cote d'Azur Archives - Europe Up Close

Where to Stay in St. Tropez, France

Published/Revised June 12, 2014 By Jen Westmoreland Bouchard This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Located on the French Riviera, the small and glamorous port city of St. Tropez has no shortage of places to stay. Below is a list of some of the best hotels in St. Tropez for every price-point. Each hotel recommendation comes with information on the proximity of the hotels to major sights, a general description of the hotel grounds, and descriptions of the rooms and their ... Read Full Article

Menton: “The Pearl of France”

After spending quite a bit of time in Menton when I lived on the French Riviera, I can assure you that the city lives up to its nickname "the pearl of France." Located in France’s Côte d’Azur, Menton’s unique culture is influenced by its proximity to both Monaco (to the west) and Italy (to the east). Thanks to the region’s subtropical micro-climate, les mentonnais (inhabitants of Menton) enjoy ... Read Full Article

Serenity & Luxury at Château de La Messardière in St Tropez’

Published/Revised June 14, 2014 By Jen Westmoreland Bouchard This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Since the early 20th century, Saint Tropez on the French Mediterranean has been the muse of many poets, famous artists and movie directors. Although many yachts and world famous resorts lie in this town, it still maintains the character and charm of a fishing village, proud of its heritage and traditions. With over 300 days of sunshine and over 400 km of beach and shoreline, it’s no ... Read Full Article

Sightseeing and Soaking Up The Sun in France’s Saint Tropez

During my year as an English instructor at Lycée du Golfe de Saint Tropez (Saint Tropez Gulf High School), I had many weekends and lazy afternoons to both sight see and soak up the famous Saint Tropez sun. The first day I visited Saint Tropez, I found the contrast between the intense blue of the ocean and the cheerful, peach and yellow buildings to be quite inviting. As I ventured further into ... Read Full Article

Nice, France – a City for Wanderers

Published/Revised September 27, 2014 By Jen Westmoreland Bouchard This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please read our disclosure for more info.

When I worked as an English teacher in a French lycée (high school), I lived in a small town near Saint Tropez called Gassin. Gassin was incredibly lovely, and its 3,000 inhabitants were absolutely charming and more than hospitable to this obviously américaine outsider. I spent my first few weekends there perusing the goods at the local market, strolling through the vineyard near the guesthouse I ... Read Full Article

Art Abounds in St Paul de Vence, France

Published/Revised June 20, 2016 By Marilyn McFarlane This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please read our disclosure for more info.

St. Paul de Vence revels in art. Galleries line the streets, and sculptures are imbedded in the walls and even in the stones underfoot. One restaurant, the famous La Colombe d'Or, combines cuisine with art; the works of Picasso, Utrillo, Dufy, and other 20th century painters adorn the walls. You can eat indoors or on the terrace, and you'll need reservations well in advance. Staying in St. ... Read Full Article

New Guide to Hikes in the South of France

Published/Revised June 14, 2014 By Terri Fogarty This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please read our disclosure for more info.

I am a true Francophile, so I was thrilled to read the new book 26 Gorgeous Hikes on the Western Cote d'Azur. This slim volume is written by Florence Chatzigianis, an avid hiker, who spends part of the year France and the rest in the US. The book concentrates on the Cote d'Azur, one of my favorite areas in France, and offers great descriptions of half-day hikes, including: when to ... Read Full Article

Shop the Markets of Provence and the Cote d’Azur

Published/Revised May 21, 2015 By Terri Fogarty This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please read our disclosure for more info.

When in Provence, checking out the many street markets is a must. While in France we build our sightseeing around the markets. We get to the town early, visit the market and spend the rest of the day visiting the sights. The vendors at these markets are friendly and most will speak at least a little English. If not, you can use hand gestures to let them know what you want and how much. It ... Read Full Article

Inspiration in the South of France

Published/Revised December 8, 2017 By Terri Fogarty This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please read our disclosure for more info.

There is nowhere like the South of France; the warm sun and the Mediterranean Sea influence everything: the food, the wine, the architecture and the way of life. After Paris, the south is France's most popular vacation destination for foreign visitors and the French themselves. Although agriculture has been the mainstay in the economy for years, high-tech industries have sprung up near Nice ... Read Full Article