Fabulous shore excursions on your French Riviera cruise: top 6 things to do in Cote d’Azur
Whether you call it Cote d’Azur or the French Riviera, the southeast coastline of France has deservedly earned a world-wide reputation as the top luxury Mediterranean cruise destination. Art and film lovers, seasoned travelers, celebs, and royals all enjoy the seductive charms of Cote d’Azur, entranced by the wide range of diversions this glamorous cruise destination offers. In fact, there are so many exciting things to do in Cote d’Azur that most travelers find that a single French Riviera cruise simply isn’t enough time to do it all! To help you plan your Mediterranean cruise vacation, we’ve put together a list of our top favorite things to do in the French Riviera:
1.) Attend the Cannes Film Festival
Avid movie buffs should plan their French Riviera vacations for May, when the prestigious Cannes Film Festival takes place. You can rub elbows with past Cannes Film Festival Nominees and winners aboard many of the cruises, before joining in the exciting celebrations that characterize the Cannes Film Festival.
2.) Indulge your inner shopper at Cannes
If you can’t make it to Cannes Film Festival, you can still enjoy this shopper’s paradise the whole year round. Luxury shoppers can find some of the finest brands in the world in the boutiques on elegant Boulevard de la Croisette, while gourmet shoppers head to the famous Forville market to bring home the flavors of Southern France. Even if you aren’t a top shopper, the art galleries along the rue d’Antibes are a must-see, and you can find your favorite actors’ handprints on the Allée des Étoiles (Stars’ Walk).
3.) Visit the world famous Antibes Art Fair
Travelers who plan their French Riviera cruises during the last two weeks of April can join collectors from around the world at the Antibes Art Fair, one of the largest antiques and art fairs in France. There’s a lot to delight art lovers year-round in Antibes, which is home to several art museums, including the Musee Picasso in the Chateau Grimaldi. Take a guided art walk to visit the places where famous artists created some of their masterpieces.
4.) Take a bike or Segway tour of Old Riviera in Nice
Explore the architecture and unique landscapes of Nice on a guided tour that takes you down the baroque streets of Old Town to experience the sights and sounds of this quintessentially French city. Cruise down the Promenade des Anglais and explore the famous Place Garibaldi, view the fish market at Place St-Francois, and choose a bouquet from flower stalls at the Cours Saleya market. Finish with a tour of the landscaped gardens and waterfall at Castle Hill, which offers terrific views of the coastline and city.
5.) Gamble in the casino in Monte-Carlo
One of the highlights of French Riviera vacations is a stop in glamourous Monte-Carlo, Monaco. Feel like 007 as you try your luck in style at the magnificent casino in Monte-Carlo, sparkling playground of celebrities and royals.
6.) Relax on the sandy beaches of Saint-Tropez
Spend the day relaxing on the golden sandy beach of Plage de Pampelonne in Saint-Tropez. Frolic in the crystal clear waters or take a stroll along the long sandy stretch that seems to go on forever. Adventurous travelers can head over to Plage de Tahiti, the famous clothing-optional beach that is a celeb favorite.
Now that you know what to do in French Riviera it’s time to book your cruise! CruiseExperts.com offers a great selection of Cote d’Azur cruises, including this 5 Days Mediterranean-West cruise from Azamara Club Cruises. Departing on May 24, 2017 aboard the Azamara Quest, this round-trip Cote d’Azur cruise sails from Nice with stops in Livorno, Saint-Tropez, Cannes, and Monte Carlo. Rates start at $3099 for this fabulous cruise, which docks for at least twelve hours in each port so you have plenty of time to experience the exciting activities the French Riviera has to offer!
Call CruiseExperts.com today at 1-888-804-CRUISE (2784) and let our experts help you find the French Riviera cruise of your dreams and help you plan what things to do in Cote d’Azur. Don’t forget to like us on Facebook and join our InnerCircle for exclusive offers and cruise news you can use! Check out our new Resource Center, where you can receive expert knowledge from us before your next cruise or cruisetour!