Provence-Alpes: Côte d'Azur, French Riviera, South France
Ideally located between the Sea and the Mountains, the French Riviera (Côte d'Azur) stretches from the Italian border to the Western limit of the Departement (administrative district) of Var.
The evocative French term for the Riviera: «Ia Cote d'Azur», literally the Azure Coast, was coined more than a century ago by the poet Stephen Liegeard. However, it is a blanket term that cloaks the astounding variety, characteristic of this part of France.
The historical variety of the area allows the traveller to journey from prehistoric sites to medieval castles, from Roman ruins to hilltop perched villages, from Romanesque churches to more recent works.
Its geographical variety offers sumptuous landscapes from the jagged, multicoloured rocks of l'Esterel through long, apparently languorous bays, past sheer cliffs that give way to the cornices of Eze, Menton or Monaco, up through the countless, steep-sided valleys of the Nice hinterland.
Its varied climate allows visitors to dangle their feet in the deep blue sea, while contemplating, in the distance, the snow capped summits of the winter sport resorts of Auron, Isola 2000 or Valberg.
Cote d'Azur Property
Property Developments on the Cote d'Azur
Area:
From the Mediterranean coast to the summits of the Alps: a 4,299 km2 territory. 163 communes.
Airports:
Only a two-hour flight from Europe's main cities. Aeroport Marseille Provence - Aeroport NiceCôte d'Azur.
Population:
4,506,151 inhabitants. The growth rate of the population is twice the national average.
Nice, the regional capital, is the fifth largest city in France. Nice/Cannes/Grasse and Antibes form the largest metropolitan area in France, thanks to the growth of its active population.
Tourism:
1% of the world's tourists comes to the Côte d'Azur every year. France is the world's leading destination for tourism, and the Côte d'Azur is second after Paris.
- Over 9 million visitors per year.
- 57% of tourists come from abroad.
- 68 million overnight stays.
- 1 out of 5 stays for Business.
- 500,000 convention participants per year.
- 87% of beds are classified -one third of rooms are rated four-star.
- Tourism represents 5 billion euros in GNP, and 68,000 jobs - about 16% of all jobs.
Cote d'Azur Cities
Nice
Nice is capital of the Riviera and the fifth largest city in France. Nice is the second most visited city in France after Paris. It has been one of Europe's most fashionable resorts since the 18th century. Lodging, dining, shopping, sunbathing and swimming, movies, theaters, opera, museums - or just strolling along the Promenade des Anglais and enjoying the good life.
Cannes
Cannes is the "star" of the French Riviera, famous for the International Film Festival and the glitzy hotels, cars, beaches and visitors attracted here. The city of Cannes is centered around the old port, with the central part quite compact. The famous "Croisette" is the boulevard and the beach that extends around the bay to the east of the port, in the protected "Rade de Cannes".
Antibes
Antibes was a Greek fortified town named Antipolis in the 5th century BC, and later a Roman town, and always an active port for trading along the Mediterranean. Today it's an attractive and active town, popular with "foreigners" from Paris and the north of France, with non-French, and with the local population. The natural beauty remains in the vieille ville (old town), with the ramparts along the sea and the long, arched protective wall along the port. There are plenty of little streets for exploring, restaurants of all types and prices, and lots of shops, from authentic little hardware/general-stores to tourist gift shops.
Menton
Menton is a charming town full of mystery, located at the french-italian boarder right on the coast. Surrounded by mountains, Menton is protected from winds and benefits from a wonderful weather. Menton was founded on the Comtes of Vintimiglia domain. Menton belonged to Grimaldi family (Monaco) from 1346 till 1848, and on the 2nd february 1861 officialy became french.
Cagnes-sur-Mer
Surrounded by ramparts and gates, the mediaeval village today attracts many visitors from all parts. Corbelled houses, old stone, winding alleyways, "pontis" bridges, flowered facades, but also gourmet restaurants and art galleries, are the principal advantages of this town, dominated by the baronial hall of Raynier de Grimaldi, ancestor of the royal family of Monaco.
Click to view full size map of the Côte d'Azur.
