Attractions Region Monaco

Roquebrune

This is a medieval village perched on a rocky outcrop high over the Mediterranean. It's located between Monaco (6 km) and Menton, east of Nice.

The old village is dominated by the 10th century chateau-fort that seems to grow massively from the rocks. It's a picturesque village with narrow streets, stepped-streets, stone steps, one-person-wide walkways and deep vaulted passages.

There are lovely little squares and fountains here and there, wrought-iron balconies and other charming discoveries. Roquebrune-Cap Martin is both a tourist town and a residential town.

La Turbie

Most people don't take the effort to go to La Turbie, 8 km from Monaco, but it is worth the trip, for in this charming village you will find one of Rome's grandest monuments, La Trophee des Alpes. This huge Roman monument was built by Emperor Augustus 5 years BC.

It's a 45 meter high monument on 36 meter square base that commemorates the subjugation of the 44 Ligurian tribes that had, till then, been a thorn in the side of the Romans, disrupting traffic between Rome and Gaul. The monument was, in fact, erected on the spot that marks the border between Rome and that province. It is one of the most imposing Roman monuments in existence, and well worth the visit.

Eze Village

This medieval village, high on a cliffside halfway between Nice and Monte Carlo (9 km), is one of the most amazing places on the Côte d'Azur, offering spectacular ocean views.

The beaches of the Riviera are where the beautiful people stay, but when you have to choose between an amazing view of St. Jean-Cap-Ferrat and the Mediterranean or the view of tourists sunbathing, the decision is easily made.

Château de la Chèvre d'Or began its life as a private residence, and the owners have bought many of the surrounding houses in order to incorporate them into the hotel. As a result the 33 rooms and suites are scattered throughout the village, and not all are created equal. Some overlook the sea, and others have mountain views, but all are elegant enough, with classic interiors and decadent marble bathrooms.

Though the rooms are charming and comfortable, it's the public spaces that take full advantage of this amazing location. The pool is perched dramatically on the terraced hillside below the hotel, and its private setting and panoramic view ensure you won't envy the unfortunates on the beachat Cannes.

But the best spot is reserved for the Michelin-starred restaurant, at the hotel's highest point, offering views across 270 degrees, from Monte Carlo to St. Tropez.

Menton

Situated at the extreme south east of France, 10 km from Monaco, Menton is a city of gardens, a seaport, and a beach resort and it has won the competition for the best city of flowers in France 5 different times.

Its exceptional sunlight and the subtropical climate make Menton ideal for growing orange trees, lemon trees, palm trees and mimosa. 2 marinas, the old port and the beaches are all there to help you enjoy the sea.

Every year Menton is the stage for an immense celebration and invites you to be a part of the famous Lemon Festival during 3 weeks from February to March. From the golden citrus parade of floats to the giant citrus decorations in the Biovès gardens. Magnificent floats will parade along the 'Promenade du Soleil' on the sea front, on the 3 consecutive Sundays during the Lemon Festival.

The music will be set by the Brazilian bands, folkloric groups, dance and majorette troops marching and laying between the floats. Menton has many attractions, which are worth while seeing, like the St. Michel Church, the Chapels of the Penitents Noirs and the Penitents Blancs, the Beaux Arts Museum in the Palais Carnoles, the Modern Art Gallery in the Palais de L'Europe, the Jean Cocteau Museum , and the Museum of regional prehistory and the Eco Museum of La Forge.

Beaulieu

Beaulieu-sur-Mer, 11 km from Monaco, is often referred to as little Africa, because it is protected from the cold north winds blowing down from the Alps. Like Menton, it has the mildest climate along the Côte d'Azur and is especially popular with the wintering wealthy.

Beaulieu is graced with lush vegetation, including oranges, lemons, and bananas, as well as palms. The freshest produce and fish are found each morning at a typical Provincial market in one of the central squares. After a noon cleanup, the space is occupied by sidewalk cafes all afternoon and by pleasant, starlight dining in the evening.

Shoppers arrive from near and far to browse on Saturday mornings when the market expands to fill the entire square with stalls featuring bread and sausages from nearby Corsica, cheese, crafts, and items of clothing.

One of Beaulieu's most famous sites is the Villa Kerylos, designed by the archeologist Theodore Reinach. Constructed between 1902 and 1908, the villa is a unique recreation of the dwellings of ancient Greece and was classified as an historical monument in 1967. Today it is available for guided tours as well as private parties, dinners and cultural events.

Villefranche sur Mer

Villefranche sur Mer is situated near Nice, Monaco (11 km) and Saint Jean Cap Ferrat, right in the heart of the most beautiful and rich part of the Côte d'Azur. It's here that the most splendid properties are hidden away, and where the world's millionaires love to spend their holidays. Whether it's summer or winter, Villefranche is a beautiful place. Its harbor is known to be one of the most beautiful in the Mediterranean. Over-looking the hills and luxurious residences, Villefranche is one of the most exclusive spots on the Côte d'Azur. The port, the citadelle, the old town, and the gentle curve of the coast all contribute to the beauty of the village which dates back to 130 BC.

With its colorful fishing boats and nets, the port is both a base for fishermen and tourists, offering numerous cruises in the summer. You can wander along the fishing wharves, bordered by restaurants and their terraces. If you continue until the end you will arrive at the lengthy Villefranche beach which is pleasant from the very first days of summer.

The Saint Elme citadel which over-looks the sea dates from the 16th century and appears to watch over the old part of the town today.

Jean Cocteau, a native of the area, liked to come to Villefranche where he made friends with the fishermen to whom he dedicated his re-decoration of the Chapelle Saint-Pierre.

Saint Jean Cap Ferrat

This is a seaside village in a beautiful location, on a peninsula jutting into the blue Mediterranean between Nice and Monaco (12 km). It has a peninsula and a lovely sheltered bay. The area is heavily residential, with the very expensive homes mostly hidden behind high fences. Its tranquility and warm climate make it a favorite holiday destination amongst European aristocracy and international millionaires.

The village itself is rather small, but there are a lot of nice terrace café-restaurants; most along the port. The port, like many along this part of the coast, was once a small fishing port that's evolved into a somewhat larger yacht harbor.

The 3 beaches; Paloma, Passable and Cro de Peï Pin, are probably the best attraction. Paloma beach southeast of the port, on the north side small peninsula (St. Hospice) is the most protected from winds and has less sun in the afternoons, because it's located at the base of some tall cliffs.

Saint Paul de Vence

Saint Paul de Vence, located 38 km from Monaco, is a charming hilltop fortified village in the Provence, filled with art galleries, boutiques and sidewalk cafes.

It's hard to find something ugly about this village. A walk through its winding streets reveals elegant fountains, vine-covered stone walls and statues tucked into nooks in the walls. There are breathtaking views of mountains and sea. Even the ground below is attractive, as the cobblestones are laid into the shapes of flowers.

The only downside to visiting Saint Paul is that it is crowded with tourists and can be overrun at times (300 people live within the fortified walls, but 2.5 million tourists visit annually).

The fortified village itself is a site, with its medieval fortress walls surrounding the city. The entrance was erected in the 1400s, and features a canon muzzle that was a trophy from the 1544 Battle of Cerisoles in Italy. The walls are embedded with beautiful artwork, like religious statues and other adornments.

Antibes-Juan les Pins

Antibes-Juan les Pins is one of the most well known resorts on the Côte d'Azur, located between Nice (20 km) and Cannes (12km)and 40 km from Monaco. Antibes manages to be a historic, eventful and also an innovating town, easily mixing these multiple facets.

Juan les Pins is the most exciting part and is known as the coolest bathing resort on the Côte d'Azur. It is famous for its connections with the world of jazz (several streets and squares have been named after famous jazz musicians) and its lively nightlife. This all started in the fifties and sixties when the Americans added the jazz rhythms to the development of the town and so in 1960 the Juan-les-Pins Jazz Festival was officially launched. Every year, many de-luxe hotels and residences near the Palais des Congrès play host to congresses and international events.

The old town of Antibes is a labyrinth of narrow allies and pleasant streets in the warm honey-colored stone used to build most of its historic monuments. Further west, Antibes stretches out towards Cap d'Antibes, which is a small piece of paradise; an immense, very well maintained park. It is also home to a number of millionaire chateau and dream residences; the famous 'Eden Roc', hotel has the reputation of being the most beautiful hotel in the world and can be found at the point of the 'Cap'.

For a long time Antibes was the only large town between Marseille and Italy. It was the only town on the coast to be protected by ramparts, and thus it has managed to conserve historic monuments from each period in its heritage. The Chateau, bastion and towers have today been transformed into a magnificent Modern Art Museum, History and Archeology Museum and museum of traditional crafts and local culture. The Picasso Museum is a must to see for its rich collection of paintings and sculptures. Most of the treasures can be found in the historic town center.

Antibes has 25 km of coastline where pebble beaches give way to fine sandy beaches (public and private), secluded even secret creeks and 5 ports; Vauban (the largest pleasure boat port in Europe), Galice, Crouton, Olivette and Salis. Also any kind of water sport imaginable can be found here.

In the sixties Antibes developed the Sophia Antipolis Technology Park, which today is the largest technology park in Europe. Sophia Antipolis is a strategic importance to the area and hosts a variety of world famous companies, many specialized in multimedia.