Perhaps one of the most scenically stunning coastal regions of Europe, the famous 'Cote d'Azur' is the eastern-most stretch of coast in the South of France, boasting coastal routes, mountains and towns that are memorable for their sheer aesthetic perfection. The various cities and villages along the Southern coast are a treat to visit, boasting history, celebrities and great scenery.
A Drive Through History on the Southern Coast of France
The Southern Coastal region of France was once an obscure and sparsely populated area made up of working-class fishing towns. It was during the 19th Century it became renowned for resort-style holidays, where English and French aristocrats visited for the sun and scenery. Amongst the English, early doctors believed that the excess sunlight in the region was a cure for certain ails of the time, which explains the sudden popularity of the region amongst the rich English in the late 1800's.
It's not hard to imagine why the Southern French coast might be mistaken as a cure for illness; certainly these idyllic surroundings mimic a fairly communal idea of Paradise. Hiring a car in Marseilles and driving the coastal road through to Monte Carlo might be one of the most personal and inspiring ways of experiencing the region, and surely one of the most forgettable driving holiday routes in the entire world. Driving the route can take less than a day, though three should be taken at least, taking traffic into consideration, and more importantly, to truly appreciate the tiny towns, beaches and surrounds.
Culture in the City of Marseilles
Most visitors begin their tour of the French Coast at Marseilles. It's the largest city of the region with its own airport and a major train station that connects to Paris. It's also one of the most western cities in south-east France, making it the perfect place to hire a car or organise a tour that covers the length of the coast.
Marseilles is a great city for some active sightseeing, with the typically French array of museums and galleries, along with plenty of unforgettable restaurants and cafes for high-class dining.
Relaxing in Majestic St Tropez
The cinematically famous, but deceptively tiny town of Saint Tropez, with it’s meagre population of 5000, is usually remembered as the backdrop for Bridget Bardot (well, actually for her film 'And God Created Woman', but most people remember mainly Bardot). Set along the French Riviera, St Tropez is a tiny slice of heaven, where the thing to do is relax at a cafe by the coast and, well, do nothing.
St Tropez is now noted as a hang out for the filthy rich and recognisably famous, and is a great spot for viewing gigantic yachts and cool European sports cars. Lucky visitors might even catch a glimpse of someone famous while visiting in the summer months, otherwise the best way to enjoy is to relax and pretend to be a part of the glitz and glamour of a richer lifestyle.
Cannes: More Than Just a Film Festival
The tiny town of Cannes was thrust into the limelight in the middle of the 20th Century as it became humble host to what is now one of the world's most prestigious art house film festivals. The rest of the year Cannes is an unremarkable town in most respects, although it's not hard to see why it was chosen as location for an International Film Festival. Wedged in between exotic, green hills and golden stretches of coastline, this tiny town is suitably picturesque.
During May, Cannes goes mad, filling up with hundreds of film festival folk, but it's really a quite appealing little town the rest of the time, one to be enjoyed by film romantics, and those who just love a romantic coastline setting.
Nice - by Name and Nature
One of the largest cities east of Marseilles, Nice is a great stop along the way for tourists travelling along the French Riviera. This is a very tourist-oriented town, with many free public beaches, along with an array of hotels and motels.
While Nice doesn't quite have the quiet-town seclusion offered by some of the smaller places along the Cote d’Azur, its location, sitting by a wide and picturesque cove is still scenically stunning, and it's a great place to find a bar or beach (or both) for some fun.
Royalty in the Smallest Country of Monaco
At the end of the line, just over the French border, travellers will find themselves in a world truly set apart. The tiny nation of Monaco, the bulk of which can be seen from the top of the Prince's palace with a quick sweep of the eyes, is both a remarkably minute 'country', a tax haven for the rich, and a gamblers paradise.
The city of Monte Carlo may be famous for its Casino, but offers so much more; there's one of Europe's premier Oceanarium's, the stunning Royal Palace, and the Grand Prix track. The city itself is dazzling, with cascading mountains, leading down through a mass of high-rise apartments, into a majestic, yacht-filled cove. It's also not hard to see why Monaco is so famous with the rich; it's a beautiful setting, which nicely tops off a tour along the Cote d'Azur offering some of the most extravagant views in all of Europe.
