Destinations - France - Côte d’Azur

Originally discovered as a winter holiday destination by English Victorians, who gave their name to the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, the Côte d’Azur has for long since been the holiday playground of the rich and famous in all seasons.

Backed by a dramatic mountainous hinterland, its lower slopes covered with olive groves, pine forests and vineyards, this beautiful stretch of coastline evokes images of grand hotels, casinos, elegant boutiques, harbours lined with expensive yachts and palm lined promenades.

Today the legendary seaside resorts of Cannes, Antibes, ice and Monte Carlo vie with former fishing ports such as St Tropez, Sainte Maxime and Le Lavandou to provide a glorious holiday playground with sun baked beaches and sheltered bays, as well as a bewildering choice of cafés, bars restaurants and nightspots.

And to complement the hedonism of the seaside you can head inland to explore the beautiful interior with its sweet scented mountain slopes and charming medieval villages. Here you can browse through a colourful Provencal market or simply watch the world go by from a café terrace in a shady village square.

Search & Book villas on the Côte d’Azur

Local Cuisine

Côte d'Azur cuisine is distinctive from the other styles of cooking in France.

The Mediterranean influences the dishes with hot spices and seafoods but because of the mountains rising steeply from the sea, and the shortage the rich pasture for cattle, the local the cuisine tends to uses less milk but rather goat cheeses.

Garlic, olive oil, olives and "Herbes de Provence" predominate, of course.

Local Attractions

• Cannes: Allées de la Liberté 
• Monaco: Casino, Place de la Casino
• St. Tropez: Citadelle
• St. Raphaël: Eglise Notre Dame de la Victoire