French Riviera Travel

Monaco

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Situated on a narrow coastal strip, nestling between the sea and the mountains, the Principality
of Monaco is an independent sovereign state, recognised as such by the international community.
A member of the United Nations since 1993, and part of the euro zone, Monaco joined the Council of Europe in 2004.

THE GRIMALDIS - A DYNASTY SPANNING 7 CENTURIES

Although the Principality's history dates back to ancient times, it has been particularly well known since the 13th century, when the Grimaldi family seized the fortress of Monaco in 1297. Some 700 years later, the Grimaldis continue to reign over the Rock. Following the death of Prince Rainier III, in April 2005, his son Prince Albert II became the new monarch. The people of Monaco hold a national celebration in honour of their Prince and their Principality on November 19 each year, the feast day of Rainier of Arezzo, the patron saint of H.S.H. Prince Rainier III. According to the wishes of H.S.H. Prince Albert II, the National Fete has been kept
at this date.

Live the French Riviera

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In the beginning, there was light: exceptional light that attracted the greatest artists to the Riviera, where they chose to remain. Painters - mediaeval and baroque, 19th-century landscape artists, Impressionists, Fauvists, Expressionists, contemporary artists - all found a land of inspiration here to match their talent.

The French Riviera or Côte d’Azur became a crucible for masterpieces that form today an exceptional artistic heritage. From the coast to the villages of the hinterland, it can be discovered in museums, galleries, palaces, castles, chapels... And the art of the Riviera continues to thrive outdoors along the beaches, in the streets, squares, Mediterranean gardens or in the middle of nowhere.

“La Côte d’Azur des Peintres” invites you to follow in the footsteps of these artists, in town or off the beaten track. The “Itinéraire sur les pas des grands maîtres” (an itinerary in the great masters’ footsteps) will take you to the heart of the natural settings and towns with their charm intact, where famous artists set up their easels. You, too, will be able to admire the exceptional sights immortalized in their works, reproduced on lecterns marking out the itinerary. “La Côte d’Azur des Peintres” then takes you to key venues for contemporary art, museums and foundations dedicated to avant-garde painters, as well as more unexpected places, hotels, restaurants, alternative galleries for a different relationship with art. Beloved of painters, the French Riviera maintains privileged ties with them.

The Mountain

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The Alpes d'Azur constitute an outstanding destination for summer mountain lovers.In majestic settings in the hinterland and the mountains, every imaginable activity is within your reach, combining the best of everything nature has to offer. Easy relaxation, sporting exploits, jubilation and well-being, are just some of the thrills you'll experience in the Alpes d’Azur.
Even from the coast one can see the snowy balcony overlooking the French Riviera where 465 summits rise over 2000 metres and 6 even reach over 3000m. It takes just90 minutes to drive from Nice to the furthest of the15 ski resorts in the Alpes d'Azur. Auron, Isola 2000 and Valberg-Beuil feature among the major ski resorts of the Southern Alps. Snow, sun and fantastic skiing are all yours.

How to get around ?

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BY CAR
You usually have to pay for parking from Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon and from 2 to 6 p.m. Many car-parks and parking meters are at your disposal, giving you time to devote to leisurely strolls. In the summer season, traffic conditions may prove to be difficult along the coast.

BY BUS
The bus network is well-developed on the Côte d'Azur, with both inter-urban and inter-village connections. Shuttle services are also available from Nice Côte d'Azur Airport to town centres and also from all bus stations in towns on the Côte d'Azur. Timetables and information on the towns served are available from the bus stations.

- Nice bus station: Tel. 33 (0)4 93 85 61 81
- Antibes bus station: Tel. 33 (0)4 93 34 37
- Cannes bus station: Tel. 33 (0)4 93 45 20 08
- Grasse bus station: Tel. 33 (0)4 93 36 37 37
- Menton bus station: Tel. 33 (0)4 93 35 93 60
- Monaco bus department: Tel. 00 377 97 70 22 22

BY TAXI
Taxi ranks in towns are indicated by a blue panel. To reserve a taxi, central booking services are at your disposal in the Riviera's main towns.

Allo Taxi Riviera in Nice: Tel. 33 (0)4 93 13 78 78.

BY TRAIN
Along the coast
The TER (Regional Express Trains) provide rapide connections between the main towns on the Côte d'Azur from Cannes to Vintimiglia. At certain times of day, there is a train every 30 minutes.
Information:
- Tel. 33 (0)8 36 35 35 35
- http://www.sncf.fr/ (to order a ticket)
- www.ter-sncf.com/paca (for timetables, services).

SNCF: "Carte Isabelle"
From July 1st to September 30th, the SNCF's "Carte Isabelle" enables passengers to make an unlimited number of trips in any one day on all trains offering seats (except TGV express trains) in 1st or 2nd class, from Théoule-sur-Mer to Vintimiglia and from Nice to Tende. On sale at the train stations: ?11.

Mid and high altitude areas

the SNCF's Nice-Tende-Turin line runs daily services to the mountains, and notably the Valley of La Roya and beyond, to Limone, Cuneo and Turin. Worth noting, a summer coach connection from St-Dalmas-de-Tende to the Valley of Marvels. A tourist service is also proposed every day in summer and on weekends for the rest of the year on the 9.24 a.m. train departing from Nice: "Train des Merveilles".

The picturesque "Train de Pignes" runs regular services from Nice (from the Gare du Sud) to Digne-les-Bains.
Information and prices from the Chemins de Fer de Provence:
- Tel. 33 (0)4 97 03 80 80
- www.trainprovence.com

BY BOAT
Regular boat trips to the Lérins Islands from the "Gare Maritimes" in Cannes. All the boat companies run services to Ste-Marguerite's Island, but only the Planaria company runs services to St-Honorat's Island.

BY HELICOPTER
There are three major heliports on the French Riviera in Nice (Airport), Cannes and Monaco. The different companies run regular services between these three port and St Tropez and the ski resort of Isola 2000.
For further informations: http://www.nice.aeroport.fr/

BY PLANE
There are 2 mountain airfields for professional pilots with « mountain » license only in Isola 2000 and Valberg open in summer.

How to get there?

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BY PLANE
Nice Côte d'Azur is France's second largest airport after Paris, with direct flights to some 90 destinations and slots for almost 50 airlines.
For full details about airlines, services and traffic, visit: www.nice.aeroport.fr
For business flights (between Monaco and St Tropez), Cannes Mandelieu airport is right next to the Croisette in Cannes.
Fore more informations: www.cannes.aeroport.fr

BY CAR
France's motorway system links the Riviera to the whole of Europe. A few examples of distances in kilometres from Nice: Paris 950 km, Milan 320 km, Geneva 630 km, Barcelona 670 km, Rome 710 km, Munich 810 km, Brussels 1,220 km, Amsterdam 1,400 km.
Reckon on an 8-hour drive from Paris to Nice. Regular coach company services from many Europe countries.

BY TRAIN
High-Speed and Express Trains (TGV and Train Corail) from the Riviera link the coast to all French regions and all major European cities. The TGV Méditerranée (high speed train) speeds you from Nice to Paris in 5 hours 25 minutes. You will find complete SNCF and additional services for your trip in all French railway stations.
For information and reservations, visit: www.sncf.fr

BY BOAT
2 car-ferry companies provide regular links to Corsica and feature some very attractive discount rates, depending on the date of your journey.
- SNCM
Information & reservations: Tel. 33 (0)8 91 70 18 01 - www.sncm.fr
- Corsica Ferries
Information & reservations: Tel. 33 (0)8 25 09 50 95 - www.corsicaferries.com

The ports of Nice, Cannes, Villefranche-sur-Mer and Monaco are Mediterranean port of calls for large cruise lines. Harbour stations are situated at the heart of the towns, enabling you to go straight to the centre of shopping and sightseeing areas. For private yachting, 33 harbours all along the Riviera coastline accommodate small pleasure boats as well as luxury yachts.

Saint-Tropez

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St. Tropez became "St. Trop" when the show business people, artists and writers all fell under the spell of this charming little port in the 1950's.
People watching is a favorite sport here in the summer, Visitors like to sit at the outdoor cafés hoping either to be seen or to see some one else. Competition is rife. Huge yachts line up in the port rivaling to see which is the biggest, the prettiest, the best kept, or has the snappiest crew .
Set on the blue waters of the Golfe de Saint-Tropez, this modern version of a medieval town is most popular for the line of luxury yachts in her harbour and the facing line of terrace cafés (such as Le Sénéquier), divided by a parade of strolling tourists and slowly cruising sports cars.
Night life is very lively and often one can see helicopters bringing elegant guests to private parties in one of the many luxurious villas in the bay. 'People watching' is a favourite sport here in Summer. Visitors like to sit in the outdoor cafés hoping either to be seen or to see someone else.
The best beaches are located along the coast in the Baie de Pampelonne, which lies south of Saint-Tropez and east of Ramatuelle. Pampelonne offers a collection of beaches along its five kilometre shore.

Many of the beaches offer windsurfing, sailing and canoeing equipment for rent; while others offer an abundance of motorized water sports: Power boats, jet bikes and water skiing. Open during the day and night, the Pampelonne beaches are able to offer exactly the kind of beach life demanded by any tourist.

Cannes International Film Festival

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May 16 to 27
The Cannes International Film Festival has been screening films since 1946, and is widely considered to be the most prestigious film festival in the world. Films are submitted from all over the globe, including documentaries, short films and feature length films. Besides the film competitions, awards are also given to internationally renowned artists, actors or directors. A Retrospective is held, which either focuses on a number of films by a specific director, or a number of films within a certain theme (for example, in 2000 the theme was 'The Cinema Dreams of the Future'). Also of interest is the Lecon de Cinema, which consists of a lecture by a well-known film director on their artistic evolution, as well as what drew them to cinema.

touristic routes

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events

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accommodation

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leisure

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partner links

2006-08-15T02:23:00.000-07:00

Côte d'Azur

2006-08-01T01:01:00.000-07:00

The French Riviera (French: Côte d'Azur) is part of France's southeastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, reaching from Toulon to Menton at the border with Italy. The French Riviera is regarded as one of the most luxurious, expensive, and sophisticated areas on the planet and is home to the world's rich and famous. Cannes is host to the annual presentation of the Palme d'Or which attracts movie stars from around the world.
The French Riviera became a fashionable resort in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and was particularly popular with the British upper class. Winston Churchill was a regular visitor. Initially it was a winter resort, valued for its mild winter climate in comparison with that of northern Europe (though it is by no means actually warm in the winter). Later it became much more popular as a summer resort.