South of France
At the tail end of the Summer, I paid a long-awaited visit to few cities in the French Riveria. Right off the bat I can tell you, I had a fantastic time. Well it won’t make for much of a compelling read if I end there, so here are a few snaps along with some general thoughts of my experience.
Links to my YouTube videos (vlogs)
My rental accommodation was in Cannes, and after exploring it became very clear that the different cities offer distinct atmospheres and experiences. Cannes is known for its glitzy environment, characterized by luxury hotels, high-end shopping, and the prestigious film festival that attracts celebrities. The city much more closely embodies glamour and sophistication. I did, however, struggle to fall in love with Cannes simply because not only was there a massive difference between the more and less affluent places, it also felt a bit too posh, inauthentic and overly emphasised luxury to me, perhaps I am not rich enough to appreciate or resonate with those vibes. I would recommend staying in a different city and coming to visit.
Snaps From Cannes.
My absolute favourite places both in terms of photographs and all-round experience were Cap D’ail (make sure to visit Plage Mala if you go- best food I had) Villefranche Sur Mer, and Nice. The vibes were immaculate, on those days the Sun was out and glorious but wasn’t unbearably hot. I’ll say late Summer is the time to go, it’s much less crowdy. Be prepared to walk a bit if you want to catch the high up views as there’s quite a few steps and steep hills but was super worth it to me. Do some exercise!
As stated earlier, Some of the other cities present a more laid-back vibe. Nice features a charming old town with narrow streets, vibrant markets, and a beautiful Promenade des Anglais, appealing to a wider range of tourists. Antibes, smaller and quieter, is known for its picturesque harbour, historic sites, and relaxed beaches. Both locations showcase the stunning Mediterranean landscape, but Cannes emphasizes luxury, while Nice, Antibes and surrounding areas lean towards a more casual coastal experience.
Here are some snaps from Antibes - I did struggle in terms of food here, loved the Coffee shops but the restaurants didn’t do it for me, but I have the dietary habits of an 8-year-old so that’s probably a me problem- Also, visit the Picasso Museum, very very good.
