The French Riviera (Côte d’Azur) is home to a cluster of towns that make up Provence, southern France. Consisting of St Tropez, Nice, Cannes, Monaco and Marseille, each town, city and village is to its own, they are all however, hosts of fabulous beaches.

In St Tropez, a five-mile stretch of land called the Route des Plages is home to some of the hottest beaches in the world. Parking costs 4€ for the day. Plage de la Bouillabaisse is the most glamorous beach, where even the sandy beaches get groomed and the weather is as hot as the stars that visit.

The city of Nice is sheltered by the Alps and is the most protected part of the Mediterranean coast, with gentle winds from sea to land. Along this coast there are about 15 private beaches separated by public beaches, all consisting of soft sand and hard pebbles. There are a large number of Nice Hotels to choose from, buts its important to look for the best rated hotels in Nice. Private beaches in Nice charge about 20€ per day for both sun lounger and parasol. The famous blue chairs of Nice (described in guide books as the ‘legendary’ blue chairs) can be found along the promenade and provide a comfortable point to relax and watch the world go by.

Similar to Nice, the beaches in Cannes consist of both private and public sections, the majority here however being private. Almost all of these private beaches belong to luxury hotels in the area. Cannes’ public beaches can be found in the far eastern and western sides of the city. These are attractive beaches but can get crowded in summer.

The “norm” when relaxing on a beach in Monaco is topless sunbathing. The most famous for this is the Monte Carlo Beach Club, which has been an integral part of the social life of this town for decades. There is an expensive entrance fee, but the beach has great facilities, cafés and bars. The only public beach in Monaco is Larvotto. This is a man-made beach and comprises three concrete jetties, protected by large boulders and gravel.

There are 20 small beaches within the city of Marseille, mostly rough sand and shingle shelving into sea. Marseille consists on secluded, sporty, family and party beaches. Taking a ferry from the Old Port will take you to the rocky coves and quiet holiday beaches of offshore islands. Beyond north Marseille you can find the Marseille Municipal Water Sports Centre, which is equipped for sailing, diving and windsurfing by both adults and children. On the opposite side of the city, you’ll find beaches with play areas, cafes and greenery – perfect for those lazy family days. In the evenings, head to southern Marseille beach for late music bars, barbeques and parties.

At Disneyland Paris the fun never stops. Children (and adults too) get swept up in the enchantment of this magical place where you can hang out with The Mad Hatter and Winnie the Pooh, become best mates with Mickey Mouse, swim with Nemo, enjoy Wild West adventures, travel faster than G-Force on Space Mountain or scream yourself hoarse in the bloodcurdling Tower of Terror.

The resort is easy to visit in a day-trip from Paris. The complex actually contains two parks: the original Magic Kingdom, with five fun-filled lands, and Walt Disney Studios Park, where you get to see how movies are made.

Disneyland Paris has now overtaken the Eiffel Tower as the most popular tourist destination of the Paris region, and is the fourth most visited theme park in the world. This means that crowds at the parks are huge and the queues for rides can be daunting.

The secret to a perfect Disneyland experience is forward planning. Visiting at off-peak times (avoiding school holidays and week-ends) can help you miss the worst of the crowds. You should also check out the range of great value Disneyland Paris tickets on offer and see which suits your holiday plans best.

For families who have more time, there are four or five day tickets to the parks. If you need a shorter time, then you can book Disneyland Paris park tickets for just one, two, or three days. Tickets including park-hopper passes allow you to visit both parks every day at whim, and four or five day Disneyland Paris® party tickets give you an extra day in the parks for free.

If you are staying in the centre of Paris, there are Disneyland Paris® tickets that include minibus travel to and from the Disneyland parks, either from your hotel or a designated pick up point in the centre of town, depending on which ticket you book.

Another useful tip for enjoying Disneyland Paris is to do your homework and decide what you want to do before you get there. Find out where the attractions are located and which you want to ride first, that way you’re not wasting time when you get to the park.

It is a good idea to arrive early at the parks and head straight for the most popular attractions. At Disneyland Park these are Big Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain, and Fantasyland. The busiest rides at Walt Disney Studios are Crush’s Coaster and Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

To beat the queues you can also take advantage of Disney’s FASTPASS service. This allows you to get a ticket to return to an attraction at a certain time and skip the regular queue.  Get FASTPASS tickets for the rides you want to do early in the day, then go off and enjoy other attractions until your FASTPASS turn comes around.

Moulin Rouge Paris

Moulin Rouge, a cabaret built in 1889 by Joseph Oller is located in the Pigalle district on Boulevard de Clichy, Paris.

The Moulin Rouge extravaganza show, illuminated by the imagery of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec is without question one of Paris’ most popular night-life activities. It is also one of the most well-known cabarets in the world. At the awe-inspiring Moulin Rouge, the “Feerie”(the name of the resident stage show) bursts onto the stage featuring a troupe of 100 artists, including 60 legendary Doriss Girls (dancers) dressed in exotic costumes of feathers, rhinestones and sequins. The show’s extravagant set is decked up with shining colours and unique designs and include moving staircases, a mammoth aquarium, swings and a garden setting, making for a spectacular scene. The show is available all year round, with two similar shows a day; starting at 21:00 or 23:00(9:00 PM or 11:00PM).

When it comes to Moulin Rouge Tickets, finding tickets is not really easy they frequently sell-out weeks in advance. The best thing therefore, is to book well in advance to avoid disappointment.  There are various Moulin Rouge tickets and packages one can choose from that combines with local dinners or tours. The different types of packages can vary from sellers or agencies to agencies. Tour tickets could be in the form of packages of tickets with tours or Parisian dinners. Some of the common tickets and packages are:

Paris by Night Moulin Rouge Tickets and Illuminations Tour: This package is one of the cheapest ways of booking Moulin Rouge Tickets, and provides an added chance of seeing Paris after dark – which is when it is at its most breath-taking sight. This tour passes Concorde and Vendome Squares, Pigalle and Blanches squares, Opera, La Madeleine Church, rue Royale, Champs-Elysees, Arc de Triomphe, Trocadero, Invalides, Notre Dame Cathedral and Chatelet Square.

Eiffel Tower Dinner, Seine River Cruise and Moulin Rouge Show: This package features seven hours of entertainment and superb quality time of your night; from dinner at Altitude 95 restaurant in the Eiffel Tower to cruising along the Seine River and of course to the Moulin Rouge show.

Dinner and Moulin Rouge Show with Transport: This package is awesome if you want to enjoy the Paris cabaret in style. Apart from getting tickets to the famous can-can show, you will get to enjoy dinner and champagne, as well as transportation to and from the show in a luxury private car or mini-van.

The beauty that encapsulates you in both Cannes and Nice, found in the south of France, is unequivocal and brilliant! The culture is unforgettable and both of these unforgettable places offer many festivals that truly touch on what makes the south of France thrive as one of the most exquisite and magnificent places in the world! From art to music, film to food; the festivals that take place in the south of France have something new and intriguing to offer any adventurous soul! It seems as though if the south of France was visited at any point of the year there would be some sort of festival going on and with the vast culture and active lifestyle of the natives to the south of France, it is no surprise!
Here are three of the festivals that should not be missed!
Mardis Gras Festival: Nice

In February, the Mardi Gras Festival, also known as Carnival De Nice, held in Nice is comes to life and is recognised world round for its major impact on the south of France and all of its visitors as it touches on all points of intrigue for the travelling guest. Never again will you see the absolute brilliance that can be seen through the Mardi Gras Festival. Indulge in authentic cuisine as you listen and dance along to the music throughout the streets of Nice. Vendors will be going about selling their brightly coloured and lively items that are yours to keep as record of your unforgettable experience. Dancing shoes are a MUST for this event! The music that is played throughout the streets wakes up your soul and brings out your youthful spirit! More information on the Mardis Gras Festival can be found on the official website at: nicecarnaval.com

Cannes Lions: Cannes

To be held in mid-June, 2012, is the infamous Cannes Lions Festival! This festival which is put together by almost 10,000 people from around the world who join together through creative communication industries to really blow each other away with new ideas and inventions that have all been developed and created to foster growing creativity! Educational, adventurous, and fun, the Cannes Lions is sure to be unforgettable! Information for one of the most thrilling and thought-provoking festivals found in the south of France, or even the world, can be found at: canneslions.com

Nice Jazz Festival : Nice

A Nice tradition since the 1940s, the Nice Jazz Festival occurs at the end of July. People from all over the world, especially music lovers, are drawn to this festival every year. World renowned jazz musicians perform their own music as well as tributes to the greats such as Miles Davis daily. There are plenty of free children’s events to enjoy at this festival too, which makes it a great option for a family vacation that no one will forget! More information on the Nice Jazz Festival can be found at: nicejazzfestival.fr

Whatever time you plan your trip to the south of France, you can be sure there will be some sort of festival or activity to keep you entertained during your stay. Flights to the south of France take less than two hours and with a number of budget airlines flying daily from the UK and other local airports, it’s a great destination for a last minute break.

When you are on holiday there is nothing more annoying than having to stand in line waiting to buy tickets. It is a waste of precious time and can be stressful if you have kids with you. If you are intending to take a family holiday in Paris, then there are some key attractions for which it is a good idea to plan ahead and either get your tickets in advance or choose a combo package that includes tickets to the attraction of your choice.

Family holidays in Paris usually involve a visit to Disneyland Paris®. Everyone above the age of 3 needs a ticket to get into the theme park. Disneyland Paris tickets are easy to buy when you are at the resort but you can save time and money by getting your tickets in advance.

The magical Disney resort consists of two parks – Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studio. Disneyland Park includes big thrills and family adventures plus lots for little ones to do. You can enjoy a heart-pounding ride on Space Mountain and a nail-biting experience with Indiana Jones. Or join forces with the Pirates of the Caribbean and take a flight with Peter Pan. Roam around in Alice’s amazing labyrinth and hang out with the Swiss Family Robinson in their Tree House.

At Walt Disney Studios® Park you get a real taste of movie magic. Peek behind the scenes at the four studio lots, meet your favourite Disney characters, brave ‘The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™’, find out how stunts are performed, enjoy the fabulous parades and much more.

Disneyland Paris tickets are available in single day or multiple day options. Ideally, a good overview of Disneyland Park takes 2 days whilst Walt Disney Studios Park takes 1 day. However, the longer your visit, the more you’ll appreciate the experience – you won’t have to rush to fit everything in and can enjoy the attractions when queues are shortest.

While Disneyland Paris may be the highlight of the holiday for younger ones, adults may be longing to explore the art treasures at the Louvre.

Originally a royal palace, the Louvre is now one of the largest and most popular museums in the world, attracting at least 15,000 people a day. The queues for tickets can be very long indeed. Booking Louvre tickets in advance, as part of a tour or separately, can save hours of waiting at the entrance.

Be warned! The Louvre is huge. There are no fewer than 35,000 works of art and 380,000 museum objects on display and on your first visit it can be overwhelming. It is a good idea to take one of the guided tours that will show you the main highlights. ‘Must sees’ include the Venus de Milo, the Nike of Samothrake, the Dying Slave by Michelangelo and of course Leonardo da Vinci’s matchless Mona Lisa. You can even pre-book a guided tour that includes skip-the-line Louvre tickets.

Are you thinking of visiting France? Well, you should be. France is known as the country of love, culture and the Cannes Film Festival. Cannes is a beautiful city to visit, but the film festival is not the only reason to visit it. There are many museums, parks and churches to visit. Located on the French Riviera, Cannes is a beautiful spot to visit as a family or for a romantic getaway.

The French Riviera

Cannes is known for its exclusive spot on the French Riviera. With more than 300 days of sunshine a year, it is no wonder people travel here to visit the 18 golf courses; 3,000 restaurants, bars and cafes; 14 ski resorts; and 71 miles of coastline and beach. Every month there is a special event that occurs in this area, so visitors will be sure to experience at least one great French tradition.
Sailing by the French Riviera, swimming at the Cannes Beach, shopping in Rue d’Antibes and a stroll along The Alles de la Liberte Charles de Gaulle are other things that can be done.

Parc Zoologique de Frejus

The French Zoo is a great place to take family and friends. You are never too old to see some of the greatest creatures on Earth. In the 20 hectare park, visitors can see over 110 species of animals by foot or by car.

Accommodation

When looking for accommodation in Cannes, staying at the exclusive area La Californie can give people privacy and comfort. Apartments and villas can be rented out for a variety of days/weeks and even months. The luxurious apartments have a great view of the city, which are only minutes away. For more information, take a look at a local rental site such as Bel Respiro.

Museums

Visiting some museums can really give the visitor a cultural experience they will not get from the Internet, books or magazines. The Musee de la Castre has many beautiful paintings, sculptures and art pieces dating back to the Mayan times. The Musee de la Mer features underwater archaeology dating back to Roman times. The Musee International de la Parfumerie gives visitors an idea of how perfume was made.
The Musee d’Art et d’Historie de Province in Grasse is home to many historical pieces of art. The Musee de la Photographie, Musee de la Marine, Musee et Domaine Renoir and Villa Musee Jean-Honore Fragonard are other wonderful attractions to visit while exploring the Cannes region.

Historic sites

Cannes City Hall, also known as Hotel de Villa, is a gorgeous piece of history found just below the Cannes Castle. The hike up to the castle gives visitors a grand view of Cannes. Next to it can be found one of the museums we mentioned above, the Musee de la Castre (Castle Museum). The Notre Dame Esperance Church is on the same hill located in west Cannes. Completed in 1648, this church has historical significance.

To ensure you get a great deal when booking your flights from the UK to the south of France, make sure you use a flight comparison tool to find the best prices.

France has been the most popular international tourist destination for many, many years. In 2010, France received 76.8 million tourists. This was 17.1 million above the next most popular, which was the United States of America. The UK was way down in sixth place with 28.1 million.

There are many reasons people to go to France, from its amazing culture, its world-class art collections, stunning beaches, picturesque rural landscapes and towering snow-covered mountains. But one thing you don’t normally choose a French holiday for is the price.

Ever since adopting the Euro, prices in France have sky rocketed. Even the small rural backwaters in the south and central plains have seen beer, wine, cheese and meat prices rise. Fuel has increased, so have holiday rental prices, yet still, the whole world flocks there.

However, don’t be put off just yet. If you haven’t been to France you won’t know what all the fuss is about and we recommend that you do go and find out why so many millions of people want to holiday here. But, bear these things in mind so you can have a value-packed and affordable holiday in France.

Self-catering vs. all-inclusive

A decade ago self-catering was always the cheapest way to go and depending on where abouts you are travelling to, this is still the case. But sometimes all-inclusive packages actually work out better value for money.

For example, if you are travelling to the south of France for a beach break with the kids and need to budget well in advance a paid-for-up-front all-inclusive holiday could be the answer. You will know how much you are going to spend before you even leave the UK and you might even be able to bag yourself a Euro-busting bargain.

On the other hand, if you want to sample French food in all its glory, wandering from café to café and restaurant to restaurant, then self-catering may offer you more flexibility. However, if you want to save cash, make the most of the local food markets and buy and cook your own meals.

Travel as a group

Packing as many people as you can into a large villa with a pool to save money ‘per person’ is nothing new, but you can now also do a similar thing in a hotel. Some last minute or cheap package deals offer the best prices based on four or six sharing. Look out for odd numbers too; groups of three, five and seven could strike it lucky. However, this does usually just work on an adult-only basis. But take note that many tour operators offer free kids’ places.

Ah the French Riviera, it has to be one of the most exclusive, chicest places to holiday on the planet. From St Tropez to Nice and the most glamorous of them all, the principality of Monaco, the Cote d’Azur truly is a sight for soar eyes. But there are many more exclusive resorts across the globe all vying for slice of the luxury market. If you’re looking for something special from your next holiday, give one of these destinations a try.

Mexico

Mexico is a long, slinking country lapped on both sides by oceans. To the east you have the warmer and calmer waters of the Gulf of Mexico and to the west you have the powerful, cool waters of the Pacific. The coastlines are lined with palms and the sand on the beaches comes in various shades of off-white. The resorts take luxury and exclusivity to a new level with personal butler services, private beachside bungalows and palatial-sized sea-view suits. All this comes at a surprisingly affordable price. Just make sure you travel between June and October to avoid hurricane season. Winter sun holiday anyone?

Greece

White-walled villas and blue-domed churches matched by white-sand beaches and azure-blue waters, Greece is truly stunning. From the unique and picture-perfect islands to the rural and rugged hinterland there is much more to Greece than disco bars and ouzo. Hotels here tap into the country’s mythical past of gods and goddesses and offer something truly luxurious. From sunset dinners to sunrise massages every ounce of the upscale market in Greece is devoted to relaxation. Many hotels offer excursions to monumental landmarks of great historic importance, while others offer yoga and spa retreats surrounded by pine, olive and lemon groves. You can travel right in the middle of summer and still find your own private idyll.

Turkey

Like Greece, Turkey is devoting much time, care, attention and money to its top-end holiday market. New remote and hidden away resorts are opening up appealing to spa and nature lovers, as well as those looking for something special and away from the crowds. The Mediterranean coastline is where you will find most of the most romantic hotels. Many resorts also offer sailing experiences on yachts the size of some people’s houses dining on food cooked by Michelin-star-worthy chefs.

After Vatican City, Monaco is the smallest country in the world. Even though it’s small, Monaco attracts plenty of visitors annually, one of these attractions being the Monaco Grand Prix. Its the one Grand Prix that has the glitz and glamour, and if you were going to attend one then this would be it. Its also one of the most expensive to stay at, so extra cash was needed if i was to attend. So I did just that and went looking at part time jobs in London, found one online, and three months later i was cash rich and ready for the glitz and glamour of Monaco.

The Monaco Grand Prix has been taking place for over 80 years since the first race in 1929 that was organised by Anthony Noghès. Car races in Monaco originally were organised and run through the ‘Automobile Club de Monaco’.  In 1928 the club applied to the international governing body of motorsport, so they could change their status from a French regional club to a national club. Today, this race is said to be one of the most famous and to some, the most important car races worldwide.

The race is held on a narrow course laid out on the streets on Monaco. Drivers finish this specific race with a relatively low average speed compared to other Grand Prix races. This is due to the fact that the course has many “humps and bumps”, tight corners and a tunnel. In total, the race is 8 laps long with 19 corners and is just 2 miles long. In the off peak season, you can walk the racing route to see just how challenging it is for the drivers!

Spectators of this sport come from all over the world. Most hotels in Monaco during this time of the year host exclusive parties and charge for the privilege of using their hotel views. At a premium, you can get a three-course lunch accompanied by wines, water and coffee, a champagne reception and open bar whilst watching the cars go whizzing by in an energetic atmosphere.

Marseilles is the oldest city in France and, founded by Greek sailors in 600 B.C. is one of the most interesting places in the South of France to visit: an ancient, magical city that straddles old and modern worlds with ease. It is the perfect example of the traditional charm the South of France exerts.

Marseille boasts a dramatic skyline: crumbling stone buildings plummet down into the churning sea below, it’s a gritty vista that fits in with Marseille’s down to earth charm. The city is divided into quartiers: basically internal villages with a more provincial character than the main port.

Marseilles is the home of several iconic historical sights: the Notre Dame de La Garde which is a church dedicated to the patron saint of sailors and sits, high on the cliffs, at a vertigo inducing 162m above sea level, the village of L’Estaque, which is best known for providing the inspiration for a number of Paul Cezanne’s masterpieces, and the ancient ruins of Jardin des Vestiges.

Port towns often have a vibrant, dynamic ambiance: the product of constant comings and goings as well as the influx of influences from far and exotic lands. Marseilles is no different and the stamp of the countries it  trades with are everywhere: from the heady, spice laden bazaars, that would be quite at home in Northern Africa, to the spicy delicacies that are sold at many of the restaurants, Marseilles may be traditional French shabby chic elegance, but it also dances with the fiery kick of African soul.

One of the most interesting parts of Marseilles is the Musee d’Archeologie Mediterraneenne which houses a collection of antiquities and archaeological relics from around the world and helps the visitor get a sense of the amazing history of Marseilles that has made the city the melting pot it is today.  The museum consists of three rooms: Egyptian, classical and archaeological. The Egyptian section, which tends to be especially popular with children, contains a number of beautiful, if slightly creepy, statues, including the lion headed goddess Sekmet: a formidable looking deity. The classical room is of particular interest to those who want to gain a deeper understanding of how the Mediterranean has interacted with the Middle East throughout the ages. The archaeology room is home to more local artefacts, all found within 30km from Marseilles.

Whether you’re interested in history, different cultures or just want to have a good time in an often overlooked city, Marseilles is the perfect place to lose yourself.