Saint Laurent du Var
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.
History & Culture in [locality]
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.
Sights & Attractions in [locality]
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.
Sights in Nice
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Botanical Garden
This Mediterranean botanical garden sits on the hillside and has over 3,000 different plant species divided into 40 different areas.
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Modern & contemporary art Museum
The museum of modern and contemporary art was opened in 1990 and features artworks from the 1960s to the present day.
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Ferrero Gallery
Founded as a photographic studio in 1958, and opened as a gallery in 1972, Jean Ferrero exhibited works from the School of Nice and the New Realism genre.
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Marc Chagall National Museum
Housing the largest collection of the Russian painter, Marc Chagall, the Chagall museum is one of Nice's top attractions.
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Musee Renoir, Cagnes sur Mer
The world-famous painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir lived at La Ferme des Collettes with his family from 1907 until his death in 1919. Renoir moved to Cagnes-Sur-Mer in the hopes that the warm climate would improve his arthritis, which eventually confined him to a wheelchair. The house in which he spent the last 12 years of his life is set in a beautiful estate full of citrus and olive trees, looking out along the coastline all the way to way to the Cap d’Antibes.
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Cote d'Azur Observatory
This astronomical observatory is located on top of mont Gros. It was built in 1881 and was designed by Charles Garnier, architect of the Paris Opera House, and Gustave Eiffel, the celebrated creator of the Eiffel Tower.
Beaches in [locality]
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.
Beaches in Nice
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Plages des Flots Bleus Beach, Saint Laurent du Var
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.
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Plage du Cros de Cagnes Beach, Cagnes sur Mer
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.
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Plage du Carras Beach
Plage de Carras is a well-equipped “handiplage”, which has facilities and lifeguards to enable people with disabilities to enter the water safely.
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Plage de Lenval Beach
This public beach sits at the western end of the Promenade des Anglais and is situated near the Lenval hospital.
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Plage des Bouches du Loup Beach, Villeneuve Loubet
Palm trees, sparkling blue waves and soft white sand make Plage des Bouches du Loup feel like a tropical paradise.
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Promenade des Anglais Beach
This long stretch of pebble beach in Nice runs along the Baie des Anges and is backed by the Promenade des Anglais.
Events in [locality]
Events in Nice
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European Heritage Days
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.
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Crossover Festival
A mix of public spaces, moods and musical styles will take over the city of Nice for the Crossover Festival.
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Villeneuve-Loubet night market
Stalls with souvenirs, handmade objects, beach articles and much more held on the seafront at Villeneuve-Loubet.
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Jazz au Château, Cagnes sur Mer
Gather at Place du Château on a Friday evening to enjoy a wonderful evening of live music in an unforgettable venue.
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Live music at the Opéra de Nice
The wonderful Opéra de Nice venue, on the Promenade des Anglais in the old town of Nice, hosts some of the best classical music concerts in the French Riviera.
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Beaulieu Classic Festival
The Beaulieu Classic Festival showcases both local and international talent set in the most mythical and enchanting surroundings on the French Riviera.
Dining in [locality]
Restaurants in Nice
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La Bastide Saint Antoine Restaurant, Grasse
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.
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Restaurant des Rois, Beaulieu Sur Mer
The jewel in the crown of La Réserve de Beaulieu hotel is this gastronomic restaurant which has one Michelin star.
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Le Saint-Paul Restaurant, Saint Paul de Vence
Laurent Paccini is the chef at this Relais & Châteaux hotel and brings the food of different cultures to his excellent Mediterranean restaurant in Saint-Paul de Vence.
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La Table de Pierre Restaurant, St Paul de Vence
La Table de Pierre offers refined, garden-led cuisine by Chef Emmanuel Lehrer in a romantic setting with views over the estate.
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Chateau Eza Restaurant, Eze
Château Eza offers a Michelin recommended restaurant serving à la carte French and Mediterranean cuisine against the stunning backdrop of the French Riviera.
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Hostellerie Jerome Restaurant, La Turbie
Chef Bruno Cirino prepares Mediterranean dishes that carefully showcase the flavours of local produce. A light and creative cuisine that you can enjoy in their elegant dining room with vaulted ceilings and frescoes or their shaded terrace overlooking the sea.
Things to do in [locality]
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.
Things To Do in Nice
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One Week Yacht Charter Itineraries
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.
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Luxury SMILE Yacht Trip
Take a trip onboard this luxury yacht along the Riviera to any destination of your choosing.
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Provence self-guided motorbike tour
A trip for intermediate riders, where you can enjoy some of the most scenic roads in Provence.
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Solar Powered Boat Trip
Enjoy a wonderful, peaceful and fume-free journey along the French Riviera on a solar powered motor boat with a professional skipper.
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Road bike hire
This company is based in Nice and offers a wide range of road bikes.
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Luxury Jack III Yacht Trip
Take a trip onboard this luxury yacht along the Riviera to any destination of your choosing.
Nightlife in [locality]
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.
Bars & Clubs in Nice
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Le Bar du Negresco
It is this eclectic and cosmopolitan atmosphere which makes it a place very "French Riviera".
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Wayne's Bar
A vibrant pub in the heart of Nice's busy quarter, the Old Town. Popular with locals and tourists alike but especially the International crowd.
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Shapko Bar
Originally set up by Russian jazz musician Dimitri Shapko, this venue plays host to local and international jazz, soul and R&B.
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Ma Nolans Restaurant, Vieux Nice
Ma Nolan’s, Vieux Nice has a large inviting terrace, high vaulted ceilings, authentic bar counters and wooden floors.
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La Havane Live Jazz
If you are looking for something a little different then this bar could be for you - you will be transported to a different country!
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AMF Acropolis Bowling
Located behind the Acropolis, the AMF centre is one of the largest bowling alleys in France.
Where to stay in [locality]
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.
Hotels in [locality]
Hotels in Nice
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Eza Chateau Hotel, Eze
Exquisite and intimate, the rooms and suites of Château Eze cling to the side of the ancient rock walls of Eze, a thousand-year-old Medieval village more than 400 metres above the Mediterranean Sea.
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La Reserve de Beaulieu Hotel
Classic French opulence with Mediterranean charm, all nestled between the mountains and the blue waters of the Riviera.
Price: €13,869
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Le Palais de la Mediterranee Hotel
Located on the famous Promenade des Anglais, this contemporary hotel features a casino, an indoor & outdoor pool and spa facilities.
Price: €6,269
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Le Chateau de la Chevre d'Or Hotel, Eze
Boasting remarkable sea views of St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, this luxurious hotel is listed among the 500 World's Best Hotels.
Price: €21,700
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Royal Riviera Hotel, Beaulieu sur Mer
This hotel has been entirely renovated, combining the historical ambience of its past, plus the modern conveniences of an international luxury hotel.
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Exedra Hotel, Nice Centre
The 5-star Luxury Boscolo Exedra Nice is located in the centre of Nice, a few minutes from the old town, the boutiques of Place Masséna, the famous Promenade Des Anglais and the Conference Center.
Price: €3,942
Directions
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.