Fréjus and Saint-Raphaël are twin towns in the Cote d’Azur.
Category: 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.
Saint-Paul de Vence: A French town of history and art
This companion town to Vence is, at its heart, a medieval village, standing out on the horizon. Saint-Paul de Vence was an independent city-state in the Middle Ages, but today has lost much of its prestige and is now basically a sleepy town.
By the turn of the 20th century, in fact, it had faded completely into oblivion. But it was discovered in the 1920s by penniless artists, who were paying for drinks at the bar with paintings.
Cagnes-sur-Mer: A charming French Riviera town
Cagnes-sur-Mer is a lovely medieval village convenient to Nice, Cannes, and Monaco, and is relatively unspoiled. It was one of Renoir’s favorite places, and he lived there at Les Collettes during the end of his life, when he painted by tying his paintbrush to his hand.
Biot: A hidden gem on the French Riviera
For centuries, Biot has been known for its pottery made from the local fine yellow clay. Today, it is also known for its burgeoning glassmaking industry. Its cobbled streets are lined with boutiques specializing in glassware and stoneware, and you will be able to find delicate glass art at every turn.
Even though the commercial district here is well-developed and quite busy. Biot has not lost its old Provence feel.
Mougins: The Artists’ Village of France
The hills behind the Cote d’Azur are the arriere-pays, or backcountry, and the section including Mougins was an inspiration for the French artists of the last two centuries. Picasso and Matisse, in particular, were fond of this area. With undulating fields of sweet-smelling lavender surrounding villages of golden stone, it’s easy to see why artists have been drawn here.