Every May, the French Riviera city of Cannes enters the global spotlight for hosting glamorous celebrities and luxury travelers during its famous film festival.
As synonymous with Cannes as A-list movie stars and the red carpet stairs at Le Palais des Festivals are the city’s iconic five-star hotels, like The Carlton and Hotel Le Majestic Le Barriere. These century-old properties located on the Croisette promenade across from the sea are indeed the epitome of elegance.
It’s this type of high caliber—and expensive—experience that many travelers envision when they picture visiting the Cote d’Azur. However, the region along France’s southern coast also caters to tourists of more modest means.
Yes, it is possible to plan a journey through the luxe cities of the Cote d’Azur on a budget, thanks to its numerous mid-range hotel properties, activities that are affordable or completely free, and specialized deals for travel advisors’ groups.
Here’s a look at how travel advisors can plan affordable trips through three popular destinations along the Cote d’Azur.
Cannes
This sophisticated city has so much to explore aside from the film festival events, including calming nature, immersive museums, and a historic district that dates to the Medieval era.
Where to Stay:
Aside from its glamorous, over-the-top hotel properties, Cannes has more than 130 hotels of all categories, including many reasonable and well-appointed three- and four-star boutique hotels. A few blocks from La Croisette is the newly renovated four-star Hôtel Le Canberra, offering 35 rooms along with a serene pool area that includes a patio and lush garden, a rarity for a property in central Cannes. Cristal Hotel is a four-star property located in the heart of Cannes’ Carré d’Or shopping district, with 71 rooms and a rooftop spa with amenities like an indoor/outdoor pool and a sauna. Travelers interested in Hotel Le Majestic Le Barriere can try its sister property, Hôtel Barrière Le Gray d'Albion. This four-star property is located just off La Croisette with 200 rooms and beach club and restaurant Mademoiselle Gray.
What to Do:
La Malmaison Contemporary Arts Center has just undergone renovations, and its beautiful airy rooms offer exhibitions with striking views of La Croisette and the sea. The views are even more breathtaking on the museum’s roof, which has a small café and is open to the public, and can be rented out for groups. A short walk from the city center is the historic Suquet district, which is located on a cliffside overlooking the rest of Cannes. Stroll up to Place de la Castre for a sweeping view over Cannes and its turquoise bay.
Nearby is Le Suquet’s old town, a collection of narrow, stone-paved streets lined with charming shops and historic restaurants, including the oldest restaurant in Cannes, Auberge Provençale Da Bouttau, which was founded in 1860 and specializes in woodfire grilling. The Forville market is also located in the old town and is worth browsing for its stalls selling souvenirs like dried herbs, soaps, and jars of honey. Among the purveyors are florists, cheesemongers, and bakers selling freshly made regional specialties like socca (a flatbread made with chickpea flour) and Pissaladière (an onion tart with anchovies and black olives).
Jump on a 15-minute ferry to Sainte-Marguerite Island to visit the Man in the Iron Mask Museum at Fort Royal, where the mysterious prisoner of Louis XIV was held for several years. The fort has stunning views across the bay to Cannes and beyond to the snow-capped Alps. Elsewhere on the island, there are walking trails through groves of pines and eucalyptus trees, some of which date back to the 19th century. At the center of the island is an ornithological reserve at Batéguier Pond, where birds like grey herons and terns frequent and rarer species like flamingoes stop on their annual migration paths. Visitors can also take advantage of the island’s tranquil pebble beaches with crystal blue waters. Swim or snorkel to the island’s underwater museum, featuring six sculptures of faces that represent the Man in the Iron Mask.
Tip for Travel Advisors:
During the quiet season—which spans from October 1 to April 30—tour groups can snag a special offer. Groups of 10 to 50 people have access to a free package of activities when they stay for at least two nights in a hotel in Cannes during the quiet season. The activities combine some of the city’s most iconic sites, like a guided walking tour with entry in La Malmasion Contemporary Art Center or a boat trip to Sainte-Marguerite Island with entry into Fort Royal, and more. The deal also includes free coach parking in the city center at Quai Laubeuf for two to five days. For more information, visit the Cannes Visitors Bureau website or contact [email protected].
Mandelieu la Napoule
Known as the golf destination of the Cote d’Azure thanks to its storied course founded in 1891, Mandelieu la Napoule is perfect for sports tourists and those interested in exploring its abundant nature.
Where to Stay:
Part of Best Western’s Premier Collection, Hotel Ilot du Golf has 41 rooms and a peaceful pool area about 10 minutes from the beach. The property is right on the Siagne river that runs through Mandelieu and has its own marina where guests can rent boats or book boat tours. Bordering Mandelieu’s Old Course, L’Ermitage de l’Oasis is perfect for travelers on a golf trip. The property also has 36 unique rooms, an airy restaurant serving local produce and wine made from the hotel’s own vineyard, and a location across from the sea. Families and larger groups will enjoy the Pullman Cannes Mandelieu. The 212-room property has an extensive pool deck and its own sliver of beach.
What to Do:
At the heart of the town is Château de La Napoule, a seaside castle that was first built in the 12th century and was rebuilt as a grandiose private villa in the 1920s by an American couple. Visitors can tour the manse’s ornate rooms and elaborate gardens. Take a private boat excursion along the Riviera’s coastline with Nomad Catamaran. Four-hour private tours start at €1,200, which includes food and drinks, activities like paddle boarding, and anchoring in scenic areas for swimming and sunsets. Nature lovers will be interested in exploring hiking trails up Tanneron mountain. The two-hour hike along marked trails offers sweeping views over the hills and down to the sea.
Tip for Travel Advisors:
One of the town’s most famous events is its annual Mimosa Festival, which takes place every February. The festival celebrates the yellow mimosa tree, which blooms in winter and early spring and is a symbol of the Cote d’Azur. The festival includes elaborate flower parades, fireworks, concerts, tours of the hills where the flowers grow, and more.
Nice
With its UNESCO designation as the “Winter Resort Town of the Riviera,” much of Nice’s key features, like the Promenade d’Anglais, were first built by and for tourists. Today, the city still prides itself on being accessible to visitors of all price points.
Where to Stay:
With a prime location just off Place Massena in central Nice, four-star Best Western Massena is ideal for tourists who want to immerse themselves in the city and explore areas like the Old Town on foot. Sheraton Nice Airport is a bit farther removed, located at the far end of the Promenade d’Anglais. But it’s a four-star property with 234 spacious rooms and a rooftop terrace overlooking the city.
What to Do:
Meander through the Old Town and Place Massena, two adjacent areas filled with cobblestone streets and tiny alleyways of shops and restaurants. The Cours Saleya Flower Market is also in the Old Town. In addition to flowers, the market also sells art, souvenirs, and snacks. Be sure to try Chez Theresa’s stall for Nicoise specialities like socca, pissaladiere, and pan bagnat. Another option for traditional cuisine in the Old Town is Restaurant Acchiardo, which serves up certified Nissard cuisine and was founded nearly 100 years ago.
Colline du Château is a hilltop lookout point and park that’s not to be missed. From the top of the cliffside park, travelers can see a panoramic vista of the Bay of Angels and the entire city of Nice. On the other side of the park, visitors are treated to a bird’s eye view of Nice’s old marina.
An excursion to Cimiez, the upscale hilltop neighborhood inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, is also a must. Les Arenes de Cimiez is a scenic park at the heart of the neighborhood set in a grove with century-old olive trees that’s home to the city’s Archeological Museum and the Museum de Matisse. The nearby Monastery of Cimiez has extensive, peaceful gardens and gorgeous sea views and is free to enter.
The beach in Nice is free and open to the public, as are the iconic blue chairs set along the Promenade d’Anglais. The chairs have become an emblem of Nice and allow anyone passing by to relax for a moment and enjoy the view of the sea.
Tip for Travel Advisors:
Affordable walking tours of the Old Town are available in English every Tuesday morning at 9:30a.m. from the Centre du Patrimoine at Le Sénat, 14 rue Jules-Gilly. Tours last 90 minutes and must be booked ahead online. Reservations are €8 for adults, €3 euros for seniors and students, and free for children under 18.
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