La Côte d’Azur ( French Riviera) allies the beauty and joys (sightseeing, water and land sports, crafts, folk…) of the Mediterranean ocean, the mountain and the sun.
It is mainly known for its large seafront cities (Monaco, Nice, Cannes) but there is much more to discover than that. Moreover getting hinterland for accommodation & sightseeing, you will avoid the summer crowds and traffic jams which are feared by many people.
In my accommodations, you will find detailed itineraries and hints (best places to buy, eat…) for making the most of your trip. These short descriptions are just a way to give you an idea of what you can do over here.
To avoid tiredness, restaurant expenses, bad surprises and for your security, rather than moving from hotel to hotel, your should rent a centrally located (Vence or La Gaude), self catering accommodation such as one of mine. I will give you plenty of information to make your trip memorable as you can see per the comments from my previous guests (http://rivieraapt-accommodations.blogspot.com)
Vence is a small city which has kept its authenticity and Provence atmosphere. If you like food shopping in traditional shops or local markets offering home grown veggies, if you like strolling in medieval streets or sitting at a cafe terrace watching boules players, if you would like hiking or cycling, if you want to escape the summer crowds of the sea front, I would recommend that you stay in Vence.
From Vence you have regular buses to Nice, St Paul, Grasse and the Cagnes/Mer train station where you can catch a train (very frequent) to any city on the coast or even in Europe.
Vence is at 20 minutes from the beach by car or bus.
For pics and details look at http://rivieraapt-villages-vence.blogspot.com/
You should select La Gaude if you prefer a fully rural environment but being at walking distance from a village, shops and be at 15 minutes by car from a beach, Nice airport and Vence.
La Gaude is surrounded by picturesque villages such as St Jeannet, Gattières, Carros, le Broc…
For pics and details look at http://rivieraapt-villages-nearvence.blogspot.com/
You may want to stay in Cagnes/Mer, if you like the idea of being at walking distance from the beach, and prefer larger town rather than small ones, if you look for night clubs or gambling.
For pics and details look at http://rivieraapt-villages-cagnes.blogspot.com/
Tourette/Loup is a medieval village as nice as Saint Paul de Vence but much less touristy.
It is at 25 minutes from the beach by car or bus.
For pics and details look at http://rivieraapt-villages-tourette.blogspot.com/
There are a few Musts which you should not miss
these pages are still under construction
Nice is the pearl city of the Riviera
For pics and details look at http://rivieraapt-villages-nice.blogspot.com/
Moyenne Corniche between Nice and Italy, is a very scenic road going thru eagle nests villages such as Eze.
For pics and details look at http://rivieraapt-villages-moyennecorniche.blogspot.com/
Esterel Corniche between Cannes and St Tropez, is a blend of green lush, turquoise waters and red rocks.
For pics and details look at http://rivieraapt-villages-esterelcorniche.blogspot.com/
Antibes, a fortified medieval village right on the sea front with the snowy South-Alps as a background.There are landmarks which are known internationally
For pics and details look at http://rivieraapt-villages-antibes.blogspot.com/
During your stay I would recommend that you visit the nearby perched villages whose setting on crop of hills or mountains makes them so special. To get to them you will go thru the beautiful Loup Canyon and you can end your day trip in Grasse, the perfume capital.
For pics and details look at http://rivieraapt-villages-loupcanyon.blogspot.com/
these pages are still under construction
You probably don’t want to miss Monaco, the European capital of gambling and the princess-dom of the beloved Grace Kelly.
For pics and details look at http://rivieraapt-villages-monaco.blogspot.com/
Cannes where is held the famous international film festival.
Nearby Mougins is a pretty perched village not to be forgotten.
For pics and details look at http://rivieraapt-villages-cannes.blogspot.com/
StPaul, where many world known actors such as Yves Montand & Simone Signoret have lived.
For pics and details look at http://rivieraapt-villages-stpaul.blogspot.com/
There are spots which are not to be forgotten. They are further but still at reach for a day tour.
these pages are still under construction
StJeanCapFerrat, where stands the fairy tale Rothschild mansion with its gardens from all other the world (Spanish, Japanese, …)
For pics and details look at http://rivieraapt-villages-stjeancapferrat.blogspot.com/
Very scenic Napoleon Road, leading to Verdon canyon, the deepest in Europe and its vertiginous cliffs.
For pics and details look at http://rivieraapt-villages-napoleonroad.blogspot.com/
Islands, such as Porquerolle which looks like Tahiti and Lerins with the jail of the Iron Mask.
For pics and details look at http://rivieraapt-villages-islands.blogspot.com/
Little villages of the Var and the Thoronet abbey, one of the 3 most important abbeys in Provence.
For pics and details look at http://rivieraapt-villages-varthoronet.blogspot.com/
You should take the opportunity of getting to Mercantour, the National Parc in South Alps and its villages with Baroque churches
these pages are still under construction
Roya and the Merveilles valley where you can see tens of thousands of 4500 years mysterious carvings showing humans, animals, tools… and even the Christ.
For pics and details look at http://rivieraapt-villages-roya_merveilles.blogspot.com/
Vesubie and Bevera where you can have the thrill of your life practicing via ferrata..
For pics and details look at http://rivieraapt-villages-vesubie_bevera-blogspot.com/
You are also close to Tinée valley which offers scenic views in summer and large Alps ski resorts (Isola 2000, Auron…) with lots of snow at only one hour and an half drive from Vence.
For pics and details look at http://rivieraapt-villages-tinee.blogspot.com/
You are also close to Rhodanian Provence (Aix, Arles, Les Baux, St Rémy, Avignon, Orange…) My relatives can accommodate you there for a couple of nights for 40 euro per night and room.
For pics and details look at http://rivieraapt-villages-provence.blogspot.com/
You will be at the door of Italy and you can have a short trip there during your stay or combine your stay in South Provence with vacations in this beautiful country. I can give you a lot of useful information to make them very economical and enjoyable.
For pics and details look at http://rivieraapt-villages-italy.blogspot.com/
If you are staying more than a couple of weeks, you will get a special discount for my accommodations and you can discover even more treasuries; I propose a total of 30 day tours in the guide book that I wrote myself for my guests.
You will not get bored as there are also many activities as shown in http://www.rivieraapt-activities.blogspot.com/
I will get reservations for you whenever needed.
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