French Riviera Travel

The ancient city of Nice on the French Riviera Travel, sandwiched between Cannes and Antibes to the west and the principality of Monaco to the east, is a year-round resort and thriving commercial center. It is a city famous for many things, perhaps the most illustrious being the carnival that has taken place in February each year since the Middle Ages. The most widely-believed origin of the word "carnival" is from the old Italian "carne levare", meaning "away with meat". By the Middle Ages, the people of Nice, before fasting forty days, as appropriate for the Catholic tradition of Lent, enjoyed rich and plentiful dining.
To enjoy this time of festivity even more, every excess was permitted. It was also a time for making fun of everything and everybody at everyone's expense. This involved the elaborate charade of concealment behind masks and disguises until Mardi Gras.
The first reference to a carnival in Nice in the history books dates back to 1294 when Charles d'Anjou, Count of Provence, mentions having spent "some joyous days of carnival" in the city. But In the 17th century excesses were brought under control by the "Abbés des Fous" whose role was to regulate the population. At this time, under the influence of the famous Venice Carnival, balls become more common that street entertainment.
During the major political upheavals during France's eventful history, such as the French revolution or the first empire, the carnival was put on hold temporarily.

French Riviera Travel, the first carnival parade, which is typical of the modern carnival, was inaugurated in 1830 in honor of Charles Felix and Marie-Christine, sovereigns of the Piedmont Sardinia Kingdom. The parade involved a display of thirty carriages before the king and Queen to announce the start of the carnival.
The carnival in the form we know it today was started in 1873, with the founding of the "Festival Committee" which would organize the carnival and massively increase it in size under the patronage of the city's governors. Now parades and floats, paying stands and a more organized event made their appearance.
It was at this time that one of the carnival's most spectacular and fascinating features was born. The local artist Alexis Mosssa together with his son Gustav Adolf brought a surprising particularity, at once both fabulous and grotesque - the now famous giant models which have become its hallmark.
The first Flower Procession was started in 1876 on the Promenade des Anglais. The same location has been used ever since and it has developed into a glorious show, an important part of today's carnival.
Nice carnival always tries to be topical in its annual choice of theme, if indeed a little irreverent, in keeping with the spirit if the original carnival. Cartoonists and artists from around participate in creating some of the designs used in the parades. French Riviera Travel, to celebrate the King of Euroland, artists created their vision of the introduction of the Euro. In 2004, the artistic requirements became even higher as the carnival producers engaged several sculptors to further improve the originality of the floats.

French Riviera Travel

French Riviera Travel

France travel tours and breaks in the most visited country in the world are many and varied.
With each region having charms all of its own.
From the north of Normandy and Brittany with its rugged coastline, little harbour towns and sandy beaches.
To the South of France travel chic and french riviera travel with its sunny days, roman ruins and style.

The French regions from a french riviera tour to an Alsace or a Western Loire break all have a great deal to offer.
From prehistoric caves and landscape of rolling hills with many great castles, beautiful towns and cities.
Cities such as Metz, Arles, Carcassone, Strasbourg, Nancy, Orange and Dijon are worth a visit in their own right.
To the French Alps (home to Mont Blanc at 4807m) and the Pyrenees are great for skiing in winter and hiking in summer.
France is proud of the diversity and richness of its heritage, its good food and wine. France has produced some of Europes most influential writers and thinkers Descartes, Pascal, Rousseau, Voltaire, Baudelaire, Flaubert, Sartre and Camus.

It is famous for its strong culinary tradition. France produces more than 250 cheeses and some of the world's best-loved wines.
It sees itself as chic, smart and sexy. That’s why a France Travel break is so interesting.
Chartres with its famous cathedral and Tours are among the most beautiful French cities, as of course is Paris. Marseille (France's oldest city) and Toulon are also must see cities. As is the walled city of Carcassonne with its towers, dungeons, moats and drawbridges it is one of the most impressive examples of medieval French towns. The crowded summertime beaches and the lively towns of Saint Tropez, Nice and Cannes (home of the famous film festival) nestle with the more discreet villages of Beaulieu, Menton and Cap Ferrat along the south coast. As do the famous resorts of Juan-les-Pins and Cap d'Antibes. Quaint harbor fishing villages have become full of pleasure yachts and attract many tourists to view them as the sit in the many harbour bars and restaurants.
A trip into the hills here to medieval villages, such as Sainte-Agnès or Mougan will give magnificent panoramic views and a leisurely shopping or eating experience.
You could see how French perfumes are made in Grasse, which is the perfume capital of the world.
France travel breaks in a patchwork of vineyards, valleys carpeted with lavender and fields filled with sunflowers and olive trees will be in your memory forever.

French Riviera Travel

 Travel  French Riviera

Popular travel writer and video guide host Laura McKenzie ventures to the French Riviera on this travel video, part of the Laura McKenzie's Travel Tips series. In addition to showing the beautiful Mediterranean Sea, McKenzie takes the viewer to the most famous cities of the French Riviera, including Nice, Cannes, and Antibes. Like many of her travel works, this video uses McKenzie's practical, efficient way of traveling that benefits any traveler who is looking for more information than just where to eat and what sights to see. In addition to sightseeing and dining suggestions, McKenzie offers her input on some inexpensive hotels, how to pack for the weather and conditions, and what type of nightlife is offered and where to find it. Other topics include where to shop for souvenirs and what generally to expect from a trip to the Côte d'Azur, or the Blue Coast. ~ Cecilia Cygnar, Rovi.

The French Riviera Travel Guide

With the Alps playing bodyguard against inland winds and the sultry Mediterranean warming the breezes, the Cote d'Azur, or French Riviera, is pampered by a nearly tropical climate. This is where the dreamland of azure waters and indigo sky begins, where balustraded white villas edge the blue horizon, evening air is perfumed with jasmine and mimosa, and parasol pines silhouette against sunsets of ripe apricot and gold. As emblematic as the sheet-music cover for a Jazz Age tune, the Cote d'Azur seems to epitomize happiness, a state of being the world pursues with a vengeance.

A trip to the French Riviera  Travel can mean glitz, glam and gambling, iconic beach moments or wandering around medieval villages soaking up the local culture along with the Mediterranean sun. It can also mean a stay in a grand hotel or a boutique lodging. A boutique hotel offers luxury and service, but with a more personal attitude in smaller surroundings that usually have lots of personality.Le Saint Paul, in the medieval village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, 10 miles from the Nice airport, is housed in a 16th-century stone building that was renovated in 2008. Its 16 guest rooms and suites are decorated in updated French style, and each room includes a private bath. This quaint hotel offers two dining rooms, one with a vaulted and frescoed ceiling, the other centered around a fountain. In pleasant weather, meals are served on the stone terrace. Located between Cannes and Monaco, Le Saint Paul offers a convenient location in the quiet of a village. The hotel can arrange shuttles from the train station or airport in Nice.