Jun 15, 2023
4 days in the south of france
By anne-Marie Leduc
It has been almost two years since we moved to France,
and it was my first time visiting the French Riviera. I don't know why, but I always thought the Côte d'Azur was a little overrated. Little did I know, after seeing and experiencing it, Tom and I may consider moving there in the near future. We absolutely loved it! It is incredibly beautiful and definitely not overrated. It caters to everyone and every budget.
The first thing I noticed was the scent of flowers in every single village we visited. Coming from Paris, that was a refreshing change of environment. There are so many bright and colorful flowers on every corner; it is stunning.
And the beaches... If you follow me, you know by now about my obsession with them. Mid-June was perfect in terms of weather and water temperature. I was amazed by the beauty of all the beaches. Here is our four days itinerary for the Côte d'Azur.
cassis
picturesque little mediterrannean port village
We began our journey by taking an early morning train from Paris to Marseille, where we conveniently rented a car using the Virtuo app. The rental process was straightforward, and the car was readily available right at the train station. From there, we set off for Cassis.
Arriving at Cassis, we were planning to kayak in the famous Calanques, but unfortunately, it was a bit too windy further out on the ocean. It was a hot day, and the sun was shining, so we decided to go to the beach called Plage du Bestouan to have lunch and enjoy a beach day. This beach is a little less crowded and hectic than the main one near the port, and more beautiful in my opinion. There is a little sandwich shop called Au Petit Buffet where you can order sandwiches and fries. After a gorgeous afternoon in the water, we decided to continue our route to Saint-Paul de Vence to check in at our Bed and Breakfast.
saint-paul-de-vence
nestled in the picturesque hills of Provence, this place is a real gem. As you wander through its narrow cobblestone streets, you'll feel like you've stepped into a fairytale. Saint-Paul-de-Vence is renowned for the famous artists who resided there and created their works, including Picasso and Matisse. And the views! Oh my, the views are simply breathtaking. From the medieval walls, you can gaze out over the rolling countryside and the sparkling Mediterranean in the distance. It is absolutely worth a visit.
where we stayed
We had the pleasure of staying at Auberge Les Orangers,
a delightful Bed and Breakfast nestled in the heart of Saint-Paul-De-Vence. It quickly emerged as one of the highlights of our journey, offering a charming atmosphere complete with a serene garden and a refreshing pool. Our host was very friendly and served us a typical French breakfast, which made our stay really special. It was so peaceful that we decided to go grocery shopping for wine and cheese twice during our stay to have dinner on our private terrace.
Èze
jardin exotique
If I had to recommend just one thing, it would be the Jardin Exotique d'Èze. It offers one of the best views of the French Riviera, and the garden itself is breathtaking. With an impressive collection of cacti and succulent plants, it's not only an Instagram-worthy spot but also exceeded my expectations. To avoid crowds, I suggest visiting early in the morning. While we were fortunate to find a parking spot, I would recommend taking the shuttle bus (Lignes d'Azur) to Èze village. Alternatively, for those looking for a workout, you can hike from Chemin Nietzsche to Èze village.
Paloma beach
saint-jean-cap-ferrat
absolutely stunning! the views are breathtaking. the clear turquoise water is beautiful and incredibly refreshing. this beach embodies the perfect french ambiance, with a tranquil local feel in the morning and a stylish, jet-set vibe in the afternoon. while there's a beach club on-site, i must say it felt a bit overrated. instead, we opted for quieter and more enjoyable spots on the sides. parking near the beach can be quite tricky. i'd recommend parking at the entrance of the village of saint-jean-cap-ferrat and taking a leisurely 15-minute walk to the port first. there's another beautiful beach there as well. from the port, it's an easy stroll to the stunning paloma beach.
plage des fossettes
from paloma beach, i highly recommend taking the scenic path called Le sentier du littoral on foot directly to plage des fossettes. enjoy some time on the beach there and then treat yourself to lunch at le cabanon de l'uzine, situated right above the beach. it's our favorite spot to savor a glass of rosé and indulge in delicious cuisine. try the ceviche! plus, the view is absolutely incredible!
bike ride from nice to menton with a view on Monaco
The Côte d’Azur is an excellent destination for bike enthusiasts. Many professional cyclists live there because they can start their training right from their doorstep. With numerous nearby mountains to climb and routes to enjoy, it's a cycling paradise. My partner Tom was eager to experience the classic cycle route known as La Grande Corniche, which stretches from Nice to Menton on the Italian border. We began our journey in Nice, where we rented bikes – I opted for an e-bike, while Tom chose a professional one. Reaching the summit, we were rewarded with a spectacular coastal view. My favorite moment was the exhilarating descent starting at the top of Monaco. By the time we arrived in Menton, we were quite exhausted and decided to enjoy a late lunch at one of the restaurants by the water. Since we had to return the bikes, we didn't get the chance to visit Menton, but it's certainly on my list for the next time. We then took the train with our bikes back to Nice, making it a truly enjoyable and memorable day.
théoule-sur-mer
On our last morning in the French Riviera, we randomly chose Plage de l'Aiguille in Théoule-sur-Mer for a swim, guided by Google Maps since it was conveniently on our route back from our trip. Little did we know, this would become one of the most cherished memories of our stay. With just the two of us on the beach, we were treated to a magnificent view and crystal-clear, calm waters. I'll forever hold this moment close to my heart. Additionally, there's a beach club on-site that, although not yet open during our visit, seemed like a wonderful spot for a special occasion. I'll definitely keep that in mind for our future visits to this stunning place.
