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SUN AND SEA IN THE SOUTH
The Cote d’Azure or French Riviera lies basking in the Mediterranean sun on the South East coast of France. With sandy beaches, picturesque medieval towns and sleepy fishing villages beside the azure waters, and an average of 300 days of sunshine a year, it is no wonder that the French Riviera is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe.
Stretching 150 kilometres from around Cassis (just east of Marseille) to Menton on the Italian border, the French Rivera includes the bustling and dynamic city of Nice, glamourous Cannes and numerous seaside resorts along the water’s edge, including Antibes, Saint Raphael, and the playground of the super rich, Saint Tropez. Surrounding the principality of Monaco, the French Riviera is also an ideal area for sailing and is a major hub within the world of superyachts.
A HISTORIC HOLIDAY DESTINATION
This part of the coast had a strong Roman presence in the 1st century BC, the remains of which can be seen in Fréjus, at the baths and amphitheatre at Cimiez, or in La Turbie, where Emperor Augustus built a spectacular victory monument.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, with the advent of the railway, the French Riviera became a popular holiday destination among the British upper classes and European and Russian royalty. Resorts were developed, magnificent villas and grand hotels were built, and the famous Promenade des Anglais was laid down: a 7 kilometre esplanade along the seafront in Nice. The fine sandy beaches and crystal clear water continue to attract holiday makers to this charming and temperate coastline.
ART AND CULTURE ABOUND
Over the years, the French Riviera has attracted many artists with its light, its vivid colours and the beautiful undulating Mediterranean landscape. Monet, Chagall and Picasso all spent time on the French Riviera: the Picasso Museum in the medieval town of Antibes has a fine collection of his work. Renoir set up his studio in Cagnes-sur-Mer, while Henri Matisse settled in Cimiez just outside Nice: visit the Matisse Museum in Nice which displays temporary exhibitions alongside an important collection of the artist’s work. The hilltop town of Saint-Paul-de-Vence was popular with painters and writers and has an important artistic heritage.
There are several major festivals in the area, such as the world-famous Cannes International Film Festival in May, the Nice Jazz Festival in July and the high octane Monaco Grand Prix in May.
The fantastic seafood, fresh Italian-influenced dishes and deep Mediterranean flavours go well with the Provencal wines of the area. Sip a pale pink Provencal rosé as you watch the sun set over the beautiful “azure coast”.
PROMENADE DES ANGLAIS - NICE
The Bay of Angels.
Famous the world over, you must visit the Promenade des Anglais when you are in Nice. This avenue, built by English holidaymakers in the 19th century is on the edge of the Mediterranean and runs alongside the famous Bay of Angels.
On the other side of the street, you can admire the smart hotels and the villas of the rich and famous: The Villa Furtado-Heine, the Hôtel Westminster, the Negresco, the Villa Masséna and the Palais de la Méditerranée.
If you're feeling lucky, why not stop by the Nice Casino, or for the energetic, join the locals in rollerblading along the promenade, for a Californian feel.
Place
promenade des Anglais
06000 Nice
Phone : (+33) 04 97 13 20 00
For more informations
Office de tourisme de Nice
+33 892 70 77 07
5, promenade des anglais
06000 NICE
SAINT TROPEZ HARBOUR
Stars drop anchor.
It is small and pretty, yet Saint-Tropez harbour is known for attracting fabulous yachts and beautiful boats. From vintage schooners to gin palaces teeming with with movie stars, celebrities, beautiful women and a free-flowing champagne, this old fishing port is the playground of the rich and famous.
P. Diddy and Pamela Anderson (amongst many others) have spent many a summer in "Saint Trop".
The harbour itself is broken into two areas: the picturesque old port, which is full of character and steeped in history; and the new section with its modern equipment and infrastructure.
Sit at a table outside a café, relax, and enjoy the theatrical performance of the comings and goings which consititute everyday life in St-Tropez…
Additional information from tourist office on 08 92 64 48 28
Place
Port de Saint-Tropez
terre-plein du nouveau port
83990 Saint-Tropez
Phone : +33 494 56 68 70
St Tropez
Getting there:
By boat:
From Saint-Raphaël: Saint-Raphaël - Saint-Tropez, direct, journey takes 50 minutes
From Cannes or Nice: Trans Côte d'Azur boats
By coach: From the coach station at Saint-Raphaël, regular buses go to Saint-Tropez
For all enquiries contact the Tourist Office on +33 (0) 8 92 64 48 28
For more informations
Office de tourisme
quai Jean Jaurès
83990 SAINT-TROPEZ
Phone : (+33) 04 94 97 45 21
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http://www.port-de-saint-tropez.com
PICASSO MUSEUM - ANTIBES
Picasso and friends.
The Picasso Museum in Antibes has undergone a number of renovations over the years, and it is finally open to the public today.
Set up in what used to be the Grimaldi château, the museum boasts a collection of works by one of the major artists of the 20th century. During his stay in Antibes in the 1940s, Picasso donated a number of works to the town authorities in thanks. The château, transformed into the Picasso museum, officially opened its doors to the public in 1966.
Over the years the collection has grown richer and today boasts a works by number of top artists: Arman, Atlan, Balthus, Buraglio, César, Dezeuze, Ernst, Gleizes, De Staël, Miro and many more.
Free entry for all from the first Tuesday after the 1st November to the following Sunday, and from the first Tuesday in February to the following Sunday
Late openings (until 8pm) in July and August on Wednesdays and Fridays
Closed on 1 January, 1 May, 1 November and 25 December
Admission prices :
- Full price : 6 €
- Reduced price : 3 €
- Until 18 years : Free
Place
Picasso Museum in Antibes
place Mariéjol
Château Grimaldi
06600 Antibes-Juan-Les-Pins
Phone : +33 492 90 54 20
For more informations
Office de tourisme
11, place de Gaulle
06600 ANTIBES-JUAN-LES-PINS
+33 492 90 53 00
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http://www.antibes-juanlespins.com/
THE ROCHER - MONTE-CARLO - MONACO
A princely rock.
The Rocher ("rock"), which is also known as Monaco-Ville, refers to the old fortified town of Monaco which surrounds the Prince's Palace. Situated upon a rocky crag, the Rocher overlooks the rest of the city of Monaco. Explore this attractive area of town with its narrow medieval alleyways which lead to the picturesque Place Saint Nicholas and the Placette Bosio, from the Chapelle de la Miséricorde, to the Palace of Justice in Monaco, and the romanesque-byzantine style Cathedral of Monaco, built in 1875.
Proceed to the Place du Palais where the changing of the guard happens every day at 11.55am sharp in front of the Prince's Palace.
Built in the 13th century and extended in the Renaissance, the Palace is an exceptionally spendid building. Wander throught the Courtyard of Honour, the Hercules Gallery and the Mazarin Salon, before ending your tour at the magnificent Throne Room.
Within the southern wing of the Prince's Palace you will find the Napoleonic Museum and the Collection of Historic Archives of the Palace which contains a vast array of fascinating objects and documents which relate to the First Empire.
Approximately 2 hours walk
For children: children's garden at the entrance to the Jardins Saint Martin, near the Palais Princier
Place
Rocher de Monte-Carlo
avenue Albert 1er
98000 Monaco
For more informations
Office de Tourisme
2a, boulevard de Moulins
98000 MONACO
Enquiries on 00 377 93 25 18 31
PROMENADE DE LA CROISETTE - CANNES
Promenading.
You can’t come to Cannes without taking a stroll along this mythical esplanade: the Promenade de la Croisette. One one side the sea, and on the other, the grand old buildings of the Carlton, Grand Hôtel (now Malmaison), the Ritz... the palaces continue until the end of the Croisette where the legendary Palm Beach Casino awaits you.
Walk in the footsteps of your favourite stars and see their names on the ground, in the shade of the palm trees.
Enjoy the view with the luxury establishments behind you and the sea, sun and horizon right in front of you...
Place
Promenade De La Croisette
boulevard de la Croisette
06400 Cannes
For more informations
Office de Tourisme de Cannes
Esplanade Georges Pompidou
06400 Cannes
Phone +33 492 99 84 22
http://www.cannes.com/index
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GIACOMETTI & MAEGHT 1946 - 1966 EXIBITION
From Sunday, June 27 2010 to Sunday, October 31 2010
Exhibitions and Tours
One of the biggest Giacometti exhibitions ever organised.
After remaining closed for several months while works were carried out, the Maeght Foundation will reopen its doors with a rather exceptional exhibition.
More than 170 works by Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti will be on display, several of which have never been on public view before. You can admire 90 major works such as Man Walking or The Cat here at the Fondation, as well as more than 80 drawings and 60 bronzes by the artist, along with numerous paintings, engravings, photgraphs and documents.
Many prestigious museums and private collectors have loaned works for this great exhibition which concentrates mainly on the artist's post-war period, characterised by his famous elongated sculptures.
From Thursday 1 July to Thursday 30 September 2010 : Everyday, from 10:00 to 19:00
From Friday 1 to Sunday 31 October 2010 : Everyday, from 10:00 to 18:00
Admission prices :
- Full price : 14 €
- Until 17 years : 9 €
- Students : 9 €
- Children until 9 years : Free
Place
Fondation Maeght
montée des Trious
06570 Saint-Paul-De-Vence
+33 493 32 81 63
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http://www.fondation-maeght.com/
Getting there:
Airport: Nice Côte d'Azur
Train: Cagnes-sur-Mer station
Bus: N°400 towards Vence via Saint-Paul-de-Vence from the coach station in Nice or from the SNCF train station in Cagnes sur Mer, stop: Saint-Paul/La Poste
NUITS PIANISTIQUES
18e édition
From Saturday, October 2 2010 to Friday, December 17 2010
Piano Forte.
First held in 1993, the Nuits Pianistiques festival, put together by Michel Bourdoncle, tours the country organising concerts with orchestras, chamber music and piano recitals in a dozen French towns every autumn, from October to December.
Bourdoncle, the artistic director, has always managed to create a high quality programme of celebrity performers, regional musicians and young talents in equal measure.
The Nuits Pianistiques is a key event in Aix-en-Provence, in the Aix area and throughout the Bouches-du-Rhone department for all those who love classical music, and in particular, the piano.
With Michel Bourdoncle, Evelina Pitti, Antonio Soria, Toulouse Chamber Orchestra, Yuri Bashmet, The Moscow Soloists, Andrea Cardinale…
Enquiries on +33 616 77 60 89 (organiser)
Takes place within several towns
Prices vary between concerts
Check out the full programme on the website
Admission prices :
- Full price : 24 €
- Reduced price : 5 €
Place
Théâtre du Jeu de paume
21 rue de l'Opéra
13100 Aix-En-Provence
Tel: 04 42 99 12 00
For more informations
Office de tourisme
place du Général de Gaulle
13100 AIX-EN-PROVENCE
+33 442 16 11 61
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In French : Site" target="_blank">http://www.lesnuitspianistiques.com
ARLES GREAT PROVENCAL
All year long : saturday from 08:00 to 13:00
The colours and flavours of Provence.
Discover the flavours and aromas of Provence at this major market on Saturday mornings. The produce changes with the seasons, with a brilliant array of colours this is one of the largest markets in the whole of Provence.
Browse the stalls selling fruit, vegetables, spices, cheeses, meat, honey, not to mention the stalls with clothes, shoes and hand-crafted artisan products. Fill your basket with local specialities such as olive oil, green and black olives, tapenade, Arles saucisson, spices, Camargue rice, shellfish and oysters from the Camargue. Enjoy all the fresh flavours of a local country market.
Place
Centre-ville d'Arles
place de la République
13200 Arles
For more informations
Office de tourisme d’Arles
43, boulevard de Craponne
13200 ARLES
+33 490 18 41 20
Enquiries: contact the city hall on +33 490 49 36 36
BRIGITTE BARDOT EXHIBITION
From Wednesday, June 23 2010 to Sunday, October 31 2010
Exhibitions and Tours
The famed Brigitte Bardot, star of the 50s and 60s throughout France, Europe, and the world at large, is once more the star of the show with this fascinating exhibition in Saint-Tropez. As well as representations of "B.B.", the expo also deals with the culture and society of that period.
Elevated to symbol of femininity notably through the film And God Created Woman, by Roger Vadim and painted by Andy Warhol, this exhibition explores Bardot's image. Featuring design elements of that era, film extracts and original documents, this exhibition will shed light on Bardot's significance in the timeline of female representation in popular culture. Her revolutionary persona is fondly remembered here.
Don't miss this epic exhibition on the starlet who influenced so many things…
Enquiries on +33 892 68 48 28
Tickets from the Tourist Office in Saint-Tropez
Evenign openings and private viewings possible
Guided tous on Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm
From Wednesday 1 September to Monday 18 October 2010 : from 11:00 to 20:00
Admission prices :
- Until 18 years : Free
- Full price : 11 €
- Reduced price : 8 €
Place
Espace Rendez-vous des Lices
place des Lices
83990 Saint-Tropez
Getting there:
By boat:
From Saint-Raphaël: Saint-Raphaël - Saint-Tropez, direct, journey takes 50 minutes
From Cannes or Nice: Trans Côte d'Azur boats
By bus : From the bus station at Saint-Raphaël, regular buses go to Saint-Tropez
For more informations
Office de tourisme
quai Jean Jaurès
83990 SAINT-TROPEZ
+33 494 97 45 21
Website in French : http://ot-saint-tropez.com/
NICE CARNIVAL
127e édition
From Friday, February 18 2011 to Tuesday, March 8 2011
Thème 2011 : Roi de la Méditerranée
The king is back for the Carnival!
The Carnival, a celebration as old as the world, was originally a pagan feast. The name derives from the latin "Carne levare, levamen" or "removal of the flesh" (which is the most common definition). The event takes place before Lent and includes the celebration of Mardi Gras -- the last celebration before a period of fasting. As one can imagine, this leads to some serious celebrating!
The golden age of the Carnival de Nice dates back to the Belle-Epoque, but its history goes back a long way. The Duke of Anjou, Provence Charles II, is said to have journeyed to Nice just to enjoy the festivities as early as 1294.
Today the Nice Carnival is one of the world's most popular events of its kind, thanks in no small part to the record-breaking number of paper-maché figurines in the crowd. During the parades, festival-goers carry about 150 000 hand-painted lamps, twinkling like so many stars at the Carnival which goes on for two whole weeks. The lighting and decorations set up in Nice for the event are one-of-a-kind, transforming the Place Masséna and the Promenade des Anglais into a twinkling fairytale setting.
Celebrations, surprises, costumes, make-up, glitter and gold, floats and parades, flowers, puppets and a huge firework display to close the festival… On the Côte d'Azur or French Riviera beside the Mediterranean, Nice Carnival is the European Rio Carnival!
Information on +33 892 707 407
Programme on the website for 2011
Different rates according to where you stand
Place
Place Massena
06000 Nice
For more informations
Office de tourisme de Nice
5, promenade des anglais
06000 NICE
+33 892 70 74 07
http://www.nicecarnaval.com/
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