Places of Interest on the French Riviera

Information on the main tourist attractions, places of interest and sights to see in and around the Côte d'Azur...

Iles de Lérins

This small archipelago is made up of two main islands: Ile Ste-Marguerite and Ile St-Honorat and two micro islands: Tradelière and St Féréol.

Lying just off the coast of Cannes, these islands are pedestrian only. Boats run regularly to the islands where you can visit the 11th Century castle, the monastery and the beautiful coastline. The larger island, Ste-Marguerite, has cafés and restaurants and houses the Fort Royal where you can see the cell where the Man in the Iron Mask was incarcerated.

The smaller island, St-Honorat, has a shop where you can buy products produced by the monks who are resident on the island. The Plateau de Mileu is a popular anchor point for pleasure boats between the two islands.

Ferry boats leave from Cannes, Nice, Antibes, Golfe Juan and La Napoule.


Hilltop Villages

The French Riviera is renowned for its hilltop villages. Perhaps the most famous is St-Paul-de-Vence, a place that has inspired artists, painters, writers and poets for centuries. The narrow streets are full of galleries and crafts workshops and provençal boutiques. The art gallery Fondation Maeght is nearby. Other hilltop villages to visit include Eze, Entrevaux, La Turbie, Hauts de Cagnes, Gourdon and Coursegoules.

Monaco

The Principality of Monaco is a sovereign state on the Mediterranean coast and surrounded by France. It is made up the old town, Monte-Carlo, the new town, La Condamine and Fontvieille. Places to visit include the Rocher (rock), the Oceanographic Museum, the Louis II Stadium, the Exotic Garden, the Place du Palais to see the changing of the guard to name but a few.

  • For the official site of the government tourist office see Visit Monaco

Beaches for the Disabled

In the Alpes Maritimes there are a number of beaches accessible for people with disabilities, called Handiplage.

Further Information