The French Riviera under Le Ponant’s sails

Capital of the Cote d’Azur, Nice is surrounded by an amphitheatre of hills and mountains that protects it from the wind. You will probably want to explore the Promenade des Anglais, where you can sit on one of the famous blue chairs laid out opposite the baie des Anges. The Château hill is also a very pleasent place to walk. This is the entrance to the old city, with its bustling markets and regional products along the main street, the Cours Saleya.

Close to the Cinque Terre, Portofino is the jewel of the Ligurian Riviera. This "small village that stretches like a half moon around a silent basin", described by Guy de Maupassant, is today a pretty, lively little port that has managed to preserve the authenticity of its maritime traditions, which have been recognised since Ancient times. Built in the hollow of a small natural cove sheltered by the pine forest, the village is at the heart of a protected maritime reserve. The shimmering colours of its house fronts and the exceptional location of this village have inspired many authors and artists. You will also see the Portofino lighthouse, immaculate in its green setting. Perched on the Punta del Capo, it watches over the peninsula and its postcard setting.

City of art and history, Menton is located at the far eastern side of the Cote d’Azur. You will be won over by the Provence houses with their palms and lemon trees. Very close to the Saint-Michel-Archange basilica, take a mosey around the charming place aux Herbes, and the medieval streets that follow a sinuous plan. Here and there, you can see snatches of the coastline. These picturesque points of view have attracted artists since the beginning of the 20th century. Don’t miss works by the most famous Menton figure: Jean Cocteau. They are exhibited in two museums: the Bastion museum and the Séverin-Wunderman collection.

Under the Mediterranean sun, on the shores of the famous French Riviera, Antibes captivates and enchants travellers from around the world. The Antipolis trading post was founded by the Greeks shortly after Marseille, in the 5th century BC, but it was under the influence of the Romans that the city prospered. The expansion of the city towards the cape of Antibes began in 1860 under the Second French Empire, marking a boom in tourism. Wander through its old town, encircled by ramparts built by Vauban, and discover its cathedral, its Picasso museum and the many workshops and shops run by local craftspeople. Next, stroll along the path leading to the 16th-century Fort Carré (square fort) via the charming Vauban port, as you admire the sea and the endless horizon.

From the shadows into the light… In the 1800s, Cannes was still just a modest little fishing village which over time has been transformed into the elegant town we know today. You will be surprised to see the extent to which Cannes has
retained its Provencal character, as you explore its most valuable treasures: the Castre Museum, built by the monks of Lérins and today a Historic Monument or the Gothic Notre Dame d’Espérance Church and bell tower.

Saint-Tropez is built on an attractive peninsula on the Côte d’Azur. In its delightful harbours, you will probably be surprised to see fishing trawlers alongside pleasure craft, yachts and jet-skis. You can do some celebrity spotting along the quays edged with Provence houses. Behind the waterfront, you can meander through the floral streets that lead to the baroque church of Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption. At the top of the village, the citadel provides a panorama overlooking the entire coastline. It is festooned with justifiably famous seaside sites, like the very beautiful Pampelonne beach.

A discreet outpost of the glittering French Riviera, the port of Cassis masterfully plays its Provençal music. Between the stunning calanques coves and Cap Canaille, the town stretches out with charming southern houses, their blinds repainted countless times, while the port exudes such a sunny and recognisable feeling, giving everything here a festive spirit. The surroundings are also well worth the visit: hills drooping beneath the vines, parasol pines curling up into the azure of the sky, prickly pears hanging onto white limestone, the Provence of the Fauvist painters unveils itself in this idyllic spot.

Capital of the Cote d’Azur, Nice is surrounded by an amphitheatre of hills and mountains that protects it from the wind. You will probably want to explore the Promenade des Anglais, where you can sit on one of the famous blue chairs laid out opposite the baie des Anges. The Château hill is also a very pleasent place to walk. This is the entrance to the old city, with its bustling markets and regional products along the main street, the Cours Saleya.