The Magnificent French Riviera (Part. 1)
As you may already know, my sister and I are half French & half Canadian, which means we used to spend several summers in France. If you get the chance, I highly suggest travelling to the South of France, as it is probably the most beautiful region of the country.
Les Calanques de l'Estérel
Before giving you more details, you need to know that the months of July and August are peek season in France, especially along the Mediterranean coast. I strongly suggest not going there during these two months as it can get extremely crowded! Last year, we went on a family trip to the South of France, and decided to visit during June, which made our holidays much more enjoyable; weather was awesome, and there were not too many tourists yet.
I have tried summarizing my favourite spots in one list, so here it goes! 😁
Saint-Tropez
By far the cutest city of the French Riviera! While you’re there, you may take a walk in the old port, and stop by Sénéquier. You also need to go to La place des Lices, it’s a really cute spot where you can stop for a drink, or two, and look at locals playing pétanque. The entire city is adorable, so just walk around the tiny streets and you’ll find good restaurants, and picture material! If you’re looking for a night out, Byblos hotel & Les Caves du Roy are the places to go to!
After visiting the city, I suggest driving all the way to Pampelonne beach, where you’ll find crystal clear water and amazing restaurants.
Nice & La Promenade des Anglais
Before talking about Nice, we would like to pay tribute to the victims of last week’s tragedy, which has profoundly saddened us.
Nice and its world famous white pebble beach is definitely a must-go. Make sure you bring water sandals with you though, it’ll make your life easier! After a little tanning session, I suggest going to the old town, starting at Place Masséna. Then, you can wander around in the beautiful streets, and if you feel like it, you can even climb up to the castle, where you’ll get the best views of the city!
If you’re staying in Nice, and have access to a car, a day-trip to St-Paul-de-Vence is definitely worth it. This tiny village is located 30 minutes from the city centre, and is absolutely charming. You’ll find plenty of cute restaurants, many art galleries showcasing some really talented artists, and lots of flowers everywhere.
Cannes & Antibes
You probably know Cannes for its film festival. The city is also popular for its boardwalk (La Croisette) and its 5-star hotels. It worth walking by the beach and taking a look at how many yachts there can be. There are also many bars and clubs along the beach. If you’re looking for a more secluded place to tan, then I would suggest driving to Cap d’Antibes. Keller Beach and the Olivette port are two lovely spots that I suggest going to.
Monaco
I need to admit that this was not my favourite place, but it’s still kind of impressive. The first thing you’ll notice when you get there is probably the amount of Ferraris and Lamborghinis, they’re everywhere. While in Monaco, you should walk around the old city, it’s full of restaurants and gift shops. There is also the casino square, Monte-Carlo harbour, the Japanese garden, the opera of Monte-Carlo, the Formula 1 circuit, and more!
Les Calanques de l’Estérel
Those are cute little creeks hidden between St-Raphaël and Théoule-sur-Mer. I recommend driving along the scenic route that separates these two cities, and stopping wherever you feel like it. There are tiny accesses to the sea here and there, so just keep your eyes open :)
The creeks are usually less crowded then popular beaches, if you ever feel like escaping the city!
Les Gorges du Verdon & Valensole
These two activities can be done the same day. They are a bit far from the coast (2 hours from Cannes), but it's honestly SO worth it! This was by far the best part of my trip. When you get to the Verdon gorges, you will need to rent a kayak or a boat in order to explore the river and the lake. Blue waters, waterfalls, cliff jumping, paragliding, … I think pictures speak for themselves. Don’t forget to bring a snack!
After you’re done exploring Ste-Croix lake and the Verdon river, I strongly recommend driving 20-30 more minutes to get to the lavender fields in Valensole. This is simply gorgeous: lavender fields e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e!
Here again, drive around the Valensole plateau and keep your eyes open for the best views. Please note that the lavenders are in full bloom in late spring/early summer. They all get chopped off, usually during the month of July, so make sure you time your visit accordingly to avoid any deception.
2020 edits by Genevieve
During my time living in France, I’ve had the opportunity to travel to the South of France even more and I’d like to share a few more spots that are also worth a visit!
Cap d’Antibes
On your visit to Cap d’Antibes, make sure to check out Keller Beach and get your tan on for a bit. Towards the end of the afternoon, take the little walking path located at the end of the beach, and go for a nice walk around Sentier du Littoral. You will be rewarded with some breathtaking views.
Îles de Lérins
When in Cannes, make sure to hop on a ferry to Les Îles de Lérins for a peaceful afternoon in the sun. The two main islands in this little archipelago are Ste-Marguerite Island and St-Honorat Island. I personally chose to visit the latter as there’s also an abbey and a vineyard that you can visit there.
When you’re back in Cannes after a beautiful day spent exploring, make sure to check out the rooftop of the Radisson Blu hotel for some well deserved cocktails with a view!
St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
This one is an absolute gem! Make sure to stop on Boulevard de la Corne d’Or and Boulevard Napoléon III in Villefranche-sur-Mer while driving to St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. The views from the road are stunning! Then make your way down to the Cap and enjoy a sunbathing session at one of the secluded beaches or go have lunch near the port.
There are so many other amazing locations worth checking out in this part of the Côte d’Azur. The city of Menton, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Èze & Grasse (well known for its perfumes) just to name a few! You won’t be disappointed, just always remember that this is probably the most popular tourist destination in France. I would recommend visiting outside of peak season (July 15 to August 15), waking up early to hit the beach before the crowds, and venturing out of the main spots.