With a reputation for over 300 days of sunshine a year, beautiful beaches, superb shopping, gourmet cooking and wonderful art galleries and museums, the Côte d'Azur has to be one of the most popular destinations for a villa holiday in France ever! But with such a wide choice of treats all in one region, how do you decide where to go?


Here are some of our favourite places to visit when on holiday on the Côte d’Azur, a selection of the highlights on offer and our recommended holiday villa rentals or apartments where you can stay to join in the fun!

C331A, Antibes, Cote d'Azur

Sleeps: 2

EUR 500 - 850 per week

Antibes - Juan les Pinsis a town on the Mediterranean with 25km of varied coastline. Here, ancient history combines with all the amenities of a modern town for a perfect holiday destination.

· Antibes has some lovely sandy beaches and a fascinating old quarter.
· There are festivals all the year round in Antibes, including magic in March, antiques in April and jazz in July.
· Wonderful views from the Garoupe lighthouse on the Cap d’Antibes.The most exclusive part of the Côte d'Azur, the Cap d'Antibes is where the billionaires have their villas.
· Juans-les-Pins is the place to go for vibrant nightlife.

Recommended stylish Antibes holiday apartment to rent C331A

C207A, Valbonne, Cote d'Azur

Sleeps: 4

EUR 800 - 1600 per week

Valbonne is a lively little place, an easy drive from the coast – the old village is laid out in neat symmetrical lines, based on the style of Roman cities.

· There is a very attractive central square, the 16th century Place des Arcades where the weekly market is held in Valbonne.
· Valbonne has a great choice of cafés and restaurants particularly surrounding the square, it has a great atmosphere.
· There are several historical curiosities to look out for in the old village of Valbonne, such as the ‘wheel trapper stones’ set in the ground at the corners of the old streets, used to slow down runaway carts. There is also a very striking Romanesque church.

Recommended child-friendly holiday villa in Valbonne C207A with private pool.

C385A, Cannes, Cote d'Azur

Sleeps: 4

EUR 500 - 1000 per week

Cannes is the embodiment of luxury and elegance – take a look at the yachts moored in Cannes marina!

· Cannes Film festival every May.
· Boat trips from Cannes to the beautiful Iles de Lérins.
· Cannes old town – Le Suquet – panoramic views over the ocean from the summit.
· La Croisette – the supremely stylish seafront at Cannes.

Recommended Cannes holiday apartment to rent C385A, 150m beach.

C43A, Biot, Cote d'Azur

Sleeps: 4

EUR 400-700 per week

Biot is a popular village perched on a hilltop about 4km from the coast. It dates back to 154 BC, so there is plenty of historical interest.

· Biot is famous for its glass production and pottery, and has lots of art and craft studios.
· There are several good hiking trails around Biot, guided walks are on offer.
· Traditions are observed throughout the year in Biot, including the Mimosa festival in February, and the monthly opening of the communal oven when people can try their hand at cooking a meal on a wood fire.

Recommended Biot 19th century town house to rent C43A in village centre.

C375A, Mougins, Cote d'Azur

Sleeps: 8

EUR 1500-4000 per week

Mougins is a fortified hilltop village with pretty little streets. Picasso lived here for the last 15 years of his life, and today it is home to lots of artists’ studios and contemporary galleries.

· Mougins is famous for gastronomy - it has over 40 restaurants, so there is something to suit every taste and budget.
· There are two prestigious 18 hole golf courses at Mougins.
· Mougins local history – visit the Musée d’histoire locale, chapels and churches.

Recommended Mougins luxury holiday villa rental C375A, private pool, 7km beach.

C372A, Vence, Cote d'Azur

Sleeps: 10

EUR 2500-4000 per week

Vence is generally seen as more ‘real’ and less touristy than some of its neighbouring medieval villages; it is a lively place with a good range of shops and restaurants. It is known for its mineral water – La Foux – which people collect in bottles from the fountains.

· Vence is famous for being home to artists, sculptors and painters in the past, including Matisse, Dufy and Chaghall. Today there are lots of galleries with work by contemporary artists.
· There is a section of the old Roman road still in Vence, rue de la Coste, and it can be walked on.
· There is a walking trail around the ‘Cité Historique’ of Vence – panels on the walls highlight places of interest.

Recommended C372Aluxury villa with private pool to rent 2.5km Vence.

C386A, Fayence, Cote d'Azur

Sleeps: 10

EUR 1500 - 2500 per week

A medieval fortified town perched on a hilltop between the mountains and the Mediterranean, Fayence has beautiful views over the surrounding plains, and is much loved by visitors.

· See Fayence from another angle on a flight from the Centre Internationale de Vol à Voile, Europe’s number one gliding centre.
· La Fête du Pain (the bread festival) is held in Fayence on the first Sunday in July; there is music, feasting and people dress in traditional Provençal costume.
· There are street markets several times a week in Fayence – lots of opportunity to buy fresh local produce.

Recommended C386A, spacious holiday villa rental with private pool near Fayence.