With the Cannes film festival coming up this month, there’s no better
time to experience what Brangelina raves about in Le sud de la France. The French Riviera is a veritable array of
glamour, history and relaxation from the ports of Marseille, to the pebbled
beaches of Nice to the casinos of Monte Carlo.
Arriving in Marseille can be slightly disappointing; being a port-town there’s none of that ‘south of France’ glamour one expects. It’s steeped in history, you just have to look in the right places. Le Petit Train is a perhaps cliché, but worthwhile place to start, the biggest benefit being the miniature train takes saves your legs as it climbs the steep ascent to the Notre Dame - not the Notre Dame, of course, but Marseilles own miniature version. Perched at the highest point of Marseille, topped with a golden virgin, you can see the church for miles, and the view once up there is spectacular.
The highlight for any literature
and/or film buff is the island of Château d’If, where Alexandre Dumas’ 1844
novel The Count of Monte Christo was
set. Take a tour over the island and through the cells of one of the world’s
most famous prisons. One of Marseille’s highlights; the macaroons are some of
the best you’ll ever have.
Take a bus or a train
to Cannes – unless you’re Brangelina, then charter a helicopter. For
sight-seeing, you really don’t need more than a day in Cannes, a city that
comes to life once a year for the international film festival. Visit the main
auditorium, it’s none too exciting not surrounded by a plethora of celebs and
beautiful people however. Just wandering around Cannes is a treat – the quiche
is spectacular, and there’s a lovely assortment of boutique shops and
restaurants to explore. A short ferry ride away is the south of France’s other
infamous prison island Sainte Marguerite, of The Man in The Iron Mask fame. Legend has it that the King Louis
XIV had an illegitimate brother whom he kept locked up in prison for the
entirety of his life hidden behind an iron mask. The identity of the prisoner
has never been proven, but it is the subject of many a film and novel, the most
famous being Alexandre Dumas’ 1847 novel of the same name (or for Leo Dicaprio
lovers such as myself, the 1998 film). Sainte Marguerite also has a lovely little
beach if you fancy a paddle; so bring your swimmers.
For some culture, and
a bit of a party, there’s no place like Nice. Museums a ‘plenty, and some great
night spots, it’s hard to have a bad time in Nice. Aussies beware – the beaches
are pebbles, but there’s so much to do in Nice you probably won’t have time to
laze on the beach anyway! The museum of Modern and Contemporary Art is a
must-see where Warhol isn’t even the star attraction, and visit one of Nice’s
amazing perfume factories for a lovely
(albeit expensive) souvenir, famous of the region. The fresh fruit and flower market
which runs every day is a concoction of scents and colours to tantilise your taste
buds. The berries will be the best you’ve ever tasted – guaranteed, and there’s
cheese and marzipan galore, so have yourself a picnic! Also keep an eye out for
ice-cream vendors on the waterfront; if you’re lucky they serve you your frozen
sweet as a carefully carved rose. Wayne’s and Bulldog are great nightspots for
some good music and some table-top dancing, and you can’t go past Villa St
Exupery for accommodation, with beachside and garden locations, this was one of
the best hostel groups I experienced in Europe.
Hop a train to the
autonomous region of Monaco, and visit Monte Carlo, famous for the casino, and
the Grand Prix. Make sure you’re looking sharp to enter the most famous casino
in the world, where cars that aren’t Ferraris and real noses are few and far
between. Entrance to the floor of the
casino is 10 euro, but worth it just for a peek, and I’d hate to even ask what
the minimum bet would be at one of the tables.
Grab a brie baguette and wander around and marvel at the wealth in Monte
Carlo. The boats are spectacular, as are
the villas complete with rooftop soiree gardens – how the other half live!
Not far along the Riviera are a couple of lovely little beach spots definitely worth a look; Cap d’Ail and Ville Franche, where you’ll find sand, and few tourists. Keep an eye out for the beautiful naturally occurring coloured glass in the sand at these spots!
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