La Fete de Mai (Spring Festival)
The start of spring is celebrated every Sunday in May with a grand celebration in the Jardins de Cimiez.
An ancient riverside settlement with waterfront beaches
Just the other side of the airport to Nice, Saint-Laurent-du-Var has been brought bang up to date in recent years.
The waterfront is the place to be - a long esplanade stretches the length of the beach and is lined with a good choice of restaurants and bars. Most nightlife is centred around the harbour, where you’ll find more bars and restaurants as well as a couple of nightclubs.
The centre of Saint-Laurent-du-Var is typical of a small but busy town; unremarkable but it has everything you need such as pharmacies, supermarkets, shops, etc. Cut through some of the smaller side streets and you’ll find yourself in what remains of the old town; Place Adrien Castillon is a charming little square with an 11th century church.
Just beyond the church is the “Hotel de Ville”, or town hall - an extremely grand building set in pleasantly shaded landscaped gardens. There's a children’s playground nearby and a number of boules pitches, as well as a theatre.
The start of spring is celebrated every Sunday in May with a grand celebration in the Jardins de Cimiez.
The Long Night of Museums is an annual event where museums across Europe remain open late into the night, and Nice is no exception.
The Fête de la Musique is a celebration that takes place every summer solstice on 21 June in cities, towns and villages across France.
Bastille Day is celebrated across the whole of France with a bang...well, several in fact, fireworks always feature heavily.
Exceptional locations around France, including Nice, will be open to visit on the Journées du Patrimoine - a European wide event inspired by by France’s Journées Portes Ouvertes which started in 1984.
The third Thursday in November is when this year's Beaujolais hits the shelves and is cause for celebration across France.
Halfway between Cannes and Monaco, built at the mouth of the Var river, its marina is one of the largest on the Riviera.
The Var river itself used to be the border between France and Nice (then Italian) and the town was created in the 11th century when a hospice was founded under Saint-Laurent himself to aid those passengers crossing the river. Gueyeurs transported travellers on their backs across the river until the construction of a bridge in 1792, before then mostly a ferry was used for travellers and traders, who used the Gueyeurs to carry heavier goods and animals across.
Due to its strategic location, the town has suffered in addition to floods, invasions, wars and epidemics, and the plague decimated the entire population. It was repopulated by Italian immigrants from Liguria.
Cut through some of the smaller side streets and you’ll find yourself in what remains of the old town; Place Adrien Castillon is a charming little square with an 11th century church.
Just beyond the church is the “Hotel de Ville”, or town hall - an extremely grand building set in pleasantly shaded landscaped gardens. There is a children’s playground nearby and a number of boules pitches, as well as a theatre.
Saint-Laurent-du-Var is a shopper’s paradise; the enormous Cap 3,000 shopping mall has all the high street favourites such as H&M, Mango, Zara, etc as well as some designer brands along the lines of Tommy Hilfiger, Guess and Desigual. If you prefer your holiday shopping to be a little more “local” then you’ll love the markets that are held every Sunday morning on the Esplanade du Levant, where you can find regional produce and typical Provençal goods.
Also, the stretch of sea beside the Plage des Flots Bleus is a protected marine area; an artificial cove has been created to encourage sealife to the area and visits are organised each morning (before 10:00) for families and school groups so that children can meet the fish. Call in at L'Aquarium Naturel des Flots Bleus to join in one of the visits.
Located close to the city’s harbour, this park stretches over a surface of 1 hectare.
This factory for perfume, soap and cosmetics, has very modern laboratories and workshops. Discover the secrets of manufacturing perfumes and cosmetics.
Beautiful baroque architecture, examples of 17th- and 18th-century frescoes and furniture and a large terraced garden.
Located on the island of Saint Honorat, the abbey is still occupied by monks. It's possible to receive a guided tour and re-charge your spiritual batteries.
A small collection of some of Matisse's works and items from his own personal collection and that of his descendants are housed in an impressive 17th century Genoese mansion.
This priory owned by Father Lemerre was converted into a museum at the end of the Second World War and houses his collection of objets d'art from the late Middle Ages and early modern period including French furniture, glass, sculptures and religious paintings.
Saint-Laurent-du-Var sits on the long curve of stony beach on the Bay of Angels that runs right from Nice down to Antibes.
There are plenty of watersports to keep you occupied, including jetskis, pontoons, paddleboards and pedalos - or you could just rent a deckchair in a beach club and have a long leisurely lunch overlooking the water. Your move.
Saint-Laurent-du-Var has one of the best-equipped waterfronts in terms of barely having to leave the beach all day - everything is right here.
Plage du Cros de Cagnes is the main stretch of beach in Cagnes-Sur-Mer, running the length of the lively row of restaurants and bars that line the seafront.
Plage de Carras is a well-equipped “handiplage”, which has facilities and lifeguards to enable people with disabilities to enter the water safely.
This public beach sits at the western end of the Promenade des Anglais and is situated near the Lenval hospital.
Palm trees, sparkling blue waves and soft white sand make Plage des Bouches du Loup feel like a tropical paradise.
This long stretch of pebble beach in Nice runs along the Baie des Anges and is backed by the Promenade des Anglais.
In a Regency-style dining room decorated with magnificent 18th century woodwork, Jean-Denis Rieubland proposes two menus, "Découverte" and "Chantecler".
Toile Blanche Le Restaurant offers fresh, seasonal dishes inspired by the Mediterranean, where simplicity meets creative flair.
Michelin-starred La Bastide Saint-Antoine offers a refined retreat near Cannes, where chef Jacques Chibois creates inspired Provençal cuisine. Set in a stunning country house with lush gardens and panoramic sea views, it’s the perfect blend of gastronomy, elegance, and tranquillity.
La Table de Pierre offers refined, garden-led cuisine by Chef Emmanuel Lehrer in a romantic setting with views over the estate.
Gourmet restaurant of the Saint-Martin Spa & Chateau hotel to the north of Vence.
This gourmet restaurant offers panoramic views across the Mediterranean and gained two Michelin stars in 2011.
Most nightlife is centred around the harbour, where you’ll find more bars and restaurants as well as a couple of nightclubs and where the majority of events will take place. Shimmy over to Le Spey River on Wednesday evenings for a free salsa lesson and tex-mex tapas.
It is this eclectic and cosmopolitan atmosphere which makes it a place very "French Riviera".
Located in Vieux Nice, this bar serves breakfast, lunch, tapas and drinks. A great place to soak up the sun while enjoying a meal.
Recently celebrating its 16th anniversary this is certainly the place to be in Nice for a gay-friendly and party atmosphere!
An intimate pub with open mic and acoustic nights, a good atmosphere and happy hours!
The wine cellar specialises in rare wines and old vintages while the restaurant sits 45 people.
Ma Nolan’s, Nice Port is designed to be a warm, welcoming and atmospheric venue, the perfect place to eat, drink and party.
Twitchers and nature lovers should remember to pack their binoculars; the river Var is a renowned bird reserve where you may spot plovers, sandpipers, grey herons, egrets, flamingos and many more.
There's good fishing to be had too - although the stretch of sea beside the Plage des Flots Bleus is a protected marine area with a total ban on fishing.
The hills rising up behind Saint-Laurent-du-Var are popular with road cyclists and once you get beyond the towns, they are riddled with hiking trails.
Take a trip onboard this luxury yacht along the Riviera to any destination of your choosing.
Experience the French Riviera your way with 212 yachts, using one of their sample itineraries or with a specialised itinerary created just for you, based on what you like and don't like, as well as their own expertise.
A trip for intermediate riders, where you can enjoy some of the most scenic roads in Provence.
Enjoy a wonderful, peaceful and fume-free journey along the French Riviera on a solar powered motor boat with a professional skipper.
This company is based in Nice and offers a wide range of road bikes.
Take a trip onboard this luxury yacht along the Riviera to any destination of your choosing.
Saluzi is an extraordinary 69-metre superyacht offering a truly distinctive charter experience across the Mediterranean and Asian waters. Built by Austal and spanning five expansive decks, she combines striking contemporary design with exceptional volume, world-class amenities and remarkable versatility. With her bold styling, colourful modern accents and vast interior and exterior spaces, Saluzi is perfectly suited to both private luxury escapes and large-scale entertaining.
The 45.7m motor yacht Silver Wave is a spectacular creation from the renowned Palmer Johnson shipyard. Delivered in 2009 and refitted in both 2014 and 2017, she combines cutting-edge design with exceptional performance.
The 40m sailing yacht Tenaz is a standout sloop from the renowned Dubois design studio, offering a refined and spacious charter experience. Built by Pendennis and extensively refitted in 2016, she combines classic sailing performance with modern comfort and style.
Viva is a stylish Ferretti 592 motor yacht offering an elegant and comfortable setting for luxury charters along the Italian coast. Built in 2009 and maintained in pristine condition, she is an excellent choice for exploring Naples and the surrounding Mediterranean in style.
JFF is a sleek and striking 33.5m Mangusta 108 motor yacht, perfect for a luxury charter in the Mediterranean. With her standout exterior and ultra-modern interior, this yacht offers the ideal combination of style, comfort, and entertainment, making her perfect for exploring the French Riviera, relaxing with friends, or hosting unforgettable parties on the water.
O’Leanna is an exceptional 44-metre Marin Teknikk motor yacht that combines striking design, expansive living spaces and outstanding onboard amenities. Refitted in 2015 and maintained to an excellent standard, she is one of the Mediterranean’s most sought-after charter yachts, offering a luxurious platform for unforgettable cruising holidays with family and friends.
Paddleboarding along the coast is a fun for the whole family!
Fly at 50 metres above the sea by yourself or with friends security attached, enjoy a spectacular view of the gorgeous Baie des Anges, mountains and surroundings.
This company offers a range of outdoor activities mostly based around canyoning and rafting white water, as well as via ferrata and mountain biking experiences and snowshoe walks in the winter.
For those looking for an adrenalin rush, Nice Rafting is the place to go to!
There are some chain hotels here, handy for the airport at Nice, but for something more boutique-styled you will need to go further afield, either into Nice or into the hills above the coast.
In Nice, in the residential area of Saint Pancrace, beautiful villa situated on a plot of 1Ha in edge of forest of which 2000m ² done up.
Just outside historic Vence and a short distance from magnificent Saint Paul de Vence, this beautiful and contemporary house on a generous private plot is very quietly located for exploring all the delights of this beautiful corner of the French Riviera. The villa is located in a beautiful natural setting with views of the mountains.
In Vence, 5 km from Saint-Paul,, in a residential area, beautiful contemporary villa located on a plot of 1000m2.
In the heart of the French Riviera, 10 km from the beach and 13 km from the airport, this villa is set in lush greenery and nature.
In the commune of Colomars, 10 km from the sea, in a residential area, beautiful villa on a plot of 1500m².
Located in the town of Vence, in a quiet residential area, charming villa set in grounds of 3600 m². Private salt water swimming pool (10m x 5m – Depth 110/170 cm – Alarm), outdoor shower (hot water), pool house (barbecue, oven, gas hob), terrace with garden furniture, deckchairs and dining table. Parking for 4 cars. 2 km shops. Beach 12km.
Distinguished turn-of-the-century resort hotel with a sophisticated aura, surrounded by a beautifully landscaped 14-acre park.
Famous hotel and site named after Henri Negresco with an equally famous restaurant Le Chantecler, located on the Promenade des Anglais.
This five-star Relais & Châteaux resort offers elegant rooms, exceptional facilities and a peaceful setting near Saint-Paul-de-Vence.
Former 13th-century Cistercian monastery tastefully renovated offering 5 beautifully decorated en-suite rooms, a Michelin-starred restaurant and a terrace overlooking the Mediterranean.
This hotel has been entirely renovated, combining the historical ambience of its past, plus the modern conveniences of an international luxury hotel.
This celebrated Provençal inn combines elegant accommodation with a private collection of modern art by renowned 20th-century artists.
Easy to access, Saint-Laurent-du-Var is little more than a short bus ride from Nice airport; you can even cycle there using the Vélobleu bikes that are stationed all along the coastline. The no.200 bus also runs regularly between Nice and Cannes, passing through Saint-Laurent-du-Var along the way.
From the airport to the city centre, they handle the rest. The Côte d’Azur's most trusted private transfers.
With a long history and experience in the VIP transport industry this company is proud of its personal and high-quality services.
Created in 1976 this company has grown and has now transported well over 100,000 passengers. They have a fleet of 12 craft to meet client demands.
With an International fleet of jets and helicopters based across Europe it is quick and easy to get a private charter flight for business, pleasure or an airport transfer.
Chabe Transfers are a renowned luxury transfer and taxi service operating in the French Riviera.
Heli Securite offer transfers on a helicopter from the airport to your yacht or various destinations in and around the Cannes area, St Tropez and Monaco. In addition to this they also service all of the main French ski resorts from their base in Courchevel.
In immediate proximity to the port of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and its beautiful beaches, this exceptional 129 sq m apartment embodies the elegance and exclusive lifestyle of the French Riviera.
Luxury six bedroom waterfront property offering direct beach access and breathtaking views.
Secure domain with sea view and landscaped garden
Co-Exclusive: Mont Boron - located just 2 km from the Mediterranean Sea, this magnificent 306 sq m art deco villa enjoys breathtaking views of Nice and the sea. Facing southwest, it offers an exceptional living environment.
Find out all about what is happening in Nice and how to make the most of your time here. The latest news, reviews of fun activities, fabulous beaches, current events and the trendiest restaurants, as well as interviews with leading locals, insider's guides and our top choices for things to do, see and experience in this cosmopolitan city.
See allLatest News & ReviewsYou will not be short of entertainment in this beautiful French Riviera town throughout the year. The most popular public events take place along the Promenade des Anglais, including the Carnival in February, the Bastille celebrations in July and the Nice marathon in November. There are also plenty of live music and cultural festivals.
See allUpcoming Events