[:it]

Cote d'Azur: Itineraries and curiosities. Journey through the most beautiful places on the French coast.

Cote d'Azur: Itineraries and curiosities. Journey through the most beautiful places

 

One can only fall in love with the Côte d'Azur…

 

For me it has become a reference point in my travels, when I want to escape the city and I don't have many days available…

When departure approaches, I begin to feel strong vibrations.

You know when you start packing and feel like you are being screened in a French film and start filling the suitcase with French hats, fluttering clothes, 50s glasses….

Here's what happens to me every time I get ready for a few days in cote azur.

It will be the sea air, the sun and the mild climate. But also pastel colors, the flowers, and its markets that delight the imagination. Or the scent of sweets that you can smell in the narrow and romantic streets that you can cross. And then I think of the long walks along the promenade,lunches with “foot in the water”, the breathtaking views crossing the Corniche, the marinas, the well-kept shops, and brasseries that recall the Parisian charm of the belle époque.

 

A trip to the Cote d'Azur is always a good choice and there’ ideal whether you decide to go in winter, than in the summer.

In January and February you can enjoy excellent temperatures that are around 10 15 degrees and mild climate. This allows facilities for example on the sea to keep open even in the coldest months by offering lunches on the beach and free sunbeds for customers who can enjoy hours of relaxation by the sea.…projecting itself already in the hottest months…

However, the most beautiful season is certainly spring and summer when you are immersed in an explosion of colors, tourism and outdoor activities…

Although I must admit that the attention to floral details on the streets, and tourism is always present in every season..

 

 

Our journey will cover the coast from Menton to Cannes… between itineraries and curiosities we will cross the most beautiful places on the French coast.

 

Mentone

The first time I arrived in France from Italy .., I stopped at a gas station on the border.. I remember the boy who told me Italian? Where are you going?

Menton replied.

He widens his eyes and answered me:Menton is a paradise! You will fall in love with it!

And so it was

The city of Menton, the city of “Lemon”, immediately appears as a set of brightly colored houses with pastel-colored windows that rise on a hill surrounded by palm trees….

A labyrinth of colorful streets and shady squares, alleys that descend towards the sea, the historic heart of the city beats behind the ocher facades, from the shutters that filter the light. Walking in its alleys, meet small restaurants, shops d’ local art and products, vintage markets…

 

 

For some years this colorful picture has been filled with a splendid long sandy beach and a pedestrian area that allows you to enjoy a’ great view from the sea…

 

 

Corners where you can stroll by the sea, relax in the sun and play sports…

 

 

Menton celebrates the Citrone Festival every year, that's why it is called the city of lemon. In February, March it is possible to witness the wonder of this festival that crosses the city and on normal days you can visit the park with paid entry to admire the giant compositions made with citrus.

 

Continuing after Menton you arrive after passing through small seaside towns… The principality of Monaco…

Monaco

Monaco is a small city-state on the Mediterranean coast of France known for its high-class casinos, harbors full of yachts and the prestigious automobile Grand Prix, that once a year crosses the streets of the city. Montecarlo, the largest neighborhood, it houses an elegant Belle Époque-style casino complex and the Salle Garnier opera house, richly decorated. There are also numerous luxury hotels in the neighborhood, boutique, nightclubs and restaurants.

 

E’ You can visit the upper old town, The rock, from where you can admire a wonderful view of the city and the sea..

Discover the Old Town by following the narrow medieval streets that lead to the picturesque Place Saint Nicolas and the Placette Bosio, to the Chapel of Mercy, to the Palace of Justice and the Cathedral, Romanesque-Byzantine style building built in 1875.
In a completely natural way, your steps will guide you to the Piazza del Palazzo, where every day, all 11.55 precise, the changing of the guard of the Carabinieri takes place, in front of the Prince's Palace.

And then descend along the path admiring a splendid panorama from its terraces.

The new district of Montecarlo was built alongside the large casino… Here a pedestrian area with the biggest luxury fashion brands.

 

 

From Menton to Nice

it passes after Munich, per Eze, and villafranche sur mer through the three main panoramic roads: The cornice

 

The corniche inférieure crosses the entire coast and the main coastal towns….

Crossing the moyenne corniche you can enjoy this splendid view of villafranche sur mer, and go through the village of Eze. On the road, splendid views of the sea will remain forever etched in your memories.

 

Villafranche sur mer

The splendid bay of villafranche sur mer hides a splendid jewel, a pretty colorful village and an enchanting fishing port… Very popular in the summer, in fact on sunny days, the historic center of Villefranche-sur-Mer, from the narrow and colorful streets, it attracts many visitors and comes alive thanks to outdoor restaurants and cafes offering local specialties.

 

 

This little corner of paradise along the bay of villafranche sur mer, called baie de marineres, it is a bed of sand where you can lie down to sunbathe in contact with a sea of ​​beautiful shades….

 

Before arriving in villafranche sur mer, however, always crossing the moyenne corniche, coming from monk, meet the beautiful village of Eze and the wonderful views of this area…

This is the Château Eza, a restaurant where you can also have an excellent aperitif with a priceless view, and great food.

Eze village is a village perched on a rock. Upon entering you will be dragged by an ancient village with medieval charm, made of stones, steps, arches, wooden doors, narrow streets where you will find restaurants, and contemporary art negotiations. And then the green and the scent of flowers…

As soon as you come out of eze village towards Nice,a few meters up the road you will find this street food overlooking the sea…. Super recommended! Stop for a sea view lunch in one of the most beautiful settings of the Côte d'Azur at really affordable prices.

If you are a nature lover you cannot miss the’ Eze parque botanic. This park will also give you splendid views of cacti and all kinds of plants…

Open only in the summer months.

But now let's move on to the grand corniche. The latter passes through the turbie…and gives you an unparalleled view of Monte Carlo and the coast…

 

La Turbie is a small village which takes its name from the Augustus Trophy monument, from which the ruins can be visited, the new interactive museum and beautiful park overlooking the sea. This gigantic monument was built 2000 years ago by the Romans to glorify Emperor Auguste. With his victories, the Romans managed to win over the Ligurians, the Celts, Phoenicians, Greeks, Phoenicians and finally,after the fall of the Roman Empire, the barbarians threw themselves on the area and took the trophy. In 11 Century, the latter turned into a fortress, surrounded by the walls of the first houses of the village. After countless wars of conquest, the trophy was mined by order of Louis XIV. The country continued to suffer many conflicts and was then annexed to France in 1860.

The turbie

Nice

Nice the largest city on the French Riviera….

Narrow and winding alleys, colorful houses and a swarm of varied humanity scattered among typical shops, restaurants, bar, boutiques and municipal markets.

 

For a first approach to the city, I recommend you to climb to the top of the Ferris wheel in piazza massena. The view from above will allow you to discover it and admire a splendid view over the rooftops and the colors of the city.

Get lost in the alleys of the veille ville… here I am in via rossetti where you can admire these imperfect and colorful houses typical of sea ports.

Nice is characterized by a cuisine that is different from the rest of France, and influenced by the many cultures that have always been present in the city. Nice's specialty is la socca, a kind of bread / focaccia prepared with chickpea flour, similar to panisse (which closely resembles the Ligurian panissa), always prepared with chickpea flour but fried.

Here is a place that is located in the old part of Nice and where I recommend you stop to eat socca and many other inviting French dishes… Great price and you can eat outdoors on the benches made available to customers.

 

The flower market

The most famous market in Nice is undoubtedly the flower market which takes place from Tuesday to Sunday on the Saleya Course

Different ethnic groups and restaurants meet in Nice. Like this one who exhibited these wonderful colored umbrellas outside…

Strolling along the Promenade des Anglais is one of the things to do in nice, you can rent a bike and cross the very long promenade that crosses the whole city from north to south, or sit on one of the benches facing the sea and admire the sky and the sea merge in perfect harmony… with the imposing and luxurious Negresco hotel behind it.

 

Avenue Jean Medicin, on the other hand, is the modern part of Nice, which starts from piazza massena and continues very long with its shops of the most famous brands and its cafes.

 

 

For fifteen days and three weekends in February Nice, stops to celebrate Carnival, one of the greatest in the world; in Europe second for fame only to that of Venice.

 

 

 

 

From Nice you can reach Cagnes sur Mer via an immense and beautiful cycle path that also passes through the airport and connects the two locations along the sea…

A map of cycle routes….

Velò bleu is the bike rental service in Nice and Cagnes sur Mer…

 

 

Cagnes sur mer is divided between the lower part with a long promenade, beach restaurants and pebble beaches and the upper town, the old part of the city.

 

Continuing along the promenade of Cagnes you reach the Bay of Angels in Villeneuve loubet, a harbor and a sandy beach hidden between these huge buildings…

 

 

 

And then still long pebble beaches accompany the road up to Antibes.

 

 

 

Antibes

Antibes is one of the most popular places for artists and writers. The photos will surely explain why…

A city surrounded by walls, from stone walls, flowered balconies, colored shutters surrounded by the sea and lots of white boats.

 

The Grimaldi Castle, it is home to the Musée Picasso Antibes

 

La gravette beach is the beach in the center of the city of Antibes. surrounded by the walls, it is a fine sandy beach equipped with a shower.

 

The streets of the city of Antibes recall the typical atmosphere of Provence…

 

Do not miss the marchè provencal with its local products, it is a riot of colors and scents and a perfect stop for a quick lunch.

Visit the harbor and the monumental sculpture of the “Nomadic” by Catalan artist Jaume Plens,,,,

 

Cap of Antibes

A part of land connected to antibes and overlooking the sea characterized by the presence of villas and hotels 5 stars…

 

Wave range

They are small beaches that enjoy a view of the gulf…and surround cap d'antibes..

 

Juan the pines

Juan-les-Pins is a suburb of Antibes, overlooking the gulf Juan, which extends between the Cap d'Antibes and the tip of the Croisette towards Cannes. E’ a pearl characterized by worldly clubs, fashion boutiques and luxury beaches that each year attract millions of tourists from all over the world.

Le grand plage of juan les pins stretches for kilometers and includes a part full of bathing facilities and beach restaurants and a completely free part.

Private beaches

But also long stretches of sand and free beaches…with shower…

 

 

 

 

The trip ends in the city of Cannes….

The city of the film festival and the splendid croisette.

 

A long walk of 2 kilometers along the seafront and one of the most elegant and exclusive places in Europe: it is in fact the catwalk preferred by famous people to be immortalized and by ordinary people in search of VIPs. Here you will find the shops of the most prestigious fashion brands and the most luxurious hotels in the city such as the Carlton hotel and the Martine hotel. And then the sandy beaches, the restaurants on the beach with the possibility of renting sun loungers to enjoy relaxing days by the sea…

 

 

To continue visiting Cannes you must then head towards the old part: the suquet. On the highest point that served as a fortress it is possible to visit the church of Our Lady of Hope in gothic style, and the Museum of the Castre with a 12th century tower from which you can enjoy a magnificent view of the city.

In cannes, do not miss the numerous murals dedicated to the world of cinema.

 

 

Then let me know if you enjoyed this trip to the French Riviera and if you have ever been there…[:in]

FRENCH RIVIERA: ROUTES AND CURIOSITIES. TRAVEL BETWEEN THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES ON THE FRENCH COAST.

FRENCH RIVIERA: ROUTES AND CURIOSITIES. TRAVEL BETWEEN THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES

You can’t help falling in love with the blue coast …

For me it has become a point of reference in my travels, when I want to escape from the city and I don’t have many days available …

As the departure approaches, I begin to feel its vibrations strong.

You know when you start packing and you feel projected in a French film and you start filling your suitcase with French hats, fluttering clothes, 50’s glasses….

Here is what happens to me every time I prepare for a few days in cote azur.

It will be the sea air, the sun and the mild climate. But also pastel colors, flowers, and its markets that delight the imagination. Or the scent of sweets that is felt between the narrow and romantic streets that you can cross. And then I think of the very long walks along the promenade, the lunches with “pied dans l’eau”, the breathtaking views across the Corniche, the marinas, the well-kept shops, and the brasseries that recall the Parisian charm of the belle époque.

A trip to the French Riviera is always a good choice and the ideal choice whether you decide to go in winter or in summer.

In January and February you can enjoy excellent temperatures hovering around 10 15 degrees and mild climate. This allows structures, for example on the sea, to keep open even in the colder months by offering lunches on the beach and free sun beds for customers who can enjoy relaxing hours by the sea … projecting themselves already in the warmer months …

But the best season is certainly spring and summer when you are immersed in an explosion of colors, tourism and outdoor activities …

Although I must admit that the attention to floral details on the streets, and tourism is always present in every season ..

Our journey will travel the coast from Menton to Cannes … between itineraries and curiosities we will cross the most beautiful places on the French coast.

Mentone

The first time I arrived in France from Italy .., I stopped at a petrol station on the border .. do I remember the boy who said Italian to me? Where are you going?

I answered Mentone.

He rolls his eyes and replied: Menton is a paradise! You will fall in love with it!

And so it was

The city of Menton, the city of the “Lemon”, immediately appears as a set of brightly colored houses with pastel colored windows that stand on a hill surrounded by palm trees ….

A maze of colorful streets and shady squares, alleys that go down to the sea, the historic heart of the city beats behind the ocher facades, from the shutters that filter the light. Walking in its alleys, you will find restaurants, art shops and local products, vintage markets …

For some years this colorful picture has been filled with a splendid long sandy beach and a pedestrian area that allows you to enjoy an excellent view from the sea …

Corners where you can walk by the sea, relax in the sun and play sports …

Menton celebrates the Festa del Citrone every year, which is why it is called the city of lemon. In February, March you can witness the wonder of this festival that runs through the city and on normal days you can visit the park with a paid entrance to admire the giant compositions made with citrus fruits.

Continuing after Menton you arrive after passing through small seaside towns … The Principality of Monaco …

Monk

Monaco is a small city-state on the Mediterranean coast of France known for high-class casinos, ports full of yachts and the prestigious automotive Grand Prix, which crosses the streets of the city once a year.Monte Carlo, the largest neighborhood, houses an elegant Belle Époque-style casino complex and the lavishly decorated Salle Garnier opera house. There are also many luxury hotels, boutiques, nightclubs and restaurants in the neighborhood.

It is possible to visit the old high town, Le rocher, from where you can admire a wonderful view of the city and the sea ..

Discover the Old Town by following the narrow medieval streets that lead to the picturesque Place Saint Nicolas and the Placette Bosio, the Misericordia Chapel, the Palace of Justice and the Cathedral, a Romanesque-Byzantine style building built in 1875.
In a completely natural way, your steps will guide you to the Piazza del Palazzo, where every day, at 11.55 precisely, the changing of the Carabinieri guard takes place, in front of the Palazzo del Principe.

And then go down the path admiring a splendid panorama from its terraces.

The new district of Montecarlo was built alongside the large Casino … Here a pedestrian zone with the biggest luxury fashion brands.

From Menton to Nice

you pass after Monaco, through Eze, and villafranche sur mer through the three main panoramic roads: Le corniche

The corniche inférieure crosses the whole coast and the main coastal towns….

Crossing the moyenne corniche you can enjoy this splendid view of villafranche sur mer, and pass through the village of Eze. On the road, splendid views of the sea will remain forever etched in your memories.

Villafranche sur mer

The splendid inlet of villafranche sur mer hides a splendid jewel, a pretty colorful village and an enchanting fishing port … Very popular in summer, in fact on sunny days, the historic center of Villefranche-sur-Mer, with narrow and colorful streets, it attracts many visitors and comes alive with outdoor restaurants and cafes offering local specialties.

This little corner of paradise along the inlet of villafranche sur mer, called baie de marineres, is a bed of sand where you can lie down to sunbathe in contact with a sea of ​​beautiful shades….

Before arriving in villafranche sur mer, however, always crossing the moyenne corniche, arriving as a monk, you meet the splendid village of Eze and the wonderful views of this area …

This is the Château Eza, a restaurant where you can also make an excellent aperitif with a priceless view, and excellent food.

Eze village is a village perched on a rock. Upon entering you will be dragged by an ancient village with medieval charm, made of stones, steps, arches, wooden doors, narrow streets where you will find restaurants, and contemporary art negotiations. And then the green and the scent of flowers …

As soon as you leave eze village towards nice, a few meters on the road you will find this street food overlooking the sea…. Super recommended! Stop for a sea view lunch in one of the most beautiful frames of the French Riviera at really affordable prices.

If you are a nature lover you cannot miss the Eze parque botanic. This park will also give you splendid views of cacti and all types of plants…

Open only in the summer months.

But now let’s move on to the grand corniche. The latter passes through the turbines … and gives you an unparalleled view of montecarlo and the coast …

La Turbie is a small village that takes its name from the Trophy of Augustus monument, from which you can visit the ruins, the new interactive museum and a beautiful park overlooking the sea. This gigantic monument was built 2000 years ago by the Romans to glorify the emperor Auguste. With his victories, the Romans managed to win over the Ligurians, the Celts, Phoenicians, Greeks, Phoenicians and finally, after the fall of the Roman Empire, the barbarians threw themselves on the area and took the trophy. In the 11th century, the latter turned into a fortress, surrounded by the walls of the first houses of the village. After countless wars of conquest, the trophy was mined by order of Louis XIV. The country continued to suffer many conflicts before being annexed to France in 1860.

The turbulence

Nice

Nice the largest city on the French Riviera….

Narrow and winding alleys, colorful houses and a swarm of varied humanity scattered among typical shops, restaurants, bars, boutiques and municipal markets.

For a first approach to the city, I suggest you go up to the top of the Ferris wheel in Piazza Massena. The view from above will allow you to discover it and admire a splendid panorama over the roofs and colors of the city.

Lose yourself in the alleys of the veille ville … here I am in via rossetti where you can admire these imperfect and colorful houses typical of sea ports.

Nice is characterized by a cuisine different from the rest of France, and influenced by the many cultures that have always been present in the city. The specialty of Nice is the socca , a sort of bread / focaccia prepared with chickpea flour, similar to panisse (which closely resembles the Ligurian panissa), always prepared with chickpea flour but fried.

Here is a place that is located in the old part of Nice and where I recommend you stop to eat the socca and many other inviting French dishes … Great price and you can eat outdoors in the benches made available to customers.

The flower market

The most famous nice market is undoubtedly the flower market which takes place from Tuesday to Sunday on Corso Saleya

In Nice, different ethnic groups and restaurants meet. Like this one that exposed these wonderful colored umbrellas outside…

Walking along the Promenade des Anglais is one of the nice things to do, you can rent a bike and cross the long promenade that crosses the whole city from north to south, or sit in one of the benches facing the sea and admire the sky and the sea merge in perfect harmony… with the imposing and luxurious Negresco hotel behind it.

Avenue Jean Medicin is instead the modern part of Nice, which starts from Piazza Massena and continues very long with its shops of the most famous brands and its cafes.

For fifteen days and three weekends in February, Nice stops to celebrate Carnival, one of the greatest in the world; in Europe second only by fame to that of Venice.

From nice you can reach cagnes sur mer through an immense and beautiful cycle path that also passing from the airport connects the two places along the sea …

A map of cycle paths….

Velò bleu is the bike rental service present in nice and cagnes sur mer…

Cagnes sur mer is divided between the lower part with a long promenade, restaurants on the beach and pebble beaches and the upper town, the old part of the city.

Continuing on the sea of ​​cagnes you reach the Bay of Angels in Villeneuve loubet, a port and a sandy beach hidden among these huge buildings …

And then still long pebble beaches accompany the road until you get to Antibes.

Antibes

Antibes is one of the most popular places for artists and writers. The photos will surely explain why …

A city surrounded by walls, stone walls, flowered balconies, colored shutters surrounded by the sea and many white boats.

Grimaldi Castle is home to the Musée Picasso Antibes

The gravette beach is the beach in the center of the city of Antibes. surrounded by walls, it is a fine sandy beach with a shower.

The streets of the city of Antibes recall the typical atmosphere of Provence …

Do not miss the Provencal marchè with its local products, it is a riot of colors and scents and a perfect stop for a quick lunch.

Visit the port and the monumental sculpture of the “Nomade” by the Catalan artist Jaume Plens ,,,,

Cap d’antibes

A part of land connected to antibes and overlooking the sea characterized by the presence of villas and 5-star hotels …

Plage des ondes

They are small beaches that enjoy the view of the gulf … and surround cap d’antibes ..

Juan les pins

Juan-les-Pins is a suburb of Antibes, overlooking the Juan gulf, which extends between the Cap d’Antibes and the tip of the Croisette towards Cannes. It is a pearl characterized by social clubs, fashion boutiques and luxury beaches that attract millions of tourists from all over the world every year.

The grand plage of juan les pins stretches for kilometers and includes a part full of beach facilities and restaurants on the beach and a completely free part.

Private beaches

But also long stretches of sand and free beaches … with shower …

The journey ends in the city of Cannes….

The city of the film festival and the splendid croisette.

A 2 km long promenade on the seafront and one of the most elegant and exclusive places in Europe: it is in fact the favorite catwalk for celebrities to be immortalized and ordinary people chasing VIPs. Here you will find the stores of the most prestigious fashion brands and the most luxurious hotels in the city such as the Carlton hotel and the Martine hotel. And then the sandy beaches, the restaurants on the beach with the possibility of renting sunbeds to enjoy relaxing days by the sea …

To continue visiting Cannes you must then head to the old part: the suquet . On the highest point that served as a fortress it is possible to visit the Gothic style Notre Dame d’Espérance church, and the Museo de la Castre with a 12th century tower from which you can enjoy a magnificent view of the city.

In cannes do not miss the numerous murals dedicated to the world of cinema.

So let me know if you enjoyed this trip on the French Riviera and if you’ve ever been there …[:]