The final week of my stay along the French Riviera was spent with 4/5 of my family (sorry, Hattie, but you chose camp). One day, on the train to the village Éze-sur-mer, my dad looked out the window as the train chugged alongside the Mediterranean and said, “We’re doing it wrong.” Now, I love my life at home and in the USA; however it is incredibly tempting to dream up a life spent next to crystal-blue water, but I think I’ve found the perfect remedy: visit-slash-go back to the French Riviera.
Here is a list of places along the French Riviera that I visited, which will surely help you live up that Côte d'Azur lifestyle for at least a few days.
Nice
I know that this is punny, but Nice really is nice. The city is teeming with colorful buildings (due to it once being part of an Italian state), friendly locals and delicious food (try the gnocchi!). Despite its recent attack, I would still go back in a heartbeat. Curious for more? Check out one of my past articles all about the wonderful city.
Cannes
A short train ride from Nice, I was able to visit this city twice, though not during the Cannes Film Festival. In my opinion, Cannes was a beautiful city, but there was not that much to do at all. This is definitely a resort down. While I was here, I really just window-shopped and walked around the harbor to look at the massive yachts. If you're tired of wandering around Cannes, then I highly recommend you take the short ferry to Ile Sainte-Margurite and walk around the prison that once held the infamous Man in the Iron Mask.
Monaco
Ah, Monaco, which contains the world-famous neighborhood Monte-Carlo. All I really wanted to accomplish while visiting this city was to see the Hotel de Paris, which was featured in the movie “Monte-Carlo,” starring Selena Gomez. Thankfully, I managed to see the hotel twice.
Monaco itself is pretty small and pretty industrial looking. No sorts of distinct architecture like Nice; even the royal palace looked out of place (I honestly thought part of the outside looked like it could have been part of a stage set). Besides visiting the royal palace, I went to the Oceanographic Museum, which has a tank of adorable baby clownfish, walked past the mega yachts, and got some Starbucks. Like I said, Monaco is small. I also appreciated the free public restrooms, which were very clean. I didn’t appreciate the hawkish seagulls that will attack you if you have food out it the open. One actually attacked my friend’s hair.
Éze
Despite getting sick after my first visit to Éze, this was probably my favorite destination. The village of Éze sits atop a high cliff, so be smart in planning on how you’ll get up and back. Since you probably will not have a car, be aware of the infrequent bus schedule or pack plenty of water for the steep hike there and back.
The village itself is very quaint and medieval looking. It also features a five-star hotel that Leonardo DiCaprio stays at during the Cannes Film Festival and a three-star Michelin restaurant. Also in the village is a perfumery, numerous art galleries and a gorgeous garden full of exotic plants.
Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
I managed to visit this small town only once and on a pretty crummy day, but it was still pretty. While there, I only hiked around the cape, but that was still gorgeous especially with all the beautiful flowers that I have yet to see anywhere else. Additionally, the Rothschild Estate is apparently spectacular to visit.
