The French Riviera, or the Cote D’Azur, runs from the Italian border, along the southern French coast as far as Cassis near Marseille, or Saint Tropez depending on who you believe. There is some dispute as to where exactly the Riviera stops and even the French government can’t decide on a definite spot.

The name “Cote D’azur” means literally, the Azure coast and comes from the beautiful azure color of the Mediterranean sea and skies. The names of the towns along this coast conjure up images of leisurely strolls along the boardwalks and sipping drinks people-watching as the sun goes down over the sea. Saint Tropez, Cannes, Antibes, Nice, Monte Carlo are all beautiful in their own way and have very different characters.

The French Riviera is a popular destination, not just for the stunning scenery, weather and beaches, but for the opportunity of bumping into one of the many celebrities who choose to make a home here.

The public beaches become a little crowded during the season, but there are many less crowded private beaches available for a small charge.

Also along the coast there are many beautiful marinas full of exotic (and expensive) boats. Most of these are accessible to the public, and if you want to take a stroll through, you are more than welcome.

Of course, there is no need to actually dock and there are always a large number of beautiful boats anchored just off the coast. There are even a few boats that are too large to come into port that will send a tender or smaller boat into harbor.

One of the most appealing things about the French Riviera is the proliferation of interesting and varied towns just a few miles inland, away from the tourist areas. Vence, St Paul, Biot offer charming alternatives to the hustle and bustle of the seaside resorts. Many of the inland towns are medieval and haven’t really changed since they were first built.

These towns tend to be a little quieter and cooler in the summer although that is probably the busiest  time to do any overseas travel. There is almost always a breeze blowing down from the mountains and there are many interesting restaurants and alleyways to explore. Once again, they are much busier during the summer season between July and August.

Getting around the French Riviera is a breeze. If you prefer to drive, be prepared for heavy traffic and some “interesting” driving habits, such as the French obsession with horn honking. Don’t take it personally though, it just means that the traffic light went green three milliseconds ago and you still haven’t moved. Be sure to take a travel pillow with you though - the French hotels tend to use micro-thin pillows.

If you prefer public transport, there is network of buses running inland and a very efficient railroad system running all along the coast with regular trains all through the day from early morning until about 9 p.m. The French railroad website, in English is here:

The bus routes change regularly and are best checked out in person along the route you need to use.

There is a large airport at Nice, and most tourists arrive here. Nice is situated close to the Italian border, and easily accessible, with the A8 Autoroute (interstate) just a few minutes away. Nice airport has a great English website here: