Côte d'Azur
The French Riviera
Categories: Cote dAzur France Mediterranean region
The Cote d'Azur extends from Cassis at Marseille up to Menton at the Italian border. This area is also called the French Riviera and belongs to the region Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur. The climate is Mediterranean.
There are fantastic white beaches on emerald green sea against a beautiful backdrop. A lot of sights, leisure activities and an excellent gastronomy can be found in this area.
© lamax / Fotolia
Sights on the Cote d'Azur
The Parc National des Calanques is located near Cassis. Fantastic bays rise like fjords into the interior, surrounded by white cliffs. The bays invite to bath and sunbathe. Further to the east you reach the peninsula of Giens. One of the most popular kite and windsurfing spots is located here. Flamingos now live in a former salt works.
Divers will find here, besides fish, several wrecks to admire. Directly opposite is the Île de Porquerolles. It can be reached within a few minutes by boat. An old lighthouse, a beautiful church, beautiful sandy beaches and a small harbour await the visitors.
Restaurants invite to enjoy the French cuisine.
Pampelonne, near St. Tropez, is a 4.5 km long white sandy beach, ideal for swimming, sunbathing and beach walks. St. Tropez is a small port city, which became famous mainly through celebrities and many films. Here, the yachts line up one after the other. Château de la Napoule is a beautifully restored castle with an art museum right by the sea.
In the world famous Cannes is the Palais des Festival et des Congrès.
Regional, national and international events take place. The beautifully landscaped park invites you to linger. In Antibes there is the Picasso Museum in the Château Grimaldi. Besides the cathedral, the beautiful city of Nice has a lot to offer. The flower market, several museums and historical buildings tell the history of the city in the beautiful surroundings of the Cote d'Azur. A visit to the Principality of Monaco is not to be missed.
Leisure activities at the Cote d'Azur
This region offers almost unlimited possibilities for a varied time. All water sports can be found here. Swimming and sunbathing on countless white sandy beaches. Hiking in the hinterland of Nice, at the Calanques or near Ramatuelle offer fantastic views and impressions of the Côte d'Azur. A visit to the Marineland in Antibes is a nice change.
Dolphins, whales and many other animals can be admired here. About thirty casinos are available. In winter, 15 ski resorts in the hinterland offer pure snow fun with 700 kilometres of slopes. The Cote d'Azur offers every visitor what he wants, in every season.
Gastronomy - Specialities on the Cote d'Azur
A speciality on the Cote d'Azur is the bouillabaisse. As a dish it is served in two courses. First a fish soup, then cooked fish with seafood. Or the bouillabaisse is served as a hearty stew. Another speciality on the Cote d'Azur is ratatouille. Tomatoes, aubergines and other vegetables are cooked together and seasoned with the herbs of Provence.
Lamb dishes with rosemary also taste excellent. 
© franzeldr / Fotolia
Those who are in the area of Ramatuelle at the Cote d'Azur should visit the restaurant La Ferme Ladouceur. But a reservation is required long time in advance. The restaurant is permanently booked out for decades. The cuisine is excellent.
The Cote d'Azur is a fantastic area with indescribably beautiful landscape, sensationally good cuisine and endless variety.
