Cote d’Azur Areas
Cote d’Azur has a lot of flashy resorts, lined like a string of pearls from north to south, all along its coast. Most of the areas you will find interesting from a tourist’s point of view are established around the main resorts of the region.
Cannes Area
General info: Cannes and its outskirts live up to the trademark image of sandy beaches teaming with a chic bronzing crowd. It is also very well known as the host of the renowned International Film Festival at the Palais des Festivals, on promenade de la Croisette. As you’re walking on the seafront boulevards, you’ll often see the sparkle of flashes as they focus on some star or wannabe who come to Cannes mainly for posing purposes. If you come here during the Film Festival, prepare yourself to line up in front of the Palais des Festivals like all the non-stars. As for the Palais, it’s not hard to miss; it’s known as "the bunker", and it’s inside the concrete walls of this monster that premiers drawing as many as 5000 visitors take place. There seems to be always some international event going on in Cannes: regattas, galas, all sorts of fashion parades and even a Mimosa Festival in February. But don’t come here in November, that’s the dead month of Cannes.
Nice Area
General info: Nice is the esteemed capital of the Riviera and the largest city between Genoa and Marseille. It’s also one with the most ancient of histories, its foundations having been lain by the Greek who called it “Victory” or "Nike" The great thing about Nice and its surrounding region is that you can find cheaper attractions (at least cheaper than those of Cannes). In addition, this is the best place to start excursions on the Riviera, especially if you rely heavily on public transportation. For instance, you can go to San Remo, on the Italian Riviera, and be back in Nice by nightfall. From the Nice airport, which happens to be the second largest in France, you can do the entire coast by bus, heading to resorts like Cannes or Juan-les-Pins.
Saint Tropez
General info: This small “commune” of the Var department is well-known for its famous and wealthy guests and the small region around it is a beacon for tourists every year. The best Tropezien beaches are located along the coast in the Baie de Pampelonne, which lies south of Saint-Tropez and east of Ramatuelle. Pampelonne offers a collection of beaches along its five kilometer shore. Each beach is around thirty meters wide with its own beach hut and private or public tanning area.
Some beaches are very chic and offer fashion shows on the spot, others are quiet and relaxing and some even have restaurants and cafés directly on the water’s edge. Many of the beaches offer windsurfing, sailing and canoeing equipment for rent, while others offer an abundance of motorized water sports, such as power boats, jet bikes and water skiing.