Cote d’Azur
Cote d’Azur or the French Riviera is one of those rare and special places where it is possible to travel in any season of the year and enjoy a variety of activities. My personal favorite is wintertime. There are no crowds on the beaches, there is little traffic on the roads, and it is possible to enjoy a morning of skiing in the Maritime Alps followed by a relaxing afternoon meal on a terrace overlooking the Mediterranean, soaking up the warm sunshine. Pure Heaven!
Activities for Every Season - Summer, Winter, Fall, and Spring
- Boat trips to coastal towns and islands
- Yachting along the coast
- Canoeing and kayaking in Villefranche and St. Jean Cap Ferrat harbors
- Cycling along coastal trails or the Basse Corniche
- World famous hiking trails networked throughout the region
- Ski resorts within an hour’s drive including Auron, Isola 2000, and Valberg
- Rollerblading and segwaying on the Promenade des Anglais
- Beaches, scuba diving, snorkeling, jet skiing, and wind surfing
- Fishing in the Mediterranean and mountain streams
- Horseback riding on the beach or in the mountains
Check out our Travel Advice page for potential itineraries and information about the region’s climate, including the average temperature of each month.
Some of Our Favorite Things
- The romantic coastal path walk from St. Jean Cap Ferrat to Beaulieu along the paved Promenade Maurice-Rouvier
- The gardens of the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild in Cap Ferrat. Sometimes I stroll; sometimes I take a good book and read on one of the benches overlooking the Bay and out toward Italy
- Rollerblading or bicycling along the Promenade des Anglais in Nice
- A Segway tour of Old Nice with friends and family
- The flower, seafood and produce market in Cours Saleya, the old part of Nice. I go there at least twice a week for the freshest possible ingredients.
- Coffee and croissants in between shopping at the antiques market in Nice every Monday.
- A pre-dinner glass of champagne on the terrace at Chateau de la Chevre D’Or in the perched village of Eze, just ten minutes away.
- Renting luxurious but very affordable chaise lounges and umbrellas at any of the nearby beaches and spending the day swimming, reading, relaxing, and being waited on by the restaurant staff.
- Spending the late afternoon in the Aquarium next to the Palace in Monaco when the tourists have left and I have the building mostly to myself, followed by tea in one of the many restaurants lining the world famous yacht harbor.
- Taking a day cruise and picnic to the islands along the Cote D’Azur.
- Visiting any of the perched villages found throughout the region. Some of my favorites are Saint-Paul de Vence, Peillon, Gourdon, Eze, and Tourettes sur Loup. We usually make a half-day trip which includes lunch, followed by a relaxing evening at home on the veranda overlooking the Bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer.
- Taking the train to the weekly Friday produce market in Ventimiglia, Italy, just a 35 minute train ride away, but a world away in culture.
Villa Hippocampo is located in the French Riviera’s famous “Golden Triangle”, home to royalty, Hollywood Stars and famous politicians. The villa is perched on a ridge in the village of Villefranche-sur-Mer, overlooking the Harbor, Old Town, and St. Jean Cap Ferrat. It offers unparalleled views of the Cote d’Azur from Nice to the Italian Riviera. Pure luxury!