The strongest pull for visitors to
this region is its diversity, as the French Riviera offers all kinds of tourists
a wide range of activities all year round.
For yachters and boaters, there are
135 marinas in The French Riviera. These give you access to amazing seaside
resorts. The beaches on this stretch of the South French coast are highly popular
during the summer. Saint-Tropez
and Saint Raphael are very famous for their exceptional beaches. The climate is
exceptional during the summer and even the winter stays quite warm. The French
Riviera is a region which can be visited all year.
If you like sport you’ll enjoy
walking in the mountains, surfing on the sea, skiing in the winter, cycling and
the 66 golf courses invite for a round all year. The surrounding Alps, some of which reach 3,000 metres, provide excellent
ski resorts. You’d no doubt be surprised to hear that the area boasts 68 ski
resorts within easy reach of the coast. The sea and the mountains give an
exceptional landscape, making this destination unique.
The three national parks in the area
are very popular. The national park of les Ecrins which is located amongst the mountains,
welcomes 800,000 visitors each year. Mercantour
National Park is another of the nine national
parks in France
with 800,000 yearly visitors as well. Mercantour National Park
is well known for the wolves it welcomes from across the Italian border.
Finally, Port-Cros, located on an island, welcomes around half a million visitors
every year. In the Cote d’Azur,
you will also find another four regional nature parks.
The cultural heritage of the French
Riviera is amazing. Among the 1,800 edifices registered or classified as
historical monuments, three are classified as world heritage site by UNESCO. The old harbour
of St Tropez has some very charming
small streets, Cannes
and Nice welcome celebrities all year for different events and Marseille is
very famous for its old harbour as well. You will be welcomed by small villages
where you will be able to discover their custom and their local traditions.
Local gastronomy is also a good
reason to spend your holidays in the French Riviera. Lavender grows wild in
this area of France
and is very typical of the region’s cuisine. The plant is used both in the
Provencal herb mixture so common in traditional French food and to make
lavender honey. Adding to the flavour of the Cote d’Azur are the olive groves
that have become a regional speciality.
Alternatively the Cote d’Azur is
excellent for just sitting back, sunbathing, and relaxing on one of the many
fantastic beaches!
With something for every visitor,
whichever season you wish to visit, the French Riviera is an ideal destination
for your next holiday.
For
more tips, and accommodation in the area visit Holiday-Rentals
Jack
Norell works for Holiday-Rentals
and writes about holidays in the south of France among other holiday topics.
www.holiday-rentals.co.uk