Affiliate disclosure: some of the links in this article are affiliate links. All of our info is free to read and free of ads, so we appreciate it! For many foreigners, and for most French people, the very word Provence conjures up an imaginary world in which a gentle way of life, games of petanque , the sea, the cicadas, and of course, the omnipresent sun all gloriously coexist. And if you also mention the Riviera, an even clearer picture emerges: the tourism of yesterday's elite and that of today's upper-middle classes, the Var coastline, Cannes and its festival, Grasse and its perfumes, the Baie des Anges, the ramparts of Antibes, elegant Nice, and of course Monaco, the second most famous city-state in the world after the Vatican.
In addition to beautiful cities, fabulous beaches, and a near perfect sea, the many foreigners who visit, live, and study here almost as many as in Paris give us a richness and diversity that makes the Riviera one of the most cosmopolitan places in France. But of course, as is often the case when a place is very famous, the image people have of my region is both justified and incomplete; flattering, but not always in line with reality.
And some of the Riviera's best known appeals actually obscure other things that also make the region special. The fame of our coastline overshadows the draw of the mountains and their great winter sports resorts. The Nice Carnival which people come all the way from China to see! I suppose what I'm trying to say is that, away from the glitzy resorts and the chic parties, a whole different Riviera awaits.
It takes some time to discover it, but for those who do, the rewards are immense. Yes, visit our beaches, meander through our beautiful cities, and dance the night away by the sea, but don't only do that. Nor would you want to spend your entire first trip going off the beaten path. However, I do believe I can give you a few essential keys that will enable you to discover some places that will surprise you and delight you and offer a window into a very different side of this region.
In these places, you'll encounter an unsuspected authenticity that many travelers miss out on when visiting here. Read on for my recommendations on how to spend one fabulous week in my home, the French Riviera! I've tried to be comprehensive while keeping things short. For a more detailed guide to travel in the region, have a look at our French Riviera travel guide. I think a week-long visit to the Riviera provides the perfect introduction to the region.
