Discover the Top 10 attractions to visit Côte d'Azur with Irro Charter!

The trendy and scenic coastline known as the Côte d'Azur extends from Saint-Tropez to Menton, close to the border of Italy. Also known as the French Riviera, the Côte d'Azur is translated as "Coast of Blue" and takes its name from the deep blue azure colour of the Mediterranean Sea. This luxurious holiday destination buzzes with energy during the tourist season and is regarded as a playground for the rich and famous who own luxury holiday villas situated on the coast and spectacular yachts docked in the harbours. Private beaches, high-end restaurants and five-star hotels add to the impression of seaside luxury and prestige. You can enjoy the pleasures and beauty of the French Riviera while people watching on the boulevards of Nice, or if you prefer, by sailing in Cannes or in the port of Monaco,

Irro Charter is your group travel partner when it comes to visiting Côte d'Azur. Let us, the experts look after you by providing you with a tour coach and professional driver. We can provide you with long distance coaches for a multi-day trip in Côte d'Azur. We can also offer you an Airport shuttle transfer from e.g. Marseille or Nice. A chartered coach with a driver booked at Irro Charter will be the best choice for a perfect stay in Côte d'Azur.

Irro Charter team would like to share with you some of the very best things to do whilst visiting Côte d'Azur:

Côte d'Azur

1. Promenade des Anglais, Nice

   Nice is the quintessential French Riviera resort town with its scenic seaside location, balmy weather and charming Mediterranean character. The most popular street in Nice is the Promenade des Anglais, a beautiful pedestrian area that follows along side the beaches of the Baie des Anges. Since the Belle Epoque period, the promenade has been characterized by opulent buildings such as the Palais de la Méditerranée and the elegant Villa Masséna, once the home of a princess. The Villa Masséna is open to tourists and houses an art and history museum. The villa is surrounded by stunning scenery, including the formal French gardens.

2. Saint-Tropez

   A fashionable seaside resort that attracts visitors from all over the world, Saint-Tropez was once a small fishing village. The town was made trendy by the famous actress Brigitte Bardot in the 1950s, when she was filming here. The small town of Saint-Tropez, with its lush Mediterranean scenery, instantly charms its tourists. The historic village offers an enticing traditional environment with cobblestone streets, outdoor cafés and shady squares, while the picturesque harbour is full with luxury yachts that are part of the jet-setting crowd, attracted to glitz and glamour. However, despite the exquisite restaurants and fashion boutiques, there is still an authentic Provençal atmosphere in Saint Tropez. Visitors can see the elderly French men playing pétanque, the families taking their evening strolls, and local artists selling their paintings at the local markets and along the harbour front.

3. Cannes Beaches

   In the summer months, colourful umbrellas line the sandy beaches of Cannes and beach lovers soak up the sun in the classic French Riviera style. Most of the famous beaches in Cannes can be found right off of La Croisette Boulevard, the city's elegant main street. While Cannes is renowned for its exclusive and upscale private beaches, there are also municipal beaches that charge only a small fee: Macé Beach and Zamenhof Beach, both sandy beaches with shallow waters, as well as public beaches that give visitors free access: Gazagnaire Beach, which is good for swimming; La Casino Beach with a long, large stretch of fine golden sand and La Bocca Beach.

4. Monaco

   Renowned for its prestigious yacht race and its beautiful natural scenery, Monaco has a special place on the Côte d'Azur. This small coastal town, with its own royal family, is the epitome of the glamour of the French Riviera. The palace of the royal family is situated on the so-called "Rock of Monaco," the site of a fortress founded by the Genoese in 1215. Tourists can visit the Palais Princier (Royal Palace) to discover its treasures: the monumental Carrara marble staircase; the precious 15th-century frescoes depicting mythological scenes; the Mazarin room, covered with ornate wood panelling and the Throne Room, with its magnificent Renaissance fireplace.

5. Hilltop Village of Eze

   The picturesque village Eze is one of the many jewels of the French Riviera. This quaint medieval village sits on a steep hilltop high above the Mediterranean Sea, with panoramic views of the coast and Cap Ferrat. Walking through the narrow cobblestone streets of the village leads to wonderful discoveries, such as small art galleries, fascinating craft boutiques and stunning sea views. One of Eze’s main attractions is the property La Chevre d'Or, a luxury hotel located in a 14th-century chateau. The hotel occupies a number of buildings in the heart of the historic village and has a Michelin-starred restaurant. The property also has an exquisite garden full of roses, shady trees, fountains and art installations. Just a few steps away is the Fragonard Perfume Museum, which is open to the public for tours. For those who enjoy nature walks and hiking, a scenic path starts near the Fragonard Museum, continues down the hill and leads to the beach. The village also has a beautiful 12th-century church with an elegant neo-classical façade from the 18th century. At the very top of the Eze hill is the beautiful Exotic Gardens with its stunning views, on a clear day, tourists can enjoy 180-degree views of the coast from Italy to Saint-Tropez.

Côte d'Azur

6. Ephrussi de Rothschild Villa and Gardens, Cap-Ferrat

   Between Nice and Monaco, lies Cap Ferrat which is a small peninsula with serene seaside scenery. The coastline is dotted with fancy villas and holiday homes, but tourists rarely have the opportunity to see past the gateways. A remarkable villa open to the public is the Rothschild Villa built for Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild, the daughter of the wealthy banker Baron Alphonse de Rothschild. After inheriting the enormous fortune from her father in 1095, Béatrice built an incomparable residence in a sublime setting on the tip of Cap-Ferrat. The villa was built in the style of an Italian palazzo, with a delicate pastel pink facade. Béatrice's exquisite taste is shown in the interior and, in particular, in the Grand Salon, with its Louis XVI furniture and sumptuous floral-motive décor. After a tour of the interior of the villa, tourists can leave plenty of time to explore the grounds. Walking around the beautiful gardens of the villa is one of the most wonderful things to do when visiting this part of the Côte d'Azur. The nine distinct gardens include the formal French Garden with its musical fountains; the Spanish Garden with its terraced patios; the Rose Garden with hundreds of floral varieties; and the Japanese Garden with its traditional pavilion, a wooden bridge and a fish pond.

7. Menton

   The sunny village of Menton boasts a sensational location (the nearest town on the French Riviera to Italy) with a mild climate all year round. The warm weather helps the flowers and citrus trees to thrive. Menton's Old Town has a distinctive Italian presence in this lush Mediterranean climate. Visitors may start a tour along the Rue des Logettes and the narrow Rue Longue, passing the ancient fortifications of the town. A flight of steps (Rampes de Saint Michel) leads to the terrace of Place de la Conception with wonderful sea views. On the left is the parish church of Saint Michel of the 17th century with a winged altar built by Manchello in 1569. Further up is the Chapel of the Conception, designed in 1685 in the style of the Italian Jesuit. For those looking for seaside relaxation, the Plage des Sablettes (beach) is suitable for sunbathing or diving in cool, temperate waters. The village also has two must-see museums: the Musée des Beaux Arts featuring works by Chagall, Dali, Dufy and Picasso, among others, and the Musée Jean Cocteau (Menton's harbour), which shows hundreds of works by Jean Cocteau, who produced a variety of outstanding works of art here in the 1950s. Another highlight of Menton is its beautiful gardens, including the Jardin Biovès, full of sculptures, fountains, exotic trees and flowering plants, and the Jardin Serre de la Madone, renowned for its reflective pools and terraces with exotic plants. The Jardin Exotique Val Rahmeh also boasts a large range of palm trees and tropical plants, including avocado, banana and papaya.

8. Cannes Film Festival

   The Cannes Film Festival is the ultimate event in this French Riviera town, this glamorous festival brings together film stars, producers and other film professionals. Although actors and actresses walk the red carpet, locals and tourists watch the scene unfold at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès. This state-of-the-art building has high-tech sound and lighting systems planned solely for this case. The prestigious film festival is frequently attended by professionals from the film industry and is well recognized for its recognition of emerging film talent. It's fun to find out who's going to win the Palme d'Or and the Grand Prix awards. During the festival, the City of Cannes has installed massive billboards throughout the city, paying tribute to international stars and famous film legends.

9. Antibes Beaches

   The beach scene in Antibes is legendary, and the sun-worshipping visitors have many options, from large public beaches to private beaches with seaside restaurants. The village of Antibes has two main areas along the coast: the peninsula of Cap d'Antibes and Juan-les-Pins. Perfect for sunbathing, Antibes beaches are renowned for their pristine nature and sandy shores. The coast also provides scenic routes, such as the Chemin des Douaniers, which are suitable for hiking or walking. The town of Juan-les-Pins was named after the pine tree groves that grow in this area. For those who enjoy excellent French cuisine, Antibes and Juan-les-Pins have many fine dining establishments and chic bistros with outdoor terraces.

10. Beaulieu-sur-Mer and Villefranche-sur-Mer

    Two picturesque seaside villages, Villefranche-sur-Mer, with a cheerful harbour, and Beaulieu-sur-Mer, an idyllic holiday resort, are located less than 10 kilometres (6 miles) from Nice. In the lush Mediterranean setting of palm trees and vibrant flowers, Villefranche-sur-Mer lures tourists with its lively waterfront buildings and Italian Baroque church. A small chapel, the Chapelle de Saint Pierre des Pecheurs, with an interior decorated by Jean Cocteau, also adds to the charm of the region. Beaulieu-sur-Mer is worth a visit just four kilometers from Villefranche-sur-Mer to see Villa Grecque Kérylos. This stately waterfront villa is a near imitation of the ancient Greek noble house (approximately 2nd-century BC), complete with decoration and furnishings based on artefacts found at archaeological sites.

Irro Charter can help you make every step of the way for your group transport. We can offer you our decades of experience and awareness in the coach rental industry and provide the best suited tour coach rental services for your journey. We welcome you to order airport shuttle service, tour coach service or long-distance coach charter service through our website. Our new fleet of charter coaches of many sizes will provide the transport you need for your group. Irro Charter offers professional and kind drivers as well as a friendly and helpful booking team. We look forward to receiving your inquiry to provide you with an acceptable transport quote for your travel needs.