'Vacation' is probably the first word that comes to mind when you hear about the French Riviera. This entire region in France has garnered quite a glossy reputation, mostly because most of the world's elite have often retreated to this part of the country for a summer holiday. And while it's not a bad reputation to have, the region is more than just a supreme getaway destination. The many cities that make up this French region would argue that the area has a lot of character, its own charms, and more you just have to see for yourself!
Antibes
A famous fort, a museum devoted to Pablo Picasso, and a whole lot of delectable delicacies. These are what you should be excited about if you plan to go to the city of Antibes. Looking like a Medieval coastal town, it's not necessarily a spot that the rich and famous would retreat to for summer, but it remains a fascinating place to explore nonetheless. At its core, it's a healthy balance of an urban setting and rural charm that you won't see anywhere else!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Biot
Speaking of a Medieval city, Biot is another in the French Riviera worth visiting. And it's one of those cities that have their own specialties, glassmaking being the one for this particular place. You'll see that there are countless art studios and workshops in this city that are devoted to the art of glassmaking, each more interesting than the next. And as the craftsmanship is getting overshadowed by mass production as a whole in the rest of the world, you'll appreciate seeing the art of Biot more than ever!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Jean Pierre Lozi
Cagnes sur Mer
Cagnes sur Mer is the type of rural French city that serves as a congregation for artists. Though when you see just how beautiful the city—as well as the French Riviera region as a whole—is, it's no surprise that many creatives go or even move here. As a result, the city is filled with all sorts of art galleries and museums, so much so that it
almost rivals Paris in many ways. Out of all of them, the
Fondation Maeght, full of 20th-century artworks, is a particular highlight.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Rdavout
Cannes
Famous for
its film festival, Cannes has become one of the most glamorous cities in France outside of Paris. And it's not just because many celebrities and supermodels visit it during May. For one thing, there are so many
French designer labels that have set up shop here, making it a lap of luxury in this part of the country. It also helps that
Cannes' many neighborhoods are outright stunning and upscale enough for some of society's elite to set up their own summer homes here.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Fréjus
Heavenly hills, luscious greeneries, lots of forests—this much botanical bliss makes it one of the must-visit spa towns in the French Riviera. They're far from the
parks of Paris, these patches of nature are mostly untouched and retain their natural charms which may even benefit people's well-being. Of course, as it is in the French Riviera, the seaside shoreline is the main highlight of this commune. The crystal blue waters are a sight to behold here!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Grasse
Ever wondered where the perfumes from
Chanel,
Dior, and more come from? Well, it's highly likely they come from the beautiful city of Grasse on the French Riviera. Regarded as the capital of the French perfume industry, the city is mostly made up of perfume factories that manufacture some of the most famous and iconic scents in the luxury retail industry. It helps that the area does have its fair share of exotic flowers, the most popular of which is jasmine. It even led to an annual festival, Fête du Jasmin, that's all about the sweet-smelling flower.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Lylambda
Menton
Now, if Grasse was the French perfume capital of the world, the city of Menton is regarded as the lemon capital of the country. Yep, if there's one thing to expect in this part of the French Riviera, it's the citrus fruit with all its tanginess, zestiness, and more. The lemons here are regarded as the sweetest and the least acidic in the city, leading to many culinary hotspots adding some lemon zest to their
classic French pastries. Your taste buds will surely appreciate you going here!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Nice
Its own name is the perfect word to describe this city in the French Riviera. Nice is arguably one of the most beautiful cities in France. With a healthy mix of baroque architecture, classic French Medieval style, and a tropical Mediterranean vibe, the aesthetic and the atmosphere here is truly unlike any other! It even has its fair share of top-notch tourist spots worth visiting: Castle Hill Park, the Palais Lascaris, Quai des Etats-Unis, and more! You'll never be bored when you go to Nice, that's for sure!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Saint-Paul de Vence
A congregation of artists since the 1920s,
very much like Paris, Saint-Paul de Vence is an artists' village in its truest sense. Retaining its Medieval charm from eons ago, you can feel the beauty just emanating from all the corners of this commune. You don't even necessarily need to visit the museums and galleries in the city to appreciate the art here. You can just look around at all the stunning architecture, the pretty gardens, and, of course, the natural beauty of the French Riviera!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Dennis Jarvis
Saint-Raphaël
Though it's a beautiful coastal town, Saint-Raphaël is arguably the liveliest city on the French Riviera. Think of an array of upscale yachts lining the coast, each hosting its own swanky dinner party. An electric, neon-lighted nightlife full of crowded bars, exciting clubs, late-night cafés, and more. Even a few carnival rides, the most eye-catching of which is a Ferris Wheel that lights up once the sun goes down. That's the scene in Saint-Raphaël—relatively different from the rest of the French Riviera.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Saint Tropez
If there's one place in the French Riviera—apart from Cannes, of course—that you've probably heard of, it's Saint Tropez. With
so many things to do here, it's no surprise that many of the world's elite go here when they need to take a break and just luxuriate in the finer things this coastal town has to offer. Though it's as glamorous here as the likes of Cannes and Paris, people are more laid-back in this city. It's really. retreat for them (and you!) to just hang loose, sit back, and relax!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Starus
Whatever your idea of the French Riviera may be, the French coastal region still has its own fair share of surprises that will catch you off-guard. You'll only really know this part of France if you actually see and visit the cities that make up the region yourself!
When you do get lucky to go here, make sure you book a
luxury rental for your home here! There's no other way to do it than this!
