Provence and Côte d'Azur on the Mediterranean Sea in the South of France

Middellandse Zee kust 1 Provence vakantiehuis Cote d Azur luxe villa Zuid Frankrijk Franse riviera.j

The coast of southern France along the Mediterranean Sea, known as Provence  and the Côte d'Azur (French Riviera), is one of the most beloved holiday destinations in Europe. This region is known for its Mediterranean climate and more than 300 days of sunshine a year, beautiful beaches and azure blue sea, seaside resorts in Provence and picturesque villages. The coastline of Provence and Côte d'Azur is varied: from extensive sandy beaches and chic beach clubs to hidden rocky coves, calanques and sheltered coves between red or white cliffs. Each type of beach has its own charm, atmosphere and activities, making it attractive for every beach lover. The fact that the region is very touristy is also evident from the many holiday parks in Provence and luxury villas on the Côte d'Azur. Every year, the Côte d'Azur attracts about 13 million visitors, accounting for about 70 million overnight stays. Tourism accounts for around 15% of the regional economy, significantly higher than the French average of 7.4%. Mondaine seaside resorts such as Nice, Cannes, Antibes, Fréjus, Saint-Tropez and Monaco have luxury marinas, chic boulevards with palm trees and exclusive shops. A little further from the coast are the authentic artists' villages between the lavender fields. To conclude, the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in Provence - Côte d'Azur has everything you need for an amazing holiday when staying in a holiday home in the South of France.

Our parks in this region         Our houses in this region

Beaches, rocks and coves

Provence and Côte d'Azur are known for their diverse and spectacular coastline, which stretches from sandy beaches to rugged rocky coves and idyllic calanques. From your holiday home in France, you can easily set out to discover them with your family. 

Rock formations

The Red rocks of the Esterel Massif  - Between Saint-Raphaël and Théoule-sur-Mer lies the Côte de l'Esterel, famous for its jagged red rocks and small, sheltered coves (criques). The area has many hidden beaches between the ochre-colored rock that are often only accessible via hiking trails or steep stairs.
Limestone cliffs and caves - Especially around the calanques near Cassis and Marseille you can find impressive white limestone cliffs and caves. Some caves can only be visited by kayak or boat.

Coves along the coast

Small secluded coves such as La Petite Afrique near Beaulieu-sur-Mer and the coves of Pointe de l'Aiguille near Théoule-sur-Mer are scattered along the coasts. These bays offer a lot of privacy and tranquillity.

Types of beaches

Sandy beaches- Well-known sandy beaches are Plage Pampelonne near Saint-Tropez, a kilometre-long golden sandy beach with plenty of facilities, beach clubs and water sports facilities. Plage de Ponteil in Antibes and Plage des Sablettes in La Seyne-sur-Mer are also popular sandy beaches.
Pebble beaches- Many beaches, such as Plage de la Mala near Cap-d'Ail, are made of pebbles and are often hidden between steep cliffs. These beaches offer clear waters and a tranquil atmosphere, ideal for snorkelling.
Calanques - These are deep, narrow coves or coves with high limestone cliffs. The best known are between Cassis and Marseille, such as Calanque d'En-Vau and Calanque de Figuerolles. They are often only accessible on foot or by boat.

Middellandse Zee kust 2 Provence vakantiehuis Cote d Azur luxe villa Zuid Frankrijk Franse riviera.j

Culture, cities and villages

The region of Provence - Côte d'Azur is rich in culture, history, authentic villages and characteristic cities. From your luxury villa in Provence with private pool you can easily visit all these spots. In Antibes you can visit the Picasso Museum and in Nice you can visit the Matisse Museum. The Festival in Cannes is world famous. The artists' village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence is known for its medieval charm, art galleries, and panoramic views. It has been attracting famous artists for decades. The village sits spectacularly on a hill between Nice and Monaco, Èze offers a maze of narrow streets with medieval architecture and phenomenal views of the Mediterranean Sea. It is one of the most photogenic villages of the Côte d'Azur. Another tourist hotspot is the imposing Gothic palace of the popes in Avignon. It is the largest in France and a historical symbol of the region. Its city walls and colourful frescoed interior make it a top attraction for history and architecture enthusiasts. In perfume capital Grasse you can learn all about the history of perfume. In Marseille you must visit the old port, the Stade Vélodrome, the basilica Notre-Dame de la Garde and the Escoffier Museum of Culinary Art. In Nice we recommend going for a stroll along the Promenade des Anglais. The Cistercian abbey "Abbaye du Thoronet" dates back to the 12th century and is an example of Romanesque architecture. The ruins of the castle "Château de Grimaud" offer a magnificent view over the Provençal landscape.

What are the 8 most beautiful nature reserves in Provence - Côte d'Azur?

The Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southern France is known for its impressive and varied nature. Below an overview is given of the most beautiful nature reserves and landscapes that make this region so special.
Gorges du Verdon - This spectacular gorge is often referred to as the "Grand Canyon of Europe". With its steep cliffs, blue-green river, many kilometers of hiking trails and beautiful views, it is a popular region for hikers, canoeists and nature lovers.
Camargue - In the delta of the Rhône there is a large marshland with lakes, lagoons and dunes. This marshland is home to wild white horses, pink flamingos and black bulls. It is the only place in France where flamingos can be found in the wild.
Mercantour National Park - On the border with Italy lies this rugged mountain region with peaks of above 3,000 meters, green meadows and coniferous forests. The park is not only a natural gem, but also archaeologically important due to having more than 35,000 petroglyphs.

Le Queyras - In the Hautes-Alpes there is a nature park in the mountains where alpine marmots, ibex and eagles live. In the summer there are many hikers, in the winter it is a popular winter sports area.
Luberon and Les Alpilles - These areas are known for their rolling hills, lavender fields, vineyards and olive groves and characteristic Provencal villages. In Les Alpilles, Vincent van Gogh made several paintings of the limestone rocks and vineyards.
Îles d'Hyères (Golden Islands) - The islands of Porquerolles, Port Cros and Le Levant, collectively known as the Îles d'Hyères, are located in the Mediterranean Sea. This is a protected nature reserve and is known for its impressive flora and fauna.
Massif de l'Esterel and Sainte-Baume - Two imposing rock massifs in the South of France. The Esterel massif, with its red rocks,  plunges spectacularly into the sea at the Côte d'Azur. The Massif Sainte-Baume, where the luxury villas of Vallée de la Ste. Baume are located, is made up of white limestone mountains and vast forests.
Sillans-la-Cascade - An impressive 44-meter-high waterfall surrounded by a medieval village and wooded hiking trails.

Middellandse Zee kust 5 Provence vakantiehuis Cote d Azur luxe villa Zuid Frankrijk Franse riviera.j
Middellandse Zee kust 8 Provence vakantiehuis Cote d Azur luxe villa Zuid Frankrijk Franse riviera.j

Popular activities on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea

Whether you like water, mountains or land, the region offers countless opportunities for an active holiday with children in France. On the coast of the Côte d'Azur, various water sports are popular, more inland other sports and activities are undertaken. The Côte d'Azur is a paradise for sailors and water sports enthusiasts. The marinas, such as Port Vauban in Antibes and Port Hercules in Monaco welcome the most impressive yachts. At Agay, you can enjoy good jet skiing and discover the Corniche d'Or from the water by jet ski. Boat trips and island hopping are also popular. From Cannes you can take a ferry to the quiet Île Sainte-Marguerite, or take a boat trip along the Calanques of the Esterel massif. The Mediterranean Sea offers plenty of opportunities for diving and snorkelling. There are plenty of diving schools, with beautiful underwater locations at Nice, Cannes and Saint-Tropez, among others. Windsurfing is excellent at Antibes, Saint-Tropez and Cannes. The Gorges du Verdon is considered one of the most beautiful places in Europe for whitewater activities such as rafting, canoeing and kayaking. The turquoise water and impressive gorges make this a unique experience. Provence - Côte d'Azur is known for its beautiful hiking trails. Think of the coastal paths at Fréjus and Saint-Raphaël, the Sentier du Littoral between Saint-Tropez and Ramatuelle, and the famous Calanques at Cassis. The mountains and national parks such as the Mercantour National Park and the Route des Vins are also favourites. The Route Napoléon towards Grenoble is popular. Cycling enthusiasts can indulge themselves with routes along the coast, through hills and vineyards, or challenging mountain bike trails in the mountains. You will find more challenge on the Mont Ventoux, known from the Tour de France. With more than twenty golf courses, including the Golf de Valescure in Saint-Raphaël and Saint-Endréol in Le Muy, the region is also very popular among  golfers. Other activities that are popular among families are the various Aquaparks in Provence - Côte d'Azur and the Marineland with dolphins and orcas.

Which restaurants on the Côte d'Azur are popular?

Provence - Côte d'Azur is known for its fine cuisine, beautiful locations, and a blend of traditional and modern dining experiences. The region has famous wines such as Châteauneuf-du-Pape and local specialties such as aïoli, tapenade, ratatouille, socca niçoise and the famous tarte tropézienne. Also, visit local markets, shop for traditional products, and enjoy Provençal cuisine with plenty of olive oil, herbs, and fresh produce.
Restaurant des Rois (Beaulieu-sur-Mer) - The restaurant at the 5-star Hôtel La Réserve has been awarded a Michelin star. You will enjoy a chic Belle Époque atmosphere, a terrace with sea view and creative cuisine by chef Julien Roucheteau.
Restaurant Colette (Saint-Tropez) – Restaurant Colette from Hôtel Sezz also has a Michelin star. The dishes are known their good fruits and vegetables, perfect presentation and richness in flavor.
Brasserie du Corton (Cassis) – A restaurant with stunning sea views, modern French cuisine and local seasonal produce.

Les Graniers (St. Tropez/Ramatuelle) - A beach bar with a cozy atmosphere, excellent dishes from chef Eric Canino (known from La Voile, 2 Michelin stars). You can enjoy stuffed zucchini flowers, fish tartare, fried octopus and tarte Tropézienne here.
La Colombe d'Or (Saint-Paul-de-Vence) - Traditional restaurant in a beautiful hotel, famous for its classic French cuisine and lovely ambiance.
L'Escalinada (Nice) - This local restaurant is popular with locals for its traditional Provençal dishes. A good opportunity to taste real French cuisine in Nice.
La Rossettisserie (Nice) – Simple but very atmospheric and cozy. It is known for its simple, local cuisine. For a modest price you have a three-course menu. You enjoy your meal at long tables together with other guests.
Les épicuriens (Nice) – Attractive restaurant with seasonal dishes from land and sea, homemade pastas and an extensive wine list.
Keisuke Matsushima (Nice) - Japanese cuisine with a Mediterranean twist.
Lunch with your feet in the sand - On the Côte d'Azur there are several beach restaurants where you can eat right on the water, ranging from high-quality dishes in Ramatuelle to organic cuisines at L'Estérel.

Back to the overview