Côte d’Azur

La Côte d'Azur s'étend approximativement de Cannes à Menton le long de la Méditerranée, avec Nice comme pôle pratique, bien desservie à la fois par avion et par une ligne ferroviaire côtière qui rejoint aussi Monaco, Antibes et Villefranche-sur-Mer.

Un court trajet en train relie plusieurs villes très différentes : la vieille ville de Nice, le quartier des casinos de Monaco, les musées d'art d'Antibes et l'ambiance beach-club de Saint-Tropez.

• Walk the Promenade des Anglais in Nice and explore the Old Town's markets.
• Day-trip to Monaco for the Prince's Palace and the Oceanographic Museum.
• Visit the Musée Picasso in Antibes' Château Grimaldi.
• Take the coastal train to Villefranche-sur-Mer for a quieter beach afternoon.

Late May–June and September offer warm weather with noticeably smaller crowds and lower prices than the July–August peak, when the coast is at its busiest.

Nice is the most practical base thanks to its airport and central position on the coastal rail line; Antibes and Villefranche-sur-Mer offer a quieter alternative within easy reach of Nice and Monaco.

The TER coastal train connects Cannes, Antibes, Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer, and Monaco frequently and cheaply; a car is rarely necessary and parking in town centers is difficult in peak season.

Niçoise cuisine (salade niçoise, socca, pissaladière) reflects the region's Italian-influenced coastal heritage; Cours Saleya market in Nice is a good introduction to local produce and specialties.

The Riviera runs above the French national average, especially in Monaco and Saint-Tropez; a mid-range day based in Nice (hotel, train travel, restaurant meals) commonly totals €150–220.

Beach access in parts of the Riviera is dominated by paid beach clubs (plage privée); free public beach sections exist but can be narrower and busier. Confirm which type a beach is before settling in.