Fodor's To Europe!

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Days 9-10
Previous stop: Avignon Return to full itinerary »

The French Riviera is an unusual blend of the glamorous and the rugged. The international jet set descends on Cannes, Cap-Ferrat, and St-Tropez, but visitors heading inland will discover hilltop villages seemingly untouched by time (and by other tourists). Catch a few rays on a pebbled beach, and when you've had enough sun, visit one of the regions top art museums, where youll find plenty of works by modern masters.
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  • Museums
  • Natural Beauty
  • Architecture

Experiences

  • Visit superb art museums showcasing the works of Picasso, Matisse, , and Giacometti in Antibes, Nice, and St-Paul.
  • Tiny Monaco oozes glamour and wealth. If youre feeling flush, try your hand at one of the many casinos. If youre on a budget, visit the Jardin Exotique de Monaco, carved out of rock face and dotted with grottoes, rare plants, and caves.
  • The hill towns wedged behind the coast between Cannes and Antibes, are filled with fields of lavender and stone villages and look like they've been untouched for centuries. St-Paul is one of the most beautiful.
  • In Nice, stroll along the seaside Promenade des Anglais to soak up the sun and the sights.

Festivals

  • In May, some of the biggest events are the Cannes Film Festival and the Monaco Grand Prix.

Side Trips

  • Have lunch at the famous Colombe dOr in St-Paul-de-Vence (11 mi/18 km northwest of Nice), which has incomparable food and an art collection to match, including works by Miró and Bonnard.
  • Explore the beautiful fishing village of Villefranche-Sur-Mer, which has brightly painted houses and a harbor nestled in the caldera of a volcano.

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