“THE FRENCH AIR CLEANS UP THE BRAIN AND DOES GOOD-A WORLD OF GOOD.” – VINCENT VAN GOGH
The French Riviera is no stranger to travelers from around the world. Nice, Marseille, and Cannes… are in no need of introductions.
They are all popular destinations well advertised.
And we are not here today writing about them because we believe you need more information. You can get all that from so many sources.
What we want to share with you is one of our favorite routes.
A way to explore the area by combining everything it has to offer.
From lifestyle and luxury to peace, beauty, and ultimately amazing breathtaking nature.
If you happen to be a first-time visitor this short guide may be handy. Especially if you are an art lover too.
However, I will have to admit that we are off-season travelers.
We prefer to spend our time and vacations in destinations after the masses have gone.
When it is quiet or quieter. When the locals are more relaxed and I would say more friendly.
So here we go…
Starting at Nice
Our first stop is Nice. Easy to reach no matter how you choose to arrive.
If this will be your first visit you should probably arrange to stay for 3 to 4 days since there are a lot of very interesting places to visit.
As lovers of art, we strongly recommend including in your itinerary the museums of Matisse, Marc Chagall, and Renoir.
The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Nice. The Museum of Photography Charles Nègre.
The Musée international d’Art naïf Anatole Jakovsky, the Asian Arts Museum, and the list goes on…
When in France do not miss the opportunity to taste…
For a thrilling and unforgettable experience, why not add a touch of luxury to your adventure? Take a scenic drive along the stunning coast of Nice in a Ferrari, relishing the exhilarating views of the azure Mediterranean Sea. It’s an experience that blends sophistication with the beauty of the French Riviera.
After a day filled with art and excitement, wind down your evening with a leisurely stroll along the iconic Promenade des Anglais. Even when the nights are chill, the charm of this waterfront promenade is irresistible.
The next stop is Antibes
Who could ignore the fact that there is the Picasso Museum? That is a good enough reason to visit Antibes. But this is not all.
We love walking the markets that have become an emblem of the area.
And when the weather permits go for a swim at Plage de la Gravette.
Surely we would never leave Antibes without visiting Fuerte Cuadrado.
Our journey continues to Cannes
A lot of people visit Cannes for business. T
he Palais des Festivals is the place where a lot of international trade shows are organized.
Some of the most important property-related ones too. Like MIPIM or Luxury Property and so on.
It is also true that Cannes has been a preferred destination for corporate meetings, company retreats, worldwide conferences, and so on for years and years.
All that make Cannes a very busy destination all year long.
But still… it is a beautiful city. With so much to offer.
Visit Provence in July for 50 and more shades of purple
And when in Cannes you should not miss a visit to the Museum of Pierre Bonnard, La Malmaison, the Museum of the Sea (Musée de la Mer), and Musée Chapelle Bellin.
Cannes is also the place to visit galleries, and art exhibitions and enjoy the French lifestyle.
Moving on, we reach Marseille
Another gem of the French Riviera is where our days are full of joy.
We love visiting the Palais des Arts… the Musée Grobet-Labadié… the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Marseille… the Museum of Contemporary Art… the Museum of Decorative Arts… Earthenware and Fashion… the Palais Longchamp… the Musée Cantini and the Cathédrale La Major.
Marseille is heaven for art lovers.
After Marseille, it is time to relax and enjoy Avignon
Avignon is enchanting, romantic, mysterious, and without any doubt the land of abundance.
A foodie’s paradise indeed. This is the place we choose to stay, relax and live life as the French do.
Of course, Avignon is not missing out on the must places to visit since it was once the seat of the Catholic Church.
A huge palace, the Palais des Papes is one of the sites to visit for sure along with the collection Lambert Avignon, the Musée Louis Vouland, and the Musée Angladon.
Moving on to the Village of Aurel
Aurel is captivating. Seductive. A small time-honored French village with winding narrow streets and fairytale-like houses with beautiful stone door frames.
Gorges du Loup – Our last stop
Before heading back to Nice and saying “à bientôt” we always stop for a few hours at River Loup and the Gorges.
It is just an hour’s drive from our final destination and it is definitely worth the time.