The Côte d’Azur owes its name to the gorgeous blue colour of the sea, and with vast expanses of golden sand, it’s an irresistible draw.
The coast runs from Toulon in the West to the Franco-Italian border in the East and is known for its Mediterranean climate, with an average of three thousand hours of sunshine per year.
Iconic resorts are studded along the coast: Monte Carlo, Nice, Cannes, Fréjus, St Tropez, and Antibes. Of course, there are numerous campsites giving easy access to (but also a respite from) these ever-popular centres.
Inland the landscape rises from the coast to wild and craggy outcrops, vast plateaux and rugged hills. The air fills with the scent of wild thyme, lavender and rosemary as you walk through fragrant Grasse, the perfume capital of the world. It’s a heady, evocative region and a real assault on the senses.
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Var
The Var department epitomises the essence of the Côte d’Azur. Running from Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer through to Le Treyas, near Cannes and inland to Lac de Sainte-Croix and the Verdon Gorge.
From Hyères to Saint Raphael, there are countless picturesque fishing villages and quaint harbours, many now chic destinations complete with luxury yachts, harbour-side cafés, bustling beaches and high-end shops.
Saint-Tropez
Saint-Tropez has become synonymous with glitzy glamour, a haven for stylish sun worshippers, ever since the days of Brigitte Bardot and the first topless beaches. Reassuringly though, every morning, a fruit, vegetable and fish market takes place at the picturesque Place aux Herbes near the port.
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Le Lavandou
Aside from its beaches, Le Lavandou also has a charming old town with narrow streets, colourful buildings, and several restaurants and cafes. There are also several parks and gardens in the area, including the Jardin Botanique des Méditerranées, which features a wide variety of Mediterranean plants and trees.
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Toulon
Toulon is best known for its historic harbour and vibrant cultural scene. Here are some of the top tourist attractions in Toulon:
Toulon Harbor: The harbour of Toulon is the city's main attraction, with its bustling marina and waterfront promenades. You can take a boat tour of the harbour or simply stroll along the quays and enjoy the view of the boats and the sea.
Mont Faron: This mountain offers stunning panoramic views of the city and the Mediterranean Sea. You can reach the top by taking a cable car ride or by driving up the winding road that leads to the summit.
Musée National de la Marine: This museum is dedicated to the history of the French Navy, and features exhibits on shipbuilding, navigation, and maritime warfare. It is located in the historic Arsenal of Toulon, which was once the largest naval base in France.
Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-la-Seds: This cathedral is a beautiful example of Romanesque architecture, with its ornate façade. It dates back to the 11th century and is located in the heart of the old town.
Place Puget: This charming square is surrounded by buildings and features a lovely fountain at its centre. It is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike to relax and enjoy the atmosphere of the city.
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These are just a few of the many attractions that Toulon has to offer. Whether you are interested in history, art, or simply enjoying the scenery, there is something for everyone in this vibrant and charming city.
Fréjus
Frejus has a rich history, having been founded by the Romans in 49 BC as a military port for the conquest of Gaul. It was later an important centre of the early Christian Church in the region and was the site of a major bishopric in the Middle Ages. Today, Fréjus is a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful beaches, historic landmarks, and cultural events.
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Gorges du Verdon: A breathtaking canyon known for its turquoise waters, towering cliffs, and stunning natural beauty.
Îles d'Hyères: A group of islands located off the coast of Hyères that offer beautiful beaches, clear waters, and fantastic opportunities for hiking and water sports.
Bandol: A picturesque seaside town well known for its beautiful beaches, charming port, and excellent wine.
Cotignac: A charming village located in the heart of the Var region, known for its medieval architecture, olive groves, and beautiful scenery.
Sainte-Maxime: A coastal town located between Saint-Tropez and Cannes, known for its beautiful beaches, scenic harbour, and historic buildings.
Aix-en-Provence: Although not in the Var department, this beautiful city is only a short distance away and is known for its beautiful architecture, vibrant markets, and rich cultural heritage.
La Baume is a large, busy site about 5.5 km from the long sandy beach of Fréjus-Plage, although with its fine and varied selection of swimming pools many people do not bother to make the trip. The pools, with their palm trees, are remarkable for their size and variety (water slides, etc) – the very large feature pool being a highlight. There is also an aquatic play area, two indoor pools with a slide and the new Armata spa area. The site has 240 adequately sized, fully serviced pitches, separated by hedges and most have shade. Although tents are accepted, the site concentrates mainly on caravanning. It becomes full in season.
Les Mures is a site on the Gulf of St Tropez, and it really is on the Gulf with direct access to its own beach. This is a modern site offering the highest standard of amenities. The site is divided into two parts: ‘The Vineyard’ and ‘The Beach’. There are Pitches located directly on the beach, with direct access to the Mediterranean. ‘The Vineyard’ is just a short distance on the other side of a very busy road (connected by a pedestrian underpass) and is more spacious and offers a little more shade; this is where most of the site facilities are located.
Camp du Domaine is located along the coast just outside the town of Bormes and is 3 km. south of Le Lavandou. The same family has run this large, attractive beachside site for 70 years. With 1040 touring pitches, 957 of which are level and have 10/16A electricity, you can pitch either in the shade in one of the pine forests or the most popular pitches beside the beach with a sea view. Pitches are generous (80-150sqm), but those located furthest from the beach are the largest with more shade. There are also 280 mobile homes/bungalows to rent situated on the hillside with superb views.
Camping International at Giens is a popular windsurfers’ paradise. The site has its own school with the beach just across the quiet coast road. With around 200 pitches in total, there are 80 available for touring units, many of these just being used by tents. This site is ideal for those seeking an active holiday. As well as the opportunities for windsurfing, the beach is just 200 m. away and there are bicycles available for hire. The peninsula is a working area, as opposed to a bustling seaside resort like those to be found on the main coast nearby.
Camping Sandaya Rivièra d’Azur is an excellent site near the Côte d’Azur that will take you away from the Mediterranean coast's bustle. Spread out over ten hectares, this is a well-equipped holiday destination with pitches arranged along avenues. The 188 touring pitches average 100 sq.m. in size, and all have electricity connections and, unusually, private sanitary facilities (although washbasins double as dishwashing sinks). There are 340 accommodation units for rent, most of which were installed after ongoing investment by the owners. There is a free shuttle to the beach at Saint Aygulf.
Sandaya Douce Quiétude is just a 10-minute drive from the sandy beaches at Saint Raphaël and Agay (with campsite shuttle transport) but is quietly situated at the foot of the Estérel Massif. There are around 440 pitches, 90 for touring units and 260 for fully equipped mobile homes for rent, some with air-conditioning, dishwasher and jacuzzi.
Les Tournels is a large site set on a hillside and pitches have panoramic views of the Gulf of Saint Tropez and Pampelonne beach. The hillside is covered in parasol pines and old olive trees. Of the 890 pitches, 457 are available for touring. They are reasonably level and shady, of variable size, all with electricity and many also with water and waste water drainage. The swimming pool, play area, shop and bar may be some distance away. The site has a superb new spa centre with gym, sauna and jacuzzi, with an excellent pool alongside, all reserved for over 18s, and a new restaurant with a large terrace. Competitions and shows are organised for adults and children in July and August.
The Alpes-Maritimes borders Italy and the Mediterranean Sea. Known for its stunning natural beauty, charming coastal towns, and glamorous cities.
The capital, Nice, is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city known for its sunny beaches, colourful markets, and lively nightlife. Cannes, Monaco and Antibes are all glamourous resorts, whilst inland fragrances of lavender and roses fill the air around the perfume town of Grasse.
Nice
Sheltered by the surrounding hills of vineyards and orchards, Nice is the largest city along the Côte d’Azur. Its elegant centre brims with the shops and interesting restaurants of the Old Town, including the daily market on the Cours Saleya.
There is also the famously beautiful promenade, the Promenade des Anglais, which lines the Bay of Nice and which forms a wide, level surface just inviting you to, well, promenade along of an evening. Built by the English aristocracy, who popularised Nice and put it on the map in the 19th century, the promenade features colourful Venetian buildings and monumental buildings in the Belle Epoque style.
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Drive along the numerous twisting corniches at various levels above the sea, and you’ll come across headlands overlooking stunning coves and incredible panoramic views at every turn. Inland and uphill, you’ll discover small, sleepy villages, some well-known like St Paul de Vence, with its little shops and galleries lining narrow winding streets. Others seem unchanged by the modern world, despite being so close to the sophisticated cosmopolitanism of the resorts nearby.
Antibes
Antibes is an attractive town with a beautiful old centre, founded by the ancient Greeks. On the Cours Massena every morning one of the best markets in the region takes place and Picasso once inhabited the Château Grimaldi, now a museum with about two hundred of his works.
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The Parc Thuret, a large botanical garden, offers wonderful walks and, for when the kids get just a little fractious, there are three zoos nearby: the Ile aux Oiseaux Magique, La Ferme du Far West and the impressive Marineland.
Cannes
Cannes is known for its major international film festival, held every year in the Palais du Festival at the Promenade de la Croisette.
This promenade is quite different from Nice, being lined with palm trees, the most expensive beaches of Cannes and a string of luxury five-star hotels. The public beaches are on the Boulevard du Midi and the oldest part of Cannes is 36 metres high in the Le Suquet quarter, a maze of narrow streets that lead to the Castre. This castle is now a museum with a varied collection of primitive art.
A good way to escape the crowds is to take the ferry to the Iles de Lérins, two islands off the coast of Cannes, named after two saints: Saint-Honorat and Sainte-Marguerite. Here you can walk in fragrant pine woods.
Other attractions in the Alpes-Maritimes department
Monaco: This tiny principality is known for its lavish casinos, luxury shops, and a yacht-filled harbour. It is also home to the famous Monte Carlo Rally and the Monaco Grand Prix.
Saint-Paul-de-Vence: This picturesque medieval village is perched on a hilltop overlooking the Mediterranean and is known for its art galleries and charming cobblestone streets.
Grasse: This town is known as the perfume capital of the world and is home to many famous perfume factories and museums. It also features a charming old town with narrow streets and historic buildings.
Menton: This town is known for its lemon festival, which takes place every February, as well as its charming old town and beautiful gardens.
Eze: This medieval village is perched on a hilltop overlooking the Mediterranean and features narrow streets, historic buildings, and stunning views.
La Bergerie is a quiet, family owned site, situated in the hills about 3km from Vence and Saint Paul de Vence. 10km from the sea at Cagnes sur Mer. This extensive, lightly wooded site has been left very natural and is in a secluded position about 300m above sea level. Because of the trees most of pitches are shaded and all are of a good size. It is a large site but because it is so extensive it does not give that impression. There are 434 pitches, 300 with electricity (66 also with water and drainage) and 4 of them with private sanitary. Ther are also various types of accommodation to rent including the new Mobile Home Malaga Duo. Because of the nature of this site some pitches are a litle distance from the toilet blocks.
In a popular resort area that is open all year, la Vieille Ferme is an oasis of calm. Just 1 km from the sea and 4km from Antibes, located halfway between Nice and Cannes yet set in a wooded location (which offers much-needed shade in the high season). The site offers 119 pitches divided by established hedging with 6-10 amp EHU, and 95 are fully serviced. The campsite is surrounded by Parc Vaugrenier, a protected natural area of 110 hectares containing woodland and meadows with a bird observatory, children's play area and fitness trail. It is a natural area ideal for long family walks, hiking, and dog walking. There are special winter rates for long stays, and quite a few long-stay units are on-site during the winter. The entrance to the site is welcoming and very colourful, with well-tended flower beds. English is spoken at reception, and the whole place has a very friendly feel to it.
Les Pinèdes is 7 km. inland from the busy coast, at the centre of all the attractions of the Côte d’Azur, yet far enough away to be a peaceful retreat at the end of a busy day. Run by the third generation of family owners, the site is terraced on a wooded hillside where olives and vines used to grow. All 108 touring pitches are level and have electricity (6-10A), most also with water and they are separated by low bushes. There are also 41 mobile homes and chalets available to rent. In May the evenings are alive with fireflies.
Wherever you choose to stay, and whichever of the great resorts you visit, the Côte d’Azur will be the connoisseur’s choice. Treasure it and savour its individuality and quality.
Map of the Côte d’Azur
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Author
Rob Fearn
Editor - Alan Rogers Guides
Rob has been involved in the leisure industry since completing a BTEC in Travel & Tourism in 1993. Previous roles have included the promotion of tourism in Yorkshire and running a motorcycle touring company in the Australian Outback.
He is the General Manager at Alan Rogers Travel Group, responsible for the ongoing development of the Alan Rogers website and the publication of the Alan Rogers Guides and 'Destinations' magazine.
Rob has owned several caravans, and he regularly travels with his wife and young daughter in their VW Transporter, complete with a Tentbox roof tent. A keen cycling fan, Rob can often be found in a field in Belgium during the 'Spring Classics' season.
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