Côte D'azur (east) Activities

Worth getting out of bed for

Côte D'azur (east) itinerary

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Viewpoint

There are manifold reasons to visit the perched mediaeval village of Èze: castle ruins, the picturesque Jardin Exotique, and not least the bird's-eye views of Cap Ferrat from the restaurant terrace at swish Chateau Eza (+33 (0)4 93 41 12 24).

Arts and culture

An impressive roll call of artists has fallen for the Côte d’Azur - Van Gogh, Monet, Matisse, Picasso, Chagall, Cocteau and co, inspiring less-garlanded painters and sculptors (and art lovers) to flock here. St-Paul-de-Vence is a hilltop village crammed with galleries, arty residents and Picasso's old haunt, La Colombe d'Or (+33 (0)4 93 32 80 02).

Something for nothing

Grasse perfumery Fragonard welcomes visitors to a free guided tour of its premises, both at its original base in the town centre and at the flower factory on the edge of town (www.fragonard.com).

Shopping

Monte Carlo's glitzy retail is found around the Boulevard des Moulins and in the Metropole mall. In Cannes, spend it on Rue d'Antibes. Cours Saleya market in Nice is a foodie paradise (except on Mondays, when it's all antiques). Head to the Old Port in Cannes on Saturdays for fleamarket finds.

Daytripper

For a peaceful beach picnic under a pine-tree parasol, take the boat from Cannes out to the Isles de Lérins. Fortress-topped Ile Sainte Marguerite, the largest of the islands, has quiet sandy coves, and is known as the Man in the Iron Mask's prison of 11 years.

Best beach

The long golden strip at Gigaro, near Ramatuelle, tapers to a spit with sea either side. East of Nice, the coast sweeps towards St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, sheltering a pretty patchwork of navy and azure waters in its rocky embrace. Families can splash around at Plage de Passable or the villa-fringed Plage de Paloma, where Coco Chanel once bathed.

Activities

Charter a yacht to explore the coast; contact www.aquacruise.com for details. The Verdon Gorge is ideal for rafting and canyoning; contact www.aboard-rafting.com. In the winter it’s possible to ski at Isola 2000, two hours from Nice; or try ice-karting or ice-driving if you dare. Contact www.sportsloisirs.net for more details.

And...

Millionaires, established or aspiring, can hire a Bentley - have it delivered to your hotel - and tour the Grande Corniche, a classic driving route along the highest of the coast roads from Nice to Monaco (www.platinum-ca.com).