Jon Bryant - Moon French Riviera--Nice, Cannes, Monaco & St. Tropez

Fort Bregancon

Mentioning the French Riviera conjures up visions of seafront promenades, film festivals, sports cars, sandy beaches, turquoise waters, and superyachts steered by cigar-smoking tycoons. Thats not too far offexcept its also at the forefront of contemporary culture in France, a global center for high-tech development, and a pioneer in eco-friendly practices.

As a tourist resort for over 100 years, the Rivieras urban landscape has reflected the changing tastes of a wealthy clientele, with some spectacular examples of Belle Epoque, art deco, art nouveau, and modernist architecture. Nice, Antibes, Monaco, and Cannes show off their medieval fortifications beside stuccoed white palace hotels and state-of-the-art shopping arcades and sports arenas.

Eternally attractive to writers and artists, the Riviera has more than 30 art museums, Renoirs hillside mansion, Matisses Genoese villa, Picassos studio in a seafront chteau, and everything from contemporary art centers to underground galleries.

Art is a huge pulling factor for the regions tourists, but then theres the food. Its always market day somewherestalls of fresh fruit, fish, wine, cheese, truffles, ripe tomatoes, and local specialities like olives, basil, and honey fill village squares and are all gone by lunchtime. The Riviera benefits from having Italy on its border and the island of Corsica a short sail away, adding their enriching traditions to the style and cuisine of the Cte dAzur.

plage du Dbarquement

the original La Croisette in Cannes

Port dHercule at night

The French art de vivre is about enjoying life, a kind of slow travel experience: eating local produce, living in the moment, sharing experiences, learning about customs and the traditional way of doing things, and appreciating the French terroirthe unique character and quality of the land.

There are other, lesser-known sides to the Riviera that are just as memorable as its beaches and nightclubs: its stunning landscapes of pine forests, gorges, cliff-top coastal walks, and nature reserves. The Riviera is a fabulous location for cycling, biking, hiking, and watersports, and some of Europes best ski resorts are within driving distance. When it does turn a little gray in February, its time for Nices Carnaval and Mentons Lemon Festival, and the Monaco Grand Prix and Cannes Film Festival in May mean a celebration is never far away.

Outside of the high season, life for most people on the Riviera is unexpectedly simple. Locals enjoy playing card games on caf terraces, chatting about the Tour de France, and having a game of boules in the village square, and they are always very happy to play a visitor.

olive tree in Roquebrune

the dock at Club 55 in Ramatuelle

Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Nice

Seeing and being seen while strolling down the Rivieras famous seafront walkways, from Nices

Rolling the dice at the (or maybe just stepping inside), imagining yourself James Bond for an evening.

Getting familiar with the Rivieras sublime , from Belle Epoque villas to modernist beachside cabins.

Mountain biking and hiking in the incredible geological surroundings of the Golfe de Frjus, from the striking .

Attending a show at the festival in Juan-les-Pins, sister city to New Orleans in the United States.

al fresco by the sea: Whether its gastronomic delights or the days catch, youll be enjoying the best food the south of France has to offer, with some incomparable views to go with it.

Stepping back in time into some of the Rivieras medieval villages, like .