Enterprise

Côte d’Azur: visit the South of France

When we think about traveling to France, our first thought is automatically transported to Paris. And even though the French capital is a place worth visiting, France hides beauties that go far beyond the Parisian capital. One of these beauties can be seen when you visit the south of France, where the water is blue and crystal clear and the climate invites for late afternoon walks at sunset. We speak, of course, about Côte d’Azur.

Côte d'Azur, also called French Rivieira, consists of the south coast of France, made up of several coastal cities. Despite having the reputation of being a vacation spot for wealthier people, due to its historical past as a winter resort for high society, nowadays it is already a very popular destination with tourists, attracting several people every year.

If you are thinking about a visit to south of France, get to know 5 amazing cities on the Côte d’Azur and start planning your route now. 

Visit South of France: The 5 best cities to visit

Nice

The largest city on the French Riviera and the fifth largest in France, the city of Nice is the perfect gateway to your trip on the Côte d'Azur, as it is served by an international airport and several options for traveling by land, such as train and buses. In its streets you can see a combination of French culture with touches of Italian culture.

Old houses painted in strong tones are a delight for tourists and the Promenade des Anglais shows the most modern and glamorous side of the city, perfect for a sunset stroll overlooking the sea. In Nice you will find warmth, history, beach and architecture that combines the modern and the old in a subtle and harmonious way. 

Cannes

With an atmosphere similar to Nice, but in smaller proportions, Cannes is more recognized for its Film Festival, which brings together the biggest stars in the world of 7th art in the city every year. La Croisette Avenue is the main tourist spot in the city of Cannes. It is an avenue of about 2kms, in front of the beach, perfect for a walk by the sea.

Another attraction of the city of Cannes lies in its beaches. Of all the Côte d’Azur, Cannes is one of the few cities with sandy beaches. For those who do not like to lie on stones and rocks, this will be a very positive point in your stay in Cannes!

Monaco 

Monaco is not part of France, but it is an inevitable destination in the Côte d’Azur area. Some of the most notable attractions in the second smallest country in the world are the Monte Carlo Casino, the setting for the movies 007 Goldeneye and Iron Man 2, the Palace of the Prince of Monaco, the Vieux Monaco (old quarter) and Saint Nicholas Cathedral, where Grace Kelly married Prince of Monaco. 

Menton

Bordering Italy we find Menton, considered the “pearl” of France. Despite not attracting as many tourists as its neighboring towns on the Côte d'Azur, Menton has a unique charm, mainly due to its numerous tropical gardens and Belle Époque buildings. If you visit the city in February, know that you can be part of the Lemon Festival, in which the whole city is decorated according to the theme.

Èze

This medieval village in the south of France is a hidden gem. It is located between Nice and Monaco, on top of a hill, with incredible views of the Mediterranean Sea. Among alleys, stone buildings and hillsides filled with bougainvillea, the visit to the village of Èze will certainly take you back in time.

The best way to visit the South of France

The best way to get to visit several cities in the south of France is, without a doubt, through a car rental. You will find Enterprise stations in Cannes and Nice, so you can make your car rental simple and practical.

Visiting the south of Francehas become even easier with Enterprise. Discover our stations in this region of the country, choose the car best suited to the trip you want to take and start planning a dream vacation on the Côte d’Azur now!