casino was made famous by the British Secret Agent James Bond 007. Better yet, stay on the waterfront, which may be a wee bit expensive but definitely worth every penny or cent or lira or yen or whatever the case may be!



The seafront Promenade des Anglais is a heavenly place. It is sandwiched between the lively city on one side, the deep blue waters on the other with gorgeous blue sky above you. This palm tree lined promenade is a great for jog or leisure stroll on the waterfront or choose to take a dip in refreshing blue waters and get a good tan on the beach. Take deep breaths of clean fresh air, feel the soft breeze and the fun of hustle and bustle of people all around. Despite this being an urban busy city, visit to Nice is a must where you will keep going back.









Place Massena is the town square of the city. The extra wide checkered floors in the square is a pedestrian’s delight. The area has a lush green park and incredibly large area of dancing water fountains for kids. Kids can enjoy soaking in the refreshing fountain while the parents can relax or can take a splash for themselves!









The Place Masséna is just couple of minutes' walk from the Promenade des Anglais, old town and Albert I Gardens. Albert I Gardens or the Le Jardin Albert is the oldest public garden in Nice. The park hosts the Nice Jazz Festival as well as other concerts & events. Museum lovers can get all the history you want at Musée Masséna which is off of Promenade des Anglais.



The heart of the old city is a vehicle free zone. Rue Rossetti, which has a grand fountain, Réparate cathedral and colorful buildings. There’s a tram that goes through the busy streets of Nice, offering transportation to the other side or just a joyride. The charming old railway station or the train station is now closed and has variety of restaurants and shops.







Venture into the Old Town with narrow cramped streets to experience an entirely different aspect of the Mediterranean life.





Castle Hill as the name says has a great spot on the top of the hill to get a bird’s eye view of the entire city. The views from the top are well worth the climb. If time permits, return to the top in the evening and you will be rewarded with dramatic sunset in the Azur sky. The night brightens up with colorful lighting. This place is walkable from Old Town and Place Garibaldi then by an elevator or lift or a steep climb up the steps from Quai des États-Unis. The Castle Hill historically was a formidable citadel but was completely demolished in 1706. There's a lot of greenery and a created pretty waterfall, with water falling like a thin veil over the face of the structure.









The Negresco Bar in Hotel Le Negresco on Promenade des Anglais has cocktails and the ambiance to splurge the evening, even if you are not staying at this magnificent dwelling.



There are a number of places to eat all around, from great sidewalk cafes to elegant restaurants, serving all kinds of delicious to tickle your taste buds. There are a lot of options for healthy yet appetizing vegan and vegetarian food. Most eateries give great friendly service and don’t fleece the unsuspecting tourists. However, like anywhere in the world, there are always a miniscule black sheep, just be wary.

If you want to do drama but not see one, then in the evening, relax to the tunes of blues and jazz at places like Le Shapko on Rue Rossetti or just chill.

Now, lets go to Cannes>

Cannes, South of France -

Also, on French Riviera and famous for International film festival. This resort town is a favorite hotspot for celebrities to hangout before and after the festival and for some, all year round.



First, let’s try to at least pronounce the name correctly. Silence the ‘s’ at the end, to start with. Then replace the ‘C’ with ‘K’ and you can even replace ‘a’ with an ‘e’. So, the pronunciation would be “Kan” or “Ken”!







Boulevard de la Croisette is the main picturesque boulevard with gorgeous Azur beach on one side and palm lined walking path on the other. Of course, this is THE city which is lined up with lots of upscale hotels, restaurants and pricy high-end branded boutiques along the entire coast. Where else can celebrities from all over the world spend their hard-earned money!?





Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, a modern building complete with red carpet and Allée des Étoiles – Cannes’ walk of fame. There are tours for this place but it's often too crowded.





Stop by at the Armani café on Promenade for a good cup of coffee and a snack or a glass of Champagne. They have quite a few vegetarian options. It’s perfectly ok to be dressed casually in your shorts & open toe sandals, after all you are on vacation and they know it! After the break, hop in the Georgio Armani Boutique, next door.





The best thing to do in Cannes, is not to do anything at all! Just hang out, forget your worries, relax and soak in the Mediterranean sun. Eat, drink and have a fabulous time!

TIP – DON'T wear very comfortable walking shoes but do slip on fancy footwear and designer clothing!

TIP – Hey, warm waters of the Mediterranean await, don’t forget your bathing suits and sunscreen!

TIP - Lots of trains available to go back n forth to nearby towns from Nice.

Main Home Blog Home