Cote d Azur travel guide

La Croisette

The long, shop-studded promenade of La Croisette, and its seven miles (11km) of beach, is Cannes' major attraction. Palatial hotels line this strip, each with their own private beach, and this is where visitors are most likely to spot a familiar face, or topless hopeful, especially during the Cannes Film Festival, though it can be difficult to see further than the sweating backs of the paparazzi during this popular event. La Croisette is best viewed from the highest point of Cannes' Old Town, Le Suquet, where the remains of the fortified tower still stand, along with the 12th-century Chapel of St Anne. Le Suquet is a lovely place to stroll, with its winding streets, small boutiques and restaurants. At the end of La Croisette is the Palais des Festivals, whose endless Allées des Stars is imprinted with handprints and signatures of the famous. Just beyond is the atmospheric Vieux Port, with its odd medley of luxury yachts and tiny fishing vessels, and the rows of palm trees and fragrant flower market of the Allées de la Liberté. Further west, along the seafront, are the free beaches (where the locals go), along the Plages du Midi.

Ile St Honorat & Ile St Marguerite

The two islands of Lerins, Ile St Marguerite and Ile St Honorat, lie a 20-minute boat ride from Cannes. Ile St Honorat is a tiny forested island, the smallest and most southern of the Iles de Lerins. It has been the site of a monastery since the 5th century and today the Cistercian monks are the only inhabitants of the island. Much of the monastery is surprisingly modern, with the exception of the ruins of the 11th-century monastery on the sea's edge. The monks organise tours of the island and sell their produce to tourists, including homemade wine, honey and lavender oil. The monastery also welcomes visitors for week-long retreats. On the neighbouring Ile St Marguerite is the fortress where the 'man in the iron mask' was imprisoned. The famous old prison also has a Museum of the Sea to explore.

Mostly, however, people head out to the islands to picnic and enjoy the natural splendour on offer. There are plenty of secluded, rocky little coves, forested areas and gardens and it is easy to find a beautiful spot to spend the day. It is the perfect opportunity to get out of the fashionable bustle of Cannes and find a little peace and privacy. The boat trips over are also enjoyable and give wonderful views of Cannes. There is a restaurant on Ile St Marguerite.

Côte d'Azur Beaches

The Cote d'Azur beaches range from intimate rocky coves to long swathes of golden sands packed with sun worshipers. Some are highly developed and will hire out loungers and the like but others are still fairly secluded; there should be something for everyone along this incredible coastline. Most beaches are away from the centre, although the family beaches, Plage des Graniers and Plage des Cannebiers, are within walking distance. Generally the beaches are very safe with calm seas, warm water and plenty of lifeguards on duty. People don't just come to places like St Tropez and Cannes for the nightlife, they also have some of the best beaches in France. The string of beaches along the Baie de Pampelonne, south of St Tropez, the best known of which is the Plage de Tahiti, have long been favoured by exhibitionists wearing next to nothing. Villefranche sur Mer is a beautiful, sandy beach great for snorkelling. The beaches of Ile de Porquerolles, in the national park, are coveted by nature lovers. Other favourites include Plage Port Grimaud, Monte-Carlo Beach and Vias Plage. Almost all the beaches are lined with restaurants and shops selling endless gifts or items to prove you've been there. A huge variety of watersports are on offer.

St Tropez

St Tropez has long held the reputation of being the 'black sheep' of the renowned French Riviera holiday resort towns. Sexy starlets were flaunting themselves topless here back in the 1930s, long before the beautiful people dared disrobe elsewhere. St Tropez' reputation as a kinky carnival town attracting the more bohemian members of the 'in' crowd continues to this day.

There is little left of the medieval Provencal atmosphere of the original town. From May to September, St Tropez is the wild holiday destination people imagine, but in the off season the town virtually shuts down, reverting to a quieter, calmer existence. Behind the rows of yachts fronting the terraced cafés of the waterfront are some narrow, picturesque streets full of shops. The hub of the town is the Place aux Herbes, a busy enclave of fish, fruit, vegetable and flower stalls.

The beach in St Tropez is famous, and has a number of bars, cafes, and watersports options, especially the popular Plage de Tahiti. The beaches west of St Tropez are popular with nudists. Visitors can stroll the Sentier Littoral, a coastal walking route with fabulous views, or visit the Musée de I'Annonciade, which has an exceptional collection of post-Impressionist paintings.

The area around Quai Jean Jaures on the waterfront is where the best of the nightlife can be found. Within town there are charismatic and laid-back bars in and around Place des Lices. For celebrity spotting and pricey champagne cocktails, visitors should get dressed up and head to Nikki Beach.

Biot

The village of Biot is more than 2,500 years old, and retains much of its medieval charm in the 15th-century architecture and narrow, winding streets. The town's old walls and gate can still be seen, as well as a number of other small, historic features strewn throughout the hilltop community. The town has been a hub for craftsmen for centuries, and is known for its pottery and blown glass, making it a popular shopping destination for tourists in the French Riviera. There are several glass-blowing factories that offer tours, allowing visitors to watch the age-old process in action. Biot is also the site of an ancient volcano, and geology buffs will enjoy hiking the scenic rock formations. There are several other pleasant walks through the surrounding hills and woods and the feel in the countryside is pastoral and peaceful, with plenty of shade and bubbling streams.

Located less than three miles (4km) from the coast, Biot makes an excellent daytrip when visitors want a break from the pleasures of the beach. The village is busy year-round but gets particularly crowded during the summer (June to August); even so, it is slightly off the main tourist path and remains one of the less commercial villages.

Èze

Perched on a mountain 1,400 feet (427m) above sea level, the medieval town of Èze is a popular stop on the route between the French Riviera and Monaco. The winding cobblestone streets lead visitors to the ruins of a 12th-century castle, and also to many shops; shopping is one of the most popular reasons for visiting Èze. The streets are dotted with tiny boutiques and shops selling a variety of French souvenirs.

There are stunning views of the Mediterranean from this charming hilltop village but because it is so steep and medieval, with its little houses crammed together on winding, cobbled streets, the views from inside are often limited. To fully appreciate the location of the place one must climb into the botanical gardens, Le Jardin d'Eze, which perch on top of the hill. There are magnificent 360 degree views from the top and some interesting ruins too. It is quite a climb though, so dress accordingly. Another popular attraction in the village is the Fragonard - L'Usine Laboratoire, a factory where they make beautiful perfumes and fragrances, where visitors can be guided through the process as well as buy some lovely scents at reduced prices.

Eze feels like a place stuck in a quaint and artistic past and it is a delight to explore; it is less fashionable and celebrity-packed than many places in Cote d'Azure and this is part of its appeal.

Cannes

Today it is hard to imagine that the quintessential, glamorous French Riviera holiday resort of Cannes was for centuries a simple, sleepy fishing village whose only visitors were the monks and wealthy pilgrims who came to visit the monastery on the nearby Island of St Honorat. All this changed in 1834 when Lord Henry Brougham, former British Chancellor of the Exchequer, arrived and established Cannes as a popular upmarket holiday resort for the British upper-classes.

Soon the French and later the Russian aristocracy also flocked to Cannes to while away their summer holidays. Today, Cannes is besieged by tourists on holiday in the summer, when the long sandy beaches, glitzy nightclubs, chic shops and famous promenade are abuzz with beautiful people flaunting the latest designer wear.

There is lots to see and do in Cannes. The old town is pleasant for strolling and sightseeing, and the beaches fantastic for lying in the sun. For the more active, there are a number of water sports available, including sailing and swimming. Popular attractions in Cannes include the Notre-Dame d'Esperance, the Molinard perfume factory, and the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire de Provence. It is worthwhile to take the trip out to the Îles de Lérins, which boast a monastery and ruins alongside a number of shops, bars and restaurants. There are also options for excursions to nearby Monaco and St Tropez.

Each May the world's media descend in droves for the annual Cannes Film Festival, which draws Hollywood's finest to the Palais des Festivals.