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Blessed with over 300 days of sunshine, trendy resorts, and a bevy of beautiful beaches that hug the turquoise Mediterranean Sea, the French Riviera seduces luxury travellers looking for laid-back chic. Stretching from Menton to Bandol, the coastline is peppered with small towns and lively cities for fun with family and friends. Thanks to sun-kissed days, festive nights, and outdoor activities galore, there's no shortage of reasons to go to the French Riviera. Known as the Côte d'Azur in French, the region really took off in the 18th century, luring European and Russian aristocrats seeking sun and glamour. Now, travellers from all over the world come for their holidays and to stay in the most beautiful villas on the French Riviera.
Thanks to one of the most mild climates in France, a trip to the French Riviera is ideal in any season. Spring is a balmy 18-25°C during the day. Expect some rain in April, while June is sunny and not too hot. Summer is the best time to hit the beach and take advantage of the region's many water sports. When the temperatures soar to 35 °C, sea breezes and the refreshing Mediterranean keep things cool.
Fall temperatures range from 15-25°C, the perfect weather for being outdoors in the city or the countryside. September is good weather for getting a golden tan while grapevines don fall's reds and yellows in October. Though mild compared to other parts of France, winter is the coolest season—a bad time for swimming in the Med. You can still enjoy long walks on the beach, epic hikes, and much more thanks to daytime temperatures around 10-14°C
A verdant paradise all year long, the French Riviera really blooms in the spring. Pair the fields of flowers with traditional local festivals. In March, the village of Tourettes-sur-Loup, east of Nice, is painted in purple at the Fête de Violettes to celebrate the fragrant flowers used in perfumery and confectionery. Near Antibes, Vallauris hosts the lively Fête de la Fleur d'Oranger, where you can taste the local orange-blossom brioche, fougassette, while watching a parade of traditional costumes.
In spring, the countryside is blanketed with wild red poppies. Provence's famous lavender begins to blossom at the end of June. Perched on the Mediterranean Sea, Domaine du Rayol is one of France's most beautiful botanical gardens, bursting with flora from eleven different countries.
A trip to the French Riviera wouldn't be complete without ample time on its famous beaches. Choose from glamorous beach clubs, family-friendly beaches, and secret beaches where you can avoid the summer crowds. Cool off with swimming, kayaking, sailing, and other water sports. In the high season, the Côte d'Azur also dazzles when the sun goes down. Live it up at hip soirées, restaurant terraces, and chic nightclubs.
Popular with the luxury travellers, Saint-Tropez is ideal for lounging at the exclusive beach clubs or an outdoor café. The village centre is shopping heaven thanks to a mix of high-end boutiques and locally-owned shops. Renowned for its film festival, Cannes has over 40 public and private beaches. For a great time with the family, take a boat to Sainte-Marguerite island to explore the 17th-century Fort Royal, an ancient prison, and the Museum of the Iron Mask. This jewel in the Bay of Cannes is also home to La Guérite, an ultra-hip beach club that draws the international elite. Have your Villanovo concierge book you a table.
Fall is a great time to visit the French Riviera. It is still warm enough to swim, yet not as hot as summer's swelter. In October, there are less tourists than in high season, so you can explore villages, visit cultural sites, and dine in alfresco restaurants without crowds. Art lovers will adore St-Paul-de-Vence, north of Antibes. Home to the modern art space, the Maeght Foundation, this perched village has narrow streets lined with contemporary art galleries that beg to be discovered.
For outdoor enthusiasts, the breathtaking ochre cliffs of the Massif Estérel are a backdrop for the most picturesque hike. Below, the Calanque des Anglais is perfect for a post-hike swim. Descend a set of somewhat steep stairs to reach three tiny turquoise coves that are ideal for swimming and snorkelling. These coves are hidden beneath the Corniche d'Or. This magnificent coastal road is one of the most beautiful drives in the French Riviera thanks to a postcard-esque mix of green pines, orange cliffs, and the turquoise sea.
Many travellers don't realise how lovely the French Riviera is in the winter. You get to experience the region like a local without the swell of tourists. Winter is a great time to visit the cities of the Côte d'Azur since some of the restaurants and shops in smaller villages tend to go on holiday. Why not ring in the holidays at one of the traditional Christmas markets? Each town hosts their own market featuring local crafts, mulled wine, and classic Christmas foods like candied chestnuts and nougat.
Accessible by direct flights from many European cities, Nice has fantastic modern art museums like the Picasso Museum and the Musée Matisse. This attractive coastal city also hosts one of the most famous Carnivals in the world in February. Another popular February festival takes place further west near the Italian border. The Fête du Citron, the Lemon Festival, in Menton celebrates the town's claim to fame: citrus. If you're lucky enough to be in the French Riviera between the end of January and early March, you'll get to witness the breathtaking mimosas. These sunny-yellow flowers bloom only a few weeks a year. Witness them on the mythical 130-km Route de Mimosa.
If beaches are a must, plan your trip to the French Riviera in the summer. Though the high season is the most expensive, you're guaranteed to get the sunniest weather. Note that July and August are also the months when many Europeans take their holidays.
June and September are opportune months thanks to the mix of mild weather and less crowds. In the winter, prices are lower than more touristy times. Why not celebrate Christmas and New Year with your family in the sun?
Villanovo has an extensive catalogue of luxury villas in the French Riviera. We've handpicked the best villas with a swimming pool, villas near the sea, and villas with extra privacy to escape summer crowds. Our villas for a large group are ideal for holidays with friends and family.
Find luxury villas in the best places and the most beloved towns on the Côte d'Azur: the charming fishing port of Cassis, the trendy seaside village of Sainte Maxime, the lush peninsula of Cap d'Antibes, and the glamorous towns of St. Tropez, Cannes and Nice.
Discover also our selection of villas in Provence, not far from the Côte d'Azur: Aix-en Provence, Gordes, Luberon and more.
Our attentive, hands-on concierges handle every detail so you can focus on enjoying your holidays. This personalised service tailors each trip to perfectly suit your needs including private tours, wine tastings, a private chef and more. The pièce de résistance? Every Villanovo stay comes with a travel booklet packed with our insider picks, including where to eat, drink, and shop and what to do in the French Riviera.
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