Côte d’Azur

Geography and landscape

Côte d’Azur lies where the Alps meet the Mediterranean. The landscape is dramatic and varied: steep cliffs plunge into turquoise water, while small coves and beaches lie like pearls on a string between elegant seaside towns.

The famous coastal roads — especially the Grande Corniche, Moyenne Corniche and Basse Corniche — wind along the mountainsides and offer some of Europe’s most spectacular views. Here you can drive between palaces, pine forests and small medieval villages with panoramic views of the sea.

The climate is Mediterranean at its best: warm, dry summers and mild winters. More than 300 days of sunshine a year have made the region a year-round destination, not just a summer favourite.

The best-known towns

Nice – the heart of the Riviera
Nice is the region’s largest city and a perfect blend of city life and beach holiday. The Promenade des Anglais runs along the iconic pebble beach, while the old town, Vieux Nice, draws you in with narrow streets, markets and pastel-coloured houses.

Cannes – film and glamour
Known for the film festival in May, Cannes is synonymous with luxury. Boulevard de la Croisette is lined with designer boutiques, five-star hotels and private beaches.

Monaco – the splendour of the principality
The world’s second-smallest country is also one of the most exclusive. The Monte Carlo casino, the Formula 1 race and the superyachts in the harbour make Monaco the very symbol of Riviera glamour.

Saint-Tropez – from fishing village to jet-set icon
Once a sleepy village, today it is a hotspot for celebrities and sailors. Even so, authentic alleyways, local markets and quieter beaches just outside the centre still remain.

Beaches and natural experiences

Although the glamour often gets most of the attention, nature is just as great an attraction.

• Paloma Beach (Cap-Ferrat) – an exclusive yet scenic bay.
• Pampelonne (Saint-Tropez) – beach clubs and long stretches of sand.
• Îles de Lérins – an island paradise just off Cannes, perfect for day trips.
• Calanques (west of the Riviera) – dramatic limestone inlets with crystal-clear water.

For active travellers there is everything from sailing and diving to hiking in the Esterel mountains, where red volcanic cliffs meet the sea.

Art, culture and history

Côte d’Azur has attracted artists for generations. The light, colours and landscapes inspired some of the world’s greatest names.

• Pablo Picasso lived and worked in Antibes and Vallauris.
• Henri Matisse lived much of his life in Nice.
• Marc Chagall has his own museum here.

Museums, galleries and studios are scattered along the entire coast, often in spectacular buildings with sea views.

Historically, the area went from being a winter residence for European nobility in the nineteenth century to becoming a playground for the jet set after the Second World War, largely thanks to film, fashion and luxury tourism.

Food and gastronomy

The cuisine of the Riviera is a flavourful blend of French and Italian influences, with an emphasis on fresh ingredients, olive oil, seafood and herbs.

Classic dishes:

• Salade Niçoise – tuna, eggs, olives and vegetables.
• Bouillabaisse – a rich fish soup from the Mediterranean.
• Ratatouille – a vegetable stew from Provence.
• Socca – a chickpea pancake, typical street food in Nice.

Meals are often enjoyed with rosé from Provence — ice cold, pale and perfect in the summer heat.

Lifestyle and atmosphere

Côte d’Azur is not just about places — it is about atmosphere.

• Morning: espresso in a sunlit square.
• Afternoon: beach time or lunch by the sea.
• Evening: an aperitif in the marina.
• Night: casinos, beach clubs or quiet lanes lit by candlelight.

The contrast between luxury yachts and simple fishing boats, between haute couture and sandals, gives the region its own dynamic: exclusive yet relaxed.

Best time to visit

• May–June: perfect weather and fewer people.
• July–August: high season, life and glamour.
• September: warm sea and a quieter pace.
• Winter: mild climate, ideal for culture and food.

Why Côte d’Azur fascinates

There are prettier beaches. Cheaper destinations. Quieter coasts.

But nowhere combines nature, history, luxury, art and lifestyle the way Côte d’Azur does.

Here you can:

• Have a Michelin-starred dinner in Monaco
• Swim in hidden coves
• Drive coastal roads at sunset
• Visit world-class art museums
• Drink rosé at a beach club in Saint-Tropez

All in the same day.