Dolce Riviera

While the French capital, Paris, is a dream destination for many travelers, the south province of France will give you a different experience of the country. Provence offers very diverse natural landscapes from the Mediterranean Sea to Southern Alpes, vineyards, olive groves and lavender fields.

Located on the southeast coast of Provence, the French Riviera has an alluring combination of azure waters, coastal villages, medieval towns, beautiful weather, and delicious cuisine. The area is also known as Côte d'Azur, a term that was invented by the French writer and poet Stéphen Liégeard in 1887 describing his voyage through the French and Italian coastline between Hyères islands and Genova in Italy.

If you’re looking to experience Provence at its best, June would be an ideal time to visit, enjoy early summertime and explore the varieties of this dreamy region.

Nice la Belle

A central location to kick off your Riviera journey and discover other territories nearby is Nice. While this bustling city attracts many tourists, it still feels very authentic, boutique and lively. With a population of nearly one million, Nice has witnessed various influences through history from the Greeks to the Romans, Savoy, Turin and lastly ceded to France in 1860. This fusion is evident in the city’s charming colorful old town, harbor and new town marked by the famous Promenade des Anglais that stretches 4 km along the waterfront and has two wide carriageways separated by flower beds and palm trees.

The city is mostly walkable and very well-connected by a public transport network including a two-line tram and buses. Whether you want to be active day or night, you can always find something interesting to do…be it eating, cruising, swimming, sunbathing, walking or visiting art museums. You can start your morning by grabbing a fresh croissant and coffee at one of the city’s widely spread bistros, then take a walk around its vibrant public squares from Place Massena to Place Rossetti, Place Garibaldi, and Place de l'Île de Beauté overlooking the port area. Cours Saleya is a one-of-a-kind square located in the center of the Old Town. Surrounded by bright yellow and ochre palaces, this district boasts a colorful flower market, as well as food and antique markets.

The Niçoise Cuisine is another unique trademark of this beautiful city. Nice’s cuisine is a "transition" between Provence and Italy, between the Mediterranean and the Alps. This delicious cuisine combines vegetables with white meat and rich flavors of olive oil, cereals, and herbs. The Socca, Pissaladière, Tapenade and Niçoise salad are among many of the popular dishes that you can try at Nice’s Old Town, which has plenty of Niçoise specialty restaurants offering a true taste of the local culture. A simple retreat after having a meal or strolling down the narrow streets of the Old Town is having an artisanal ice cream. Finocchio is one of the most popular ice cream shops in Nice offering unusual flavors such as cactus, lavender, baileys, jasmine and avocado.

Riviera Trippin’

While staying in Nice, you can also venture to other mesmerizing cities and coastal villages on the French Riviera. Located less than 10 km away from Nice, Villefranche sur Mer is one of the most beautiful medieval villages in France. The bay of Villefranche is nestled between the Cap of Nice to its west and Cap Ferrat to the east. Villefranche is also blessed with a colorful Old Town and sandy one-km-long beach, unlike Nice’s pebbly beaches. Èze, situated between Nice and Monaco, has a unique medieval village, built over 400 m above sea level offering a fairytale panorama of the French Riviera.

A micro-state on the Riviera, Monaco is the world’s famous sovereign country located halfway between Nice and the Italian borders. With an area of just over 2 km², the Principality of Monaco is one of the wealthiest and most expensive countries in the world. Monaco is also home to the Monte-Carlo Casino and many luxurious hotels attracting the rich and driving economy and tourism. Another popular resort town on the Riviera is Cannes, known for its Festival de Cannes gathering professionals in the cinema industry worldwide. While Cannes is more busy and vibrant during the festival season in May, it still offers visitors the Riviera experience with its warm markets, colorful streets and lively port during the rest of the year.

Located between Cannes and Nice, Antibes is an ancient walled town on the Riviera with traditional and calm vibes, sandy beaches, an old town, lovely markets, cafes and restaurants. It’s also famous for being home to the Spanish painter Pablo Picasso. Deemed as the place to be for artists since 1920, Saint-Paul de Vence stands out among the diverse coastal towns on the Riviera. Among others, Picasso, Dufy, Matisse, and Marc Chagall have stayed there and created their works. While walking through the streets of the village, you will see many charming little galleries and art studios. One of its most photographed attractions is the impressive fountain in the Place de la Grande Fontaine.

Summer Blossom

One of the main reasons why June is an ideal time to visit the French Riviera is the lavender fields. Located in southern France in the upper Provence, the lavender fields of the Verdon usually blossom between mid-June and mid-July. Valensole Plateau, situated at an altitude of 500 meters, is a unique place where you can enjoy the vast and serene purple fields, symbolizing a new season, a new birth. This 800 km² plateau is mainly dedicated to lavender, grain, and trees such as almond and olive trees. The fields are spread over a hilly area, offering the refreshing air of the Verdon. The village of Valensole is also known for its honey, wheat, and truffles.

From the dreamy lavender fields to the vibrant greens and turquoise water, the Gorge du Verdon is a fascinating natural landscape that will crown your Riviera trip. Located approximately 55 km away from Valensole, the Verdon National Park protects about 700 sq miles of mountainous land that contains the Gorges and Verdon River, known as the Grand Canyon of Europe. There are also five dams along the Verdon, helping to build up Provence’s water reserves and generate electricity. Apart from admiring the breathtaking views, you can also swim, kayak and hike inside the Gorges du Verdon. There are also many camps available in the area if you’d like to stay for a few days in the heart of nature.

While you can spend a relaxed week in Nice to get a flavor of the French Riviera, this charming region has so much to offer and explore from its azure beaches to colorful old towns, medieval villages, lively markets, exquisite cuisine and beautiful architecture. If I have the chance to come back, I’d definitely spend a couple of weeks enjoying all these details with ease and immersing myself in the vibrant yet peaceful lifestyle.