What to see on Cote d’Azur

Sailing on a yacht along 300 km of the French Riviera, stopping in cozy bays, exploring the cities and villages of the south of France, tasting Mediterranean cuisine — this sounds like a dream!

Nice

Nice is the heart of the French Riviera, a city that is one big attraction. The Promenade des Anglais is a symbol of not only Nice but of the entire Cote d’Azur. The most luxurious hotels are located here, tourists are walking along the promenade, and locals go for a daily jog. At the end of the promenade, climb the Castle Hill. Here, there is a wonderful park and panoramic views of the mountains and the sea open.

The old town of Nice is a real maze of cozy streets with small cafes and souvenir shops. Take a look at the Basilica of Notre Dame de Nice. This is a small copy of Notre Dame Cathedral. The cathedral was built in the 19th century. The Cours Saleya flower market is another attraction. Here you can buy not only flowers but also fresh fruits and vegetables, spices, cheeses, and pastries. And the best views of Nice open from the Chateau Park on top of the hill.

If you love art, then visit the museums of two prominent artists whose life and work were connected with Nice — Henri Matisse and Marc Chagall. The Matisse Museum presents a huge number of paintings that were inspired by this city. The Chagall Museum, which is small in size, houses the largest collection of paintings by the artist, which also includes 17 biblical messages.

Monte Carlo

Monte Carlo, although located in the Principality of Monaco, and not France, is also part of the Cote d’Azur. In addition to the old city, which is a must-see, we recommend seeing the famous Monte Carlo casino. The casino building was built in the style of Bose art by the architect Charles Garnier. Monte Carlo Casino is now the center of social life throughout the Mediterranean. The casino can be visited in the morning with a guided tour. You do not need a special dress code, just buy a ticket. The first salons for the game open at 14.00 and do not close until the morning.

In Monte Carlo, there is a 7,000 square meter Japanese Garden. It is planned according to all the rules and traditions of Japanese gardens. In addition to plants, there are all the traditional elements — natural stones and boulders, streams, and lakes.

Cannes

The Croisette in Cannes is no less popular place than the Promenade des Anglais. This promenade connects the old and new port of Cannes. Its total length is about 3 km. The beach also stretches along the promenade. It is sandy, which is very rare for the Cote d’Azur.

At the end of the Croisette, there is the famous Palais des Festivals, which once a year hosts one of the most significant events in the world of cinema — the Cannes Film Festival. Fortunately, at other times, the Palace also functions; exhibitions, business congresses, and other events are held there. You can also take a walk along the avenue of stars.

Saint-Tropez

Saint-Tropez became famous thanks to such actors as Pierre Richard, Bridget Bordeaux, and Louis de Funes, who were filmed here. The resort was chosen by many people of art — artists, writers, actors. It was a quiet town where they could hide from the hustle and bustle. Now Saint-Tropez has turned into a center of fashionable parties with luxurious villas and night clubs.

The promenade of Saint-Tropez is the main place for walking. Along it, there are luxurious restaurants, including those marked with Michelin stars. Also in Saint-Tropez, there are many fashion boutiques.

Menton

Menton is located near the Principality of Monaco. In Menton, there are the best beaches on the coast, most of them are sandy, although there are pebbles too. The old town of Menton is very cozy and looks more like Italian than French because of its proximity to Italy. Menton has many gardens and parks that are scattered throughout the city.

Art fans can visit the museum of the writer, playwright, and artist Jean Cocteau. Here, there is a large collection of his works. One of the most interesting architectural monuments in the city is the Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel. The construction of the cathedral began in the 17th century and lasted several centuries. In addition to the beautiful architecture, the basilica is famous for the fact that every August the Menton Music Festival takes place here.

Toulon

Toulon is a city with a rich maritime history. In the port and harbor of Toulon, life is in full swing. There are many cafes and restaurants, as well as attractions, including the statue of the god of navigation and the Clock Tower.

To see the city from a height, climb the 584-meters Mount Faron. The funicular from the center goes there. There is also a zoo on the mountain.

The old city of Toulon was badly damaged during World War II. There are miraculously preserved buildings of the times of King Louis XIV, as well as Toulon Cathedral. In the new part of Toulon, look at the beautiful Opera House and the station building. Here, there is the central Liberte square.

Marseilles

Marseille is France’s largest trading port, a bustling and vibrant city, a place of immigrants, and real non-tourist life. The old port is one of the main attractions of Marseille. It is busy at any time of the day. The port is the best place to watch the sunset and dine at the coastal restaurants.

Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde is an iconic landmark of the city. Here, there is an 11-meter statue of Our Lady. The hill on which the cathedral is located offers stunning views of the city.

Not far from Marseille, there is the island of If with a famous castle. The fortress has long been a state prison. The castle of If became famous thanks to the fictional Count of Monte Cristo.

Lonschan Palace with a fountain complex is a decoration of Marseille. In addition to the fact that the building itself is precious, several Marseille museums are also located here.