La Cote d'Azur

I haven't been to a lot of places around the world, but I do know the Cote d'Azur in France is one of the most beautiful places I have been to. Which ever city you go to, it is a great tourist destination. My family has in apartment in Antibes which is a 5 minute walk from Juan Les Pins and a 40 minute drive from Cannes and Nice. Antibes is an hour boat ride to Saint Tropez (you could also go by car but its longer) and also an hour ride from Monaco. As you can see, these places are not so far apart, and they are the 6 cities I always go to.


Nice

Jean Medcin Shopping Street

Nice, the city.

This is the second biggest city in the Cote d'Azur, with the 5th largest population in France. The city is often nicknamed 'Nice la belle' meaning Nice is beautiful (it really is). The city is constructed beautifully with its main roads along the beach and the buildings in land. Though a modern city, all the architecture resembles that of older Europe. [What I love most about the Cote d'Azur is all their cities are constructed like that]. Modern architecture can look more chic, but the fact that the whole city is constructed in this way makes it so beautiful. Nice is also very famous for its shopping. There is one street, Jean Medecin, which runs the north-south length of the center of the city. It is the biggest shopping street consisting of all the shops you can imagine. You could easily spend a day there.


Antibes

Cap de Antibes

Old Antibes

Antibes is, for the most part, more modern in terms of architecture, than Nice. But the best part of Antibes to go to is Vieil Antibes, meaning old Antibes. Like Nice, the architecture of this part of Antibes is all old and beautiful. It is in fact the only place I ever go to in Antibes, aside from the beach. Old Antibes is filled with many little shops found along the streets and in small allies. It also has a number of restaurants and ice cream shops. Along with shops and food, old Antibes has a beautiful castle right along the beach, which has now been turned into a museum. Another beautiful part of Antibes is the Cap de Antibes, which means course of Antibes. It is a part of Antibes along the beach that many people jog by in the morning and facing the sea a many large beautiful villas, some owned by famous people including Mercedes Benz, Freddie Heineken, and (used to be) Michael Jackson.


Juan Les Pins

Juan Les Pins is a little town along the Mediterranean just off Antibes. It simply consists of restaurants, shops, beaches, bars, and clubs. This is an extremely fun place to go to with a group of friends (drinking age is 18 but it isn't too strict). The best club there is called Le Village and always has a huge lie outside the door. During the months of July and August, clubs have a theme night ever day of the week to help attract costumers. For example, on Tuesdays Le Village would host girls night. On this night girls can enter free, you are encouraged to wear pink (thought no one does) and you get free sex on the beach drinks. One day I hope ALPHA can vacation there together. You can go to Juan Les Pins during the day, but only to the beaches, which consist of both public and private. But the truth is that town only comes alive at night!


Cannes

 Cannes is the wealthy part of south of France in that it is where you find all the big branded shops, all the nicest homes, hotels, cars, and boats. It is also where the annual Cannes International Film Festival is held. Cannes is vey beautiful and is a lovely place to spend a lot of money on shopping :). Of course there is also the beach and wonderful restaurants up on hills, giving you the view of the whole city. Cannes is also the location of the biggest club on the Cote d'Azur, Palais. Palais is located in the building where the Cannes International Film Festival is held. Throughout July and August this club has a DJ or an artist booked to perform everyday of the week. In Cannes, many beach parties also take place because of its huge public beaches.


Monaco

 Though a part of the Cote d'Azur, Monaco is its own country, and the second smallest in the world after Vatican City, yet holds the highest GDP per capita, highest life expectancy, and lowest unemployment rate, in the world. Gambling is a very common activity in Monaco.
Saint Tropez  

A typical villa in St. Tropez

Saint Tropez is a beautiful little city built with old architectural styles which are contrasted with modern branded shops. It is very well known because it is the summer home of extremely famous wealthy people (there is even a boat tour that takes you around and shows you which house belongs to who).

Vence - St. Paul de Vence

These are small towns in the mountains, with great views of the cities below. They are small and built with old architecture. The narrow streets consist of shops and art galleries during the day and restaurants and pubs at night.


Love,
ALPHA