Top places to visit on the French Riviera
Nestled in the south-east of France, the French Riviera has become known as a playground for the rich and famous. If you're looking for a destination for a luxurious holiday, you'll struggle to match the glamour of this stretch of coastline.
Resorts such as St Tropez and Cannes can be found in this region of France, while the principality of Monaco is also situated in the area.
A great way to make the most of your stay and ensure you see as much of the area as possible is to book holiday rentals in France, as they will give you all the freedom you need to soak up the atmosphere here.
Cities
Although there are several cities on the French Riviera, two must-visit destinations are Nice and Cannes.
The latter is, of course, renowned for its annual film festival when hundreds of Hollywood stars dress up to the nines and aim to impress on the red carpet.
No matter what time of year you visit this picturesque destination, you will discover it lives up to its glamorous reputation. For a glimpse of the city's history, spend some time exploring the streets of the Le Suquet district, which is at the heart of the old town.
At the bottom of the hill, you'll come to the oldest part of the harbour, which has existed here since the ninth century.
Meanwhile, Nice is an attractive destination for villa holidays on the Cote d'Azur thanks to its long stretch of golden sand, picturesque seaside promenade and host of high-quality shops, bars and restaurants.
Perched villages
While many of the villages dotted around the French Riviera may not be as famous as the cities on the coast, they are certainly worth a visit.
Hire a car to really seek out the best of them, as they are situated at the top of hills and cliffs looking out over the coastline below.
There are, in fact, 120 such settlements in this area, so you need to select which places you would like to visit before you set out.
One highlight could be a few hours wandering the streets of Gourdon, which has been named one of France's prettiest villages. Its most impressive landmark is the 12th century chateau, which stands proudly amid the cobbled streets.
Another location you may wish to see is Eze, the highest seaside village in France with an enviable cliff-top position.
In addition to its beautiful buildings, you will also discover two perfumeries here - fascinating places to stop off at if you want to learn more about this local industry.
Beaches
Of course, no trip to the French Riviera would be complete without spending a bit of time soaking up the sun on one of its glorious stretches of sand.
There are more than 40 km of beaches along this section of Mediterranean coastline, so you should have no difficulty in finding the perfect spot for sunbathing.
If you are hoping to do more than just lie in the sun, you may want to take a daytrip to the sands around Villeneuve Loubet, where you can have a go at sailing, hire kayaks or opt for a fast-paced ride on a jet ski.
You could also combine your visit to Eze with a few hours on the beach, as the stretches of sand at the bottom of the cliffs here are regarded as particularly tranquil places to relax.
