Riviera

Discover Riviera

   The Côte d’Azur, also called the French Riviera, has been known for its chic elegance and high living for well over a century. The French Riviera enjoys exceptionally sunny weather with a great many treasures on offer: an outstanding cultural heritage, sublime landscapes that served to inspire the greatest artists, munificent and well preserved countryside, tranquil hilltop villages, sun-soaked Mediterranean cuisine, a generous lifestyle, and many important international events.

   Big towns and seaside resorts evoke the glorious hours of the Riviera, with resorts such as Nice, Cannes, Antibes, Juan-Les-Pins, Monaco, Menton, Bandol, the hilltop villages around Faïence, the Esterel massif, the Porquerolles islands, famous Saint-Tropez and the Haut Var with such majestic sites as the Gorges of Verdon and the Sainte Croix Lake. Perched on the hills behind the coast, the villages of Biot, Gordio, Saint Agnès and Saorge offer a picturesque vision of the region and remind visitors of the rich diversity of this Provençal paradise.

   The main reason that people visit the French Riviera is for the sunshine, the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea and the beaches. The coast alternates between rocky promontories, shingle beaches and hidden coves as well as some good stretches of fine sand.

   The French Riviera is a real treat for food lovers who want to indulge in the authenticity and creativity of its amazing sun-drenched cuisine. Straight from the colorful market stalls comes a traditional piece of French cuisine and a dish not to be missed while on holiday on the French Riviera: the Ratatouille.

ST TROPEZ, GRASSE & CANNES

Full day tour to St Tropez, Grasse & Cannes. First, visit Saint-Tropez with its traditional heritage and mythical places which have made it famous. Then, go to Grasse, known all around the world for perfumes. Finish your visit in Cannes, a glamorous, chic seaside town you must explore!

9:00 am: Be met by your licensed guide in the lobby of your hotel or at the pier of your cruise.

   Drive to Saint-Tropez, this attractive town which has been for long one of the favorite stops of sailors between Marseille and Genoa. The painter Paul Signac attracted many other painters to this seaside town and soon the residents of Saint-Tropez included Seurat, Bonnard, Dufy, Kisling, Camoin, Matisse, Derain and Van Dongen, but it is Brigitte Bardot who turned it into a real myth in the 60s. Since then, this small, quiet harbor has turned into the “in” vacation spot for chic Parisians and international jet setters. You will follow your local guide on a walking tour of the town, the history of which is deeply linked to the sea, with its traditional heritage and mythical places which have made it famous, such as the Place des Lices where players play bowls games, or the Citadelle. Lunch at a restaurant suggested by your guide.

   Drive to Grasse. Grasse is the foremost city in the world for perfumes. It produces over two-thirds of France's natural aromas (for perfume and food flavorings). The industry’s turnover is more than 600 million euros per year. Grasse's particular micro-climate encouraged the flower farming industry. It is warm and far enough inland to be sheltered from the salty air. The Moors brought jasmine, a key ingredient to many perfumes, to the South of France in the 16th century. Grasse harvests twenty-seven tons of jasmine each year.You will find perfume museums and factories to visit, such as Fragonard.

   End the tour with Cannes. Once a small fishing village, Cannes is now a glamorous and expensive seaside town considered to be one of the social hubs of Europe. During the festival, fans can see actors, celebrities, and directors up close and in person on the famous steps of the Palais des Festivals at the end of La Croisette. You can check out the beauty and architecture of Le Suquet, with its cobbled streets and breathtaking views, or sit at street side tables and enjoy the favored hobby of people watching up and down the lovely marina.

6.00 pm: end of the tour.