what are the best #beaches on the french riviera
vacation tips for #Southern #France

The #French #Riviera, known as the #Côte #d'Azur in French, is the Mediterranean coastline located in the southeastern corner of France. It stretches from Toulon, Le Lavandou, or Saint-Tropez in the west to Menton at the France-Italy border in the east. Although it doesn't have an official boundary, it is typically considered to be within the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France. The coast includes popular seaside resorts such as Cap-d'Ail, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Antibes, Juan-les-Pins, Cannes, Saint-Raphaël, Fréjus, Sainte-Maxime, and Saint-Tropez.

The term "Riviera" is derived from the Italian word for coastline and originally referred to the ancient Ligurian territory in Italy situated between the Var and Magra rivers. The nickname "Côte d'Azur" (meaning "Azure Coast") was given by France to the County of Nice after its annexation in 1860 because its climate resembled that of northern Italy, with even winter skies as blue as the sea. Unlike other regions where the mistral and tramontane winds bring cool temperatures in the summer, the French Riviera experiences this phenomenon to a lesser extent, making it a popular destination.

The French Riviera, initially established as a winter health resort for the British upper class in the late 18th century, became a sought-after vacation spot with the advent of rail travel in the mid-19th century. It attracted British, Russian, and other aristocrats, including Queen Victoria, Tsar Alexander II, and King Edward VII (then Prince of Wales), as well as members of the Rothschild family. In the early 20th century, it became a haven for artists, writers, and affluent individuals, with notable figures like Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Francis Bacon, Edith Wharton, Somerset Maugham, and Aldous Huxley frequenting the area. Following World War II, it gained popularity as a tourist destination and convention site, and numerous celebrities, including Elton John and Brigitte Bardot, acquired homes along the coast.

The French Riviera is known for its diverse population, with 163 nationalities and approximately 83,962 foreign residents officially residing there. However, the actual number of non-French individuals is often higher. The largest city in the region is Nice, which has a population of 340,017 as of 2017. It serves as the central hub of the Nice-Côte d'Azur Métropole, comprising 49 municipalities and over 540,000 inhabitants (943,000 in the urban area). Nice is also home to the busy Nice Côte d'Azur Airport, the third busiest airport in France. Another airport in Mandelieu was formerly the region's commercial airport but is now primarily utilized by private and business aircraft.

Transportation in the French Riviera is facilitated by the A8 autoroute (motorway) and the old main road, known as Route Nationale 7. High-speed train services, including the TGV Sud-Est, connect the coastal region to various destinations, including Paris. The French Riviera not only boasts a population of over two million but is also known for its technological and scientific advancements, housing the Sophia Antipolis science and technology park near Antibes, as well as a research and technology center at the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis. With its numerous marinas, the region is a significant yachting and cruising destination, attracting 50% of the world's superyacht fleet. Additionally, the French Riviera benefits from a desirable climate, with 310 to 330 days of sunshine annually, 115 kilometers (71 miles) of coastline and beaches, 18 golf courses, 14 ski resorts, and a vast selection of restaurants.

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