French riviera information

The Gorges and Loup Valley from Grasse A stay on the Côte d'Azur would be incomplete without a trip to Grasse for an unforgettable sight, the crossing at the Gorges du Loup. Around 40 km, taking approximately 2 hours by car is required to be able to thoroughly explore and enjoy this part of the Alpes Maritimes department. Here is a suggested itinerary for you to follow from the town of Grasse, to be adapted according to your preferences or the time you have available. Leave Grasse heading East on the D2085 road in the direction of Magagnosc. Once at Magagnosc visit the two churches there including the Chapel of Saint Michel which is definitely worth a look. Then take the D303 road to cross the Bar du Loup where you will find the village in a beautiful setting. Visit the old village with its winding alleys and the Chateau of the Lords of Grasse that dates from the 16th Century. The Church of Saint Jacques and its view are worth a quick stop before heading for the crossing ...

Cabris: Old World charm with a view over the Côte d’Azur Perched at an altitude of 550 metres, the village of Cabris is close to Grasse (6.5 km) and the heights above Cannes (25 km). It is a lively village that is very popular for peaceful holidays on the Côte d’Azur, away from the seafront. Cabris is one of the truly charming villages along the Côte d’Azur. Find holiday rental accommodation at Cabris for an evening or a longer stay. Discover the Village Small alleys wind up towards the old feudal Château and its tiny squares; the old world charm is omnipresent at Cabris. Once at the old chateau, the excellent view extends to the Mediterranean Sea and the lake of St. Cassien in the Var. Several chapels can be found in the village. Wander along the streets and discover the old restored houses, a church clock tower or the small squares. At the entrance to the village there is a large field that is used to host a variety of events all year round and families often ...

Cap d’Antibes beaches – Small creeks and quiet beaches - l'Abri de l'Olivette Even at the Côte d’Azur it is possible to find quiet beaches! Away from the throngs of tourists and noise of Antibes beaches or Juan les Pins, some beaches at the Cap d’Antibes allow you to enjoy the Mediterranean away from the crowds. Here are details of some lesser known beaches at the Cap d’Antibes including those close to l’Abri de l’Olivette which we consider to be the most picturesque site in the Antibes area. To enjoy them fully we suggest you rent holiday accommodation at Cap d’Antibes or seasonal accommodation at Juan les Pins.  Small creeks with a superb view over the old town of Antibes After the Salis beach (at the end of Boulevard James Wyllie) and beyond Salis Port, you come to the Cap d’Antibes. After a few hundred metres, on the left there are a few creeks away from the crowds. Small maybe but if you arrive early it is a small but paradisiacal place. The view is fantastic, ...

The Baie des Anges Marina at Villeneuve-Loubet Beach The Baie des Anges Marina complex can be seen from Antibes to Nice. Composed of several buildings each of several dozen floors, these residential buildings are situated around the marina where there are numerous shops and other commercial premises. For holiday accommodation we recommend rental properties in Villeneuve-Loubet close to the Baie des Anges Marina or even apartments in this vast residential complex itself.  A giant seafront complex Composed of four giant pyramids, with a summit of 70 metres and bearing many sumptuous villas on the sides with a sea view lost in the distance, this complex hosts around 1,500 properties with numerous swimming pools. A huge pleasure port is at the residential centre. On both sides of the Marina, pebble beaches can be found in the direction of both Nice and Antibes.   A town in the Baie des Anges Marina The Baie des Anges Marina has the advantage of being ...

The hillside village of Gourdon in the Alpes Maritimes in France Amongst the most beautiful French villages is Gourdon which is perched on a hillside overlooking the Côte d’Azur at over 800 metres altitude. It is reached via a 10km climb from Châteauneuf de Grasse. On your way up the road, stop by the wayside when you first see the village to your right to take some photographs. This is the best place to get a good overall view of the village and its chateau.  Visiting Gourdon Village The village entrance lies to your right after the parking lot. The village starts at the top of this cobblestoned lane. On both sides of the road you will find shops selling a variety of knick-knacks and souvenirs. The main attraction of this village lies not in its commerce but rather in its restored houses, its chateau and especially in the view it offers over the Mediterranean.  Stroll through the lanes and alleys of this lovely village and enjoy the peace and ...

The beaches at Antibes A little less than ten beaches are available at Antibes (others can be found at Juan des Pins). Between rocks, sand and pebbles there are beaches to suit all preferences at Antibes. Below can be seen a geographical map showing the different beaches of Antibes and Cap d’Antibes.  Fort Carré Beach: The coastal road  Situated at the exit of Antibes (to the east) in the direction of Nice, Fort Carré beach is the longest beach in the Antibes community. It reaches from Fort Carré to the Baie des Anges Marinas. There are showers, toilets and several snack bars available.  Our opinion: This long beach is of large pebbles. It is definitely the least popular beach so great for those who hate crowds! However you should like large pebbles, we recommend you come equipped with shoes for swimming and maybe a special sun mattress to lay down on. Please note this beach runs alongside the coastal road which is very popular. The railroad also runs ...

The towns and villages to discover during your holidays near to Antibes together with the leisure activities Possessing a central position on the Côte d’Azur, among many points of interest, Antibes is an ideal destination for holidays. Here is a quick tour covering the major places and sights to see in and around Antibes. The Old Town: Not to be missed! Shopping or walking, every occasion is perfect for meandering around Antibes. Typical to this area, the Old Town should not be missed for its unique boutiques, walking around the ramparts, enjoying a glass on a café terrace or dining in the sun.  For a complete visit consult our Guide to Old Antibes. The Port at Antibes: A real dream Yachts and more yachts! With a deep harbour, the Port of Antibes can welcome the most beautiful boats in the world. Wander around Vieux port and at the end of the quay you will discover some real marvels. The Antibes beaches Different to Nice, the beaches at ...

Holiday Guide to Antibes and Juan les Pins The town of Antibes is situated on the seafront between Cannes and Nice. It is the second largest town of the Alpes Maritimes. It possesses one of the longest stretches of coastline in France. Along its more than twenty five kilometres of coast can be found a huge variety of water activities including water skiing, parascending, diving, fishing, game fishing, sailing and simply swimming.  A diverse sea front: Sand beaches, pebbles and creeks In the communities of Antibes or Juan les Pins, holidaymakers can benefit from a very diverse offering of sea fronts with small creeks around the Cap d’Antibes, sand beaches such as, for example, Salis Beach which offers magnificent views over Old Antibes and the Alps, or there are pebble beaches to the east of Antibes, between Fort Vauban and Siesta.  Antibes: A Mediterranean Climate Antibes possesses a Mediterranean climate. Winters are mild and it is far from unknown to ...

The Cap d’Antibes: An exceptional site between Antibes and Juan les Pins Situated to the west of Antibes and the east of Juan les Pins, the Cap d’Antibes forms the junction between the two most popular seaside resorts along the Côte d’Azur. Set among extravagant vegetation, the Cap d’Antibes is a favoured area where sumptuously appointed villas flourish in peace among the pine woods. A few holiday rental properties in the Cap d’Antibes are available, generally in luxury apartment buildings.  The Cap d’Antibes: The wild side of the Côte d’Azur At the Cap there are no long sand beaches! There are only private beaches (on Garoupe Beach) or a few rocky gaps on the Tire-Poil path (this leaves from the end of the beach and offers a magnificent view over Garoupe Bay and its lighthouse) which is becoming increasingly less used due to the growth in popularity of the town of Eilenroc. This path offers fantastic scenery with several properties that have the privilege ...