We all know the Cote d’Azur for its glitz and glamour – Cannes Film Festival, Monaco and Monte Carlo, St Tropez and all those glorious yachts. But there is so much more to this region of France with hidden gems that will constantly amaze and delight visitors. St Paul de Vence is a medieval fortified village not too far from Nice and is well-known for its many art galleries; the famous painter Mark Chagall is buried here.
The views over the Med from St Paul de Vence are astounding. Similar but on a much larger scale is the medieval town of Eze, perched on a narrow rocky peak, between Beaulieu sur Mer and Cap d’Ail. It is crowned by the ruins of a 12th Century castle and is home to two of the best restaurants in the region, La Chevre d’Or and Chateau Eza.
Not far from Eze is St Jean Cap Ferrat, a seaside resort in a remarkable location on a peninsular jutting into the Med between Nice and Monaco. Here you will find the mansion of Baroness Beatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild. It is now a museum but the piece de resistance is in the grounds of the villa. There are seven gardens and each represents seven different countries and their flora. The colours and scents are enchanting.
It is so easy to visit all the wonders of the Cote d’Azur without sitting in traffic or finding car parking spaces, as the train network is fantastic, efficient and not expensive.
Win a pair of Cote d'Azur passes for three days of free entry to 180 attractions in the area - see page 83