| Rent-A-Car Nice Airport | | | | breath-taking views of Eze and the surrounding area. |
| Villa Ephrussi | | | | The garden itself contains over 400 species of plants |
| One of the most enchanting of the ‘dream | | | | and cacti, surrounding the ruins of the castle along a |
| residences in the south of France', this is the Villa | | | | maze of little paths. |
| Ephrussi de Rothschild. The gardens surrounding the | | | | You can see from the couple of pictures before |
| villa evoke both European and exotic landscapes | | | | getting there that the scenery is wonderful. Perched in |
| recapturing the characteristics of Italian and Spanish | | | | an "eagle's nest" at the height of an imposing and |
| gardens that were so dear to the Baroness. | | | | superb cliff, the village and its light ochre church can be |
| In front of the villa, the French garden spreads out | | | | seen from afar. Once there, you will discover a small |
| gloriously, but is in sharp contrast with both the | | | | Provencal village filled with charm and colourful window |
| neo-Renaissance architecture of the pink-stucco | | | | boxes, offering a panoramic view of the sea and |
| residence and the splendor of the Mediterranean | | | | coast-line. Small narrow roads, archways and superbly |
| greenery. It was on this peninsula that the Baroness | | | | restored stone houses, shady squares, refreshing |
| was able to bring together and sing the praises of | | | | ancient fountains... you will soon be seduced by the |
| ‘the loveliness of Creation, that of the gods and | | | | marvels of Eze. |
| that of Man'. The Villa is set among seven magnificent | | | | The village is so beautiful, it's hard to keep your mind |
| themed gardens. Here, strolling visitors will be surprised | | | | on the fact that you are here to see the gardens... The |
| and enchanted by the exact symmetry of the formal | | | | numerous small arts and crafts boutiques are hard to |
| French garden, the lush vegetation of the Spanish and | | | | resist... some of them are like tiny caves dug out of the |
| Florentine gardens, the fragrant profusion of the rose | | | | rocky hillside. The streets of this medieval village have |
| garden, the rare trees in the exotic garden, or the | | | | witnessed its historic past. The two look-out towers at |
| archaeological remains in the Stone garden. | | | | the entrance, the door-way and the gun-boat all |
| Cap Ferrat was the summer resort of Europe and | | | | classified as historic monuments. |
| North America's most elegant and wealthy denizens, | | | | There is now an incredible sculpture display throughout |
| and it was in 1905 that Baroness Ephrussi de | | | | the gardens, I hope you enjoy looking at some of the |
| Rothschild chose this spot to build her personal "folly" | | | | pictures I took of the ladies….just gorgeous and all |
| inspired by the great Renaissance palaces of Venice | | | | done by Jean-Philippe Richard. And oh, the plants were |
| and Florence. This sumptuous palazzo, one of the | | | | gorgeous too! |
| finest listed buildings on the French Riviera, has views | | | | Every time I come back to visit, I am enchanted…this |
| over the Bay of Villefranche on one side and the Bay | | | | garden truly is enhanced by the vistas surrounding it. |
| of Beaulieu on the other. | | | | Villa Les Cèdres |
| Marché Provençal | | | | Villa Les Cèdres, housing one of the largest |
| The market in the old town of Antibes is a provencial | | | | collections of tropical plants in Europe, is a private |
| delight (excuse the pun). The stalls are stacked with | | | | botanical garden and is famous for its rare collections |
| goodies from the south of France; honey, olives, | | | | of tropical and subtropical plants. |
| lavender, wine, preserves, mustard and brightly | | | | Our private tour of the gardens and greenhouses |
| coloured spices. The proximity of the location to the | | | | were incredible. On 2.5 acres there are over 14,000 |
| Italian border also means there are a wide range of | | | | species of plants. Peto designed the waterway in this |
| Italian cheeses alongside the seafood straight from the | | | | exceptional garden. Trees are draped with ephphytes, |
| Mediterranean and meat from local farms. But above | | | | there is a palm grove, a collection of bamboos and a |
| all else it is olive oil (and all the products that go with it) | | | | corner of equatorial forest. It's all there, plus more – |
| that pumps through the veins of this centuries-old | | | | like the greenhouses full to the brim. This is indeed a |
| market. The inside of the building is lined with bars and | | | | plantsmans paradise. |
| cafés where regulars ceremoniously sip the | | | | Matisse Museum |
| speciality aperitifs of the south such as Pastis and | | | | The Matisse Museum is set within the Genoese Villa |
| Anis. For the more daring, there is an absinthe bar in | | | | Garin de Cocconato, a red and ochre building atop an |
| the basement of one of the olive oil shops, where the | | | | olive grove-clad hill in Cimiez, one of Nice's wealthiest, |
| owners would be happy to let you try their | | | | most picturesque and most historic areas. In direct |
| assortments of the alcohol which has only recently | | | | contrast, its interior is modern and cool, with plain white |
| been re-legalised in France. For a less recreational and | | | | walls designed to show off Matisse's striking and often |
| more educational visit seek out the roman well in the | | | | complex works to the full. As well as a large number |
| basement of one of the honey shops, which would of | | | | of his Fauvist pieces, which show wildly expressionistic |
| course be a greater challenge if you decided to | | | | colour and emotion, you'll also see some of his older, |
| sample the absinthe first. | | | | more traditional paintings here as well as those in |
| Cours Saleya | | | | which he experimented with new techniques. There |
| The Marché aux Fleurs in the cours Saleya in Nice | | | | are also some three hundred photographs, studies and |
| is renowned for its colourful flowers and assorted fruit | | | | drawings on display and around 50 of his sculptural |
| and fresh vegetables that overflow from the stalls all | | | | creations, besides a few of his personal belongings. |
| along the long courtyard. The buildings that surround | | | | Plage de la Paloma |
| the ‘cours' used to be fishermen's warehouses but | | | | Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat has been a top shelf destination |
| have now been converted into seafood restaurants or | | | | for years, one of the prettiest spots on the Cote |
| cafés where you can sit at a terrace and watch | | | | d'Azure if you read the brochures, it's all picturesque |
| the bustle of the market. The market mostly deals with | | | | coves and beaches and turquoise waters, but |
| fresh produce such as fish, cheese and vegetables | | | | apparently you don't have to be friends with the |
| but it also features a number of regional products such | | | | Sarkozys to pull up a towel on the Plage de la Paloma |
| as honey, lavender and barrels of olive oil. For those | | | | for the view of the super yachts in the marina. |
| who prefer to get stuck in rather than observe from a | | | | Shingles not sand, but this beach is still on the list of top |
| terrace, there are nicois specialities to sample as you | | | | ten in the French Riviera. Behind you are the posh |
| wander around the many stalls, such as a tarte des | | | | cafés and the grand mansions, with their perfect |
| blettes, a spinach tart dusted with icing sugar, or the | | | | gardens and billionaires walls, but you can still walk |
| classic ‘salade niçoise' with anchovies. | | | | around the town and get a good view of all from the |
| Nice Jazz Festival | | | | lighthouse. Only six miles from Nice you can come up |
| Towards the end of July, the deliciously warm, elegant | | | | in the morning, pitch your spot on the beach, right in |
| Riviera city of Nice spends a week basking in the glow | | | | front of where Tom Cruise will sit in the restaurant, and |
| of the world's best-loved jazz music, performed | | | | you can be richer (in views) than he is. |
| throughout the day by local and international artists | | | | Camping at Romarins Eze |
| amongst the sunny olive groves and in the impressive | | | | This Riviera campsite has it all - cliff-top Mediterranean |
| Roman amphitheatre. The evening performances are | | | | views, tranquility, beach access and a great location in |
| given by internationally renowned jazz artists and last | | | | the Grande Corniche Park, between the hot spots of |
| well into the Mediterranean nights, and the event's | | | | Monaco and Nice. There are pitches for 41 tents and |
| informal atmosphere allows visitors to explore markets, | | | | motor homes, spaced out between the olive trees and |
| food stalls and impromptu street performances as well | | | | rosemary bushes. Whilst having a truly spectacular |
| as to hear some of the best live jazz on earth. | | | | setting and the essential rustic atmosphere of camping, |
| Côte d'Azur | | | | the site also provides the necessary amenities and a |
| Côte d'Azur, or the French Riviera, was first | | | | great view of the millionaires yachts which dot the |
| popularised by the English aristocrats of the 19th | | | | waters below. For those wanting to take some time |
| century for its temperate climate in winter. It is now | | | | off from being barefooted in the sand, nearby Michelin |
| more popular in the summer - an area synonymous | | | | starred restaurant, Chateau Eza is well worth a visit. |
| with immense wealth, sunshine and the 'good life', as | | | | The diversity of the surroundings offer plenty of |
| well as for its blue if sometimes scummy waters. This | | | | invigorating activities from hang gliding to Scuba diving. |
| is not it's only downside. The Côte d'Azur suffers | | | | The beach is just a short walk from the campsite, and |
| from overcrowding and traffic jams, especially around | | | | certainly does not disappoint, with its stretching white |
| the holiday season. There are numerous medieval | | | | sand and turquoise waters. |
| stone villages - quaint if touristy - to be found in the hills, | | | | Monaco and Nice provide for great day trips (as well |
| such as Eze and St Paul de Vence, and it is still | | | | as remarkable nightlife) with their bustling restaurants |
| possible to find some tranquillity. However, sensible | | | | and bars. A nearby highlight is the fortified medieval |
| people buzz around in helicopters and stay on yachts - | | | | village of Eze. Perched high up along a rocky, narrow |
| a fact that has recently disturbed even the long | | | | peak, Eze is a charming, rustic village with winding |
| suffering natives of its most famous seaside town, St | | | | cobbled streets and the ruins of its 12th century castle |
| Tropez. | | | | sitting up on the peak. |
| Petit Jardin Exotique, Eze | | | | Romarins Eze is a great place to observe and enjoy |
| Eze's ‘petit jardin exotique' is located in the French | | | | the finer Riviera life, at a fraction of the cost. Open |
| Riviera. Suspended some 429 metres between sea | | | | from April to September. |
| and sky, this exotic garden offers the visitor the most | | | | |