Here are six unique experiences every visitor of the French Riviera should add to their travel itinerary.
The French Riviera, or the Côte d'Azur, has consistently attracted its fair share of enthusiastic tourists due to its glorious, blue Mediterranean waters, great sunny weather, diverse culture, and numerous charming villages and cities.
It can be difficult to narrow down which trips should be high priority when planning a holiday to this picturesque location, since there are so many wonderful options. That’s why we have outlined some of the top things to see and do in one of the world’s most famous coastlines. Here are six unique experiences every visitor of the French Riviera should add to their travel itinerary.
Dress up in your best costume and attend the Nice Carnival
When people think of the world’s best carnivals, events like Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro festival and Mardi Gras easily come to mind. However, the city of Nice, situated on the French Riviera, also holds an annual carnival that checks all the boxes of an out-of-this-world party extravaganza.
The “Bataille de Fleurs” or “Battle of Flowers” that has made the carnival famous is reason enough not to miss the event. This show sees thousands of dressed-up performers and spectators throw flowers in the air simultaneously. It’s a definite sight to be seen, and great opportunity for a colorful photo op!
Play table games at one of the world’s oldest casinos
Did you know that Europe contains the world’s oldest casino establishments? From Italy’s Casino di Venezia to Belgium’s Casino de Spa and Germany’s Kurhaus Casino of Baden-Baden, there are many glamorous gaming facilities in Europe that have been around for centuries.
The fourth most ancient of these is located in Monte Carlo inside French Riviera’s smallest country, the sovereign city-state of Monaco. Arguably the city’s most important landmark, the Casino de Monte Carlo was built in 1863 as a vision of Princess Caroline, the wife of the nation’s late royal, Prince Florestan.
Although the facility first opened its doors to the public over 158 years ago, visitors can still enjoy casino activities like blackjack or craps at one of the complex’s many luxurious tables. Especially popular in Monte Carlo and all of Europe is the French version of roulette that consists of 37 numbers, which differs from the American variant that contains 38. Visitors can dress up to the nines and experience a night of roulette gameplay on the authentic “little wheel,” as it is known in its native French, in one of the globe’s most historic and elegant casino buildings. Not to mention the James Bond himself has walked these halls. Talk about an evening to remember.
Photo by Volodymyr Bahrii on Unsplash / Caption: The principality’s shining gem, the historic Monte Carlo Casino, sits at the center of the famous, pedestrian-friendly Place du Casino
Spot celebrities at the Cannes Film Festival
Speaking of celebs, the annual Cannes Film Festival is one of the cinema industry’s most prestigious events for both local actors/actresses and international ones. Big names like Leonardo DiCaprio and Angelina Jolie have graced the red carpet over the years in gorgeously intricate gowns and suits.
Although its virtually impossible to get a ticket to the actual event unless you have some type of inside connection, many have been known to simply 'people watch' for a hope at spotting some famous faces. However, even if you don’t manage to rub shoulders with the rich and famous, you’ll still get to soak up the sun in one of the French Riviera’s most popular resort towns.
Visit the enchanting village of Eze
There are countless villages along the sparkling Côte d'Azur, but few compare to the beauty of Eze. This medieval town sits atop a hill and consists of narrow, cobblestone paved streets, terracotta roofed houses, and spectacular views of the sea for which it is most famous for.
Wherever tourists walk, they are surrounded by blue waters. That’s why many people opt to charter a yacht on the wide-open ocean, enjoying the fresh air and getting a chance to relax while being guided by a professional. Another popular activity in the village is to visit the Jardin Botanique d'Èze, which contains dozens of cacti, plants, and luscious greenery. Both are ideal locations to snap a photo for the holiday album.
Main photo by Joachim Lesne on Unsplash / Caption: The promenade of Nice, France sparkles at night with spectacular views of both the Alps and the Mediterranean
