What to do in Alpes-Maritimes

Perhaps Nice’s most famous attraction, the Promenade des Anglais runs for five kilometres alongside the sparking Mediterranean sea. Blue and white umbrellas jostle for space on the pebbled beach, while the promenade itself is lined with stylish cafés, restaurants, bars and hotels.

La Croisette is a gorgeous seaside boulevard lined with palm trees, luxurious hotels and the most fashionable restaurants and bars in the city. This 1.2-mile (2-kilometer) boardwalk is where the big names of the movie industry come to be seen during the Cannes Film Festival.

The Palace of Festivals and Congress Hall is the home of the Cannes Film Festival. This is where many movies are screened and prizes are awarded during the annual spectacular. For the rest of the year, the landmark building hosts a variety of exhibitions and events, including boat shows, ballet performances, concerts and conferences.

As Nice’s main square, Place Massena is a hub of activity at all times of day. Located at the crossroads of several main boulevards, the plaza sits between the Old Town and the New Town. Tourists rub shoulders with school children and office workers as they hurry through the plaza on foot or by tram. Grab a table at one of the many cafés or restaurants and watch the city’s busiest square come to life.

Cannes Harbour, or Old Port, sits in the heart of the glamorous city, below the historic old town. Filling its berths are a mixture of sailboats, yachts and super yachts, creating one of the most iconic sights of this part of the French Riviera.