Tende ©Isabelle Fabre

Focus on Outdoor Festival 06

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If you decided to amuse yourself by listing all the exceptional sites the Côte d'Azur jealously protects, it would take you a lifetime. Between the sea and mountains, wonder is everywhere - and all year round too! If you’re still not sure where to spend your next holiday, let the charms of the Côte d’Azur lure you.

Top spots, legendary routes that will take you to its most beautiful villages, or the cities that make it famous worldwide - be guided and surprised on the Côte d'Azur. Here is a selection of the top spots on the Côte d’Azur!

Few destinations bring together cities and villages that are legendary across the world in such a small area. Nice, Cannes, Antibes, Grasse, Saint-Tropez, Monaco, Menton and many others between the sea and the mountains create the uniqueness of the Côte d’Azur: a harmonious blend of culture, art and festivals in an exceptional natural setting.

Everyone knows it as a holiday destination in the South of France where it is always lovely and warm. But the Côte d'Azur is also full of jewels perched on the slopes of its hills, overlooking the sea, and valleys – their stones embodying the wealth of regional heritage. Between the sea and mountains, these hilltop villages create the unique character of the Côte d'Azur: a harmonious blend of culture, art and festive pleasures in an exceptional natural setting. Discover the most beautiful hilltop villages on the Côte d’Azur.

From the sea to the mountains, you’ll love the most beautiful natural sites on the Côte d'Azur! Here, nature reigns supreme. From its unspoilt islands, jewels surrounded by the Mediterranean, to its headlands sprinkled with beaches and creeks, protected natural parks, gorges and the Mercantour lakes... The different natural landscapes are grandiose on the Côte d'Azur. Discover these natural sites and you will discover another Côte d'Azur in the heart of a protected natural heritage.

You’ve arrived on the Côte d'Azur. Perfect. And now, take to the road! Which one? Mimosa, Perfumes, Gardens, Cinema or Baroque. It's up to you... Discover our selection of legendary routes on the Côte d’Azur!

Festivals and carnivals, fireworks, concerts and mega shows, magical places under the stars, major international sporting or artistic events, glamour, glitz and crazy atmospheres, passion for games and outings... Events are in the Côte d'Azur’s DNA. Discover the major events of the year on the Côte d’Azur.

Land of emotions and sensations, the Côte d'Azur owes a lot of its success to the exceptional diversity of activities. Whether you love culture, nature, sport, food or shopping you’ll find a wide range of activities to enjoy on the Côte d'Azur. Alone, with family or friends, be inspired by the activities available on the Côte d’Azur!

Land of inspiration for artists from all over the world, the Côte d'Azur offers an extraordinary cultural and artistic heritage that embraces every era. Satisfy your curiosity, discover museums with exceptional collections, travel through towns and villages to explore exceptional sites and monuments or learn about the intense love affair between the Côte d'Azur and the cinema.

Grasse is the world capital of perfumery... and the Côte d'Azur is the land of perfumes. When you organize your stay or your holiday on the Côte d'Azur, don’t forget to plan a visit to Grasse to discover its perfumeries... and learn how to create your own perfume in an olfactory workshop!

The diversity of its landscapes and the mildness of the climate have made the Alpes-Maritimes a land of choice for gardens and gardeners alike. In the last century the English introduced exotic species making mosaics in which the world’s gardens are juxtaposed. From natural parks to exceptional gardens, discover one of the most dazzling faces of the Côte d’Azur.

The Côte d’Azur is known and loved for its culinary specialities. In the same way it inspired the great masters of painting, it is now a land of great chefs. Enter the world of flavours, southern produce between the sea and mountains. The mix of authenticity and creativity gives this sunshine cuisine real style.

Live your passion to the full on the Côte d'Azur! Land of sport 365 days a year, every year the Côte d’Azur holds around forty high level sporting events. The range of sports is as varied as the diversity of its landscapes that stretch from the Mediterranean to the peaks of the Mercantour National Park. Whether you are a passionate sports and adventure enthusiast or a professional sportsperson, your stay on the Côte d'Azur will undoubtedly mean passion and performance!

A unique place for all lovers of outdoor activities and the great outdoors, the Côte d'Azur enjoys an exceptional natural environment set between the sea and the mountains – whatever the season. Hiking, trail, mountain biking, tree climbing, via ferrata, zip line, paragliding, canyoning, rafting, caving... there is something for everyone! With family or friends, fill up on sensations and nature on the Côte d’Azur!

A unique place for everyone that enjoys water activities, the Côte d'Azur boasts an exceptional natural environment with nearly 200 kilometres of coastline, six islands, exceptional sea beds and more than 300 days of sunshine per year. Hiking, diving, snorkelling, paddleboarding, sailing, windsurfing, kite-surfing, kayaking, jet-skiing, water skiing, parasailing, boat trips and even sea fishing... there’s something for everyone! With family or friends, whether you are a beginner or more experienced, fill up on sensations on the Côte d’Azur!

Between the sea and mountains, the Côte d'Azur offers a wide choice of leisure activities to share as a family! Enjoy some special moments on the Côte d'Azur whatever the season. Both young and old will enjoy the large range of cultural, sporting, fun or creative activities for every desire! Follow the guide... Here are our tips for discovering the Côte d'Azur with your family!

With all its heritage and the infinite possibilities for cultural visits, the Côte d’Azur also offers great shopping in boutiques where special finds and new designs happily rub shoulders.... Young designers, craftspeople and the most prestigious brands can all be found in the shopping meccas of the Côte d'Azur. We’ll tell you all about them: here are our 100% shopping tips for the Côte d’Azur!

Alone or in a group, contact a language school to learn or improve your French. Take the opportunity to discover the numerous tourist assets of the Côte d'Azur.

Rooftops, clubs, casinos, lounge bars or patios to go out for a drink... Find all our tips and recommendations for having a good time with friends or as a couple on the Côte d’Azur!

Between the Mediterranean and the Alpine peaks, the Côte d’Azur offers a wide variety of accommodation ranging from world-class luxury hotels to the most unusual places to stay and exceptional bed and breakfasts. You will discover refined gastronomy highlighting the sunny Mediterranean cuisine served by passionate chefs. Depending on your tastes, your holiday style and your budget, you’ll find all the information you need to plan your stay on the Côte d’Azur.

On the Côte d’Azur, there is a place to stay and an experience to fulfil your every desire. From a luxury hotel with a sea view to a charming bed and breakfast in the heart of a hilltop village, or a really unusual place to stay, you’ll find somewhere to suit you on the Côte d’Azur.

The Côte d’Azur invites you to its restaurants! With over 3,500 restaurants, inns and bistros, the choice is vast and everyone will find somewhere tempting. There is no shortage of guides and advice available. We invite you to enter the world of flavours and produce from the south between the sea and mountains. This mix of authenticity and creativity gives this sunny cuisine is true style.

Whether you are passing through for a weekend or planning a longer stay, the Côte d’Azur will be an open book for you! How to get to the Côte d’Azur? What administrative procedures and formalities do you need to complete before you leave? How to get around on the Côte d’Azur? How do tax free purchases work? Your holiday starts here with all the practical information and contacts you need to plan your trip with complete peace of mind.

The first Festival dedicated to outdoor activities will take place from 30 April to 3 May 2020 on the Côte d’Azur! On land, at sea or in the air, whatever your age and level, for 4 days on the Côte d’Azur you’ll be able to (re)discover around a hundred sporting activities and disciplines for free. Everything you need to know about this 1st edition of the Festival Outdoor 06!

Outdoor experience: you choose!

50 disciplines to discover during the 4 day festival…

During the 1st edition of the Festival Outdoor 06, try hundreds of outdoor activities throughout the Côte d’Azur, from the sea to the mountains, in different formats: introduction, discovery, supervised outings, after work sessions, cross-border itineraries, product tests, workshops… Different levels will be available: extreme, intense, family, well-being, discovery and kids… with more than 50 disciplines to choose from. The top sports at the 1st Outdoor Festival will be as follows: mountain biking, slacklining, trail running, cycling, paddleboarding, kayaking, climbing, canyoning, paragliding, water walking, hiking, swim & run, kite boarding.

Outdoor Events & Competitions: 4 days of events on the Côte d’Azur!

Screenings, exhibitions, shows, sports competitions…

In addition to this multitude of activities, the Festival Outdoor 06 also includes outdoor (and indoor) screenings of feature-length and short films, exhibitions, conferences, musical events, shows, concerts, etc. In short, you won’t be bored! The Festival will also host a number of competitions such as the French DH Mountain Bike Cup, the International Slacklining Championship, the Azur Paddle Days, the Cannes International Triathlon and many others.

Outdoor Camp: head for Cannes!

Come and share the outdoor sports experience on the Côte d’Azur!

Cannes will host the Festival Outdoor 06 village on the famous La Croisette promenade. A large number of partners, equipment manufacturers and outdoor professionals will present their new products. Also on the programme are shows, demonstrations, introductions – without forgetting team building companies and screenings. Emotion, exchanges, sensations…

All about the Outdoor Festival 06!

JOIN THE OUTDOOR FESTIVAL

CÔTE D’AZUR FRANCE EXPERIENCE

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NICOLAS VOUILLOZ’ MOUNTAIN BIKING SPOTS

In the saddle for a two-wheel ride on the Côte d'Azur: from west to east with Nicolas Vouilloz, star of the discipline! As a Côte d’Azur France ambassador, Nicolas Vouilloz shares his top mountain bike outings on the Côte d’Azur.

Paddle aux Iles de Lerins ©I. Fabre

THE BEST PLACES FOR PADDLEBOARDING

The Côte d’Azur is full of small secret coves, unspoilt beaches, and islands to discover - you just have to know where to look. Discover my five favourite spots for stand up paddleboarding (SUP). You’re free!

Peille Via Ferrata ©Isabelle Fabre

THE BEST VIA FERRATA ON THE CÔTE D’AZUR

Are you a thrill seeker? A via ferrata is a cliff route, secured by ropes, that is a cross between hiking and climbing. Equipped with a harness, helmet, carabiners, lanyards and sometimes even a pulley, you are in the middle of nature on a sporting route that’s also great fun. Between the sea and mountains, the Côte d'Azur is a magnificent place for surpassing yourself. Here is a selection of the best via ferratas on the Côte d’Azur!

tyrolienne de la Colmiane ©Isabelle Fabre

LA COLMIANE: THE LONGEST ZIP LINE IN FRANCE!

Have you always dreamed of flying? Go to La Colmiane and whizz through the air at almost 120 km/h! The longest zip line in France, and also one of the longest in Europe, awaits in La Colmiane. Enjoy its direct view over the incredible Mercantour national park.

Canyon de la Maglia ©Isabelle Fabre

LA MAGLIA: THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CANYONING DESCENT IN EUROPE

Canyoning... jump, swim, slide! Jumps, abseiling and slides... Canyoning offers a maximum of sensations in an exceptional environment, between emerald coloured pools, bubbling waterfalls and wild nature. With more than 280 canyoning sites listed, the Côte d'Azur is a hot spot for canyoning. Did you know? The Canyon de la Maglia is one of the most beautiful descents in Europe!

Tête de chien ©Isabelle Fabre

5 AMAZING TRAILS TO RUN ON THE CÔTE D'AZUR!

As you probably already know, the Côte d'Azur is my favourite place! Today, I share my top routes, small hidden wonders and great classics; this article will make you want to put on your running shoes! Here are my 5 favourite running trails on the Côte d'Azur.

Parapente à la turbie ©Isabelle Fabre

WE TESTED: PARAGLIDING ON THE CÔTE D’AZUR!

Enjoy your first paragliding experience in the exceptional setting of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. Let yourself be carried away by the wind and enjoy the silence: isn't the Côte d'Azur amazing from above?

Les spots de plongée ©iStock

THE 9 BEST DIVING SPOTS ON THE CÔTE D’AZUR

More than 30 years after the release of the Luc Besson film "The Big Blue", the Mediterranean is still as fascinating as ever. The Côte d’Azur is a paradise for both experienced and novice divers. For underwater lovers, here is a selection of the 9 best diving spots on the Côte d’Azur, between the Var and the Alpes-Maritimes.