The French Riviera of the 1920s and early '30s was a haven for artists and writers from the far reaches of the world. This book revitalizes the now-legendary tale of personalities such as Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, Picasso, Picabia, Cocteau, and Gerald and Sara Murphy as they are caught between a desire for creation, the quest for happiness, and the looming darkness of World War II. Extraordinary images taken from personal archives reanimate the lifestyles and artwork of some of the most influential artists of the twentiety century.

Starting just east of la Ciotat, the great sweep of Mediterranean coast, all the way to the Italian border, is referred to as the Cote d'Azur or the Riviera. It is a large area with dozens of beaches and, despite the coast's reputation for toney glamor alternating with brash vulgarity, it's a great location for watersports, boating, parascending, climbing, hiking and gliding. The Western Cote d'Azur is a deeply indented coast, characterized by many small towns, miles of sandy beaches, and three great mountainous headlands, called massifs. The Massif des Maures, Massif de l'Esterel and Massif de Tanneron foreshadow the march of the Alps to the sea farther east along the Riviera. They offer stunning long distance views and provide miles of good walking. For years, French vacationers kept the region their secret, staying in their holiday homes or with friends and family. As a result, the massifs remain largely undiscovered territory for foreign visitors, who usually race around and between them on motorways heading for the coast. If you stop to enjoy this region, you'll find it has its own personality and surprises. Among the attractions here are St. Tropez and St. Raphael. Like a lot of people, I got my first glimpse of the Riviera watching classic movies on television. Cary Grant and Grace Kelly trading barbs on a balcony overlooking a yacht-filled harbor, in To Catch a Thief; one of any number of James Bonds or Simon Templars stepping out of the Casino at Monte Carlo; Pink Panther movies, car chases on the Grande Corniche, David Niven in Casino Royale. They all created an indelible impression of a gorgeous, glamorous and expensive jetsetters' paradise. The term jetsetter is a little dusty these days, but substitute Eurotrash, and the idea is the same; celebrities, minor royals and fashionistas mingling with arms dealers, deposed dictators, media tycoons and shipping magnates while gossip columnists write about their lifestyles of apparently endless leisure. This is not an entirely imaginary picture. There's no denying that the Riviera is a playground for the rich and famous. Behind the walls and towering hedges of Cap Ferrat and other such places, most of what all the money in the world will buy can probably be found. But don't be put off if you're traveling on a modest budget. It is the glamor of the landscape, and all the outdoor activities to which it lends itself, that was probably what attracted the beautiful people in the first place. And that is within reach of everyone. Breathtaking drives along Les Corniches de la Riviera and coastal walks that range from gentle strolls to challenging climbs are laced between the distinctive towns and villages -Antibes, Nice, Menton, Beaulieu sur Mer, Villefranche -scattered almost artfully along the coast. In the skies, paragliders float down like flower petals from a handful of exceptional launch sites. Starting around Antibes and heading east, the back country rises and the Alps crowd down to the water. Along the way, the villages perchees become ever more dramatic: Eze, at 427 m/1,400 feet, tops a narrow dome of rock; La Turbie, at 500 m/1,640 feet, is where the Emperor Augustus planted the Trophee des Alpes, a 165-foot monument to the power of Rome that still lords over the coast and looks down on Monte Carlo; the medieval village of Sainte Agnes, just inland of Menton, at 800 m/2,600 feet claiming to be the highest coastal village in Europe. This is an excerpt, equivalent to about 200 print pages, from the 420-page Adventure Guide to Provence & the Cote d'Azur. Both books are highly detailed, exploring the culture, the sights and activities, the places to stay and the best restaurants. Dozens of photographs are included, plus 15 detailed maps.

This eBook version of the Green Guide French Riviera is completely revised and expanded, featuring dozens of new sights, hotels, restaurants, and maps. The guide presents top attractions, the most interesting towns, shopping hot spots, and places to eat and stay for a variety of budgets, allowing travelers to plan their trip in advance or be spontaneous on site. Explore historic hilltop towns, sample the region’s rosé wines, or take to sea with our scuba diving, sailing and fishing advice. Michelin's celebrated star-rating system makes sure you see the best of the French Riviera.

With its fabulous artistic heritage, glorious light, glitzy resorts and mouth-watering food, it's little wonder that the Provence-French Riviera region is the second most-visited in France after Paris. And Marseille, the rejuvenated 2013 European Capital of Culture, can now claim to be one of the Mediterranean's most vibrant cities. Be inspired by the new, extended edition of Insight Guide Provence and the French Riviera, a detailed full-colour guide to this glamorous region. Insight Guides' unrivalled coverage of history and culture provides an essential introduction to what makes the south of France unique, including its wealth of artistic treasures and enchanting Provenal cuisine. Consult the Best of Provence and French Riviera selection for an at-a-glance guide to the region's most evocative attractions, such as the awe-inspiring Pont du Gard and myriad of bountiful markets, and the editor's choice of recommendations for the best art galleries and perched villages, and much more. Descriptive accounts of where to go in the Provence and Riviera region, from glamorous Cannes and Monaco to the desolate beauty of the Camargue, are enhanced by beautiful photographs, while all major sights are cross-referenced with full-colour maps. The travel tips section provides a wealth of information on how to plan your trip, plus our selection of the best hotels.

Nice is the capital city of the Riviera coastal region in southeast France. It is the second most visited town in France after Paris. The pleasant Mediterranean climate makes the region, also known as Cote d'Azur, a terrific destination to visit around the year. The lifestyle of Provence, the local food and wine, the Alps, the sea and the rich history mixed with ancient overseas influences create a unique atmosphere for the region. The Gems of Nice and the French Riviera is a travel guidebook that shows you the places and sights worth visiting in this corner of the Provence-Alpes province. The book covers the Riviera from the famous Saint-Tropez to Menton, showing you the best places in charming towns like Antibes, Cannes, Grasse and Monaco. In addition, the book unveils Riviera gems many tourists haven’t discovered yet. Beautiful photographs let you view how it is really like in a destination. It is easy to quickly browse the pages when searching for information, and then find out details about a destination. Many head to the French Riviera for the beaches, some travelers are interested in its history, others want to taste the food and wine, while the rest of the visitors look for adventures on the mountains. Riviera is not only about the sun and the sea, but it is also about spectacular landscapes and exciting activities. Nice is much more than the Promenade des Anglais – the old town, market places, galleries, restaurants and shopping streets are buzzing with locals and visitors. This travel guide points you to the right direction. The second edition of The Gems of Nice and the French Riviera includes new destinations, updated details and links for sights, new images and maps, and an overall update of the content.

For a limited time, receive a free Fodor's Guide to Safe and Healthy Travel e-book with the purchase of this guidebook! Go to fodors.com for details. Written by locals, Fodor's travel guides have been offering expert advice for all tastes and budgets for 80 years. The darlings of French tourism, Provence and the French Riviera have always been beautiful destinations attracting everyone from the rich and famous to world-renowned artists. With unbelievable coasts and rustic-chic villages, the regions draw travelers eager to experience their azure skies and legendary landscapes. This full color-guide highlights the best of this region, from the urban buzz of Marseilles and Nice to the glamorous meccas of St-Tropez, Cannes, and Monaco. This travel guide includes: · Dozens of full-color maps · Hundreds of hotel and restaurant recommendations, with Fodor's Choice designating our top picks · Multiple itineraries to explore the top attractions and what’s off the beaten path · Major sights such as Aix-en-Provence, Arles, Avignon, the Calanques, the Camargue, the Lavender Route, Marseille, Pont du Gard, St-Paul-de-Vence, St-Remy-de-Provence, St. Tropez · Coverage of The Alpilles, Arles and the Camargue; The Vaucluse; Aix, Marseille, and the Central Coast; The Western Cote D'Azur; Nice and the Eastern Cote D'Azur; Monaco Planning to visit more of France or focus on Paris? Check out Fodor's travel guides to France and Paris.