The Côte d’Azur, or French Riviera, has been a holiday destination for the rich and famous for decades. Many artists also come here because the scenery and light are unique. In addition to Nice, Cannes and St Tropez, there are also charming little villages on the blue coast and things to do for a leaner purse. And the sun and the sea are free for everyone.
CÔTE D’AZUR AS A DESTINATION
Sun and blue sea
The Côte d’Azur is located on the south coast of popular France, west of the Italian border. The most famous cities in the region are Nice, Cannes, St Tropez, Antibes, Menton and the independent principality of Monaco.
The Mediterranean coastline is known not only as a glorious holiday destination, but also for its breathtakingly beautiful scenery. The area is green and varied and the Alps are not far away.
The Côte d’Azur is part of Provence, known for its lavender fields. The scent of lavender and the flowers are visible everywhere. The area also comes with excellent olive oil. The food culture offers great taste experiences, and when you are on the coast, you should try seafood in particular.
A holiday in the Côte d’Azur region means, above all, enjoying the sun, the beaches, the sea and good food and drink.
Summer is the best time to travel
At its best, the Côte d’Azur is in the summer. The climate of the area is Mediterranean and the temperature is hot in summer. However, the sea and winds make the worst toast easier.
Winters are mild and if you are not interested in sunbathing and beach life, the area can be an interesting destination even outside the summer season, when there are clearly fewer other tourists.
The Côte d’Azur is quite expensive, but you can find affordable accommodation and food. Proficiency in French is a lot of help, but English goes well, at least in major cities.
FLIGHTS, ACCOMMODATION AND MOVEMENT TO CÔTE D’AZUR
Flying to Nice
In the Côte d’Azur region, there are package trips from Finland to at least Nice and Cannes. You can take a direct flight from Finland to Nice. The most convenient way is to fly to Nice and from there continue by car, train or bus to the desired destination.
Nice Airport is located about six kilometers from the city and can be reached by bus or taxi from the city center.
There is plenty of accommodation in the Côte d’Azur region. The price level of hotels is quite high, but hostels can also be found well. The offer of luxury hotels is in a class of its own. There is also a wide range of villas and holiday homes of various sizes in the area, and this can be a more pleasant accommodation solution, especially for those traveling with a family or a larger group.
By car on the coast
Both the train and several buses run along the coast, but the most convenient way to get around the area is to rent a car.
It is worth traveling along the coast even for some distance, as the scenery is breathtakingly beautiful. In cities, moving is best done on your own.
Getting around by local and regional buses is very affordable. For example, in and around Nice, one bus ride costs only a euro.
ATTRACTIONS OF CÔTE D’AZUR
Nice – roughness and luxury
Nice is one of the most popular resorts on the Côte d’Azur and the city can easily be spent for several days.
Nice’s beaches are pebble, so if you want to land on fine sand, it’s worth focusing on non-beach life in Nice.
The shopping opportunities are excellent. The number of good restaurants makes choosing a place to eat difficult and the lively way of life on the city streets attracts.
Nice is a diverse city, where the splendor of the Promenade des Anglais changes a couple of blocks away to the maze-like little streets of the old town. Rising on the edge of the old town, the Parc du Château offers a great setting even though there are great views over Nice from the picnic and from the top of the hill.
There are also plenty of museums for the culture-hungry in the city. For example, the collections of the Museum of Modern Art are world class. Artists living in the city include Marc Chagall and Henri Matisse, both of whom have their own title museums in Nice.
The splendor of the Cannes Film Festival
Cannes is known for its film festivals, which bring a large number of film world stars and other public figures to the city every year. Luxury hotels and sandy beaches provide a wonderful setting for a holiday.
The beaches of Cannes are often chargeable and available to hotel guests, but there are also some free beaches in the city.
Variation from the hinterland and small villages
In addition to Nice and Cannes, when holidaying in the Côte d’Azur region, you should also visit at least St Tropez, Menton, Antibes, Monaco and the smaller towns and villages in the surrounding area. Each has its own atmosphere, but all have in common the sea and the sun.
Going inland, you can explore the area’s vineyards and olive groves, as well as admire the lavender fields that glow in blue-purple. There are also many great natural sites in the area.