Extending throughout the western part Mediterranean coast from Toulon to the Italian border.

This territory, which does not have a clear administrative division, protected from northern winds The foothills of the Alps and the Mercantour mountain range are considered the best resort France.

The coastline is dotted up and down with luxury hotels, luxurious restaurants, private beaches, boutiques and expensive villas. There are many historical sights and beautiful natural places, plus a pleasant subtropical climate and a warm sea create ideal conditions for a full-fledged summer holiday.

Around the city of Marseille

Resort area around the city Marseilles consists of many interesting and memorable places. The rather wild, mountainous coastal region of Calanques (a small bay) is considered the center of a concentration of the most picturesque landscapes and natural beauties, and therefore is very popular among outdoor enthusiasts.

The islands of the Friulian archipelago, located at a distance of 1-4 kilometers directly opposite the Old Port, are ideal for lovers of a relaxing holiday by the sea. An artificial dam leads to the islands of Ratonneau and Pomegues, the island of Tiboulain is known as a permanent nesting site for seabirds, and as for the island of If, it has a completely different fate.

Located on this small island in the Gulf of Lion Chateau d'If(Chateau d'If is open to the public January-March from Thursday to Sunday, 9.00-17.00; April-May - daily, 9.00-17.00; June-September - 9.30-18.30; September-December from Thursday to Sunday, 9.30-17.00; entrance – 6 euros) was erected in the 16th century to protect Marseille from attacks from the sea.

From about the end of the 16th century, the castle was used exclusively as a prison, where especially dangerous criminals were kept in custody, and it was this circumstance that made the castle famous, especially after the release of Alexandre Dumas’ novel “The Count of Monte Cristo.” Today it is one of the most famous attractions of Marseille, the venue for sightseeing tours and photo sessions, since it is from here that the most picturesque panoramic view of the coastal part of Marseille opens.

The castle is connected to the mainland by regular sea connections (every hour in summer, 5 times a day in winter) from the embankment des Belges in the Old Port, special ships depart, the passage of which takes no more than 20 minutes. Just 26 kilometers southeast is a wonderful French Mediterranean resort, which is outside Saint Tropez- city of Kass.

A little further south, on west coast small cape, there is another famous tourist attraction - the city of La Ciotat, and on the other side of the Bay of La Ciotat there is a beautiful family resort Les Lecques is one of the suburbs of the old town of Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer.

Besides the good ones sand and pebble beaches, tourists are also attracted here by the ten-kilometer coastal promenade, stretching from the eastern edge of the city beach with many secluded bays to the calm resort of Bandol, whose vineyards produce some of the best harvests for creating red wines Cote d'Azur.

East of Toulon

The amazingly beautiful wooded coastline between Hyères and Frejus is at the same time one of the most scenic spots France, and the most sought after tourist destination, which cannot but affect these edges.

Beautiful forests with typical Mediterranean vegetation, gorgeous beaches hidden between rocky cliffs, islands isolated from the mainland and extravagant medieval villages - all this literally languishes from the large influx of tourists in the summer, but in the off-season the situation changes dramatically - the ideal time for a relaxing holiday in these places.

And if you add to all this tens elite resorts, thousands of luxurious private houses, chic restaurants, fashionable hotels and the eternal bustle of boats and yachts at sea, then you can roughly imagine how the world-famous Côte d'Azur of France lives up to its advertising image and status. Located 15 kilometers east of the city of Toulon town of Hyères- most old resort Cote d'Azur, among whose connoisseurs were Queen Victoria and Leo Tolstoy. Directly opposite the city are the Hyeres Islands (Iles d'Hyeres) - Porquerolles, Port-Cros and Levant.

17 kilometers east of Hyères there is a green town of Bormes-les-Mimoses(Bormes-les-Mimosas) with its completely restored castle and summer riots of mimosa (brought here from Mexico in the 1860s), bougainvillea and oleander. To the southwest rise the vineyards of Bregancon and Cabazon, in which the government residence is hidden in the castle of Cap de Bregancon. A few kilometers to the east is the town of Le Lavandou, famous for its beautiful sandy beaches.

A little further north, picturesque slopes begin mountain range Maures (Massif des Maures), more like green hills ( highest point– 800 meters). Here you should visit the picturesque village of Collobrieres (considered the “cork capital” of France), the huge monastery of La Chartreuse de la Vergne (XII century, 12 kilometers from Colobriere), ruins ancient castle and the 11th-century church in the village of Grimaud (25 kilometers east), the village of Cogolin, famous for its straw products, and the surviving remains of a 15th-century castle near La Garde-Fresnais.

Around the city of Saint-Tropez

In the central part of the Saint-Tropez peninsula is the small but very picturesque town of Gassin, formerly an Islamic citadel and now a luxury resort. The main attraction of the city is the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (1558), as well as the home of the famous football player David Ginol and the “narrowest street in France” - rue I "Androuno (only one person can really walk along it). Plus, amazingly beautiful panoramic views open up from here views of Cavalier Bay and the Hyères Islands.

The reason for the division is extremely simple - until the beginning of the 20th century, the modern French Riviera was a narrow strip of land with a very inhospitable coastline with a small number of natural harbors and trees, an uninteresting place both for summer holidays and for history.

However, over time, the mild subtropical climate, rocky shores depicted on the canvases of painters, as well as numerous films did their job, and by the beginning of the 1950s, the French Riviera became one of the most famous resorts in the world.

Along the entire coast between Antibes and Cannes there is a series of rather unremarkable new resorts like Villeneuve-Loubet-Plage, Val Claret or Les Logies du Banneau. However, significantly more interesting places away from the coast, which are closely associated with the name of Renoir, including:

    Town of Cagnes(Cagnes, better known as Cros-de-Cagnes) with a beautiful castle in the "lower town" (now a museum);

    Town of Vence(Vence) with numerous ancient buildings, fountains, the Chateau de Villeneuve Fondation Emile Hugues (XV century), chapels and a cathedral in which you can see Roman tombstones and Chagall mosaics;

    Village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence(St Paul de Vence) – home of the art foundation Fondation Maeght;

    There are many other small villages, in each of which you can find something interesting, and of course the famous dwarf country - Monaco .

More photos of the resorts of the French Riviera here: Photo gallery

Cannes is the city of the famous film festival, magnificent sandy beaches, wealthy tourists, fashionable hotels and fantastic views of the bay from the Suquet hill.

There are thirteen free beaches in the city, but entry fees for the most best beaches(“Ondine”, “Festival”) with a high level of service will have to pay from 20 to 30 euros. However, the quality of water and sand in paid and free areas coastline there is virtually no difference and if you are not very concerned about the service, then why pay more?

There are also two “semi-paid” beaches in Cannes, which are under municipal management. These are Zamenhof and Mase. Admission to them is free, but you will have to pay 2-6 euros for sun loungers, sun beds, and umbrellas.

Saint Tropez

Saint-Tropez is well known to our compatriots from the “restricted” times from the film “And God Created Woman” with the blonde star Brigitte Bardot and films about the gendarme, played by the famous French actor Louis de Funes. The picturesque Provençal resort town is famous for its pine forests, luxurious villas of celebrities, sandy beaches (in particular the legendary beach de Pampelonne), stylish restaurants and clubs.

Other resorts of the Cote d'Azur

Antibes, Menton, Juan-les-Pins, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. The independent dwarf state of Monaco is often included among the Cote d'Azur resorts.

Resorts are expensive and cheap

The Cote d'Azur is the most expensive resort area in France. The most expensive are trips to Nice and Cannes (especially during the famous film festival). But despite established stereotypes, in almost every corner of the French Riviera you can find more or less budget hotels and entertainment.

How long does the beach season last on Cote d'Azur?

The high season on the Cote d'Azur lasts from mid-May to the end of October, but not all tourists go to southern shores France, to swim - in May the water is still cool, and at sunset in autumn it is already cool. For many guests of the country beach holiday less important than restaurants, nightclubs, discos, casinos and other entertainment, which are usually not cheap.

Air traffic: charter and regular flights

The main airport of Cote d'Azur is Nice - Cote d'Azur. From here a helicopter flies every 20 minutes to Monaco and it is easy to get by air to Marseille. A significant part of the "summer" tourists get to the Mediterranean coast through Paris, from where they go 3-4 times a day TGV trains reach the main resorts of the Cote d'Azur in 5-6 hours.

Aeroflot planes fly from Moscow to Nice 8 times a week, and Air France operates flights from Moscow (Sheremetyevo) to Marseille 4 times a week. Travel time is 3.5-4 hours.

From June to October, many charter planes fly to Nice (in particular, VIM-Avia from Moscow, year-round, and S7 from St. Petersburg); Marseille airport receives much fewer charter flights. Some vacationers fly on charters to Italian Genoa, from where it’s a stone’s throw to the eastern part of the French Riviera.

The French vacation in Cannes and Nice and others popular resorts Cote d'Azur, just pay less attention to articles where they write about fabulous prices for accommodation, food and everything else. Such prices can only be during world-famous film festivals, and the rest of the time you can find many options for saving money.

First of all, pay attention to the flight. You need to buy tickets in advance and pay attention to low-cost airlines, with which getting to your desired vacation spot will be much cheaper. Ideal time to plan a vacation: at least 3-4 months, and even better six months. In France, there are generally a huge number of different fares, but if you buy a ticket 2-3 months before the flight, the savings can reach three to four times.

Don't think that housing prices are so high that a month's salary will only be enough for you to live for a few days. This is wrong. And you shouldn’t even look for hostels that exist on the Cote d’Azur. I have nothing against hostels, but unlike hostels in other countries, French ones are not neat and clean, and you will feel, to put it mildly, uncomfortable there. Don’t be afraid to look for options in hotels, as many of them regularly hold various promotions, during which the cost of living is reduced by two to three times. And even without discounts, in Nice you can find accommodation options ranging from 80-100 euros per night. And this we're talking about about a hotel that is located as close as possible to the sea, and if you look away from the coast, you can find options ranging from 30-50 euros per room per night. And the best option is to go on vacation with friends or relatives. Then it is profitable to rent an apartment with all amenities. There are many offers for villas, but this is a more expensive option. Each apartment is equipped with a full kitchen with everything you need, and this in turn will allow you to significantly save on food.

Just like in any other country (not necessarily a resort country), the most cheap way eating means buying food in a supermarket or market. Moreover, in the supermarket you can not only vegetables, fruits, sausages, etc., but also ready-made meals that will cost tens of times cheaper than a cafe. The most economical tourists always and everywhere take a boiler with them and can even prepare a hot dish in a hotel. If you don’t want to bother with buying groceries and preparing food, then the most profitable option is to eat in Arab cafes, which are found everywhere in France. Lunch for one person will cost between 5-10 euros, which even by Russian standards is not such a large amount. And the most important thing is that the food there is delicious and they keep it clean. You can also go to a restaurant, but not the one located in the center of the tourist area, but somewhere on the outskirts. When you go to a restaurant, the most important thing is to pay attention to the fact that there are a lot of locals there, then the prices there are moderate. Dinner in such a restaurant will cost from 15 euros per person.

Wealthy tourists travel in their own luxury cars or, in extreme cases, by taxi. But don't forget that everywhere there is public transport, which is represented by trains and buses. Depending on where you need to go, you can choose the most suitable mode of transport. The prices are low, one might even say minimal.

There is a statement that all beaches on the Cote d'Azur are paid, but it is only partly true. In France, there are laws according to which you cannot take money for a vacation on sand or pebbles. Therefore, cunning entrepreneurs are trying to make money by renting umbrellas and sun loungers, and this is not much, not little, but somewhere around 20 euros per day or about 12-14 euros for half a day. Yes, you can go to such a beach with your trestle bed and sit between the sun loungers, but it will look, at least, strange. But not many people know that even the most gorgeous beaches There is a small free area where any vacationer can come and arrange a holiday there. Also on the Cote d'Azur there are municipal beaches everywhere that do not have any services, but you don’t have to pay money for entry. One of the best such beaches is located in the vicinity of Nice and is called Plage des Marinieres.

What kind of holiday can there be without entertainment? In this regard, students and young people under 25 years of age will greatly benefit; there are always some discounts for them, and sometimes they can reach 50 percent. We are mainly talking about entering clubs, museums and discos. In order not to overpay and not fall into the trap of unscrupulous tour operators, immediately after arrival, go to the city tourist office, where you will be provided with complete and specific information about holidays, attractions, entertainment and free Wi-Fi zones.

That’s why you shouldn’t refuse a trip to Nice or Cannes; you can relax there inexpensively, you just need to know when to go and plan your vacation in advance.

  • Last minute tours To France

Cote d'Azur is the famous southern region of France, stretching along Mediterranean Sea from Marseille to the Italian border. Wonderful climate picturesque nature, warm sea and fashionable hotels make it a favorite vacation spot for wealthy people. The main thing on the Cote d'Azur is not the sea at all: people come here for parties, entertainment, restaurants, discos and casinos.

Often, only the southeastern part of the coast, which begins in the Toulon area, is called the Côte d'Azur. In addition to the territory of France with the world famous Nice, Cannes, Saint-Tropez, the region includes the Principality of Monaco. The region offers its guests the best of France: sea and rocky ledges, sun and lush greenery, luxury shops and ancient attractions, delicious food and excellent wines.

The area owes its poetic name to the French writer Stéphane Liéjard, who wrote the novel “Côte d'Azur”.

How to get to the Cote d'Azur

By plane

There are three airports on the Côte d'Azur: Nice Côte d'Azur, Marseille Provence and tiny Cannes Mondelieu, which only accepts private jets. Direct flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg fly to Nice, but you will have to get to Marseille with a transfer, for example, in Paris or Amsterdam. Flights are operated by Aeroflot, Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, the minimum travel time is 6 hours.

From airport to city

For those landing in Nice, the most convenient way to travel to the center is by city bus. Routes No. 98 and 99 depart directly from the airport, and flights No. 23, 52, 59 and 94 also stop nearby (the ticket for them is cheaper, but you will need to move a little away from the airport terminal).

Those arriving in Marseille must first take a free shuttle, which takes 5 minutes to the Vitroles Aeroport railway station, from there trains go to Saint Charles station, and then you can either walk to the desired location or take the metro.

A taxi from Nice airport will take you to the city for 23-28 EUR, Marseille - for 55-65 EUR. Prices on the page are for October 2018.

Search for air tickets to Nice (the nearest airport to the Cote d'Azur)

By train

WITH Belorussky railway station From Moscow there are direct trains to Nice twice a week. Travel time is about 2 days, an adult ticket costs 331 EUR.

The earlier you buy a ticket, the cheaper it will be. In addition, French Railways often offer discounts.

Districts of the Cote d'Azur

The Côte d'Azur is the entire southeastern part of the Mediterranean coast, which belongs to France. The territory extends to the Italian border and includes the Principality of Monaco. The region includes South part departments of the Alpes-Maritimes and Var, as well as a small section of the Bouches-du-Rhône.

The most popular area among tourists is the Alpes-Maritimes, where the famous Nice, Cannes and Monaco are located. These places are traditionally considered the center of luxury, comfort and expensive living, and the capital of the department, Nice, is one of the most famous resorts in the world, although this city is rather interesting cultural heritage and attractions than the beach.

In Var, the pace of life slows down sharply, and the quality of the beaches improves noticeably. It was these lands that became the classic example of the Cote d'Azur: cozy villages and towns, lavender fields, vineyards, blue sea. The most famous cities- Toulon and Saint-Tropez.

And Bouches-du-Rhône is the eastern department of the region, in which Marseille, the largest, busiest and most unusual settlement of the Cote d'Azur and the capital of Provence, is located. From here you can go to ancient Arles, Aix-en-Provence and see many attractions. Near Marseille there are quiet seaside villages with good conditions for a beach holiday.

Transport

The most convenient way to travel around the region is by train. Net railways covers almost the entire coast, and you can get to remote settlements by buses that belong to the local railway company, they even have the same tickets. It is better to buy them in advance at the office. French Railways website.

IN major cities public transport is represented by buses, less often by trams; in Marseille there is a metro. But usually tourists only explore the central part of cities, so you can also get around on foot. Taxi within one settlement costs 20-35 EUR, if you travel by car between cities, you will have to pay 80-110 EUR.

In addition, getting around the Côte d'Azur is easy and pleasant by bicycle. There are often bicycle paths, but even where there are none, it is convenient to ride. In large cities there are city bike rentals, their prices are usually lower, and in smaller places you can find private companies. It is worth choosing a mountain model, since on the way you will most likely encounter dirt roads near vineyards and hills.

Difficulties can only arise when driving along the cobbled streets of the central part of small towns. In this case, it is better to leave the bike and go for a walk.

And, of course, having the sea at your side, you can use by water transport. While renting a yacht is not affordable for everyone, many can afford a ferry ticket or sea taxi fare. Ferries sail both over long distances, for example, connecting the region with Corsica or Sardinia, and over very tiny ones: they run between the two shores of the Old Port in Marseille.

Rent a Car

Most tourists coming to the Cote d'Azur rent a car. This is convenient and practical: you can explore the entire region and not depend on train and bus schedules. However, there is also a downside: the highway along the coast of southern France is crowded, and there are often traffic jams in the high season. The easiest way is to rent a car directly at the airport, although you can also use city rentals in Nice, Cannes, Marseille and other cities. Or even in small villages.

The police treat tourists well, are always ready to help, but require impeccable compliance with traffic rules.

There are many parking lots in the region, but they are all paid, and there are parking meters on the streets. And it’s not so easy to find a place. It is worth preparing in advance and looking at the addresses of multi-level parking lots in cities along the route, sometimes they are the only thing that saves you. There are often toll roads, which also have traffic jams at the entrance. During long journeys, especially in rural areas, experienced drivers advise filling the tank with gasoline for future use, since gas stations are not available everywhere.

Cote d'Azur Hotels

The Côte d'Azur is a very diverse region, and its hotels also vary. These include luxurious, five-star complexes where celebrities stay, and modest home hotels in small towns, and guest houses, where they will not only provide overnight accommodation, but will also delight you with authentic Provençal cuisine, modern apartments, luxurious secluded villas, and simple, affordable hostels. The cheapest accommodations offer bed and breakfast and Wi-Fi, while the most expensive ones offer everything from restaurants and casinos to spas, jewelry boutiques and beauty salons for people and pets.

A night in a hostel costs 12-40 EUR, Double Room in a 3* hotel they rent for 41-230 EUR, and if you want real five-star chic, you will have to pay 150-610 EUR per day. In small towns the cost of living is usually lower.

Beaches of the Cote d'Azur

The Côte d'Azur has a reputation as one of best places in the world for a holiday by the sea. The conditions here are actually quite good, but the quality of the beaches varies greatly. Nevertheless, everywhere there are paid sunbeds and umbrellas, toilets, showers, changing cabins, cafes and various water activities.

Most tourists strive to get to Nice or Cannes, but the coast here can be disappointing: in Nice, guests will find high waves and very large pebbles, more like cobblestones (stock up on beach shoes!), and in Cannes the sand is not bad, but almost the entire area belongs to hotels, sunbathing It won't work for free.

But further along the coast, starting from Antibes, is a real haven for vacationers. In Antibes itself there is a very long and clean beach, surrounded by rocky slopes with pine trees growing on them. The second city beach, Grania, is noisier, with a lot of water activities. In Cassis there are two small sand and pebble areas, which are also framed by stones of amazing beauty, and immediately behind them begins the road to the calanques - narrow rocky bays where you can enjoy the views. More high marks De la Grande Mer beach deserves.

Wonderful sand beach, awarded Blue flag, located in the village of La Ciotat near Marseille, it is perfect for families with children, as the entrance to the water is gentle. The second most popular “children's” resort is in Mandelieu-la-Napoule, which is also shallow and calm. Another good place to relax with kids is San Maxime and the so-called Elephant Beach. Of course, there are no elephants there, but there is soft, fine sand and a very comfortable descent into the sea.

The famous Du Prado beach in Marseille is a two-kilometer stretch of coastline covered with pebbles. But you need to remember that Marseille is a large port city, so the water is not very clean and cannot be compared with neighboring towns, which can be reached in a few minutes.

Those traveling by car should head towards Frejus and turn towards the wild, deserted shores; they are considered the most deserted and beautiful, although there is no infrastructure there.

But the most famous seaside resort Saint-Tropez has remained for many years - indeed, very picturesque and well-equipped, but at times too crowded. Here, the beach of De Pampelonne is recognized as the best section of the coast, although the prices there are very high: for a set of two sun loungers and an umbrella you will have to pay 30 EUR, despite the fact that on more modest beaches the cost does not exceed 15 EUR.

Not far from Toulon is the town of La Londe-les-Maurs - another piece of coast with the Blue Flag, it is very nice and almost deserted, as large hotels not nearby.

Diving

The depths of the sea off the Cote d'Azur are very unusual places for diving. Firstly, under favorable conditions weather conditions You can dive even in winter, although best time still from May to October. Secondly, there is something hidden under the water. amazing world, slightly less rich than in tropical latitudes, but no less fascinating: fish, including the giant rock grouper, more than 20 thousand rock caves, each of which is inhabited by inhabitants unusual for humans, and sunken ships.

The most famous dive site is near Saint-Raphael. Not far from the coast lie as many as 5 sunken ships: 4 of them are relatively young, sank to the bottom during the Second World War, and the 5th has been resting since the mid-16th century and, according to one version, is considered part of Barbarossa’s army. The depth varies - from 6 to 67 m, therefore the requirements for the level of training of divers vary.

Shopping

Despite the fact that the Cote d'Azur cannot be called a place for bargain shopping, many travelers, when going here, dream of real French shopping. You should follow him to Nice, Cannes, Menton and Saint-Tropez. Almost all world and French brands are represented there, and boutiques occupy entire blocks. Another suitable place is Marseille. There are mainly mid-price brands here, the stores are located in the Old Port area.

Sales take place twice a year, from mid-January to mid-February and throughout July. Discounts can be significant: up to 70%, and a month before the start of the promotion, sellers are prohibited from raising prices. Almost all shops have a two-hour lunch break, many are closed on Sunday, but in the most tourist areas these rules are sometimes waived.

Cicadas are considered one of the main symbols of the Côte d'Azur; all kinds of souvenirs with their images are made here: keychains, magnets, brooches and large wall decorations (they can be seen on houses local residents). Provencal herbs, traditional poppy syrup and handicrafts are also brought from here.

It is impossible not to mention the traditional gifts of Provence - lavender, wines, olive oil and cheeses. Bunches of dried lavender are found in every store, but you can bring something more practical: lavender honey or soap, sachets for scenting linen or home decor. The range of wines will amaze even an experienced traveler, because grapes have been cultivated on the Cote d'Azur for several thousand years. It's definitely worth bringing a bottle of Cotes de Provence rosé. When choosing olive oil, make sure that the packaging bears the Extra Virgin designation. And finally, cheeses - a true French classic! For transportation, hard ones are preferable, although varieties with white or blue mold are more popular.

Cuisine and restaurants of the Cote d'Azur

The cuisine of the Côte d'Azur differs from classical French; it is simpler and more “rustic”, but at the same time very tasty. The eastern part, such as Nice, was greatly influenced by Italy.

In addition to luxurious restaurants, found mainly in large cities by the standards of the region, guests will find brasseries, cafes and bistros where they can have an inexpensive and tasty lunch. The establishments are similar to each other, only brasserie is a larger format, cafes are usually designed for several tables, and bistros offer a limited range of dishes (usually 3-4 signature dishes). A separate discussion concerns pastry shops, where they sell fresh baked goods, including the famous baguettes and croissants.

In the afternoon, the kitchen in almost all establishments is closed until 16:00-17:00, you can only order drinks.

To prepare the dishes, they use the gifts of the local land and sea: olive oil, garlic, basil, tomatoes, rosemary, fish and seafood. You should definitely try bouillabaisse, a Marseille dish that is a combination of fish soup and fish main dish. Popular seafood options include oysters, mussels and yantina clams. Those who love meat will appreciate Sisteron lamb.

In the south of France they make excellent banon cheese, which is aged in chestnut or grape leaves. Vegetables and fruits are served everywhere, but in Menton citrus fruits are especially valued, and local Cavaillon melons are not only eaten as independent dishes, they are used to prepare culinary masterpieces in restaurants. The baked artichoke with lard and mushrooms becomes a hit with many tourists.

Dinner with a glass of wine in a restaurant will cost 40-50 EUR. However, prices on the terrace are usually slightly higher than inside.

As a light and healthy snack that replaces fast food, use “fougasse” - a flatbread with olive oil, olives, anchovies and other fillings. There are also sweet options - with candied fruits and nuts. It costs 2-4 EUR.

The best photos of the Cote d'Azur

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Beautiful Nice attractions: these are museums and archaeological sites, and natural beauty, and cathedrals, and much more.

Those who are more interested in the luxury and splendor of the eastern part of the region visit the first gambling house in Europe, the Monte Carlo casino, the fashionable Hotel Negresco, where celebrities have stayed since the beginning of the last century, and the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, where the Cannes Film Festival is held every year .

The most grandiose and bright holiday- the final of the International Fireworks Festival - takes place in Monaco at the end of summer. These days, the sky over the principality blooms with hundreds of lights dancing to the music.

There are several museums in Nice, among them the Chagall and Matisse museums deserve special attention. In addition, a trip to Arles, where Van Gogh lived, to Aix-en-Provence, where Cezanne’s studio is preserved (Avenue Paul Cezanne, 9), and to the Grimaldi Castle in Antibes with the Picasso Museum located in it, will be very exciting for art fans. Mariejol). Unusual complex under open air The Roman hill is a well-preserved ruin of the ancient Cemenelum, which once existed on the site of Nice.

In addition, there are several churches on the Cote d'Azur: the Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Nice - this Orthodox church looks like a real miracle in the Mediterranean landscapes, the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde in Marseille, famous for the fact that it contains models of ships and seascapes (Rua Fort du Sanctuaire) and the gloomy cathedral complex of Fréjus with the ancient baptistery (Rue de Fluery, 58).

Many travelers go to the Nice Opera, famous not only for its productions, but also for its architecture. You need to buy tickets in advance, and don’t forget to take an evening outfit for the trip.

If the lush luxury of the resorts is boring, you can go to natural attractions and visit the Lérins Islands with the first Christian monastery of Gaul or the calanques - the so-called “French fjords”, narrow rocky bays near Cassis. And of course, it’s worth taking a stroll along the region’s two most famous embankments: the Promenade des Anglais in Nice and the Croisette in Cannes, as well as going to Old Port Marseille and take a free ferry there.

7 things to do on the Cote d'Azur

  1. Enjoy the sea and sun on the magnificent beaches of the Cote d'Azur.
  2. Take a walk along the Croisette in Cannes.
  3. Visit the magnificent Chagall Museum in Nice.
  4. Reflect on the vagaries of history at the Grimaldi Castle in Antibes.
  5. You should have a blast at the discos of Juan-les-Pins and spend the rest of your hard earned money in the local Casino.
  6. Take photos in the most cinematic places in Saint-Tropez.
  7. Experience the French-Italian charm of Menton and visit its Mediterranean neighbors for a day.

Weather on the Cote d'Azur

You can come to the Cote d'Azur all year round, but beach holidays are available from May to October. " Velvet season July and August are considered, although at this time there are usually too many tourists and very hot.

Precipitation is rare, the number of sunny days per year is close to 300, and all harsh weather conditions are softened by the combination of sea and mountains. The only exception: Mistral is very strong North wind, which sometimes comes during the cold season. According to legend, people and animals go crazy from it. It is because of the mistral that houses on the Côte d'Azur on the northern side have no windows, and churches have wrought-iron bell towers: the wind passes through the bars without destroying them.

Magnificent France has always attracted travelers from all over the world. And today millions of tourists from different countries come to see this amazing country, get to know its history and culture, admire unique monuments art, culture and architecture.

Most guests also dream of seeing the resorts of France. Everyone wants to go to the sea, and this is easily explained, because numerous reviews of the lucky ones who have been here testify that it is amazing. For family vacation The resorts of France are ideal. At sea, the most comfortable living and recreation conditions are created for children and adults: play and sports grounds, clubs, private pools and special menus in restaurants.

How to choose resorts in France

The sea in France can be admired on more than 3 thousand kilometers of coastline. It overlooks both the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. All resorts located here have their pros and cons.

Thus, on the Atlantic coast the water is cooler even at the height of the beach season, but at the same time it is cleaner and suitable for healing procedures. On the Atlantic, the beaches are sandy, but there is a problem with ebb and flow. In some areas, the sea retreats from the coast by a kilometer (this happens especially often in Brittany and Normandy). Therefore, vacationers swim here only during high tide.

The Mediterranean Sea is much warmer, and the coast is sunnier. Advertising also plays an important role. Interestingly, the French themselves believe that Atlantic resorts more attractive, largely due to their lower workload.

Advantages of seaside resorts

French seaside resorts (you can see photos of them in this article) provide tourists with more than just beaches and accompanying services entertainment (casinos, golf clubs, discos and nightclubs), but also healing procedures, which, according to reviews from vacationers, ease the well-being of various, sometimes very serious, diseases.

It is no secret that France is the birthplace of thalassotherapy. The very first thalassotherapy center was opened in 1899 in the city of Roscoff. Now in the country there are several dozen centers aimed at treating such ailments as rheumatism and acute pain in the spine, as well as post-traumatic rehabilitation.

Climate

It is important for vacationers to know and climatic conditions at the place of stay. Thus, the Atlantic coast of France is characterized by a cool maritime climate - the temperature difference between summer and winter values ​​is small (+7°C and +20°C). Swimming season lasts three summer months.

The resorts of France on the Mediterranean Sea (you can see the photo in the article) are distinguished by a classic subtropical climate - winters are mild and sunny, and summers are dry and hot. In this article we will present to you the most popular and most visited holiday destinations, where both the French and numerous tourists spend their holidays.

French seaside resorts: Cote d'Azur

A narrow and long strip on the northern coast of France on the Mediterranean Sea, which stretches from Marseille to La Spezia (Italy) is united common name- Riviera. sometimes called the French Riviera.

French seaside resorts, photos of which regularly appear on the pages of glossy publications, are known throughout the world not only for their amazing nature and living conditions.

The city of Cannes, located on the shores of the picturesque Napoule Bay, is a prestigious and fashionable summer destination. The same applies to Nice. The annual film festival held in May also significantly increases the rating of Cannes.

Until the beginning of the 19th century, it was a small fishing village, until the French and foreign aristocracy discovered the picturesque area and began to build boarding houses and villas here. Today, Cannes retains its status as a resort for high society and of international importance.

Cannes - southern french city with a population of about seventy thousand people who are almost entirely employed in tourism sector. The beach of this resort is sandy and wide. It is closely adjacent to the world-famous Croisette. In a city with a well-developed infrastructure, many magnificent hotels have been built, guaranteeing guests a comfortable stay.

Monaco

French resorts on the Mediterranean Sea attract tourists, in addition to excellent conditions for recreation and living, due to their wonderful climate. For example, in Monaco there are on average at least three hundred sunny days a year. The principality has many superbly equipped beaches and swimming pools, and thalassotherapy centers.

Here you can stay in comfortable hotels, most of which are four and five star. The perfectly maintained sandy beach strip does not exceed two kilometers, since the main landscape is rocks. Beaches in Monaco are paid, and their cost is significantly higher than the average price in the country.

Cap d'Agde

There is probably no person who would not dream of visiting the seaside resorts of France. Inexpensively compared to previous places, you can relax in Cap d'Agde - the largest resort in the province of Languedoc, created in the 60s of the last century. Its beaches, stretching for fourteen kilometers, are covered with fine clean sand. The city has excellent developed infrastructure. Vacationers can enjoy thalassotherapy, a water park, golf and tennis, an entertainment island and other joys of resort life.

On the Languedoc coast there are also small resort villages However, the conditions here are somewhat inferior to vacation spots on the Cote d'Azur. As a result, they are unpopular among wealthy tourists. The main advantage of a holiday in Languedoc is its affordable cost for guests with an average income level.

The resort village of Port-Camargue is known as a calm and quiet place for a family holiday. Moreover, it is large Entertainment Center with a yacht school and a modern thalassotherapy center.

Quiberon

Unfortunately, some resorts in France (by the sea) have a very short beach season. For example, Quibron, in the south of Brittany, is located on a narrow spit jutting out into the sea. The beach season here lasts only two months - from July to August.

The named resort is famous for its thalassotherapy institute, which is recognized as the best in the world. Here great beaches, pine forests, dunes, golf club. In addition, those interested can go to neighboring Karnaca to see a collection of megaliths (the largest in the world) - ancient stone sculptures.

Holidays in Quibron are recommended for people with metabolic disorders and nervous system disorders.

La Baule

The resort is located in the center of the Cote d'Amur coast. Prestigious and fashionable, it is comparable in image to the Breton Dinard and Norman Deauville. Magnificent hotels here are lined up along the beach. The best of them is Le Royale.