Our useful countdown of French Riviera towns rolls on with some of the most famous resort areas in the world, let alone the Mediterranean. While the C?te d’Azur symbolizes a vacation flush with luxury, champagne and caviar, the coastal towns that dot the south of France need not drain your supply of Euros. Sure, the Riviera is a magnet for Hollywood stars who flock here to gain some celebrity cred, not to mention old money from Europe who by family rite, have to vacation here. However, anyone can visit and enjoy the best of the French Riviera, which in essence boils down to the scenery and weather. At last check, these were not for sale yet.
While the commune of Villeneuve-Loubet is part of the Sophia Antipolis technopark, the area still has charm. After all, this is the home of Auguste Escoffier, the premier food writer, chef and pioneer of haute cuisine in France. In close proximity to the Loup River as well as the Mediterranean, Villeneuve-Loubet was a vital battleground in WWII.
Thanks to enviable environs on top of a hill that offers spectacular views of the sea, Biot is a great spot to visit. The small commune or town of under 8,000 is a welcome respite from more touristy action in nearby Cannes and features remarkable works of glass and pottery.
The ever-popular resort town of Antibes has a population of over 70,000 people that swells in the summer with tourist hordes. With a history that harkens back to ancient Rome, as well as the home of the first Picasso museum, Antibes has much to offer. Aside from some of the best beaches on the French Riviera, there is great live music and theatre here.
Many associate Juan-les-Pins with Antibes but although in close quarters, they remain distinct. Juan-les-Pins is famous for a rowdy nightlife scene, with many popular clubs and bars and a huge jazz festival held every July that draws some of the top musical acts from around the world.
A gorgeous town on the Riviera known as the world capital of the perfume industry, Grasse is a gem. A full 350 m above sea level, the town offers a superb vantage point to take in the Mediterranean and proximate areas. The old perfume houses here all offer museums and tours of the premises.
The town that hosts the most famous film festival in the world depends on cinema to rake in the tourist Euros. However, there is more to Cannes than the festival. Shops for one, expensive restaurants and some of the most posh hotels on the coast. If you want to save your money, just walk around and observe the opulent villas and yachts.
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Another commune on the Riviera with strong links to epic World War II events, Saint-Rapha?l is a vibrant little area of just over 30,000 residents that offers some solitude in comparison to more hectic resort towns on the coast. With great golf in the area, the commune is a popular draw for recreational activity.
Together with Saint-Rapha?l, Fr?jus forms a quaint town that is not as popular in the summer months as Cannes or Antibes. However, a fair number of visitors do enjoy the commune because of a unique heritage that includes many Roman ruins and the 13th century Church of Saint Maximinus, a marvel of Middle Ages architecture.
A small commune of less than 12,000 people, Saint-Maxime is notable for a fortunate geographic position within the French Riviera. On the north shore of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez and snug within the Massif des Maures mountains, Saint-Maxime offers protection from Mistral winds and as such, has an enviable strip of beachfront that warrants Blue Flag designation.
Although the native population of Saint-Tropez hovers around 5,000, when tourist season is in full swing, it becomes difficult to score a piece of real estate on the beach. The area is one of the most popular resort towns in the world, synonymous as a playground for the stars. Word first got out about how beautiful Saint-Tropez was at the turn of the last century when it was the most important commercial port in France. By the time Brigitte Bardot came here to vacation in the 1950s, the secret was out.
A sizable town of over 50,000 inhabitants, Hy?res is the most southerly commune on the Riviera. The streets offer that narrow layout, replete with colourful postcard Mediterranean architecture that visitors crave in this part of the world. A suitable climate makes Hy?res a popular winter vacation destination in France.
The city of Toulon is large by French Riviera standards. With over 160,000 people, it assumes a vital role as a naval base and hub of industry. Aside from that however, the town serves as a popular choice for great museums, architecture and cuisine and for a prominent role in Victor Hugo’s epic novel Les Mis?rables.
To the east of Marseille is the cute commune of Cassis. Famous for unique geographic features that include high cliffs, prominent bluffs and inlets, the area is also known for wine and olive oil production. Most visitors however, do come to Cassis for that iconic Mediterranean fishing village experience and to witness the natural wonder of the Calanques massif and Cap de Canaille.
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