Towns and Villages of the Nice coastal Area

From time immemorial, its brightness and its dazzling beauty have inspired the greatest masters in fields as varied as architecture, painting, music or cinema.

The unspoiled shoreline is turned towards the Mediterranean and its pleasures: creeks and sea-beds rhyme with sailing, water skiing or scuba diving. These are the Towns and Villages in the Nice coastal Area :

Villefranche sur Mer

– It picturesque little fishing port is also home to a flotilla of yachts and pointus (traditional fishing boats). With the majestic curve of its shoreline, its 16th-century Citadel and colourful façades, Villefranche-sur-Mer also became a favourite venue for painters and artists.

Beaulieu sur Mer

– With its exceptional architectural and botanical heritage and well-preserved shoreline with Mediterranean and exotic plants, Beaulieu-sur-Mer fully expresses the spirit of the Côte d’Azur. It is ideal for enjoying water sports, luxury shopping or gambling at the Casino! Many events are scheduled each year, like the ‘Nuits Guitares’ and ‘Beaulieu Classic’ Festivals.

Saint Laurent du Var

– From Esplanade des Goélands to Promenade des Flots Bleus and all the way to the yachting harbour, strollers can take advantage of a coastal walkway reserved for pedestrians and lined with restaurants, pubs and clubs, day and night. With 2km of public and private beaches, Saint-Laurent-du-Var provides many opportunities for water sports.

Saint Jean cap Ferrat

– The old fishing village became a holiday haven in the early 20th century, with the arrival of wealthy foreign families, who built vast estates, like Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. Many artists chose to stay there: Jean Cocteau decorated Villa Santo Sospir. An 8km coastal footpath offers exceptional panoramas. Beaches and creeks are an invitation to relax, while a wide range of water sports make it ideal for sportier stays.

Saint Andre de la Roche

– It is made up of several discreet hamlets nestled in the woods. The Banquière River, a tributary of the Paillon which flows into Baie des Anges, runs through the main center. There is a project for reopening its once-famous natural grotto. Saint-André-de-la-Roche is nicknamed ‘Lou pais dei babi’ (‘land of toads’, in the local Nissart language) and the call of frogs can be heard on summer evenings.

Eze

– Between them, on the Moyenne Corniche, perched on a rocky promontory, the Mediaeval village is the main tourist attraction with shops, craftsmen, hotels and gourmet restaurants (with Michelin stars). At its highest point, an exotic garden in the Mediaeval castle ruins offers a breath-taking panorama all the way to Saint-Tropez.

Cap d,Ail

– Cap d’Ail boasts villas with their splendid late 19th-century architecture and is a listed Tourist Resort (Station classée de tourisme) offering visitors a choice between leisure or sporting stays. It is also dedicated to Art and Culture, with many events programmed in sumptuous settings. The coastal trail is an invitation to an enjoyable stroll with a panoramic view of the Mediterranean.