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Holiday on the French Riviera
The French Riviera is a name, often used by the British, to describe the Mediterranean coastline in the south east of France. There is no official boundary, but roughly stretches from Menton in the east to St Tropez in the west. The area is famous for its beaches, sophisticated cities and historical towns and you can enjoy mild weather all year round.
Beaches
Not all of the beaches on the French Riviera are open to the public. Many, particularly around some of the more exclusive towns like Cannes and St Tropez are privately owned and have limited access. There are some that you can only get to by boat or helicopter! Of the beaches that are open to the public there are two types; those that are free and those that charge a few Euros for entry, though this usually includes rental of a sun lounger and parasol. You will also then have access to their facilities such as showers and toilets. The free beach at Antibes is small but sheltered while the long stretch of sand at Juan les Pins gets very busy in the summer, but has plenty of free parking nearby. The beach at Nice is very popular with the locals but is pebbles rather than sand, so take a deck chair or blow-up mattress if you want to get comfortable.
Promenades
Most towns along the French Riviera have their own promenade, which in the summer will be busy every evening with holidaymakers and locals alike taking a stroll before dinner. These range from the famous Promenade des Anglais in Nice to the smaller, but no less fascinating seafront at towns like Juan les Pins. The Promenade des Anglais is around 7 km long and runs the length of the bay at Nice, offering the chance for a good stretch of the legs on an evening. You can also ride bikes or roller skate along the wide pavements. Juan les Pins’ promenade may be smaller and less spectacular, but on summer evenings it becomes the bustling centre of the town, with crowds enjoying the live music and stalls that are set up there.
History
The area isn’t all expensive yachts and promenades, though. Monaco has a beautiful old town on the top of the cliffs, complete with royal palaces and the cathedral where Princess Grace is buried. Antibes is home to the Fort Carre, a medieval castle on the headland, which now houses a museum and offers great views along the coast. In the same town, there is the Picasso Museum, celebrating the period in the artist’s life when he lived in the region, with a collection of paintings, drawings and sculptures.
Beaches
Not all of the beaches on the French Riviera are open to the public. Many, particularly around some of the more exclusive towns like Cannes and St Tropez are privately owned and have limited access. There are some that you can only get to by boat or helicopter! Of the beaches that are open to the public there are two types; those that are free and those that charge a few Euros for entry, though this usually includes rental of a sun lounger and parasol. You will also then have access to their facilities such as showers and toilets. The free beach at Antibes is small but sheltered while the long stretch of sand at Juan les Pins gets very busy in the summer, but has plenty of free parking nearby. The beach at Nice is very popular with the locals but is pebbles rather than sand, so take a deck chair or blow-up mattress if you want to get comfortable.
Promenades
Most towns along the French Riviera have their own promenade, which in the summer will be busy every evening with holidaymakers and locals alike taking a stroll before dinner. These range from the famous Promenade des Anglais in Nice to the smaller, but no less fascinating seafront at towns like Juan les Pins. The Promenade des Anglais is around 7 km long and runs the length of the bay at Nice, offering the chance for a good stretch of the legs on an evening. You can also ride bikes or roller skate along the wide pavements. Juan les Pins’ promenade may be smaller and less spectacular, but on summer evenings it becomes the bustling centre of the town, with crowds enjoying the live music and stalls that are set up there.
History
The area isn’t all expensive yachts and promenades, though. Monaco has a beautiful old town on the top of the cliffs, complete with royal palaces and the cathedral where Princess Grace is buried. Antibes is home to the Fort Carre, a medieval castle on the headland, which now houses a museum and offers great views along the coast. In the same town, there is the Picasso Museum, celebrating the period in the artist’s life when he lived in the region, with a collection of paintings, drawings and sculptures.
About the Author
The Author writes for Holiday Home Rentals who have a selection of Villas on the French Riviera and Villas in France which can be rented direct from their owners.
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