Famed for its glamorous beach resorts, the French Riviera hugs the Mediterranean Sea from Toulon to Menton on the France-Italy border. It encompasses the microstate of Monaco, which is famed for its Grand Prix, as well as charming mountain villages, dramatic gorges and art-focused museums.
Stroll through the cobblestoned La Ponche quarter of Saint-Tropez to experience what life was like before international jetsetters arrived in the 1960s. Nearby Cannes is renowned for its international film festival and boasts a Walk of Fame featuring the handprints of big-name actors, directors and international celebrities.
You can discover the French Riviera’s links to Henri Matisse and Marc Chagall at their namesake museums in Nice or admire the impressive collection of drawings and paintings by Pablo Picasso at Antibes’ Musee Picasso. Just off the coast of the French Riviera lie the Lerins Islands, one of which is home to an 11th-century ruined monastery.
Getting there
Nice Côte d'Azur Airport is the main aviation gateway to the French Riviera and has flights to destinations across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Trains connect from Paris to both Cannes and Nice while buses travel throughout the French Riviera.