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Things To See & Do
Cagnes-sur-Mer
Cagnes-sur-Mer is an attractive destination at the heart of the French Riviera, made up of the main town, the small picturesque fishing village of Cros de Cagnes and the medival village of Haut-de-Cagnes. The main attractions here are the Renoir Museum, where the great painter spent the last years of his life and the Hippodrome, with its busy horse racing seasons and various other cultural events which is hosts.
Nice
The old town with its huge antiques market every Monday and numerous baroque churches, chapels and cathedrals, art museums (Chagall, Matisse, Contemporary Art Museum, Fine Arts Museum), and the Notre Dame Monastery of Cimiez; Matisse is buried in its cemetery.
www.nicetourisme.com/
Beaulieu-sur-Mer / St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Villa Kerylos (perfect reproduction of a 1st century Athenian villa) and Villa Rothschild (amazing belle époque villa) commissioned by Baroness Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild; its seven gardens are out of this world.
Cannes
Haute couture shopping on la Croisette and high-street shopping on rue d'Antibes, the old town (Le Suquet), not to mention its many beach clubs. Take the 20-minute boat ride out to Les Iles de Lérins, a group of two islands (Ile St-Marguerite and Ile St-Honorat), a haven where wild camping, cycling and smoking are forbidden!
www.cannes.travel/
Antibes
Its impressive marina full to bursting with the super yachts of the rich and famous, the old town, the Cap d'Antibes with its private beach clubs and the Picasso Museum.
www.antibesjuanlespins.com/
Biot
15th century hilltop medieval village famous for its ceramics and glassware (visit the Verrerie de Biot where you can watch the glassblowers at work). A lunch at the Restaurant des Arcades is a must, not only for its food but also for the owners' private collection of art and glass donated by artists such as César and Vasarely. On the road to Biot is Marineland, a fantastic water park with killer whale and dolphin shows, shark tunnels and an aquarium.
St Paul de Vence
Medieval village sitting above the town of Vence, packed with boutiques and art galleries. Just next door, Fondation Maeght, the region's finest art museum hosts an exceptional permanent collection including works by Braque, Bonnard, Chagall and Miro.
Vence
Of special interest here is the Matisse Chapelle (officially Chapelle du Rosaire), which Matisse was persuaded to build by a nun who nursed him back to health; it took him 4 years to complete and is still inhabited by Dominican nuns today.
www.ville-vence.fr
Grasse
Famous for its perfumeries, notably Fragonard, Galimard and Molinard. Visit the Fragonard Perfume Museum and the Flower Factory and experience a perfume in the making.
For more details of museums in Grasse, visit www.museesdegrasse.com
Eze
Picturesque rocky little village perched high on a hill, take the path which links the village with the seaside part, Eze-sur-Mer (45-minute walk). The Château de la Chèvre d'Or is simply in a class of its own with its gastronomic restaurant and breathtaking views of the Mediterranean.
Monaco
Always a firm favourite with tourists and the chosen place of residence of the rich and famous. It is also home to the Monaco Grand Prix and Monte Carlo's celebrated casino. A visit of the old town and the Principality's palace is well worth the climb.
www.visitmonaco.com/
Ski resorts at Mercantour
Villa Estelle is a 90-minute drive to the ski resorts of the Mercantour region (Auron, Isola 2000). These can also be accessed by bus from Nice airport (1 € one way).
www.mercantour.eu/
Gorges du Verdon
Europe's most famous canyon is a 2-hour drive from Nice. Extremely popular with hikers, bungee jumpers and canyoning and rafting enthusiasts, the main stopping off points are Castellane and the village of Moustiers.
St Tropez
This peninsula easily boasts the loveliest beaches along the Riviera and is renowned for its designer shops and wealthy inhabitants but don't miss the older, gentler village with its cobbled lanes and great market every Tuesday and Saturday.
Find out more at www.frenchriviera-tourism.com
