Côte d'Azur's Climate
Average Max Temperature (degrees C)
May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct
21	27	28	28	26	21
Average no. days sunshine
May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct
25	26	29	27	24	21

The Côte d'Azur, or “Riviera”, is one of the most popular French destinations and there are many very good reasons why – the sun, coastline, fantastic beaches, the glamour, the shops, the hotels and cafés where you can sit outside and enjoy a refreshing aperitif.

Our villas are perfectly located if your renting during the International Film Festival and all the other congresses that take place in the Cannes area.

The Main Towns

Antibes-Juan les Pins. The Côte d'Azur's third largest town, faces Nice across the bay. The Grimaldi's 13th to 16th century castle on the sea-front now houses one of the world's finest Picasso collections.

Cannes. Set along a lovely bay, backed by wooded hills, it claims to be the most glamorous and sophisticated of Europe's larger resorts – and certainly its famous palm-lined sea-promenade, La Croisette wears all the trappings of glamour. But away from this super-elegant façade, it also has an old quarter full of character. The Cannes film festival attracts international celebrities as well as Hollywood stars.

Grasse. Known as ‘the balcony of the Côte d'Azur', Grasse lies terraced along the southern slopes of a rocky plateau. It is the centre of the perfume industry; until recently some 85% of the world's flower essence for scents was treated here.

Menton. With its mellow old-fashioned charm, it is the prettiest and gentlest of the major resorts on the Côte, also the warmest in winter hence the luxuriance of sub-tropical fruit and acres of lemon groves.

Monaco. A Lilliputian sovereign state, wealthy, glamorous and dynamic squeezed onto a small strip of land between sea and mountains. Monaco is also the ‘Old Town' where the Royal Palace stands. Beyond the port is the newer district, Monte Carlo, where the Casino opened in 1865.

Nice. Côte d'Azur's capital looks a big place, as indeed it is – not just a tourist resort but a busy and diverse commercial city, the fifth largest in France. The sophisticated seafront hotels along the Promenade des Anglais, and the expensive boutiques in the streets behind seem a world away from the teeming medieval alleys of the Vieille Ville.

Monaco	Nice	Cannes

Other Places to Visit: Côte d'Azur

The Esterel Massif. A single mass of red volcanic rock fills the whole coast from La Napoule to St Raphael. The coast road, or ‘corniche', is a lovely scenic route past coves and cliffs, with contrasts in colour of red rocks, blue sea and green foliage. The area is reknowned for its golf courses. Take one of the narrow hill roads up into the wild heart of the of the Esterel and trek on foot to the main peaks or explore the grandiose rocky gorge, Le Mal Infernet.

Ste Maxime on the Gulf of St Tropez is an attractive traditional resort with long sandy beaches.

Port Grimaud A little venice on the riveria. Actually built in the 1960's, but in the style of an old medieval port.

St Tropez remains a charming fishing port, long beloved of artists, cradled by green hills. It attracts a sophisticated high society, but it has also become a honeypot beseiged by the tourist crowds in the height of summer, and is best to visit in May or September.

Le Lavandou. An old fishing port which has expanded into a biggish holiday resort, but the animated harbour area still has charm.

The Mercantour National Park (68,500 hectares of protected land). 4000 km of hiking and rambling paths, 65 mountain bike tracks, 30 rock-climbing sites, 325 km of navigable rivers, 200 potholing sites and 70 canyons…for a huge variety of exciting activities (Canyoning at Breil-sur-Roya, potholing, fishing, climbing, hang-gliding…).

For a truly breath-taking experience drive inland to the Gorge de Verdon, the deepest gorge in France; wonderful rafting and canoeing, and some very airy walking!

Tende: magnificent cave-paintings.

La Colmiane (Valdeblore) The Riviera's Adventure centre.

Interested in the aquamarine? You can enjoy Marineland in Antibes, the oceanographic museum of Monaco, sea museum in Cannes, and the marine museum in Nice.

Take a look at the many beautiful castles: La Napoule castle, Mouans-Saroutx castle, Gourdon castle, Cagnes sur Mer castle, Roquebrune Cap Martin castle…

In Monaco, see how the other half live, visit the prince's palace.

St Tropez	Esterel Corniche	Le Lavandou