Still one of the most elegant destinations on France's Mediterranean coast, the French Riviera is synonymous with glittering wealth and a glamorous jet set. But the region also cradles some stunning coastal vistas, mountains, medieval villages and fantastic museums.
Cannes, Nice and St-Tropez host some of the swankiest restaurants, hotels and boutiques in France. The region's other towns are relaxed and lovely. On the coast, Menton brims with exotic gardens and is backed by the rugged Alpes-Maritimes; the port town of Villefranche sur Mer boasts fine 14th century architecture. Inland, the village of Eze is postcard-pretty in its vertiginous mountain top position, and Grasse is home to a centuries-old perfume industry. Learn all about the olfactory arts at its high-tech and recently refurbished International Museum of Perfume - Grasse.
On the cultural front, the Riviera has much to offer. Along the Route des Peintres trail, you can explore numerous sites associated with artists including Picasso, Chagall, Matisse and Renoir, who were enamoured with the region. Nice has a noticeably artistic buzz, offering several art-filled hotels such as the Hotel Windsor and Hotel Negresco, while Nice's tramway is flanked by an outdoor display of 14 sculptures.
The 'Plages electroniques' series of dance music shows takes place on Cannes' Festival Hall beach each August. Punters gather, cocktail in hand, at around 7.30pm and groove on the sand until 12.30am to the sounds of breakbeat, minimalist house, electro, trance, techno, funk, hip-hop and much more.
Also in Cannes in August, the Festival de la Pantiero offers the hottest new dance sounds and tons of other genres: afrobeat, afro-house, electro-dub, house, electro-pop, hip-hop, reggae, electro-jazz and more.
One of Cannes' slickest new dining spots is the Le Cink organic restaurant and bar, inside boutique luxury Hotel 3.14. Murano glass artworks and zany lighting sets the scene, while chef Mario d'Orio sizzles up bold Mediterranean flavours (embellished with dashes of the unexpected) in the kitchen. Expect such dishes as organic mushroom risotto followed by Scottish salmon and quinoa; or an exotic fruit cheesecake topped with a cloud of fairy floss. The hotel's suites evoke a different continent on each of its five floors – Africa, Oceania, America, Europe and Asia.
The Riviera famously offers multiple activities within a day's travel of one other: you could theoretically spend your morning skiing or snowboarding and your evenings sailing or sipping cocktails by the beach. An increasingly popular summer activity is Via Ferrata, where cliff faces have been converted into thrilling but safe climbing courses fitted with strong, modern rungs, ramps, footbridges and ropes. But if daredevil antics aren't your thing, the recently revamped International Museum of Perfume in Grasse offers fascinating insights into the world of scent across five continents and centuries of history, on some 3200 sqm of perfume display space.
Wine is not the only reason to visit the Bordeaux region of Aquitaine; however you can enjoy some of the very best wines or why not try Vinotherapy Spa?
Discover Mad Burgundy, celebrating food and wine with for example "la cuisine au vin" or a balloon flight over the chateaux of Burgundy.
Discover the madness of Antibes with the biggest open-air night club on the French Riviera, a hotel built into the rock and much more...
Discover the Madness of Monaco with famous sporting events such as the Tour de France or the Formula One race...
Enjoy new dimensions to Paris such as the crazy art of graffiti, new culinary adventures or discover the city's vibrant events, festivals and exhibitions.
Discover real madness with the corrida in Nimes, sleep in a 17th Century Luxury convent or try some of the amazing restaurants in Montpellier.
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