The international atmosphere and ambiance of the C\u00f4te d’Azur and the VAR attracts annually twelve million people, enjoying culture, gastronomy, nature, golf courses, mountain walks and of course the beaches and the bleu azure sea. For those who visit a village on the French Riviera, may think “I would like to buy a second home here”. But which village best suits your lifestyle? We put the most important features of the nicest places for you in order to get to know the French Riviera better. Additions and experiences are always welcome at the bottom of the comments!<\/p>\n
Whoever comes to the C\u00f4te d’Azur to party on the streets, like in Ibiza city or in Salou, is getting deceived. Of course, there are parties but everything is within the limits of a nightclub or a yacht. The ‘binge drinking’ of youngsters who are half dead lame on the streets or wild drug festivals where people jump from balconies, thinking ‘I believe I can fly’ is hardly the French Riviera. People preferably have a bottle of wine and some good finger food on the beach to watch the stars. The ‘dining culture’ is a tradition for young and old: if you have night out, you will always start in a restaurant. And from there you decide with friends whether you are going to dance in a club or have a good time chilling and swimming by the sea.<\/p>\n
There are many names for the different regions that eventually all fall under the province of PACA; Provence Alps, Cote d’Azur. The area between Menton and Theoule belongs to the Alpes Maritimes and is commonly referred to as the C\u00f4te d’Azur. From Theoule le Trayas you are in the VAR, the area that passes past Toulon. This part is called La Provence by many people because the atmosphere is so romantic and peaceful. Many VAR residents want the VAR also to be named the Cote d’Azur because the Cote d’Azur has a more dynamic and richer appearance. The VAR however belongs with the Provence and that area goes up to Marseille and towards the Alps. But VAR, PACA, C\u00f4te d’Azur or Alpes Maritimes; bottom-line it’s about where you feel yourself at home. Living on the C\u00f4te d’Azur in a Proven\u00e7al setting may be ‘the best of both worlds’.<\/p>\n
28.962 inhabitant<\/p>\n
Menton is famous for the annual Lemon Festival, but the people do not look like a lemon. The town has Italian influences with the colored fa\u00e7ades and you cross the port through the French-Italian border. Thanks to its stylish architecture and beautiful beaches, Menton has been a favorite destination for many years, also with Italian neighbors.<\/p>\n
General atmosphere: quiet and civilized<\/em><\/p>\n 12.450 inhabitant<\/p>\n Unknown makes unloved, but this medieval seaside town between Menton and Monaco at 1100m altitude is worth the effort. Roquebrune Cap Martin has the best micro climate; watch the vegetation; lemons, bananas and oranges are all year-round in the tree.<\/p>\n General atmosphere: quiet and civilized<\/em><\/p>\n 30.581 inhabitants<\/p>\n Nature lovers do not have to come here; Monaco is all concrete and high-rise buildings. Despite the high millionaire density, you can still buy a pizza for 8 euros in Port Hercule and look at some of the most expensive yachts. A fun day out like Disneyland with lots of allure, expensive sports cars and an interesting story. Watch the movie Grace of Monaco<\/a> to understand the difficult relationship with France.<\/p>\n General atmosphere: safe and extravagant in cars<\/em><\/p>\n 4.877 inhabitants<\/p>\n Perfectly hidden in a bay you will find romantic beaches where only the locals seem to swim. Turn from Nice on the way to Monaco sharply down and drink a coffee in the cozy center. Residence of many wealthy French who do business in Monaco, but can not live there tax-wise.<\/p>\n General atmosphere: quiet and civilized<\/em><\/p>\n 2,550 inhabitants<\/p>\n Here you will find one of the most beautiful and expensive hotel restaurants on the South French coast; Le Ch\u00e8vre d’Or. But Eze also has a medieval fortress, an exotic garden and a lovely beach. A nice destination for a day of medieval hiking.<\/p>\n General atmosphere: quiet, authentic and civilized<\/em><\/p>\n 13.718inhabitants<\/p>\n You may not be able to get by car because parking is practically impossible here. Beausoleil is called the Montmartre of the C\u00f4te d’Azur through the narrow streets, as it is said of Haut de Cagnes. Beausoleil is the mecca for anyone who wants to live as close to Monaco as possible. Many luxury apartments with a wide view of the sea and the newest and most expensive residential attraction of Monaco; The Odeon Tower<\/a>.<\/p>\n General atmosphere: lots of traffic due to high occupants density per square meter<\/em><\/p>\n 3.742 inhabitants<\/p>\n Romantic seaside town at exactly 7 kilometers from Nice and 7 kilometers from Monaco. Local attractions include the Casino, the Greek Villa K\u00e9rylos and two clogged sandy beaches; La Baie des Fourmis and la Petite Afrique.<\/p>\n General atmosphere: stylish, beautiful beaches<\/em><\/p>\n 2,014 inhabitants<\/p>\n The few inhabitants are living here with privilege. A very popular place to live because of the many beautiful villas and unique sea views. You will need to view it through Google Maps because as a passerby the walls are high and the gates are closed. The only villa you can visit is immediately worth the effort; Therefore go to V<\/a>illa Ephrussi<\/a>.<\/p>\n General atmosphere: stylish but closed<\/em><\/p>\n 5.416 inhabitants<\/p>\n Villefranche sur Mer is one of the most photographed towns with a beautiful bay where luxury yachts are waiting for their owners who are pampered in the harbor in the harbor. O.a members of the Rolling Stones and singer Tina Turner have their villa hidden in the mountains here, but you can meet them in the village.<\/p>\n General atmosphere: like a classy French Riviera postcard<\/em><\/p>\n 2,014 inhabitants<\/p>\n This small, originally fishing village on the peninsula gives the owners of the many very luxurious villas with large gardens a beautiful setting. Fortunately, there are public trails (from 30 minutes to 2 hours) that lead you along steep cliffs and rocks with stunning views. Also nice for a walk with the dog.<\/p>\n General atmosphere: chic in rugged nature<\/em><\/p>\n 344.064 inhabitants<\/p>\n ‘Nissa la bella’, sing the inhabitants because they did not forget that Nice was once part of Italy. Nice today is the capital of the Alpes Maritimes with everything you can expect in a historic city; from trams, museums, prehistoric caves to beautiful squares. The old town is still intact and gives an atmospheric view of ancient history. The boulevard has been recently renovated and gives the many bikers and joggers all the space.<\/p>\n General atmosphere: vibrant city with many different styles<\/em><\/p>\n 29.942 inhabitants<\/p>\n Saint Laurent du Var’s main attraction is the CAP 3000 which is ‘the largest shopping mall in Europe’. At the rear you will discover the busy marina with many restaurants and clubs. The pebble beach is perfect for ‘plane spotters’; You have a view of the airport of Nice Airport.<\/p>\n General atmosphere: more ‘holiday feeling’ than on the other side of Nice<\/em><\/p>\n 51,632 inhabitants<\/p>\n The fastest growing village on the C\u00f4te d’Azur with the most beautiful walk and bicycle boulevard along the coast. Since 2016, Cagnes, has ‘shopping & entertainment’ center Polygone Riviera which has further increased the local economy and attractiveness. The Grimaldi castle with the narrow streets in Haut de Cagnes is admired by the French and called the ‘Montmartre of the Cote d’Azur’. Cagnes sur Mer is also the place to be for the only horse race track on the French Riviera; the Hippodrome.<\/p>\n General atmosphere: historic at the top, lively yet small-scale atmosphere<\/em><\/p>\n 7.701 inhabitants<\/p>\n Between all the hustle and bustle of the coast lies La Colle sur Loup inland in a hidden green oasis. With delightful pendulum roads through the woods and mountains, and a cozy medieval center, this is a typical Provencal village, but on the Cote d’Azur.<\/p>\n General atmosphere: Quiet and “typically French”, as we know from long time ago<\/em><\/p>\n 9,751 inhabitants<\/p>\n Art-loving village between Cannes and Nice with a romantic village square and lots of art on the street. Biot is known by the traditional pottery and glass blowing industry. After the internship of Pablo Picasso, Biot still is the home town for many artists.<\/p>\n General atmosphere: authentic and stylish by the art on the street<\/em><\/p>\n 3.656 inhabitants<\/p>\n A hidden gem that adjoins the characteristic Baou rock. In the 1960s Saint Jeannet seems to have been a hippie village; the relaxed atmosphere is still present. From Saint Jeannet you can climb the Baou to 800 meters altitude for a splendid view towards Corsica and Saint Tropez.<\/p>\n General atmosphere: Quiet and authentic<\/em><\/p>\n 12,500 inhabitants<\/p>\n Valbonne literally means Good Valley, and this village is also breathtaking. Sophia Antipolis that belongs to Valbonnet is even called ‘Silicon Valley’. The area is filled peace and tranquility like in the Provence, yet it is perfectly located near Biot and Cannes. The Valbonne Market Square is one of the most beautiful squares of the C\u00f4te d’Azur, with cozy restaurants and on Friday the market where the whole region is coming.<\/p>\n General atmosphere: stylish, cozy and authentic<\/em><\/p>\n 18,536 inhabitants<\/p>\n Medieval town in southern France with beautiful historical center where, amongst others, artist Henry Matisse lived, whose name can be found on many places. Vence is also known for its natural drinking water that you can drink from fountains everywhere in the village. The old railway line from 1892 that took you from Vence via Cagnes sur Mer to Nice, does not exist anymore, but from the hills, remnants of the train viaduct are remotely admired.<\/p>\n General atmosphere: quiet, authentic and civilized<\/em><\/p>\n 3,477 inhabitants<\/p>\n Saint Paul de Vence is one of the oldest medieval villages and has an impressive defense wall with small streets full of restaurants and art galleries. Here came and stayed celebrities like Marc Chagall, Jacques Pr\u00e9vert and James Baldwin. Big attraction is Fondation Maeght<\/a> that has varied exhibitions of modern art.<\/p>\nRoquebrune Cap Martin –\u00a0<\/b>French Riviera<\/b>, C\u00f4te d’Azur<\/b><\/h3>\n
Monaco –\u00a0<\/b>C\u00f4te d’Azur<\/b><\/h3>\n
Cap d’Ail –\u00a0<\/b>French Riviera<\/b><\/b>, C\u00f4te d’Azur<\/b><\/h3>\n
Eze – French Riviera, Cote d’Azur<\/h3>\n
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Beausoleil – French Riviera, Cote d’Azur<\/h3>\n
Beaulieu sur Mer – French Riviera, Cote d’Azur<\/h3>\n
Saint Jean Cap Ferrat – French Riviera, Cote d’Azur<\/h3>\n
Villefranche sur Mer – French Riviera, Cote d’Azur<\/h3>\n
Cap Ferrat – French Riviera, Cote d’Azur<\/h3>\n
Nice – French Riviera, Cote d’Azur<\/h3>\n
Saint Laurent du Var – French Riviera, Cote d’Azur<\/h3>\n
Cagnes sur Mer – French Riviera, Cote d’Azur<\/h3>\n
La Colle sur Loup – South France, Cote d’Azur<\/h3>\n
Biot – French Riviera, Cote d’Azur<\/h3>\n
Saint Jeannet – French Riviera, Cote d’Azur<\/h3>\n
Valbonne – French Riviera, Cote d’Azur<\/h3>\n
Vence – French Riviera, Cote d’Azur<\/h3>\n
Saint Paul de Vence – French Riviera, Cote d’Azur<\/h3>\n