Fantastic things to do on the Cote d’Azur

Famed for its flamboyance, the Cote d’Azur in the South of France is so much more than just a place to be seen. Explore this beautiful region and don’t miss out on the shops, scenery or heaven forbid, the food!

Nice Old Town

Nice is a large but spacious town. It has sprawled rather un-prettily back from the seafront but still retains its charming old town, which is made up of many narrow winding streets. It is a great place to browse the shops or enjoy the many restaurants and cafes. Nice also boasts several museums and frequently hosts large events.

Cannes

Cannes is a cute little town, made famous by its international festivals. The town itself has lots of interesting shops and boutiques. There is a castle on top of the hill too which is beautifully illuminated at night. If you come in the summer months, keep your eyes peeled as you sashay along the croisette in case you pass a celebrity, it’s that kind of place.

Monaco

Famous internationally for its Grand Prix circuit, magnificent casino and being a tax haven, Glitzy Monaco is a compact but fascinating place. It is easy to spend a day exploring the Oceanographic Museum and walking up to the Palace. If you’re dressed appropriately, an evening in the casino is fun, followed by drinks overlooking the marina. Click here for more information on what to do in Monaco.

Antibes

Antibes is a town of marinas and somewhat strangely, six museums (including one dedicated to Absinthe) There is also a castle and a keenly felt English expat scene involving lots of bars. It is also on account of all the yachts a yachtie haven, and especially during the summer, it is likely every other person you meet will be connected somehow to the yachting industry.

Perfume-making in Grasse

Grasse is known as the perfume-making capital of the world and only about 10 miles inland from Cannes. There are a few perfume factory tours available, some offering you the chance to blend your own perfume. Try not to make something ghastly.

Explore Verdon area

The Verdon gorge is an area of spectacular natural beauty and contains many characterful towns and villages. It is nestled about 30 miles inland from the Cote d’Azur and is easily accessed by road (well, it is easier during summer when the roads are not buried in snow. You live, you learn!) The gorge itself is about 25 kilometres long and 700m deep. Camping here is popular in the summer months when it is a cool retreat from the higher temperatures on the coast. Watersports are available on the lake too. It is also spectacular to see in winter though, just don’t forget your snowchains.

Eat!

Some of the best food I have eaten has been on the Cote d’Azur. There are wonderful restaurants and cafes in every town. The fun is discovering them and deciding which ones suit you best. If you don’t understand French you may also have fun trying to work out what the menu says.

People watch

The café culture on the Cote d’Azur is perfect for a relaxed drink or snack al fresco watching the world go by.  Since it is also an area famous for being ‘a place to be seen’ it is worth keeping your eyes peeled as you never know who you might spot.

If you have visited the Cote d’Azur what did you enjoy most?