As one of Europe’s most cherished beach destinations, Côte d’Azur is located on the heart of the French South-eastern coast, and is home to some of the best known luxury resorts in the world. For centuries, European travelers have vacationed in the area, which has become a favorite destination for global celebrities and politicians, ranging from European royalty to American pop stars. Centered around the city of Nice, a variety of well known resort towns are found in the region including Cannes, home of the famous film festival, as well as Monaco, a favored destination for the world’s wealthiest citizens.
Throughout its history, the Riviera has been influenced by a wide variety of cultures including the ancient Greeks and Romans, along with modern French culture stemming from the country’s royal traditions. In the 19th century, the coastline became a prime destination for British, American and Italian travelers who began to extensively develop the area with villas, railways and a variety of entertainment venues. At the heart of the area, the Monaco Royalty developed a number of casinos and high-end resorts to cater to the world’s most discerning travelers, including British royalty. In the wake of the Second World War, the Cannes Film Festival highlighted the Riviera’s role in world culture, which has been held annually dating back to 1946.
Along the coastal area, a wide variety of resort towns feature world class beaches and accommodations, including Antibes, Villenuve Loubet, Saint Raphael and Cannes, among others. With a sunny, hot climate during the summer and a mild winter, travelers can enjoy the beaches year round, although the vacation season from February to August; this season features a wide variety of Festivals ranging from the Cannes International Film Festival to the Grand Prix Monaco Formula One Races (in May) to the Nice Jazz Festival in July, rounding out a complete entertainment tradition.
