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Both Résidence Beauvallon and
Santa Barbara are ideally situated for numerous daytrips and for sightseeing along the French
Riviera, and also the Italian Riviera. While close enough to be convenient to
the beaches, we're also just far enough to provide a cool, quiet, relaxing and
enjoyable "get-away" from the crowds, and the hustle and bustle along the beach.
We have some examples below of our more popular day trips, along with
brief information and helpful links. All are close by and within about an hours drive. There are far too many places for us to go into any
great detail here, so we've provided some - hopefully - good links, so you can
start to plan your own adventures
before you visit!! We don't cover San Remo or Ventimiglia in Italy on
this page, but visiting both in a day is one of our favorite day trips when
we go. We recommend visiting Ventimiglia for the Friday marché, the open-air
market. But plan to arrive early; we leave at 6:30 to get there about
7:30 and find a parking space. We will often also visit San Remo in the afternoon, and
then head
back to Cannes for dinner. Find out more about Ventimiglia under our
Shopping pages, with additional photos from our own daytrips
here.
These are just a few of our popular visits, but you'll also
find many "quiet" towns and villages just as interesting - if not
more so! For these, we send you to the award-winning area guide
Beyond the French Riviera with well-researched and authoritative information. Also try
BusinessRiviera.com. It covers the larger cities and towns of the Côte
d'Azur, with many suggestions for one- and two-day long day trips as well as
suggested "city walking tours." If you are thinking about seeing some
the area's museums, then try this
site for tickets...bon voyage!!
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"The flat was excellent and centrally located. We traveled to marchantes in Aix and visited the jewelry stores in
Ventimiglia and St. Remy. The
restaurants you suggested were excellent. The only drawback to the trip was
that we would have liked to stay an additional two weeks and needed more
francs."
Avon, CT
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Home
Antibes
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About 15 minutes east, either on the A8, or along the
coast road, Antibes began as
a Greek fortified town called Antipolis (Greek "on the other
side" ~ of Nice) in the 4th century BC, later was a Roman town, and has
always been an active port for trading along the Mediterranean. Today it's
an active and attractive town, popular with "foreigners" from Paris
and the north of France, and also with international guests, as well as the
local population.
The vieille ville (old town) retains its natural
beauty, with the remnants of the ramparts
along the sea, built by Vauban in the XVI c. on the order of Henry IV, with
a long, arched protective wall along the port. There are plenty of winding
streets to explore, numerous restaurants, and many shops of all types and
prices - from small hardware and general stores to specialty gift shops.
Fort Carré looms over the deep-water harbor where you can inspect
the fleet of luxurious British and Arab yachts.
Marché Provençal (covered market): Fresh fruit,
vegetables, fish and flowers, along with other regional products. Sept-May:
Tue-Sun mornings; June-Aug: every morning 6-12. Location: the Cours
Massena, in front of the
Mairie (City Hall).
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Foire (clothing market): Thur. AM - Rue Fontvieille, behind
the post office.
Brocante ("flea" market): Every Thur; 6am-6pm, Sat;
8h-19h. Location: Place Jacques Audiberti, between the Porte
Marine and Place Massena. There are several museums. Picasso
worked here, and many of his pieces can be viewed online at the
Picasso Museum in the Grimaldi Castle (tel. 04 92 90 54
20).
Antibes also co-hosts the International Jazz Festival, "Jazz
in Juan" in adjacent Juan-les-Pins.
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Eze
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About a 35-minute drive east along the A8 autoroute, past
Nice, but short of Monaco, Eze is an ancient hilltop village that perches on a large
rock outcropping high above the Riviera, and has magnificent
panoramic views of the surrounding hills and the Mediterranean far
below. All of the historic stone houses have been restored and there are
numerous networks of small cobblestone streets and covered passage ways. At
the summit there is a substantial garden with examples of a large variety of
Mediterranean plants and cacti. The oldest part of the village lies on the
Middle Corniche, a road that has beautiful views going up to Mont Boron.
As with many of the area towns and villages, there are numerous small gift
shops and galleries specializing in area specialty items and local crafts.
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Gourdon
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About an hour due north, past Grasse,
on the D2085, then up along the twisting D3. Gourdon is an ancient hilltop fortified village
overlooking the Gorges du Loup, with a
central church and small streets with numerous shops and boutiques
surrounding the church. The ramparts once protected it as a fortress with
ancient origins. During the Hundred Years War, Gourdon remained loyal to the
French monarchy and was sacked by the English, rebuilt, and again destroyed
in the 17th century. There are now various churches dating from these
earlier times. Not far from Gourdon (@2 kms) are the Grottoes of Cougnac (Grottes
de Cougnac), where prehistoric cave paintings of ibex, elephants, and
human figures may be viewed, as well as stalactites, and other natural stone
formations. High in the mountain stillness here, while enjoying a meal in
the local restaurant and the long views to
the valleys below, the hushed silence is occasionally
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interrupted by the quiet voices of paragliders floating overhead and along
the sheer faces of the surrounding heights, as they glide down to the
valley far below, beyond which, on a clear day, you might be able to catch
a glimpse of the beautiful blue Mediterranean!
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Grasse
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Due north from Cannes on the N85, then about 30
minutes on, you can get to Grasse quickly now on the high speed bypass.
Known as the "perfume capital" of the
world, Grasse is located at a higher altitude away from the beaches. It's locally known for its fresh air, flowers, and
as the fabled gateway to
the hills, forests, canyons and rivers of the back country...the
"l'arrière pays."
Grasse has several museums: The Museum of
Provencal Art and History, International Perfume Museum,
Fragonard
Museum (artist Jean-Honore Fragonard), the Admiral de Grasse Naval
Museum (the French Admiral who played such an integral role in helping
America win the Battle of Yorktown and war for American
independence).
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You can also take a virtual visit to the
Fragonard parfumerie factory and take a look at their factory
prices or the
Galimard site before going; or shop online at
LaParfumerie.Com!
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...can't express what a great
time we had staying in your place in Cannes. What
a wonderful experience, we just loved being part of the everyday culture
and trying to learn the language and communicate with the French on a
daily basis! Everyone was very helpful and friendly we never felt
uncomfortable when going anywhere. I must tell you, we loved the
view from the flat, it was so pleasant to wake
up and and have a cup of coffee on the patio and enjoy the fresh air from
the ocean....
Las Vegas, Nevada |
Menton
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Located due east, about a 45-minute drive along the
A8, just past Monaco, Menton is often described as both charming and
full of mystery being on the French-Italian coastal border. The town's saying "our city is a garden" accurately describes
the many public botanical gardens and vast lemon groves, on which part
of the local economy is based. The French Lemon Festival is held here,
and the city also boasts the
Jean Cocteau Museum, a Casino, a vibrant Old Town, many open-air
markets, beaches and a large protected port. Menton is surrounded by
beautiful mountains, which protect it from the winds, and it also
benefits greatly from the constant southern exposure to the ever-present
sun assuring beautiful year-round weather. All of this combines to
create a microclimate that is particularly favorable to the growth of
subtropical plants creating a town often called "the most temperate city
in France"!
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Monaco
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Just before Menton, due east from Cannes and about a
40-minute drive, Monaco, an ancient
principality, is steeped in a rich and colorful history, and is considered
by many to be one of Europe's most fascinating countries. The Principality
of Monaco covers approximately one square mile and remains an independent
monarchy with Prince Rainier III as the head of state. Many people visit
Monaco and the district of Monte-Carlo to vacation, test their luck in the
casinos, and to see and be seen. To find out more about the Principality,
sites, schedules of events, and other info, see
Monaco's official web site. Just down the coast from Cannes, in Monaco, the Riviera has one of the
most prestigious racing events in the world - the Formula One, Grand Prix
of Monaco (held in May).
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Tickets range from $170 to $335 US dollars, depending on
which day and where you sit. For tickets
e-mail or visit Monaco Formula One Racing online.
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Nice
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Nice is about a 20 minute drive due east of Cannes on the
A8, and no visit to the
Riviera is complete without a trip here, the regional metropolis and
seaside resort that serves many who fly in to Nice International Airport as
the principal gateway city to the Riviera. One of its most prominent
landmarks is the Promenade des Anglais, the broad pedestrian
esplanade stretching along the beach in front of the city on the
Mediterranean Baie des Anges or Bay of Angels. In the heart of Nice
is the "Old town" between the sea and the Cours Saleya and the "Rocher
du Chateau." This is full of winding streets, passage ways, and
staircases, with ancient tall houses. There are numerous museums. One is the
Matisse Museum (Musée Matisse) near Cimiez, which is a hill in the
city with numerous archaeological ruins and prominent villas.
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There are approximately 30 paintings by Matisse, as well as his work in
glass, ceramics, drawings, engravings and more.
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"And
God created the Riviera — a sun-blessed region with its toes in the
Mediterranean and its eyes on the Alps. No other place embodies such
intoxicating joie de vivre or offers such a calendar of celebrations. The
quality of life on the Côte d’Azur isn’t about money and fame, but the
harmonious blending of respected tradition and sleek modernity. The
beaches, shopping, and glittering nightlife are certainly impressive, but
hidden beyond the hype are a strong connection with nature and a rich
cultural heritage spanning centuries.
From Augustus Caesar to Queen
Victoria, Renoir to Nietzsche, many famous figures have called this
stretch of enchanted coastline their home. The artistic, literary, and
architectural contributions they left behind have become as much a part of
the Riviera mystique as the imported palms."
Heather Stimmler-Hall, from
Three Perfect Days / The French Riviera
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St. Paul de
Vence
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About a 40-minute drive east of Cannes along the A8, then
just short of Nice at Cagnes sur Mer, turn north on the D7, in an area that
evokes the landscape of Tuscany, St-Paul is an ancient fortified village
that now protects numerous artists galleries, boutiques, and several
restaurants. You'll find many galleries with a great deal of artwork
reflecting the various artistic styles of this area of France. It would be
difficult to find a better place with such an opportunity to see so much
artwork, for sale, with such representative and unique styles of
contemporary, impressionist, regional and other artwork! Parking can be a
hassle, so arrive early. There are numerous gift shops, boutiques and
ateliers (studios) on several streets, especially the rue Grande,
where you can also buy local crafts, herbs, spices, perfume, etc. By the
Place de la Grande-Fontaine you'll find the atelier of artist
Jean-Louis Tholance and his family to view their work. At the end of the
rue Grande is the Porte du Sud (South Gate) where Chagall is
buried. There is also the modern art museum Fondation Maeght, founded
by Aime Maeght in 1964. On display are works by many artists including
Chagall, Bonnard, Pol Bury, Leger and other great 20th century artists. In
St-Paul you can also visit the famous hotel/restaurant,
La Colombe d'Or.
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They house a large collection of fine paintings and sculpture, which
can be viewed, and they also serve excellent (and expensive) food, so you
can dine on the terrace or the restaurant. Many noted artists have
been permitted to board here for a time, in return for some of their
artwork.
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Rhone American
Military Cemetery (Var) - Draguignan
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Poignant reminder to Freedom's cost is nearby at
Draguignan. Operation Dragoon, (as the PM said he felt he'd been
"dragooned" into this one!) later billed as the "champagne
campaign", was anything but for many U.S., British, French
and allied
forces who encountered furious rear-guard German resistance following
airborne landings on August 15, 1944 by over 10,000 men of the (US) First
Airborne Task Force (FABTF) commanded by MG Robert T. Frederick.
Concurrently, VII (US) Army forces under LTG Alexander Patch, with the VI
(US) Corps (LTG Lucian K. Truscott) comprising the
3rd Infantry Div ("Rock of the Marne"),
36th Infantry Div ("Texas Division") and
45th Infantry Div ("Thunderbirds"), plus Army Group B (FR)
(GEN Jean de Lattre de Tassigny) conducted
amphibious landings in the
vicinity of St.
Tropez, Ste. Maxime and adjacent areas. Rapid seizures of key ports and urban centers combined
with multiple airborne landings behind enemy lines allowed the Allies to
quickly overwhelm all Nazi defenses. Shock offensive action, mass,
maneuver, and surprise, were all combined to allow the Allies to move so rapidly in so many
directions that they effectively stopped the Nazis from developing any
manageable defense ... precursor to "shock and awe".
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Following these events, Mr. and Mrs. Gleason had the
good fortune to meet, and...voila! The Rhone River campaign cemetery is about a 45-minute drive west of Cannes on the A8 autoroute,
and then exit north on the N555. The exit for Draguignan, in the Provençal
hills, is clearly marked. A beautifully maintained location, it's well
worth a visit to stop, offer respect, and reflect on our many
blessings.
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Driving Distances and Times from Cannes
| Location |
Approximate Distance Kms (Miles) |
Estimated Driving Time |
| Milano, Italy |
350 (217 miles) |
3 hours |
| Paris, France |
931 (578 miles) |
9 hours |
| Strasbourg, France |
800 (497 miles) |
8 hours |
| Bayonne, France |
857 (532 miles) |
8.5 hours |
| Torino, Italy |
200 (124 miles) |
2 hours |
| Genoa, Italy |
200 (124 miles) |
2 hours |
 Quick
Links* - Provence / Côte d'Azur / Maritime-Alps
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[*Suggest a site]
Official Area Sites
Area and Regional Guides
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Azurguide
- Guide to the area and towns of the Maritime Alps
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Beyond the French Riviera - Headlined here throughout, comprehensive
award-winning web guide
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BusinessRiviera.Com - Numerous city walking tours
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Cote d'Azur Connections - Personal website with area links
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Cote d'Azur -
Commercial area portal
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DMOZ.org
- Area tourism
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FranceMarket - Provence tourism, travel, and restaurants
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LaProvence - Provence tourism, business, culture, history, French
cooking, more...
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NiceMatin.Fr - Nice newspaper's guide to walking tours and excursions in
the Maritime-Alps
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Riviera-Magazine - Riviera restaurants, yachting, gourmet, travel, art,
news and more...
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Syndicat Intercommunal
Touristique des Alpes d'Azur - SITALPA. Photos and information on back
country villages in vicinity of Nice.
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SitesAtlas - France - Unofficial, but a good resource, e.g.
Aix
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South
France Guide - emphasizes western part of Mediterranean from Toulouse to
Marseille and points west to the Atlantic
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Var Regional Tourism - Official tourism site for
area of the Var and vicinity of Draguignan
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Visit-Riviera.Com - Towns of the Riviera
Local City and Other Sites of Interest
* Find out about other areas of the Roman Empire
here!
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