VALBONNE

The ancient village of Valbonne was founded by Augustin de Grimaldi in the early 16th century and it remains a gem of the French Riviera. Every Friday it stages a wonderful market that is regarded as the best in the area. Here you can buy everything from fruit, vegetables, cheese and cured meats to jewellery, clothing and leather goods. The village retains its Roman character, laid in a rectangular grid around a central square which is surrounded by restaurants and cafes perfect for sipping coffee and reading the newspapers or relaxing over Sunday lunch with a glass of rosé.

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GRASSE

Since the 18th century the region has produced over two-thirds of France’s natural aromas. Museums at Galimard, Fragonard and Molinard provide guided tours celebrating the history of perfumery. There are also numerous jasmine growers in the local area, including Domaine de Manon in Plascassier.

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MOUGINS

The winemaking Monks of Saint-Honorat ruled this fortified town in the 11th century. Today it is known for fine dining with several renowned restaurants and festivals. Picasso lived here for a short period and his works are exhibited at the Mougins Museum of Classical Art along with Andy Warhol and Damien Hirst.

 

GOURDON

Voted as one of the most beautiful places in the whole of France, Gourdon is the archetype of a perched village, sitting like an eagle's nest at the end of a rocky spur and enjoying a truly exceptional panoramic view over more than 50 miles of coastline from Cannes to Nice. It also forms a remarkably harmonious ensemble of white stone-built medieval houses, nestling around the feudal castle, all of which are beautifully restored and maintained. 

 

ST PAUL DE VENCE

Visit the cobbled streets of this medieval hilltown surrounded by historic ramparts. The streets are an open-air gallery alive with artists and their work. It is home to the Maeght Foundation, one of the foremost contemporary art collections in Europe, and just outside town, near Vence, is the Chapelle du Rosaire. Created by Matisse when he was 77 years old, he proclaimed it his masterpiece.

 

EZE

Perched on a 420 metre high hilltop between Monaco and Italy, Eze has absolutely spectacular views. You enter the walled town through the single postern gate to a scene of diminutive proportions, with narrow stepped streets and low archways, draped in plumbago and jasmine. A fascinating exotic garden at the summit is planted with giant cacti and palms that fringe the traditional Riviera surroundings.

 

BIOT

Famed for its glass and pottery workshops, this village perched up high dates to 154 BC and overlooks hills covered with mimosa and olive trees. Visiting Biot is to take a real tour through Provencal history.

 

NICE

The capital of the French Riviera, originally named Nikaia by the Greeks which means ‘City of Victory.’ Stroll along the palm-lined Promenade des Anglais - the English upper class began the city’s Belle Epoque. Visit the daily flower and produce market in Cours Saleya or the labyrinth of narrow streets in Vieux Nice lined with red, yellow and ochre Baroque facades.

 

ANTIBES

For those of you who love to walk amongst the quays admiring the boats this is the place to visit. A strategic port for Greeks, Napoleon and the jet set, today the marina is a flutter of white sails and elegant yachts. This is also the city of Picasso. Seduced by the sunlight and sea views, he lived here and created a superb ceramics collection, which is exhibited at his former home, Chateau Grimaldi.

 

CANNES

Famed for the Cannes Film Festival and La Croisette, a curved boulevard of chic designer shops. Pick a bar and sip pastis enjoying the air of glamour. For fabulous views climb up to the 14th century Tour de Suquet and cast your mind back to quieter times for residents, when fishing not fashion was the centre of everyone’s life.

 

MONTE-CARLO

Prince Albert’s great great-grandfather, Charles III, opened a casino in Monte-Carlo in 1863, and the tiny principality of Monaco has been renowned ever since as a playground for the rich and famous. The Grand Prix draws fans from all over the world in May. The Exotic Garden is fabulously stocked after 75 years of planting and the clifftop Oceanographic Museum is always a hit with children.

 

BEACHES

No trip to the French Riviera is complete without a dip in the crystal blue water at one of the area’s beaches. We recommend Plage de la Gravette in Antibes, Plage de la Garoupe on Cap d’Antibes. Or for those willing to venture a bit further, Plage Mala in Cap d’Ail and Plage des Marinieres in Villefranche-sur-Mer are both well worth the drive.

 

GOLF

The nearest championship golf course is at Grande Bastide. Royal Mougins Golf Resort, Golf de Cannes Mougins and Golf de Saint Donat are all highly rated in the area too.

 

TENNIS

Red clay (terre battue), hard & padel courts at Tennis Club du Vignal are open to the public and can be booked per hour.

 

HORSE-RIDING

Club Hippique de La Brague offers riding lessons throughout the summer.

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WALKING

The Alpes-Maritimes region offers one of the great outdoor playgrounds in Europe. High Alpine mountains almost stretching down to the coast mean it is possible to enjoy an invigorating morning walk in the hills followed by an afternoon swim in the sea. Trails of varying difficulty are easily accessible by car and offer some breathtaking views.