Ramblings of a retiree in France
Most of us can only dream about where we’d like to visit next however I would encourage you to do more than just dream. Plan and prepare for when we can all travel again. I’m conscious that many of you only have a few days to spare for my part of the world, so where would I encourage first-time visitors to the French Riviera to go?
These places are in no particular order and can all be easily reached using public transport – train, tram bus.
Obviously I would have to say start with Nice, an all year round destination, about which I have already written one or two (slight understatement) posts. It overlooks the sparkling waters of the Mediterranean. Start with a climb up (or take the small train) to La Colline du Château (Castle Hill) to see what I’m talking about. Once you get to the top, you’ll have panoramic views of the Baie des Anges, the Old Town, Promenade des Anglais and the city’s varied and vibrant architecture. And while a few crumbling walls are all that remain of the namesake castle on the hill, there is a verdant park that’s perfect for an al fresco picnic lunch.
Any sightseeing should include a trip to Nice’s colorful Vieille Ville, or Old Town, which is a delightful maze of narrow streets full of lively restaurants, galleries and shops. There are cafés dotted all around the Old Town’s many squares, so take the opportunity to sit down, coffee (or rosé) in hand, and people-watch the day away. For a more active visit, spend some time strolling along the Promenade du Paillon, the city’s public park and botanical garden that links the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art with the Promenade des Anglais.
The town of Menton has all the beauty of the better-known coastal villages, but a fraction of the crowds. Its half-dozen beaches are all but empty in the off-season, and boutique-filled alleyways are relatively tourist-free. With over 300 days of sunshine a year, exceptional gardens, and quality Italian cuisine due to its position on the Franco-Italian border, it’s an ideal spot for a day trip. (For an unparalleled Provençal gastronomic experience, however, head to Mirazur, chef Mauro Colagreco’s triple Michelin-starred spot that earned the number one title in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list for 2019.) In February, the town holds a magnificent Lemon Festival, a celebration of spring and a throwback to the town’s past, when it survived principally on citrus production.
Beyond the megayacht boat porn and picture-perfect beaches, Antibes is a draw for its literary and artistic history. It was at the Villa Saint Louis (now the popular Hotel Belles-Rives) in Juan-les-Pins that F. Scott Fitzgerald took up summer residence with wife Zelda and his daughter Scottie in 1926 and began his work on Tender is the Night. The enclosed mansions and dramatic villas lining the shore that once fascinated Fitzgerald are still very much a part of the landscape, but there’s local charm to be found, too. Stroll around old Antibes, through the Cours Masséna, a Provençal food market, and up to the Musée Picasso, the first museum dedicated to the artist. Formerly the Château Grimaldi, the stronghold was Picasso’s home and workshop in 1946 and remains one of the commanding cultural draws of the resort town.
Long before it was synonymous with the International Film Festival and earned its reputation as a playground for the world’s dizzyingly well-heeled, Cannes was a shimmering, seaside destination made for resting and people-watching – something that still remains true. But it also offers extraordinary views and culture. Climb the winding staircases and pass the pastel-coated homes in Le Suquet, the city’s old quarter, and you’ll end up at the Musée de la Castre, a home for ethnographic art in a medieval fortress overlooking the marina and the Croisette. For restorative beaches and landscapes free of crowds, take a 15-minute ferry ride to two of the Lérins islands off the coast: Ile St. Honorat, known for its working monastery and forest groves, and Ile Ste-Marguerite, the spot for hidden coves and beaches.
Nestled into craggy cliffs high above the sea, the medieval village of Eze is a delightful step back in time. The well-preserved stone buildings, winding alleyways, 14th-century chapels and dramatic Mediterranean backdrop make this tiny village seem like a movie set. The dramatic views are best earned by taking one of the many hiking trails, like the famous Nietzsche path, that connect the the town and the summit, which sits over 150 metres (1,400 feet) above sea level. At the top, is the town’s medieval fortress, which you may recognize from Hitchcock’s To Catch a Thief, surrounded by the Jardin Exotique, a desert garden brimming with succulents and exotic florals.
Grasse (visit write-up coming soon) is a quiet, pretty medieval village that also holds the distinction of being the world’s perfume capital. While famous perfumeries like Fragonard offer free tours of their factories, the real reason to come here is to take in the near-endless fields of flowers that dominate the area’s hilly landscape. Come August, the town plays host to the Jasmine Festival, a three-day celebration of jasmine, one of the two flowers to have dominated local perfume production (the other is Damascus rose). Grasse is conveniently located between Cannes and Nice, so a quick stop here is worth your while, if only to smell the flowers.
Bordered by France on three sides, the petite principality of Monaco is a bastion of glitz and glamour. While it’s typically known as a playground for the ultra rich, those short on cash can still enjoy themselves. Its easy enough to walk around to view stately sights like the Prince’s Palace, Fort Antoine and Monaco Cathedral. Don’t forget to take some time to observe the luxurious yachts in the harbour (or, even better, make friends with someone who owns one), and wrap up your trip with a spin at the Monte Carlo casino.
I hope I’ve provided you with some inspiration for your next trip to my part of the world.
We visited Nice en route to Slovenia and I thought it was absolutely beautiful: vowed to go back to the French Riviera once it is safe to travel again so I will be taking your advice, thank you!
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Good to know
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French Riviera: Must See Places
On Tuesday, September 22, 2020, View from the Back wrote:
> Sheree posted: “Most of us can only dream about where weâd like to visit > next however I would encourage you to do more than just dream. Plan and > prepare for when we can all travel again. I’m conscious that many of you > only have a few days to spare for my part of the worl” >
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Lovely, I’ve visited the Riviera twice, once in winter and the other time at Easter. Managed to visit almost everywhere on your list apart from Menton. Perhaps I’ll get there next time Sheree!
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😎
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You’re lucky to live such a lovely part of the world.
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Don’t worry I do appreciate how lucky I am
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💗💗💗💗💗💗💗
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I do hope I can find this information if I ever need it. I don’t know that I will but thank you.
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😎
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Beautiful views. ❤
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Thanks
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I visited the French Riviera many years ago and I loved it. It is on my wish list to return. I have saved this post, it is fabulous Sheree. Lyn
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Don’t forget to let me know when you’re coming Lyn
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Most definitely, thanks Sheree, Lyn
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😎
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Beautiful place and some must visit places there. I really wish, we could soon start travelling again.
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Me too Reena
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Is really beautiful my belle France! If only we have time now.
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Indeed
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You paint a lovely picture.Where are the people?I love the sunshine.
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Thank you but these are mainly relatively recent photos so not too many tourists!
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Eze and Monaco are my favorite memories 💓
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Coolo
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Travel Antena is up.. thanks Sheree! ❤️ Cindy
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Wow, I will certainly refer back to this post when returning to France! Thanks, Sheree! 🌞
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My pleasure
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my daughter and i truly enjoyed our trip to the French Riviera. i hope we can go back and see more places there. 🙂
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Me too
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So beautiful! Thank you for sharing your pictures! I’d love to travel there someday!
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😎
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Another visit planned….one day…..
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😎
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Can’t wait to visit one day! I am currently looking forward to a trip to Maine this fall 🙂
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I’ve visited Maine such a pretty state. Enjoy.
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The place in the South of France that I most want to visit is Marseilles.
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I’ve been many times it’s an interesting city, quite gritty.
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That’s what appeals to me, like Naples and Palermo.
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I’d love to go to nice! I’ve been to paris, euro disney, and the surrounding areas, it was lovely!
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One day Carol Anne, one day
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Absolutely beautiful views! Thank you for sharing them with us! ♥️ Do you have a favorite destination that tends to be more rural, less populated?
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I have tons of favourite destinations. The south-west is less popular but still lovely. There are loads of posts about France on my blog.
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Thank you Sheree for your reply ♥️
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My wife has always wanted to visit St Tropez, so I will forward this excellent blog post to her!
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Saint Tropez is in the neighbouring Var
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Nice show, Sheree. How beautiful and lavishing it must be to travel the world with grand dinings and tours. Really awesome! Have a relaxing week.☕️🎼
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Well, in this case I didn’t have to travel too far as I live near Nice
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I had plans to visit France this year before the pandemic. Can’t wait to explore next year. Thanks for the beautiful ideas!
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You’re welcome Patti
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Thank you for this detailed post with beautiful images of the various destinations of French Riviera..it’s right at top of my bucket list of places to visit. Until I can visit, will keep looking at the pics. 😀😀
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Thanks for dropping by and commenting
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It’s really beautiful ! I’m french but i’ve never visited these area of France ! 😊
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Well, France is a very large country. I’m fortunate to live here but love visiting other parts of France.
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Lovely collage! Such a beautiful area, I wonder why I ever left. I’ve been to all these places but it really seems like it was someone else, another lifetime. Stay safe and enjoy!
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Thank you
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