Guide: A great weekend in the Côte d’Azur for couples

Hello everyone! As you can see on the blog and on social media, we’ve been traveling a lot around the world lately, but we have to admit that once we return to our beautiful Côte d’Azur, we always take the opportunity to discover new places. And there’s no shortage of things to do in Saint Raphaël and Menton; this region is stunning and so diverse! We’ve already talked about our favorites on the villages in the hinterland of the Côte d’Azur and on ours favorite secret beaches, But today we present you our must-see and must-do activities on the French Riviera for a longer weekend.

Cannes and its region

We lived in Cannes for years and we find that this city is still too often associated with the world of rhinestones and sequins… Yet, we can guarantee you that it is enough to step outside the beaten path and get a little away from the famous Croisette, which over the decades has welcomed the greatest names in the world, to discover the hidden side of the city of festivals; more authentic and more natural. We love strolling through the streets of the old town, going to the Forville market on Sunday mornings, disconnecting from the frenzy of the city during the festival of film by going to the islands of Lérins, having an aperitif with friends on the beach or on the terrace of a hotel to admire the magnificent sunsets…

Le Suquet, our favorite neighborhood

Just by strolling through the alleys of the old town, you can get a sense of its history and feel like you’ve stepped back in time. After climbing up Saint Antoine Street, known for its tourist restaurants, you arrive in a «village» with its bars and local shops, and this is where the «real» Cannes and its real locals are to be found. Continuing a little higher, you reach the Place de la Castre, where you’ll find the museum of the same name, located in the remains of the medieval castle of the Lérins monks. You can enjoy a beautiful unobstructed view of the flower-filled terraces of the old town and the bay of Cannes. Don’t miss the opportunity to take a romantic stroll there at sunset; the scenery is very romantic!

Marché Forville

Forget about the morning treats and go for a walk early in the morning at the Forville market, the must-visit place for Canne residents, young and old alike. Although the prices are a bit high, you’ll find delicious local products there. Don’t miss the Socca’nnes stand to try a socca cooked right in front of you over a wood fire.

The Islands of Lérins

The 100% nature break in Cannes is located just a 15-minute boat ride away! We absolutely love going there to spend the day to disconnect from the city center, especially during the film festival. On the island Saint Marguerite You can visit the old military fort where the man in the iron mask was imprisoned, but that’s not all! Walk the island on foot, enjoy the silence and tranquility of the place, and on the other side of Sainte Marguerite you’ll find beautiful little coves where you can swim after enjoying a good picnic in the shade of the pines.

The second hidden island behind Sainte Marguerite is Saint Honorat. It is a monastic site that history and heritage lovers must visit. Don’t miss the top of the old castle; you can enjoy an incredible view of the 40 hectares of the island and its vineyard, as well as the Esterel massif.

We recommend you to have lunch at La Tonnelle restaurant, in a unique setting on the water, in a calm and serene atmosphere. Here you can discover all the charm of a generous and friendly Mediterranean cuisine based on seasonal products, delicious salads, fish, grilled meats and other crustaceans.

Practical information: the boat departure to the Lérins Islands is at Laubeuf quay. See the website for details. Trans Côte d’Azur to know the departure times and to buy your tickets (13.50€ / person return trip)

The Estérel between land and sea

If you are looking for spectacular scenery that leaves you speechless, then head to the Esterel massif, known for its many coves where people often go to swim in the calm waters of crystal clear water that contrasts so much with the ochre color of the rock. Bliss! From Agay, you can also venture into the countryside to explore the many hiking trails to discover the Esterel from a new angle. The view of the sea is breathtaking 🙂

Click here for more information Things to see and do in Cannes 

If you want to discover Cannes at your own pace, rent a bike or a Vespa (the dolce vita version for two!) from Jean-Charles de You Rent Cannes and if you want to experience a unique tour of Cannes, opt for a Segway ride on a gyro Mobilboard (Open: 1th of april - 31th of october)

Antibes and its region

Before you head to Cap d’Antibes, one of our favorite places on the Côte d’Azur, make a quick stop at Juan les Pins. In a few respects, this city has the air of Miami with its Art Deco-style buildings with one or two floors! Yes, it was very popular with American clientele during the roaring twenties… Hence the presence of its famous Jazz Festival in the summer. Then head towards Cap d’Antibes passing by the former hotel Le Provençal, a remnant of Juan Les Pins’ golden age, and through the small port of l’Olivette where you will see some colorful pontoons (local boats). Once at the end of the cape, you can take the customs trail from the EilenRoc villa and a few minutes later you will come across the Bay of the Billionaires and the Bay of False Money. The scenery is magnificent! You can finish this walk by arriving at the beach of la Garoupe to enjoy a cocktail by the sea.

Visit the Carré fortress and the old town of Antibes and don’t miss the opportunity to stroll along the ramparts or admire a work that many people love: Jaume Plensa’s Nomade. You’ll also have a beautiful view of the Billionaires’ Pier, which houses the largest yachts in the world. Venture into the small streets of the old town and make a stop in the morning at the covered market; the atmosphere is lively and very friendly. If you’re a fan of art and medieval architecture, visit the Matisse Museum: the works are beautiful and the setting is surprising.

Click here for more information Things to see and do in Antibes

The hinterland of the Côte d’Azur

The Côte d’Azur is too often associated with its coastline filled with tourists… False! On the one hand, it is not constantly saturated with visitors, and on the other hand, the hinterland is another facet of this magnificent region, perhaps even the most remarkable one! We can only encourage you to go and marvel in the Mercantour Natural Park or to go and discover these dozens of charming authentic villages where you have the impression that time has no effect. Some are more touristy than others, like Saint Paul de Vence, known for its magnificent Maeght Foundation (a must-visit) and made famous by Jacques Prévert, Simone Signoret and Yves Montand who played pétanque in De Gaulle Square with the Saint-Paulois. We love strolling through the picturesque alleys of this beautiful fortified city where art really shines. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the ramparts to admire the panoramic view; it’s fabulous… Saint Paul de Vence also highlights the art of living and gastronomy! You can have a coffee in the shade of a plane tree, savor local specialties in small Saint-Paulian restaurants or enjoy exceptional dishes at Saint Paul, at Table de Pierre or at Colombe d’Or!

If you want to discover the hinterland in an unusual way, opt for a luxury car tour with the company. Rent a classic car, The experience is truly unique; it feels like you’re in an old movie, but this time you’ll be the main actor!

The hinterland of the Côte d’Azur is not limited to Saint Paul de Vence, of course! The hinterland is beautiful all year round and you will be amazed by the beauty of the landscapes every time. We recommend Tourrettes Sur Loup, Gorbio, Bar sur Loup, Callian, Mons, Luceram, Saint Martin de Vesubie, Bargème, Gourdon, Seillans, etc… If you want to discover the Côte d’Azur in its white coat in winter, you can find our article here the ski resorts in the hinterland of the Azores

Click here for more information Things to see and do in Saint Paul de Vence

Visiting Nice

Today it’s exactly 3 months since we moved to Nice and we’re already hooked 🙂 This city is radiant, dynamic, lively, creative, cosmopolitan, united and more alive than ever before!

Before you reach the Promenade des Anglais via Avenue Jean Médecin, make a stop at the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Nicholas, a true marvel that is definitely worth a visit; you would almost feel like you were in Red Square in Moscow! It is located at the intersection of Avenue Nicolas II and Boulevard Tzarewith.

Then take a walk on the famous Promenade des Anglais Starting from Gambetta Boulevard and going all the way to Rauba Capeu, you can enjoy the softness of the seaside and the exceptional views. On your way you will pass by sumptuous palaces like the Negresco and the Palais de la Méditerranée; the former evokes the golden age of the Belle Époque, while the latter pays tribute to Art Deco. There is also the West End Hotel, the Westminster, the Beau Rivage and its lively beach in the summer. Take your time; sit on a bench in the shade of a white pergola and admire this magnificent view of the Mediterranean.

If you want to learn more about Nice anecdotes while visiting the must-see places and having fun, you can opt for a Segway tour. As a couple, family or friends, you will have the opportunity to discover the city of Nice and the English Promenade from an unprecedented angle. The handling of the Segway is extremely simple and quick! After only 10 minutes of training, you set off on a 1-hour walk along the Promenade des Anglais, the old Nice, the Paillon Promenade and Place Masséna. On the 2-hour tour, you can go to the top of the Château hill at a much higher speed! Also, take the opportunity to enjoy this natural setting known to all Niçois (young and old) and admire the spectacular view over the Bay of Angels. Want to fill your eyes with wonder? You can also take a 3-hour walk from Nice to Villefranche-sur-Mer (round trip), and the views along the entire route are remarkable.

Go to the website Mobilboard to book a Segway tour in Nice

The atmosphere is lively at all times of the day in Old Nice! Mostly pedestrian, it is a lively neighborhood that can only be explored on foot. We recommend getting lost in its many colorful alleys and don’t miss the opportunity to look up to admire the architectural style of this authentic neighborhood; you’ll see many optical illusions. The eye-catching colors of the yellow and red facades are complemented by the sweet scent of spices and Mediterranean cuisine. It is a relaxing place to stroll and shop or you’ll find many shops and boutiques of art and crafts. This neighborhood is also the meeting point for Niçois, ideal for nightlife outings with many trendy bars and nightclubs.

If you want to savor delicious Nice specialties like the Socca, the Niçoise stew, the small stuffed dishes, the turnip pie, the shit di can, and many others, come to one of the restaurants labeled Cuisine Nissarde. My personal favorite (Thib) is Acchiardo, at 38 Droite Street; it’s a delight!

And as for the ice creams, we are always asked where we can enjoy the best in Nice? Although Fenocchio, located in Place Rossetti, is the most touristy ice cream shop, it’s not my favorite… I recommend you try the creamy ice creams at César Milano… They’re to die for!

Art enthusiasts can admire the works of new realists such as Klein, César (car compression), Niki de Saint Phalle, Jean Tinguely, Gérard Deschamps, the «kings» of Pop Art Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Indiana and Ben from the Nice school known for its quotes. We were particularly taken with Ben's «camera» which well represents his very special universe...

Continue your exploration by heading to the beautiful Garibaldi Square, then the trendy district of Place aux Pins, considered the «Marais» of Nice. Stop by the Joya Lifestore, A pleasant place where you feel at home. You can have a brunch there, work, discover new creators, and participate in many events throughout the year… The place to be in Nice!

Then head to the port district, one of our favorite places in Nice for a night out, especially behind Notre Dame du Port church. We recommend the restaurants: l’Uzine, Le Local, le Rosalina and l’Atelier du Port!

For more information about the activities, visit the website Nice

From Nice to Menton

Change of scenery, head towards the Franco-Italian border passing first through:

– Villefranche sur Mer: take a stroll around the charming little port, visit the chapel of Saint Pierre painted by Cocteau (3€), the 16th-century citadel, venture into the famous Rue Obscure (quite surprising!) and into the entire colorful old town

– Saint Jean Cap Ferrat: With the Cap d’Antibes as the starting point, these are undoubtedly the two most prestigious places on the Côte d’Azur where you can see exceptional mansions as you walk along the magnificent smugglers’ path. After a nice walk, you might like to have a cocktail or lunch on the beach of La Passable or La Paloma; the views are breathtaking! You could also consider visiting the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild and its magnificent gardens; it’s well worth a visit 🙂

– Cap d’Ail: We love going to Mala Beach, a real little corner of paradise located right by the cliff where you feel cut off from the world (accessible from Eden Palace).

– Monaco: An essential stop on the Côte d’Azur! Places to visit: Casino Square and the princely palace 🙂

– Roquebrune Cap Martin: A charming colorful and picturesque village perched 300 meters above the sea where it is a pleasure to stroll and enjoy the magnificent panoramic view!

– Menton: Don't miss out on visiting Menton during your stay on the Côte d’Azur. Although the city is known for being the capital of lemons, it is also known for its colorful old town, its pleasant atmosphere, its Jean Cocteau museum, its flower-filled gardens (Serre de la Madonne, Jardin du Val Rahmeh)

If you are looking for information to plan your trip, visit the website Côte d’Azur Tourism !

We will regularly update this article as we discover more about the Côte d’Azur 🙂

A big thank you to the agency We Like Travel, To the CRT Côte d’Azur Tourism and to the numerous partners who participated in organizing the blogtrip on the Côte d’Azur. The content of this article only reflects my opinion; I maintain complete freedom in my statements, and my recommendations are always objective.

See you soon