THE FRENCH RIVIERA

The Dirty Rotten Scoundrels National Touring Company. Photo by Chris Bennion

Who wouldn’t like to trade a few of Ohio’s winter months for the French Riviera.  The sun, the sand, the glamorous life…the con artists?  Let’s just forget about the con artists for now and concentrate instead on the places we can go each winter on France’s southeastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea.

Nice – This city famous for its beaches is located near the border of Italy.  This is the location of  “Carnaval.”  The French equivalent of Mardi Gras,  “Carnaval” is a wild, 10-day celebration featuring daily parades, concerts, and street theatre that dates back to the Middle Ages.

St. Tropez – This modern version of a medieval town is most popular for the line of yachts along the wharf and the facing line of terrace cafes, divided by a parade of strolling tourists and slow-cruising, expensive cars.  St. Tropez became “St. Trop” when show business people, artists, and writers all fell under the spell of this charming little port in the 1950s.

Toulon – This fortress and modern town is the principal naval base of France, serving as the headquarters of the Mediterranean fleet.  This designation also leaves the town filled with hundreds of sailors wandering the streets.

Menton – Close to the French/Italian border, the town is nicknamed “La perle de la France: (“The Pearl of France”).  It is also the host of the popular Menton Lemon Festival every February.

Cannes – Renowned for its artistic community and its international festivals, Cannes combines the cosmopolitan aura of a small city with the relaxed attitude of a seaside resort.  Besides the international film festival, “Festival de Cannes,” Cannes hosts other festivals for classical music, media, guitar, café-theater, fireworks, dancing, and puppetry.

Marseille – Founded by the Greeks more than 2600 years ago, Marseille is the oldest city in France.  Bustling and brash, it is the largest port in Europe after Rotterdam.  Large and industrial, it nevertheless boasts a unique heritage and enjoys a spectacular setting along the Mediterranean.  Its majestic island-studded bay and its Calanques, rocky inlets and lagoons, are world-famous.

La Croix Valmer – With its seven naturally sandy beaches, La Croix Valmer is known for the quality of its swimming waters.  Gigaro Beach is one of the greatest, and is considered the most famous of these beaches.

Cavalaire – A paradise for sailors, it is an idyllic coastal resort that offeres translucent waters and spectacular seabeds in an unspoiled environment.  This town boasts a magnificent 3-kilometer long beach.

Le Verdon – Similar in nature to the Grand Canyon, the cliffs of the “Gorge du Verdon” are unique in Europe and are one of the greatest tourist attractions in Provence.