Originally a small fishing village that was “discovered” in the 1830s, and ultimately became the preferred vacation spot amongst the international elite. The International Film Festival of Cannes in May is a must on the film world’s calendar, and year-round it offers superb dining and shopping, and delightful strolls along the famed Boulevard de la Croisette.

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This tiny principality sits on a 450-acre (18-hectare) rock peninsula. The old town of Monaco features the Prince’s Palace, the outstanding Oceanographic Museum and Aquarium and the panoramic Place du Palais. Monte Carlo is the crown of the principality, with high-rolling casinos, exclusive shops and a dynamic nightlife.

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Nice is the main gateway to Provence, and the centre of many activities, including dining, shopping, sunbathing and swimming, movies, theatre, opera, museums – or just strolling along the 7-kilometre (4-mile) Promenade des Anglais, or around its charming “old town”.

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On the Italian Riviera, San Remo is a lively flower-filled resort, much favoured amongst European nobility. It boasts the Riviera’s most famous casino after Monte Carlo, a racetrack, 18-hole golf course and miles of well-maintained beaches.

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Otherwise known as “St. Trop”, this resort has long been a favourite of the international jet set, for its parties as much as its beaches. Despite the glitz, the old town centre retains much of its Provençal fishing-port charm.

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The closest of several old and fortified villages in the area, Fayence offers the remains of the ancient city walls and fortified gates, and steep and narrow streets. It is also well known in Europe for its gliding centre.

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This hill town is known as the perfume capital of the world. The 3,000-year-old history of perfume is traced in the International Museum of Perfumes, which includes an exquisite display of perfume bottles used in the ancient worlds of the Orient, Greece, Rome and Egypt.

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Another lovely medieval village that nestles amongst pine, olive and cyprus trees, and has been a popular haunt with legions of artists over the years.

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This medieval village seems to have jumped out of the Middle Ages and is considered one of the loveliest in France; it is home to many artists and its Notre-Dame de L'Ormeau church is a an architectural jewel that is well worth visiting.

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Close to Fayence, Tourrettes is another fortified village backed by a range of hills. It nestles at the foot of the imposing Château du Puy – a castle built by one of Napoleon’s generals – and is backed by a range of hills.

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In the hills of Cimiez, above Nice, the Marc Chagall Museum is a comprehensive collection of his paintings, stained glass windows and a mosaic he created especially for the building. The collection is dedicated to the artist's treatment of biblical themes.
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The Matisse Museum in Cimiez, the old Roman section of Nice, is housed in a large 17th-century Genoese villa set in an olive grove. The museum has the world’s largest collection of works by Matisse.
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The 16th-century Chateau Grimaldi was converted into a museum in 1928. In 1946, Picasso used the chateau as his base, and he later donated all of the works he had produced there to what is now known as the Picasso Museum. A permanent collection on the museum's terrace features a remarkable collection of modern sculptures including works by Germaine Richier and Miro. The museum is located in Antibes, which lies between Nice and Cannes. Please note: The museum will be closed until 2008.
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Auguste Renoir lived in Cagnes-sur-Mer, a small fishing port and seaside resort, from 1907 to 1919. His house has been converted into the Renoir Museum, with the studio kept just as it was at the time of the artist’s death. The garden is full of hundred-year-old olive trees, orange trees and wild flowers.
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This medieval village sits on a narrow rocky peak, with exceptionally panoramic views over the Mediterranean, as far as St. Tropez. A popular tourist spot, with plenty of shopping opportunities. The ancient fortified village is crowned with the ruins of a 12th-century castle, which has a cactus garden in its grounds.

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In the Alps, the 21-kilometre (13-mile)-long Gorges du Verdon is considered the Grand Canyon of France. At its north end, the town of Moustiers-Ste-Marie is famous for its faïence ceramics. The area is popular for rafting, canoeing and kayaking on the River Verdun, and for climbing, hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking.

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This 43-hectare (106-acre) nature reserve is popular for bird watching, fishing and water sports.

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High on a hillside, St. Paul-de-Vence has attracted some of Europe’s most exciting artists; its hilly and winding alleys are full of art galleries and craft shops. Fondation Maeght houses one of the finest collections of modern art in Europe, including works by Bonnard, Braque, Kandinsky and Matisse. In the summer it hosts concerts and art film screenings.

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