CityBreak: short escapades on the Côte d’Azur!| Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Tourism

Nice, capital of the Côte d’Azur

Revel in an early morning stroll on the markets of Nice, where you’re sure to find plenty of delicious local goodies to stock up your hamper. Whatever the time of day, Parc du Vinaigrier and its fairytale vistas over the Bay of Angels is a hotspot for photography fans keen to get some great shots for their holiday album. Don’t miss Tour Saint-François too, boasting 360° picture-postcard views. Treat yourself to a gourmet stop-off at the restaurant Le Ligure, serving tip-top Nice specialities. Get your fill of culture at the Musée Matisse, home to one of the world’s largest collections of works by the master of colour. In May, plunge into the world of contemporary artistic creation after nightfall courtesy of the Nocturnes de l’Art Contemporain festival. And after a packed day of captivating encounters and discoveries, come home to nest in your magnificent room at the Hôtel Aston La Scala or Hôtel Arôme Nice, both located near the Promenade des Anglais.

The bewitching scents of the Grasse area

If you’re staying at La Vieille Ferme de Grasse B&B, you’ll no doubt hear about Maison Fragonard, one of the most reputed perfumeries in Grasse, where you can learn all about the fascinating and sweet-scented story of perfume. When springtime comes around, test out your perfume knowledge and olfactory skills at the “Journée du Parfum”, also featuring a contest to elect the keenest nose… If you appreciate architecture and are curious to find out more about Alpine medieval art, Cathédrale Notre Dame du Puy de Grasse and its Baroque craftsmanship promises to please. Meanwhile, golfing fans will definitely want to practise their swing at the Golf du Clau Amic: a magnificent course in total harmony with nature, at the crossroads of forests, sea and mountains. Open your eyes wide to lap up the views over the Bay of Cannes, Lérins islands and Estérel hills in between two shots. After your round, treat yourself to some fine cuisine at the restaurant Le Comptoir 233 – their cocktails are to die for – before a well-earned siesta in a sensational suite at the Aux Charmes de Grasse B&B…

The good life in Cannes

World famed for its film festival, this buzzing Mediterranean town is also home to the Lérins islands, a genuine haven of peace far from the hubbub of the Croisette. Opt for a room in town at the Appart’hôtel Cannes Croisette Prestige residential hotel, tucked away among the luxury boutiques on Rue d’Antibes, just a few minutes from the magnificent beaches. After your tanning session, tuck away your towel and head to the mesmerizing Éco-Musée Sous-Marin underwater ecomuseum – an absolute must for lovers of the big blue! Before you leave, be sure to sample the “Tarte Cannoise”: a succulent sweet delicacy courtesy of chef Michel Ernest, consisting of a brioche cut in two, filled with fig jam and lemon cream, and glazed with pine nuts, almonds and honey… Enough said! Last but not least, raise your cocktail glass to your fabulous weekend break as you lie back on a sun lounger at the sumptuous Hôtel JW Marriott, gazing out over the Med for the last time. We bet you’re already planning your next stay on the Côte d’Azur!

Stop-off in Menton, a Franco-Italian gem

After a welcome lie-in at the Hôtel Riviera followed by an excellent breakfast, you’ll be primed for an invigorating stroll on the old port under the watchful eye of the sumptuous Basilique Saint-Michel Archange, standing guard over the town. No visit to Menton would be complete without a tour of the Maison du Citron, where you’ll learn all about the ancient manufacturing secrets of lemon oil – the perfect souvenir to slip in your bags. History and archaeology buffs will definitely want to linger longer at the Musée Régional de la Préhistoire, while gardening fans will probably prefer roaming around the “Festival des Jardins” open-air show, dotted with increasingly-stunning creative landscapes every spring. The three-star Hôtel Méditerranée promises a warm welcome, topped with delicious cocktails you can savour on the sun-drenched panoramic terrace facing the sea.

An exotic escape in Antibes

With its dazzling display of pines, olive trees, cork oaks, wooded hills and curvaceous valleys, Antibes promises a weekend escape to remember. Get your fill of the Côte d’Azur’s exotic vegetation at Parc de la Valmasque. Housed inside Château Grimaldi, the Musée Picasso is a resolute must-do for art aficionados. After your tour, hop over to the gorgeous restaurant Les Vieux Murs: adorned with vaulted ceilings and breathtaking vistas over azure-blue waters, it provides the perfect excuse for an extra-long lunch break! In May, Les Floralies d’Antibes celebrates the arrival of spring and its stunning array of blooms that flourish in this horticultural hotspot. Before sundown, revel in a stroll along the world-famed coastal footpath at Cap d’Antibes, dotted with breathtaking viewpoints set against a backdrop of flaming skies. Wind up your day in style with a soothing night at the Hôtel & Résidence Les Strélitzias or Chambres d’Hôtes Antibes Sophia Antipolis.

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Welcome to Fréjus, the pink valley

Revel in the fragrant food markets of Fréjus, where subtle scents of the South promise to tickle your tastebuds. Enjoy chatting with the friendly local producers and fishermen and discovering their speciality of the day: perhaps a freshly-fished red scorpion fish, perfect for a bouillabaisse paired with the delicate, elegant wines of the Clos des Roses – a family-run vineyard whose vines grow on volcanic soil. If you want to work off some calories after your gastronomic morning adventures, opt for a sprightly hike on Mont Aigre or Mont Vinaigre, boasting magnificent, 360° views all the way from Mercantour National Park in the Southern Alps to Saint-Tropez. And the cherry on the cake? Sunset over the Massif de l’Estérel hill range, a little corner of paradise… If you’re visiting in spring, you won’t want to miss the local Saint-François de Paule festivities, including the age-old Bravade celebration in Fréjus. And after a day filled with forever memories, lie back and relax at the Hôtel Le Touring in Saint-Raphaël, or the Hôtel Méditerranée, located between the beach and port in Fréjus’ Roman quarter.