Sentier Du Littoral Le lavandou
©Sentier Du Littoral Le lavandou |ACelindano

Coastal gems

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From the wild lands of the Camargue Regional Nature Park to the exotic and little-known gardens of the Riviera, the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur coastline is home to many treasures. Exceptional natural sites, architectural heritage, museums and gardens and ancestral know-how linked to the sea… Find out more about the nuggets of our coastline and how to discover them. Take a leisurely stroll, try your hand at sports – diving or windsurfing – or ‘slow mode’, for a 100% green experience.

Coastal gems

Natural sites, architectural heritage, museums and gardens, underwater trails, sailing or surfing spots… The coastline offers many treasures to those who take the time to explore it.

Aerial view of the Salin des PesquiersThe Salin des Pesquiers in Hyères, Var
©The Salin des Pesquiers in Hyères, Var|DR
Le Parc marin de la Côte Bleue
From the wetlands of the Rhône delta, which are true biodiversity breeding grounds, to the Parc du Vinaigrier in Nice, and the wild limestone of the Côte Bleue, the coast of...
Villa Kerylos by the seaThe Kerylos villa at Beaulieu-sur-Mer in the Alpes-Maritimes department
©The Kerylos villa at Beaulieu-sur-Mer in the Alpes-Maritimes department |Mullanasrudin
Top architectural coastal sites in the Sud region
From the Camargue to the seaside in Menton, the Provençal and Côte d’Azur coast holds little-known architectural treasures, the reflection of local histories and remote...
Close-up of oysters in the Bay of Lazaret and boats in the backgroundOysters from the Bay of Lazaret, La Seyne-sur-Mer, Var
©Oysters from the Bay of Lazaret, La Seyne-sur-Mer, Var|DR
Top Maritime Know-How
Prestigious shellfish farms producing award-winning oysters, local and artisan fishing, subsea exploration and scuba diving… From Camargue to the Côte d’Azur, the men and women...
Perspective view of a large pond in the Serre de la Madone gardenA pond in the Serre de la Madone garden in Menton, Alpes-Maritimes
©A pond in the Serre de la Madone garden in Menton, Alpes-Maritimes |Luparini.C
Top coastal museums and gardens
Between nature and culture, the Mediterranean unveils many unexpected treasures. Exceptional gardens, immersive museums and eco-awareness tours invite visitors to dive into the...
A young woman snorkels in the CalanquesSnorkelling in the Calanques, Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône
©Snorkelling in the Calanques, Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône|LChovelon
Top 9 underwater trails
Accessible to all those who can swim, and with very little equipment – goggles, a snorkel and flippers – the underwater trails of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur are an...
Camarat lighthouse in RamatuelleCamarat lighthouse in Ramatuelle, Var
©Camarat lighthouse in Ramatuelle, Var|Conservatoire du littoral
The remarkable lighthouses of the Sud
As ships’ guides, luminous coastal lookouts, lighthouses tell the story of our coasts and invite us to admire them from a different viewpoint. From the Camargue to Antibes and...
Vallon Des Auffes Marseille Bouches Du Rhone CgensollenVallon Des Auffes Marseille Bouches Du Rhone Cgensollen
©Vallon Des Auffes Marseille Bouches Du Rhone Cgensollen|Gensollen C.
The most picturesque ports
Of course, you’ll find plenty of ports in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. The best-known continue to attract flocks of visitors, curious to discover these mythical...
Voile Kitesurf Lac Serre Poncon RvanrijnVoile Kitesurf Lac Serre Poncon Rvanrijn
©Voile Kitesurf Lac Serre Poncon Rvanrijn|RVanrijn
Top sailing spots in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
Whether you’re heading along the coast from Saintes-Marie-de-la-Mer to Cannes, or inland to the lakes of Sainte-Croix and Serre-Ponçon, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur...
Plongee-Istock.jpg
©Istock
Top 6 not-to-be-missed diving spots in the South of France
Dive into the turquoise waters of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, swim above the Posidonia meadows and the other underwater wonders of the Mediterranean… Kitted out with goggles,...
carte-itineraire-neptune.jpg
©RegionSud
Neptune, total immersion in the Mediterranean seabed
Bordered by our beautiful Mediterranean sea, the Région Sud has so many underwater wonders to explore. Neptune offers a regional submarine exploration, discovery and innovation...
A surfer on the ocean with the breathtaking sunset in the sky in the backgroundA surfer on the ocean with the breathtaking sunset in the sky in the background
©A surfer on the ocean with the breathtaking sunset in the sky in the background|wirestock / freepik
The best surfing spots in the South
Spoiler alert: the Atlantic coast isn’t the only place to surf! With your board under your arm, your hair all salty with the sea breeze, your eyes looking out to the open...
Dauphin Whale Watching AtlantidesDauphin Whale Watching Atlantides
©Dauphin Whale Watching Atlantides|Atlantides
Hight quality Whale Watching Label
The first rule when approaching our beloved cetaceans is to treat them with respect. When planning a whale watching trip, it’s essential to behave responsibly. To do...
plage-estagnol-bormeslesmimosas-var-JCabanel.jpg
©J CABANEL
Discover the green beaches of the South of France!
See you on the coast of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur! The program includes diving in the clear waters of the Mediterranean, water activities and beach restaurants for a...
Swimming on a beach at Presqu'ile de GiensSwimming on a beach at Presqu'ile de Giens on the coastal path in the Var department
©Swimming on a beach at Presqu'ile de Giens on the coastal path|M.Di Duca
The keys to an eco-friendly swim
In summer, during holidays in the south of France, swimming is certainly one of the most favourite activities. But how can we be sure that it really rhymes with a responsible...

In slow mode

By train, on foot or by bike, take the time to explore the coastline in slow mode

Esterel mediterranean red rocks coast, beach and sea. French Riviera in Cote d Azur near Cannes Saint Raphael, Provence, France, EuropeEsterel mediterranean red rocks coast, beach and sea. French Riviera in Cote d Azur near Cannes Saint Raphael, Provence, France, Europe
©Esterel mediterranean red rocks coast, beach and sea. French Riviera in Cote d Azur near Cannes Saint Raphael, Provence, France, Europe|Getty Images/iStockphoto
By train to the heart of Esterel
Hop on the regional express train (TER) from Saint-Raphaël to Mandelieu-la-Napoule for a full immersion in the intense colours and striking contrasts of the Estérel hills,...
Panoramic view from the Saint-Baume ridgeThe Sainte-Baume massif in the Var
©The Sainte-Baume massif in the Var |Auray J.
Le GR®9 du Jura à la Méditerranée
From the mountains of the Jura to the Mediterranean coast in highly varied landscapes such as the Vercors or the Luberon, the GR®9 unfolds on an itinerary which is unique in...
Panoramic view of the village of Eze, the coastline and the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula in the distanceView of Eze and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat in the Alpes Maritimes
©View of Eze and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat in the Alpes Maritimes |G.Roucaute
Les Balcons de la Méditerranée
The GR®51 is a mythical trail which offers an unforgettable adventure and a timeless hike along the Mediterranean coast, in a blend of Côte d’Azur horizons and historic heritage.
Two hikers admire the Sainte-Victoire massif from the backHiking in the Sainte-Victoire massif in Bouches-du-Rhône
©Hiking in the Sainte-Victoire massif in Bouches-du-Rhône |Luparini.C
La Voie Aurélienne
Between the Mediterranean and the Provençal back-country, the Voie Aurélienne is an invitation to a trip through the centuries. Discover an age-old itinerary for a slow-paced...
Sentier-littoral-Giens-Hyeres-ACelindano.jpg
©ACelindano
Coastal path : The must-do walks in the South
Head for the coastal trails of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur for a walk beside the sea! Along the cliffs, deep in the creeks or under the pine trees, the sentiers des douaniers...
train-cote-bleue-mouton.jpg
©Mouton.A
By train on the Côte Bleue
All aboard the little train on the Train de la Côte Bleue line for a short trip but oh so full of sensation – the tracks wind along the cliffside with a succession of...
itineraire-mediterranee-a-velo-ayrolle-cbenisty-les-poulets-bicyclettes-vlp-1-1.jpg
©Emmanuel Dautant
From the Pyrénées to the Alps : The Mediterranean by bike
Set off on the 850 km of the French section of EuroVelo 8: the Mediterranean by bike. You can easily reach this route by public transport (bus or train) and head off from the...
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©HERVE FABRE PHOTOS
By train from Cannes to Nice
Cannes, its luxury hotels and the sumptuous Iles de Lérins, Juan-les-Pins and its pine forest, Antibes and its ramparts, Nice and its famous Promenade des Anglais… The...
villefranchesurmer-cotedazur-jkelagopian.jpg
©J Kelagopian
By train from Nice to Menton
Starting in Villefranche-sur-Mer and as far as Menton, the last town before the Italian border, you’ll be in Dolce Vita mode for exploring all the architectural wonders...
Sentier-littoral-Giens-Hyeres-ACelindano.jpg
©ACelindano
Coastal path : The must-do walks in the South
Head for the coastal trails of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur for a walk beside the sea! Along the cliffs, deep in the creeks or under the pine trees, the sentiers des douaniers...
hyeres-les-palmiers-jstutz-as164044997.jpg
©©Jonathan Stutz - stock.adobe.com
By Train from Marseille to Hyères
Climb aboard for a train ride along the Provencal coast to discover towns that will have you dreaming: Aubagne, the birthplace of Marcel Pagnol, Bandol and its famous...
itineraire-via-rhona-tseray.jpg
The ViaRhôna by bike : a nature and heritage route
Beach or culture: why choose? Experience an unforgettable bike adventure on the ViaRhôna. An 815 km bike route that is accessible to all for a family weekend or a sports holiday.
The contrast between the white rocks of the Frioul islands and the blue of the seaThe Frioul islands in Marseille in the Bouches-du-Rhône department
©The Frioul islands in Marseille in the Bouches-du-Rhône department |Région Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur
The Sud from one island to another
Set off on a five-stage circuit to explore the islands on the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur coast, with unspoilt nature, secret creeks and a remarkable heritage. An itinerary you...

The natural South

In Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, there are a number of protected natural areas along the coast, all working to preserve and promote the region as a whole in a responsible way.

spots sous marins
©Launette.F
Top hotspots for observing our Mediterranean underwater plant & animal life
If you’re passionate about the underwater world, you’ll love our stunning Mediterranean sea beds! Welcome to a richly-diverse haven of subsea landscapes, reliefs...
Vaccares-Phare-de-la-Gacholle_CDL.jpg
©CDL
Focus on the coastal wonders of Provence
In Provence, you can experiment with a lot of things. This territory with its infinite wealth is packed with wild places to explore, and stories just waiting to be told. The...
La Couronne Cote Bleue CchillioThe coastline of La Couronne, near Marseille in the Bouches-du-Rhône department
©The coastline of La Couronne, near Marseille in the Bouches-du-Rhône department|CChillio
The Parc Marin de la Côte Bleue
The Côte Bleue is a wild coast with rare marine wildlife which is easily accessible by train. It has been protected by a marine park since 1983, which watches over its...
sentier-littoral-cap-antibes-juan-les-pins.jpg
©Ville Antibes -Juan les Pins
Côte d'Azur coast
When you set out from the towns which are the cradle of tourism such as Nice, Cannes, Antibes and Saint-Tropez, or on the coastal trail along the banks of the Mediterranean,...
CamargueCamargue
©Camargue|Mouton.A
Camargue Regional Natural Park
The Camargue Regional Natural Park is located between the two arms of the Rhone, on the Mediterranean coast. It has a rich territory : wheat fields, pink flamingos, marshes,...
canoekayak-mediterranee-parcnationaldescalanques-amouton.jpg
©Mouton.A
Calanques National Natural Park
The landscapes of the Calanques National Natural Park are breathtaking: turquoise water, white sand, small creeks surrounded by limestone rock. This exceptional Mediterranean...
PN Port-Cros
©fotolia
Port-Cros National Natural Park
The National Natural Park of Port-Cros includes the Hyères islands and a part of the Var coastline and its seabed. It has a strong built heritage that testifies to its history.