Many dream of relaxing on the French Riviera, and this is not surprising. The resort area, which is also called the Cote d'Azur, is famous all over the world for its beaches and magnificent hotels, entertainment centers and restaurants. The French Riviera, whose photos are striking in its beauty, is one of the most expensive, but at the same time the most popular resorts in Europe. This amazing resting place of millions of people stretched three hundred kilometers long along the Mediterranean Sea. The borders of the Cote d'Azur have not yet been fully determined, especially since it is not an administrative object.
A bit of history
The cities of the French Riviera are also attractive for tourists, especially for those who do not just like to sunbathe on the beach and swim in the sea. The most famous and ancient settlements attract tourists with their architecture. The history of this area goes back in time. At the end of the nineteenth century, archaeological excavations took place on the French Riviera, and they showed that people inhabited these places in the prehistoric era. In the sixth (approximately) century BC, the Hellenes built the trading port of Massilia. Now it is called Marseille. Then the Romans contributed a lot to the development of this region.
The cities of Cannes and Frejus were built in the same period, and the second century AD brought Christianity to the Riviera. At the beginning of the development of this religion, a monastery appeared there.
At that time, the land to which the Riviera belonged was called Gaul. Only in the fifth century did they become part of the Frankish Empire. Since the fourteenth century, the local kings have taken this territory under their protection, and in the nineteenth century the French Riviera has become a popular place both for the local aristocracy and for all of Europe. The number of tourists increased every year.
From this period, the French Riviera became the famous resort. Holidays in these places turned out to be so popular that now there are a huge number of tourists on the beaches, between which it is sometimes impossible to find a free place.
What attracts tourists?
In the Riviera, a third of all land is beaches, as well as beautiful mountains. It is with this picturesque setting that Cote d'Azur attracts tourists. Many artists come here with pleasure, whom these mountains inspire to work creatively. Such great masters of fine art as Auguste Renoir, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, Paul Cezanne and others visited and lived here.
Cannes City (French Riviera): where is it located, what is famous for?
The city of Cannes - the capital of the famous film festival - also attracts cinema lovers, because these days there are many premieres, famous artists come from all over the world. The original name of the city is Egitna, and in the Middle Ages - Canua.
In addition, such festivals are held in Cannes : pyrotechnics and advertising "Cannes Lions". Every year, a global forum for manufacturers is organized.
But not only Gangnam brought fame to cinema. It’s worth even recalling the famous feature film “The Gendarme of St. Tropez” with Louis de Funes in the title role. Events in it took place just in one of the cities of the French Riviera. In addition, the film “And God Made a Woman” was shot here with Bridget Bardot. This city is also quite old, a settlement on its territory existed in the third century AD. One of the most interesting historical buildings is the citadel fortress. This is a sixteenth century building. Now there is a maritime museum in the fortress. It is located on a hill and is visible from afar.
Marseilles
Another famous and oldest city on the Cote d'Azur is Marseille, which is the administrative center of the department of Bouches-du-Rhone.
It is located on the shores of the Gulf of Lyon. Parts of the city are located in several tiers on the hills. First of all, this settlement, of course, is interesting for tourists by the Abbey of Saint-Victor, about the monastery of which it was mentioned earlier.
Cathedrals and If Castle
Cathedrals built in the nineteenth century are also interesting. They attract the special attention of travelers. This is the Cathedral of Saint Marie Major and the Basilica of Notre Dame de la Garde.
Undoubtedly, the attention of literature and art lovers Alexander Dumas will be attracted by If Castle, which is built four kilometers from the city directly on the Friulian Islands of the Mediterranean Sea.
At first, this castle was intended for defense from the sea, but later began to be used as a place of detention of criminals. It was not his territory in the novel of Alexander Dumas that contained the Count of Monte Cristo. Now in the castle even the cameras of Edmond Dantes and the Iron Mask are open for tourists.
At present, If Castle is one of the most popular places for tourists. All the events that took place there, described by Dumas, are in fact only literary fiction.
Festivals
Marseille hosts a large number of festivals. The most famous among them are the following: “Holy music”, “Music and the culture of diasporas”, “Dance M” (festival of modern dance), “Southern Fiesta”, “Bazaar” (hypermarket of modern art), Instants Video.
Nice
Another of the most attractive places that the French Riviera can offer is Nice. This city was also founded in ancient times. It was built in the fourth century BC. True, the name then was different - Nicaea. The history of Nice is ancient and interesting, but it only became French in 1860 (according to the Treaty of Turin). The architecture of the city is mainly represented by nineteenth-century baroque buildings. Numerous museums will attract the attention of history buffs. These include archaeological and natural history. There are also a huge number of museums on the history of art.
It was Nice that once fell in love with the Russian aristocracy, while the European one preferred Saint-Tropez and Monaco. Empress Alexandra Fedorovna, Tsarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich, rested here, Russian writers Gogol, Tyutchev, Tolstoy, Chekhov, Gorky came with pleasure.
Before World War II, a large number of Russians lived there in the first wave of emigration. As soon as hostilities began, most of them left for America.
Carnival
One of the most attractive events in Nice is the carnival, which takes place every year in February. This is a noisy and very beautiful holiday. The custom to hold a carnival dates back to the eleventh century. One of the traditions is the throwing of confetti, the second is the “battle of flowers”. At each carnival, there is always a “King” of papier-mâché, who is burned at the end of the festival. All houses are temporarily lined with plywood, and artists can freely implement their creative ideas on them. The holiday lasts for two weeks day and night.
Entertainment
Each city of the French Riviera is unique, and any of them is worthy of the attention of tourists. Even the most unknown settlements can boast of interesting events.
During the year, more than four thousand cultural events take place along the coast. For example, in Antibes, Tour de France cycling races are regularly organized, and CĂ´te de Azour has a large number of casinos.
But still, the main thing that attracts the French Riviera (Cote d'Azur) is beaches, sea and entertainment. The beaches in different places differ from each other - somewhere pebble, somewhere sandy. Around - a lot of cafes, restaurants, attractions. Nearby is Monte Carlo with its casinos and restaurants. A special place is occupied by the gardens and parks of the Cote d'Azur. They are so beautiful and diverse that you can make a separate tour of them, enjoying the magnificent landscapes.
Conclusion
Tours to the French Riviera are popular, but still it is a pleasure for financially wealthy people. Nevertheless, at least once in a lifetime it is worth visiting the Cote d'Azur.