(Nice)
Overview:
Walking past an exhibit on the impressionist period, I stopped in my tracks upon discovering a simple yet beautiful painting. This painting depicted a scene from a rugged and dramatic mountain range hugging up against a turquoise blue coastline. The closer I looked into the artwork, I noticed a quaint village with vibrant buildings and a picturesque port. Fishermen were pulling their boats into the dock while the calm waves were softly crashing up against the seawall. Once my eyes moved away from the piece and towards the description, I was enlightened to see that this was a scene from the French Riviera. The Côte d'Azur as it is properly known as is a magical place that has inspired countless artists in search of warmth, vitality, and romance, which is reflected in countless artworks. The same sense of adventure can be described for those visiting the French Riviera of today. This is a destination that is famously known for being the summertime playground for the aristocratic and elite. An international film festival hosted every summer in addition to luxe hotels, restaurants, and nightclubs make this slice of the Meditteranean quite recognizable. However, this coastline in southern France hides many interesting shades and personalities beyond the star-studded events & exclusive resorts.
Where to Dine:
Crêperie Corentin Nice - Quaint, Crêperie
Armani Caffè Cannes - Relaxing Cafe, Great People Watching
Boulangerie Blanc Nice - Authentic Bakery, Great Breakfast/Lunch
Joël Robucon Monte Carlo - Haute Cuisine, Monte Carlo, Luxury
Where to Stay:
Hôtel Martinez Cannes - Classic, Waterfront Accommodation
La Malmaison Nice - Old Nice Hotel, Great Location
Le Méridien Nice - High-End Hotel, Fabulous Rooftop Pool
Hotel Metropole Monaco - Luxury to the Max, Old World Aristocracy
Where to Play:
Bâoli Cannes - Vibrant Beachside Restaurant, Dinner & Show
Èze - Romantic, Hillside Town
Casino Monte Carlo - Iconic Gambling Institution, Monte Carlo
Matisse Museum - Art Museum
(Old Town, Nice)
Blog:
Travelers often visiting Europe for the first, second, or even third times tend to curate their itineraries towards larger, immediately recognizable destinations. Cities like London, Paris, and Amsterdam are synonymous with providing rich cultural experiences with a welcoming attitude towards millions of visitors year after year. However, lesser-known cities are waltzing their way towards the center stage of becoming Europe’s leading destinations. Lisbon, Budapest, and the famed Côte d’Azur are emerging as popular and trendy contenders in the world of most-visited places. The Côte d’Azur or the French Riviera is known globally for being a summertime getaway for the affluent and well-known. Between the months of May and August, hoards of posh guests migrate to this thin layer of southeastern France to enjoy endless glasses of rosé overlooking the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. However, there’s been a slight shift from the age of Prince Rainier III and Hollywood starlet & Princess, Grace Kelly. The French Riviera might still be synonymous with a luxury holiday experience, yet the local tourism scene is slowly becoming more democratic. Travelers from all financial backgrounds are discovering the tranquility and beauty of places like Nice, Cannes, Èze, and the principality of Monaco.
I’ve been lucky enough to have visited this exclusive slice of Mediterranean paradise twice in the last five years. Both visits entailed a quick weekend getaway where my first visit was a solo adventure and my second was with a great friend. During both of my stays on the Riviera, I made the bustling city of Nice my central hub for exploring the region. It’s evident walking through the streets of Nice that due to its geographic position and lengthy history as an Italian port that there’s a unique blend of French & Italian architectural influences. The flamboyantly colored structures in Nice’s Old Town are indicative of the city’s Italian past while the Ville Nouvelle (New Town) is quintessentially French in personality and aesthetic. My favorite thing to do in Nice is to walk from the New Town into the charming historic district and climb the giant staircase up to the Parc de la Colline du Château. Once at the top of this staircase, the park provides visitors the most impressive views of Nice and the turquoise blue bay. Now if you’re in town to discover the art scene of the Côte d’Azur, there are two fantastic options, the Museum of Modern & Contemporary Art & the Matisse Museum. The Matisse Museum celebrates the works of Impressionist artist, Henri Matisse while the MAMAC (French) celebrates the spirit of France’s modern artistic movements. Luckily, Nice is a major city that offers something for every taste and wallet size, so no need to worry.
(Monaco)
Situated just a mere 20 minutes by train east of the popular cruise destination of Nice is an entirely different country outside of France. The principality of Monaco is in fact, the world’s second-smallest nation standing tall at under 1 square mile. This unique country surrounded by the mountains of southeastern France is where members of the wealthiest communities on the planet converge to gamble, party, and live the high life. Fashionable among royalty, celebrities, and millionaire moguls, Monaco and the Monte Carlo neighborhood is where most come to spend their earnings. Whether they’re staying at the Metropole or dressed to the nines gambling inside the iconic Casino, Monaco is a spectacle of aristocratic proportions. Be sure to snap some impressive photographs of the skyline while ascending from the port to the hilltop palace.
(Hôtel Martinez, Cannes)
In my opinion where the true glamour of the French Riviera shines brightest is in the stunning seaside town of Cannes. Known globally for their renowned international film festival, the Cannes Film Festival is where the elite from the acting, fashion, and aristocratic worlds assemble for 12 days every May. Located just 30 minutes west of Nice by regional train, Cannes is a departure from its larger and boisterous sister. The ambiance in Cannes is a relaxed one, where everyone strolls at a calm pace taking in the beautiful serenity of the nearby Mediterranean Sea. The beach, for instance, is one that has soft, silky sand, unlike Nice’s pebble stone beaches. Outside of the film festival grounds, there is not a laundry list of tourist attractions to visit say like in nearby Nice. However, what Cannes may lack in tourist attractions, it more than makes up for in high-class restaurants and hotels. Cannes is a destination that is to be experienced and savored. One visits this haven to enjoy glasses of rosé on a yacht or lounging by the pool at the Hôtel Martinez.
The French Riviera is a holiday destination that is garnering an appreciation amongst a larger audience as the years go on. More and more travelers are discovering that although the exclusivity of Saint-Tropez & Monte Carlo still exists, there are also fairly reasonable alternatives to explore such as Èze or Antibes. The romance and serenity of this turquoise blue coast can be savored among the Hollywood elite during the Cannes Film Festival or among study abroad students on a weekend adventure. The magic of the Côte d’Azur is often found walking along the water, exploring the charming towns, and sipping on a couple of glasses of regional wine.
(French Riviera)
Comments