 
    Marathon des Alpes Maritimes Nice-Cannes
This marathon takes place in the cooler autumn, starting in Nice and heading over a slightly varied route each year to the finish in the glamorous centre of Cannes.

© Alison Shayler

© Alison Shayler

© Alison Shayler

© Alison Shayler

© Alison Shayler

© Alison Shayler

© Alison Shayler

© Alison Shayler

© Alison Shayler
An impressive walled town topped with a medieval citadel
First recorded in 1040, Entrevaux is an arresting sight - a walled medieval town surrounded by a moat, with a drawbridge entrance, towering gatehouses and a series of fortified walls leading up to a 17th century citadel perched up high above an enormous valley.
The dark cobbled streets are crammed with old buildings, many of which house artists’ workshops, bric-a-brac and other curiosities. There are plenty of cafés and restaurants where you can enjoy some local Provençal cuisine but, despite Entrevaux being quite a touristy place, they adhere to very “French” opening hours so make sure you have lunch between 12:00 and 14:00, or you’ll go hungry until dinner time.
The highlight of a trip to Entrevaux is making the short but reasonably steep climb up to the citadel. As the walled footpath zigzags up the mountainside you get fantastic views of the valley in all directions, wildflowers and brambles have crept up the walls and twist around the solid ancient stones. Once you’re at the top you can follow the numbered signs for a self-guided museum tour of the old prison cells, the bakery and the various rooms of the citadel.
Disturbingly, you can climb down rickety ladders into the pitch-black dungeons that were used to house prisoners of war in more recent years - they’re extremely creepy and you don’t need much imagination to realise how horrific it must have been to be a prisoner here.
At the other end of the scale are the commandant’s quarters with their terraces, fireplaces and sweeping views of the olive groves, pine forests, mountains and rivers of the Var. Access to the citadel is “self-service”; you must buy a token at the entrance and then let yourself in at a revolving gate. You can pick up leaflets that give you more information on the history and architecture of the site.
 
    This marathon takes place in the cooler autumn, starting in Nice and heading over a slightly varied route each year to the finish in the glamorous centre of Cannes.
 
    The 'Carnaval de Nice' almost rivals Rio with its extravagant and colourful parades down the Promenade des Anglais.
 
    The start of spring is celebrated every Sunday in May with a grand celebration in the Jardins de Cimiez.
Entrevaux was founded in the 11th century by the inhabitants of Glandèves, an ancient Roman town. Easy to defend and easy to fortify, so between the 11th - 15th century it was the perfect location for populations living with constant fear and insecurity. It was heavily fortified by King François I in the mid 16th century and again by King Louis XIV towards the end of the 17th century, in order to defend France from the Savoie invaders.
King Louis employed a man named Vauban, one of the greatest military engineers of his time, and one of the most important in Western military history, who designed and built dozens of forts and fortifications throughout France during his career, one being La Citadelle. He updated and reinforced the existing structures which were inadequate.
Its most recent and last military use was as late as WWI when it was a prison for German officers.
As well as the citadel and the town itself, Entrevaux also has a 17th century cathedral dedicated to Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption; architecture is Gothic in style but the interior has much more of a Baroque influence.
To get a taste for local life you can also visit the traditional bread oven and the oil and flour mills that have been providing the community for centuries.
For something a bit more modern, Entrevaux has a small motorbike museum tucked amongst its labyrinth of backstreets and alleyways on Rue Serpente. Open from May to September, it houses about 70 motorbikes mostly all pre-1970’s.
 
    On the eastern outskirts of Nice lies the national park of Mount Vinaigrier. The hillsides are covered in pine and oak trees and a rare flowering ash species that blossoms in May.
 
    Located in the Baumettes neighbourhood, this Fine Arts museum is housed in an impressive 19th-century villa and contains an important collection of paintings and sculptures.
 
    Come and see bison, deer, horses, boars and hawks roaming on 700 hectares of land, just one hour from the French Riviera
 
    This factory for perfume, soap and cosmetics, has very modern laboratories and workshops. Discover the secrets of manufacturing perfumes and cosmetics.
 
    The area around the Cote d'Azur is rich in prehistoric artefacts, many of which can be found in this fascinating museum.
 
    Grasse is the world capital of perfumes. At this museum you can discover the ancient tradition of parfumerie and learn how to create your own, unique scent.
 
    Palm trees, sparkling blue waves and soft white sand make Plage des Bouches du Loup feel like a tropical paradise.
 
    Right beside the marina, Plage de la Batterie (also known as Plage Villeneuve-Loubet) is a pleasant pebble beach with plenty of activities on offer.
 
    Plage du Cros de Cagnes is the main stretch of beach in Cagnes-Sur-Mer, running the length of the lively row of restaurants and bars that line the seafront.
 
    Saint-Laurent-du-Var has one of the best-equipped waterfronts in terms of barely having to leave the beach all day - everything is right here.
 
    This public beach sits at the western end of the Promenade des Anglais and is situated near the Lenval hospital.
 
    Plage de Carras is a well-equipped “handiplage”, which has facilities and lifeguards to enable people with disabilities to enter the water safely.
 
    Château Eza offers a Michelin recommended restaurant serving à la carte French and Mediterranean cuisine against the stunning backdrop of the French Riviera.
 
    In a Regency-style dining room decorated with magnificent 18th century woodwork, Jean-Denis Rieubland proposes two menus, "Découverte" and "Chantecler".
 
    Michelin-starred La Bastide Saint-Antoine offers a refined retreat near Cannes, where chef Jacques Chibois creates inspired Provençal cuisine. Set in a stunning country house with lush gardens and panoramic sea views, it’s the perfect blend of gastronomy, elegance, and tranquillity.
 
    Gourmet restaurant of the Saint-Martin Spa & Chateau hotel to the north of Vence.
 
    The Cap Estel gourmet restaurant or "La Table de Patrick Raingeard" as it is known has one Michelin star.
 
    Toile Blanche Le Restaurant offers fresh, seasonal dishes inspired by the Mediterranean, where simplicity meets creative flair.
 
    It is this eclectic and cosmopolitan atmosphere which makes it a place very "French Riviera".
 
    The ground floor with Its welcoming bar and the main room, then the mezzanine for a more intimate space and finally its back room is a discotheque.
 
    Originally set up by Russian jazz musician Dimitri Shapko, this venue plays host to local and international jazz, soul and R&B.
 
    This local and friendly wine bar is the perfect place to stop for a midday snack or to try some of the local wines from the region.
 
    A vibrant pub in the heart of Nice's busy quarter, the Old Town. Popular with locals and tourists alike but especially the International crowd.
 
    In a simple and relaxed atmosphere, La Cave Nature is a place of tasting organic wines and specialities of the house such as sandwiches, Mediterranean products freshly prepared, and tastings of cheeses and Italian delicatessen.
To explore Entrevaux on foot, you can pick up a walking guide from the tourist office on the way in, along with various leaflets for all the different points of interest.
There is also a multitude of hiking trails leading out of Entrevaux into the mountains beyond, the map for this region is IGN (1/25,000) #3641 OT "Moyenne Var".
 
    Take a trip onboard this luxury yacht along the Riviera to any destination of your choosing.
 
    Enjoy a wonderful, peaceful and fume-free journey along the French Riviera on a solar powered motor boat with a professional skipper.
 
    Experience the French Riviera your way with 212 yachts, using one of their sample itineraries or with a specialised itinerary created just for you, based on what you like and don't like, as well as their own expertise.
 
    A trip for intermediate riders, where you can enjoy some of the most scenic roads in Provence.
 
    This company is based in Nice and offers a wide range of road bikes.
 
    Enjoy a wonderful, peaceful and fume-free journey along the French Riviera on a solar powered motor boat with a professional skipper.
 
    A challenging ride up a steep mountain pass to a summit of 963m, the Col de Vence is a classic cycling route of the Cote d’Azur. Starting from Nice along the Promenade des Anglais, follow the cycle path past the airport to Cagnes-Sur-Mer; you’ll know you’ve reached Cagnes-Sur-Mer when you come to a long stretch of seafront and a dangling rhinoceros (you’ll understand when you see it), turn right up Avenue General Leclerc - it’s the second road after the church.
 
    This half-day ride takes you on a panoramic tour via four of the region’s famous sixteen “perched villages” - ancient towns built high amongst the mountains of the Alpes-Maritime. There is a fair bit of climbing involved in this ride, 1500m over just under 60km, but there are also plenty of long flowing descents where you can drink in the magnificent views of mountains in one direction and sea in the other. The biggest climb is the first one up to Aspremont, so once you’ve nailed that you can relax and take the rest nice and easy.
 
    This intense little loop packs quite a lot into a short ride, taking you up to the serenity of the high mountains and back down to the hustle of the seafront in just 30km.
 
    
 
    La Grande Corniche is one of the classic cycle routes of the Riviera and this ride takes you from the heart of Nice all the way to Menton on the Italian border and back.
 
    When Lance Armstrong describes a training route as “mythical” you know it’s not going to be easy…
 
    This half day scenic hike circles around the north side of Mont Vial, traversing a deep bowl in the Var Valley.
 
    This hike goes through land formally used for agriculture that now is only used for winter grazing, leaving its rich soil unused, due to the lack of a water source.
 
    In the winter months the terraces surrounding the village of Tourrettes-Sur-Soup are coloured purple, while the delicately scented air flatters the nostrils. Roughly 40 families still carry on the tradition that celebrates the 'Festival of Purple' (1st sunday in March) where the town is filled with Violet Victoria and Parma Violet.
 
    The Notre-Dame des Fleurs stands on the site of an 11th century Benedictine Abbey. The building now houses the gallery Beaubourg which exhibits contemporary works of art.
 
    This circuit starts from Aspremont, one of the famous “perched villages” of the Cote d’Azur, and climbs up to Mont Chauve at 853m to give spectacular views of the Baie des Anges and the “collines”, or hills, surrounding Nice.
 
    Nice’s flagship urban park covers 12 hectares in the heart of the city, just a few minutes walk from Promenade des Anglais. Promenade du Paillon used to be a very congested and rather ugly thoroughfare where the old bus station and multi storey car park were situated. It was demolished in 2011 and a 3 year development project took place to turn it into the oasis of green open space, safe play areas and impressive water features that we enjoy today.
 
    
 
    Paddleboarding along the coast is a fun for the whole family!
 
    Fly at 50 metres above the sea by yourself or with friends security attached, enjoy a spectacular view of the gorgeous Baie des Anges, mountains and surroundings.
 
    
 
    Nice Diving unveils to its clients the underwater marvels of the Mediterranean ocean along the shores of the Cote d'Azur.
 
    The beach front of Nice is the best place for watersports and situated at the heart of the city front is the company Nikaia Watersports.
 
    In the heart of the French Riviera, 10 km from the beach and 13 km from the airport, this villa is set in lush greenery and nature.
 
    In Vence, 5 km from Saint-Paul,, in a residential area, beautiful contemporary villa located on a plot of 1000m2.
 
    The villa in La Roquette-sur-Var has 4 bedrooms and has capacity for 8 people.
 
    Located in the town of Vence, in a quiet residential area, charming villa set in grounds of 3600 m². Private salt water swimming pool (10m x 5m – Depth 110/170 cm – Alarm), outdoor shower (hot water), pool house (barbecue, oven, gas hob), terrace with garden furniture, deckchairs and dining table. Parking for 4 cars. 2 km shops. Beach 12km.
 
    Just outside historic Vence and a short distance from magnificent Saint Paul de Vence, this beautiful and contemporary house on a generous private plot is very quietly located for exploring all the delights of this beautiful corner of the French Riviera. The villa is located in a beautiful natural setting with views of the mountains.
 
    In Nice, in the residential area of Saint Pancrace, beautiful villa situated on a plot of 1Ha in edge of forest of which 2000m ² done up.
 
    In the commune of Colomars, 10 km from the sea, in a residential area, beautiful villa on a plot of 1500m².
 
    The villa in La Roquette-sur-Var has 4 bedrooms and has capacity for 8 people.
 
    In Vence, 5 km from Saint-Paul,, in a residential area, beautiful contemporary villa located on a plot of 1000m2.
 
    Just outside historic Vence and a short distance from magnificent Saint Paul de Vence, this beautiful and contemporary house on a generous private plot is very quietly located for exploring all the delights of this beautiful corner of the French Riviera. The villa is located in a beautiful natural setting with views of the mountains.
 
    In Nice, in the residential area of Saint Pancrace, beautiful villa situated on a plot of 1Ha in edge of forest of which 2000m ² done up.
 
    Located in the town of Vence, in a quiet residential area, charming villa set in grounds of 3600 m². Private salt water swimming pool (10m x 5m – Depth 110/170 cm – Alarm), outdoor shower (hot water), pool house (barbecue, oven, gas hob), terrace with garden furniture, deckchairs and dining table. Parking for 4 cars. 2 km shops. Beach 12km.
 
    Situated on its own two-hectare peninsula jutting into the Mediterranean Sea, the hotel has wonderful panoramic views. With only 28 rooms spread over four separate locations, it is a very private and luxurious place to stay.
 
    Distinguished turn-of-the-century resort hotel with a sophisticated aura, surrounded by a beautifully landscaped 14-acre park.
 
    This hotel has been entirely renovated, combining the historical ambience of its past, plus the modern conveniences of an international luxury hotel.
 
    Exquisite and intimate, the rooms and suites of Château Eze cling to the side of the ancient rock walls of Eze, a thousand-year-old Medieval village more than 400 metres above the Mediterranean Sea.
 
    Former 13th-century Cistercian monastery tastefully renovated offering 5 beautifully decorated en-suite rooms, a Michelin-starred restaurant and a terrace overlooking the Mediterranean.
 
    This five-star Relais & Châteaux resort offers elegant rooms, exceptional facilities and a peaceful setting near Saint-Paul-de-Vence.
Just 60km from Nice, the quickest way to reach Entrevaux is by car along the twisting N202.
However, if you suffer from car sickness, or just want to enjoy the ride then the Chemins de Fer de Provence train line runs from Nice to Entrevaux about five times a day on the way to Dignes-les-Bains. It takes about an hour and a half and is a wonderful way to see the scenery along the way.
There is also a bus service from Nice to Beuil that stops at Entrevaux.
 
    From the airport to the city centre, they handle the rest. The Côte d’Azur's most trusted private transfers.
 
    Chabe Transfers are a renowned luxury transfer and taxi service operating in the French Riviera.
 
    With an International fleet of jets and helicopters based across Europe it is quick and easy to get a private charter flight for business, pleasure or an airport transfer.
 
    With a long history and experience in the VIP transport industry this company is proud of its personal and high-quality services.
 
    Created in 1976 this company has grown and has now transported well over 100,000 passengers. They have a fleet of 12 craft to meet client demands.
 
    Heli Securite offer transfers on a helicopter from the airport to your yacht or various destinations in and around the Cannes area, St Tropez and Monaco. In addition to this they also service all of the main French ski resorts from their base in Courchevel.
 
    In one of the most sought-after neighborhoods of Nice, in the heart of the prestigious Cimiez district, come and discover this charming apartment located within a Belle Époque residence full of character, combining architectural elegance with an exceptional living environment.
 
    
 
    Top floor apartment located in a dominant position with panoramic view of the city in the forefront and the sea. The apartment has been entirely renovated in 2004.
 
    A penthouse apartment with a roof terrace overlooking the bay.
 
    
 
    2 bedroom apartment on penultimate floor with sea view
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See allLatest News & ReviewsYou will not be short of entertainment in this beautiful French Riviera town throughout the year. The most popular public events take place along the Promenade des Anglais, including the Carnival in February, the Bastille celebrations in July and the Nice marathon in November. There are also plenty of live music and cultural festivals.
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