Of all the Cote d’Azur resort towns, Menton is the most Mediterranean in flavor and climate. It rests right up against the Italian border, and is protected from harsh weather by its location in the gentle curve of the Ligurian shore. Menton is one of the most charming towns in the area, with a lovely harbor skyline, terra-cotta roofs over yellow-ochre houses, and church facades with Baroque design.
Monte Carlo: Sun, Sand, and Sensation
Who does not recognize the name Monte Carlo? It is one of the four quartiers of Monaco, centered around a casino opened in 1861, and is known throughout Europe and the world as the playground of the wealthy.
Among the attractions in Monte Carlo are an opera house built over a century ago and the International Sporting Club. Gambling tables are open only to visitors to Monaco, not natives, and you should bring your passport if you want to get in. Only those who can prove they are over 21 are allowed through the doors. And even then, if you’re not properly dressed with jacket and tie, you won’t be allowed in the back rooms.
Monaco: Top Things to See and Do
Monaco isn’t quite part of France, but it may as well be. It’s a principality ruled over by a prince, and is located in the middle of the Cöte d’Azur, also called the French Riviera.
Nice is only nine miles west, and Italy is about five miles to the east. Monaco consists of several hills and a peninsula that juts south into the Mediterranean Its total area is less than one square mile. But in that square mile is some of the most expensive and luxurious property in the world.
The Three Corniches of the French Riviera
The Corniches are a three-tiered system of scenic highways between Nice and the Italian border town of Menton.
The highest of these highways is the Grande Corniche, which replaced an ancient Roman road. This road overlooks Monaco from over 1400 feet up.
The middle road was created specifically for the tourist industry and passes by Eze, a village perched in the hills.
And the lowest is Corniche, built by a prince of Monaco, connecting the many coastal resorts of the Cote d’Azur.
Good Reasons to Visit Nice on your next Vacation
Nice is the fifth-largest city in France, and one of the most sophisticated. It hugs the coastline, and its elegant hotels along the Promenade des Anglais have a perfect view of the ocean just across the street. From the coast, Nice stretches upward to Le Chateau, once topped by a beautiful castle but now crowned only in picturesque ruins.
A guide to Saint-Tropez: The ultimate summer destination
Most people have heard of the Saint-Tropez tan, and this little town on the beach in the south of France lives up to its name. With public and private beaches both nude and otherwise, Saint-Tropez is a relaxation paradise.
Saint-Raphaël and Fréjus
Fréjus and Saint-Raphaël are twin towns in the Cote d’Azur.
Explore the Breathtaking Gorges du Verdon Canyon in France
Gorges du Verdon, are among the finest canyons in Europe, and have recently yielded some particularly fine archaeological finds from the blending of Cro-Magnon and Neandertal man who once lived in the area.
The road out of Grasse leads along this canyon, affording the traveler some very fine views. This is also one of the most conducive atmospheres for lavender to grow in, and its blooms perfume the air in July from the Canyon and Grasse to Avignon.
Grasse: How to make the most of your visit
Grasse is situated fairly high in the lower Alps in a natural amphitheatre, and is one of the best-smelling places in France. Why? It’s the center of the French perfume industry. Rose, jasmine, and bitter orange blossom scent the air, and candied fruit and fine perfumes are sold at many small boutiques here. And in January and February, the slopes are a blaze of gold when the wild mimosa bloom.
Vence: A City of History and Art
Saint-Paul de Vence is the full name of the city Saint-Paul, and the city of Vence is about three miles away, driving through peculiar country. The road skirts a gorge at one point from wihc rises a single, slender stone tower topped with a concrete railing.
It was once the central support of a viaduct, but the two arches that extended from it were blown up by the Germans in World War II. Prior to this, it carried the tramway from Nice to Grasse. On the east of the ravine, you’ll see an iron gate and an overgrown platform to a railway station, parts of the same ruins.