The French Riviera, Côte d’Azur, is the stunning coastline along the Mediterranean Sea featuring picturesque cliffs, beautiful vegetation and vibrant towns and villages. Our first stop in the Riviera was fabulous Nice. You can check out my previous posts featuring Nice. We then based ourselves in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, primarily for the villa we found on Airbnb, which was in my opinion, just like the villa on “To Catch a Thief”! As this was our first time in The Côte d’Azur, it was an adventure and learning experience. There are so many towns to visit in this area. We chose specific towns to visit based on research we did about markets, history and vibe. I hope to eventually explore all of Southern France! With limited time we had to make choices. Our holiday priority is relaxation and plenty of beach time. The luxurious, French Riviera towns and beaches provide just that!
ANTIBES
I was excited to visit Antibes after reading about the fabulous market there, Marché Provençal. This market offers all the farmers market finds. Fruit, veggies, cheese and meats, along with clothing, fragrances, crafts, baskets and more are packed in at this market. There is a lot of history here, dating back to around 1300 BC (The Iron Age). I love reading about the history of this area. Picasso spent time in his Antibes studio. You can see some of his art at the Musée Picasso which is located in the former Grimaldi Castle built in the 1300’s. This castle was built on what was once the Ancient Greek Acropolis (high city) of Antipolis. Old Town Antibes is a colorful, charming place to visit. Its walkable and about 22 kilometers south west of Nice.
VILLEFRANCHE-SUR-MER
Just seven kilometers east of Nice, the quaint town of Villefranche-sur-Mer offers a fresh market Wednesdays and Saturdays, and colorful architecture throughout this hilly port town. So much fresh produce, cheese, pasta, olives, linens are sold here. We left with a very large slice of Comté cheese that lasted throughout our whole holiday! Vendors here provided samples and were extra friendly! While strolling through Villefranche, you’ll discover Rue Obscure, a medieval underground street, and plenty of fun shops and cafes.
EZE
Here you can see the most amazing views of the Mediterranean Sea and Riviera, referred to as the “eagles’s nest”, Eze village is tucked up in the cliffs, 1400 feet above sea level. You’ll pass art studios and gift shops while making your way to the top of Eze. A ticket will allow you to explore Le Jardin Exotique, a botanical garden that looks over the sea. Beautiful statues are displayed throughout the gardens. It’s worth taking a moment to admire and visit the yellow church Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption. And, if you’re feeling philosophical and energetic, take a stroll along the Nietzsche Path. After taking in breathtaking views and pictures, we made our way down to the village. We stopped in a couple perfumeries in Eze, of course a patisserie, and then stocked up on some groceries, wine and fresh produce at the corner market. Eze is approximately 12 kilometers from Nice.
MENTON
This captivating French Riviera town, about 29 kilometers from Nice, borders Italy. The colors, architecture and ambiance radiates extra Italian flare here. Trés fabuleux! We didn’t make it to their market but enjoyed the picturesque town’s lively shopping, dining and beach. Menton is called the ‘Pearl of France’ as it’s enveloped between the Mediterranean and the Alps. Lemon trees grow abundantly here. In the month of February, Menton hosts Fête du Citron, a carnival festival celebrating all things lemon and citrus fruits.
BEAULIEU-SUR-MER
This commune near Villfranche-sur-Mer, is a small, quieter area. I mentioned before that we found a gorgeous villa to rent, and we were intrigued by photos of the beach, Plage Petite Afrique, which is surrounded by stunning cliffs. We thought it would be a peaceful place to stay after days in Nice, and it was! For us though, it was perhaps a little too quiet for our liking. We did appreciate a fabulous supermarché in town, Super U, the serenity and central locality to take day trips.
We Ubered everywhere while visiting the French Riviera. Our Airbnb host suggested this. We listened and enjoyed stress free transportation. I thought I would miss out on experiences taking trains, but engaging in conversations with the Uber drivers was far more interesting! Listening to our drivers’ talk about their careers, knowledge about the area and language, takes on the positives and negatives of living in France, and conversations with them was priceless!
The French Riviera provides endless opportunities to explore. I highlighted a few places we visited. In each of the places we visited, there are so many historical landmarks, museums, entertainment and beaches. This summer when we return, our top visits planned include Vence, Monaco and Ventimiglia, Italy. We’re staying the entire time in Nice, which I’m so excited for. Walkable, lively, and energizing, there’s so much to do and explore in Nice! And, with a sea view from our balcony, la vie est belle!
Joie!
Maggie