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Many may know of France for their romantic city of Paris, but a few hours south in Côte d'Azur lies a gem that was once only known to those of an upper-echelon pedigree. Today folks who aren’t rich nor famous are still allotted the opportunity to bask in luxury. To my findings, French Riviera is achievable to the jet setter of every budget. From variegated houses in Menton to the swanky beaches in St. Tropez, there is somewhere in French Riviera to fulfill your jaunt. My trip was nothing short of that.

When to visit

Even though this place boasts seaming-less sunshine all year round, this region has similar to that of the east coast. With toasty weather from May to September with peak seasons being those summer months of July and August. I visited during September where the weather was perfect with a cool breeze that soothed you from the sun.

There also weren’t a huge crowd of tourists enabling us to roam freely and quickly. A lot of establishments are only open during the summer season, which usually lasts until Labor Day, so that is something to take into consideration when visiting. I visited for 4 days, however, if I had more time to spare, I would most definitely recommend staying a week at minimum.

This part of France is very much different than Paris where a lot of people speak English. Here you are lucky if you find someone that speaks fluent English so be sure to have your Google Maps and Google translate out.

Getting There And Getting Around

If you are a seasoned subscriber and also follow me on Instagram then you’re already familiar with my multi-trips. South of France was no different. I flew into Nice airport from Dublin for $70 roundtrip with budget airline Ryanair.

There are various ways of getting around this hot spot. The highly popular ride-sharing app Uber is available, you can also rent a vehicle or use my favorite, public transportation. With prior research, I opted to use public transportation for the majority of my trip. To my surprise, it was utterly inexpensive, efficient, and less of a hassle.

You can ride the bus for as low as €1.50 (which I recommend for an even paced scenic view), or train for as low as €3.00 (which is faster). I found the clerks at the train station to be helpful and spoke English. The routes were very easy without any transfers. We also rented a car for one day for €95 (would be cheaper if booked in advance) because we would be hanging out late past the time the last train leaves and an Uber would’ve been the same price. Finding parking was difficult and expensive.

Whatever transportation you choose is up to you, I highly recommend using the train but keep in mind what time the last train leaves and the places you want to visit.

Stay In Nice

Nice, my favorite city for many reasons. Most of all is that you get a taste of all the cities here for a fraction of the price, not to mention how close you are to the main airport. Nice is the perfect location to stay in. It is significantly less expensive than their neighbors Cannes and Monaco, as well as being central. You will be in the middle of everything and have your choice of going east or west for your fulfillment. Explore their old city and see historical sites and museums. I don’t recommend their beaches as they are pebbled, not sand. I rented an Airbnb here and it was less expensive than I thought. With an Airbnb, you are also allotted the opportunity to cook, but I found the local restaurants here to be cheap. Click here for money off your Airbnb stay.

Tip: Stay close to Nice Du Gard for easy access to trains.

Get Lost In Menton

This isn’t the first city you think of, and that’s exactly what makes Menton a best-kept secret. Menton is just as fabulous as it’s neighbors with breathtaking views and enough eateries to make your taste buds dance. During my time here I felt as though I was in Italy and not France. Make sure you have your Google translate on deck because these are the FRENCH French folks and not many people I ran into spoke French. Nonetheless, they were friendly and nice which is the opposite of the French’s reputation.

Tip: Get lost in the colorful architecture.

Monaco

In just 15 minutes, you can find yourself immersed in another country. A country that screams “I’m rich and you’re going to know!” with luxury in every footstep. One in every three residents is a millionaire. Monaco is one of the smallest countries in the entire world. So small, they do not have an airport. The perk of the country being so small is that you can accomplish the entire country in a day. It would be a pity to not stop by Monte-Carlo Casino, notably known for its appearance in the James Bond movie GoldenEye. Fun Fact: It is illegal for locals to gamble here.

Tip: Get an unofficial passport stamp from the tourism office and check out the exotic cars at Fairmont Hairpin.

St. Tropez

The next time Diddy says “Have you ever been to St. Tropez?” (quoted from his 2001 hit “I Need A Girl Pt.2 ), your response will be “Actually, I have Diddy”.

The sandy beaches, the glitz, the glamour, St. Tropez is where A-list celebrities flock during the summer. Yachts (you can even rent one) will be in eyesight and a glass of your favorite beverage won’t be far. That’s only a small portion of what St. Tropez has to offer. The beauty of this small town is that you can walk off the calories you consume at one of their many vineyards. Or you can do my favorite, splurge on some luxury items, and don’t forget to ask for your tax-free form. You will be saving more than buying those items anywhere else!

Tip: Tan at one of their three beaches, and hit up Nikki Beach.

Cannes

Cannes is notoriously known for its annual film festival that happens in May. Don’t worry if you aren’t invited, the red carpet is on display all year round. This small town is big in nightlife. During the day you can explore their markets for fine french dishes and when the sun goes down, put on your freakum dress for dinner then head to one of their many premier nightclubs like Bâoli. I found this part of the coast to be the most expensive, but you only live once right?

Tip: Dine at Medusa for great food and entertainment, cabaret style!

These are the five places you don’t want to miss during your visit to Côte d'Azur. French Riviera has long been on my places to visit. Hope you found this post helpful!

Au Revoir,

Abi

Also Read: Everything I Wore In French Riviera

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