The French Riviera
June 10th, 2010 | Travel | No Comments »
St Tropez, Cannes and Nice
Known for its luxury villas, yachts and movie stars, the French Riviera is indeed the playground of the rich. But there is plenty of room for everyone along this beautiful Mediterranean coastline and you do not need to be a millionaire to enjoy a holiday here.
St Tropez
This internationally renowned seaside resort is a stunning combination of chic people, ideal weather and Mediterranean architecture. Despite its reputation as home to the jet set, St Tropes manages to retain an air of authenticity, which is evident in its low-key farmer’s market held every Tuesday and Saturday mornings. You should plan your French Riviera holiday so you can go to this market and see some regional wares, from les Tropeziennes, or sandals, to les marinières, the blue and white striped cotton shirts that Brigitte Bardot made famous and which put this town on the movie star map.
Walk along the port and admire the little fishing shacks as well as the impressive yachts. Notice the pale pink and faded yellow paint of the older homes which stand alongside the cafés and restaurants. This is the heart of St Tropez and if you linger long enough, you risk spotting a celebrity!
Cannes
Cannes becomes the centre of the movie industry each May when it hosts the International Film Festival and stars fly (or boat) in from all over the world to walk the famous red carpet. But Cannes attracts visitors for other reasons. An important seaside resort, Cannes’ sandy beach is a lovely place to hire a deck chair and parasol and swim in the warm waters of the Mediterranean. The Boulevard de la Croisette, with its palm trees and stately hotels, offers a perfect example of 19th century seaside architecture. Even if you are not staying there, you will want to walk into the glorious Hotel Carlton to admire its Belle Epoque style.
Nice
Nice is considered the capital of the French Riviera and is the largest resort city on the Mediterranean coastline. Nice enjoys a mild climate, sheltered by a series of hills which separate it from the inland countryside and make it a year-round place to holiday. Nice boasts excellent museums, beaches (although rocky, not sandy) and a lively day and nightlife.
La Promenade des Anglais is the graceful boulevard that lines the seafront and, as with La Croisette in Cannes, is an excellent spot for strolling and people watching. Be sure to stop in at the famous Hotel Negresco, which was The Place to take up residence for aristocrats in the early 20th century.
On a hill overlooking the Bay is the Marc Chagall Museum. The artist lived in Nice and was instrumental in the conception and design of this museum, which houses the largest collection of his works, including the 17 paintings of his “Biblical Message”. Be sure to visit on a sunny day; it will enhance the effect of the stained glass windows he created for the museum.