The French Riviera is one of the most beautiful regions in France and the perfect place to spend few days in the sun during summer. And if you have already visited the beaches and explored the back streets of Nice and its surroundings, you still have to discover some stunning coastal walks. Islands, creeks, coves; the coastal walks of the French Riviera offer unforgettable getaways!
Excursions, diving, fishing, romantic dinner, or outings with friends; boat trips allow you to discover beautiful and relaxing places. You can reach these places via organized boat crossings, or you can rent a yacht for more comfort and to fit your own timetable.
Here are 3 secret places you’ll dream about visiting on the French Riviera.
Îles de Lérins
Only 15 minutes from Cannes, l’Archipel des îles de Lérins reveals a natural version of the French Riviera. Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat are two unique jewels where natural and cultural heritage shine. These islands are the unmissable highlights of a stay in Cannes.
On one side, there is Sainte-Marguerite. The island is covered by a forest of 152 hectares. A heavenly scented forest of Aleppo pines and eucalyptus. The island is dominated by the royal fort which was once a state prison. A famous but unidentified captive was detained there, the Man in the Iron Mask. Open all year round, the Iron Mask and Fort Royal Museum occupies the oldest part of the royal fort.
On the other side, there is the smaller island of Saint-Honorat. It is also the richest in terms of its historical heritage. Founded in the 5th century by the Cistercian monk Honorat, the abbey of Saint-Honorat is a high place of Christian history. Steeped in sixteen centuries of monastic life, the island is open to all, visitors in search of spirituality as lovers of authentic sites where the work of man mingles with the treasures of nature.
Les Calanques de l’Esterel
When the purple rocks meet the green of the mountains, where the radiant sky merges with the azure sea are the creeks of Esterel. Between Saint-Raphaël and Théoule-sur-Mer, along the Corniche d’Or, they spread out over about forty kilometers and offer a spectacle at every turn.
Red rocks and vegetation along the coast will offer you an unforgettable getaway. These Calanques are a succession of paradise coves shaped by the toil of the elements. A work that has lasted for millions of years. An history that offers an incredible landscape for an amazing boat trip.
It is a real invitation to the contemplation of the unique landscapes of the French Riviera. The bluffs of intense red change to the rhythm of the sun. It is also an ideal place to swim.
Les îles d’Or
When you anchor at Hyères, you will discover a jewel of the Mediterranean: les Îles d’Or. It’s formed by the Porquerolles, Port Cros, and the Levant islands. Each of these islands are unique and unmissable.
In prehistoric times, the archipelago of les Îles d’Or was inhabited by Celts, Ligurians and Etruscans. It offered to the navigators, from the highest antiquity, a shelter against the bad weather. All the great civilizations left traces: the Greeks, the Romans, while under the Old Regime were built the forts that we know now.
The Golden Islands present a very complete variety of Mediterranean landscapes ranging from maquis to fertile and cultivable plains. True gardens in the sea, these islands offer exceptional purity of water and colorful underwater bottoms.
Island of Porquerolles
The island of Porquerolles offers fine sand beaches and turquoise waters lined with pine trees. The island is distinguished by the variety of its landscapes. Between the tip of the Medes and the Langoustier, there are vertiginous cliffs and small coves sheltered from the wind.
Island of Port-Cros
The island of Port-Cros is the 1st national marine and terrestrial park in Europe. The beauty of the landscapes, the richness of the biotopes, the function of stopover for migratory birds, make of Port-Cros a true natural sanctuary.
Island of the Levant
Located to the east of the archipelago of the islands of Hyères, the island of the Levant extends for 8 km. Nearly 80% of its territory is occupied by the Test Center in the Mediterranean. The island is covered with abundant vegetation and its strawberries are among the most beautiful in all Mediterranean Europe.
