> Antibes, Grasse, Nice, Vence, Cannes, Saint-Paul, Menton, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat – deeply evocative names synonymous with sunshine, fine living and great food. > From the 120km Mediterranean coastline boasting 150 beaches, to the hinterland with its remote hamlets and the stunning AlpesMaritimes. > The most popular holiday destination in France and ideally suited for the conference and incentive market. > A wealth of cultural events, five star hotels, small Auberges, gourmet restaurants and a superb local craft industry.
KEY FIGURES
CÔTE D‘AZUR - FRENCH RIVIERA
No. 1 French tourist destination after Paris: 10.4 million visitors in 2008. No. 1 French international airport after Paris: 10.4 million passengers in 2008. 100 direct destinations to 32 countries. Nice-Paris No. 1 airline in France with 33 daily connections. 671 hotels with a capacity of 58 500 beds, over one third of which are 4* and 4* Luxury. No. 2 area in France for tourist residences. 65% average occupancy for tourist accommodation. Less than one out of two stays between June and September. 2nd largest hire vehicle fleet in France. 400 national and international events per year. No. 1 cruising destination: 942 000 cruise visitors in 2008. No. 1 gambling destination in France: 17 casinos, 5 of which in Monaco. No. 1 yachting destination in Europe. No. 1 golf destination in France: 21 golf clubs and 23 courses including 11 18-hole courses. 15 ski stations & 670km of runs. 1 National Natural Park: Parc National du Mercantour. Over 130 museums and monuments open to the public. 100 parks and gardens open to the public. 10 leisure parks. 5000 restaurants, of which 34 Michelin-starred (2009 ratings).
BY PLANE: The French Riviera, within 3 hours of over 30 European destinations, offers a wide range of theme stays all year round. With Nice Côte d’Azur International Airport, the French Riviera is within reach of over 30 countries, 101 destinations, served by 50 airline companies! The 2010 programme is available at: www.nice.aeroport.fr
CONTENTS P. 4-5
THE FRENCH RIVIERA: MAIN CELEBRATIONS IN 2010
P. 6-7
THE JOYS OF THE SEA
P. 8-9
CONTRAST BETWEEN THE SEA & MOUNTAINS YEAR ROUND
P. 10-11
LIVE THE FRENCH RIVIERA AS AN ARTWORK...
P. 12-15
GARDENS OF THE FRENCH RIVIERA
P. 16-17
ITINERANCE (TOURIST ROUTES, TOURIST TRAINS)
P. 18-19
"CUISINE DU SOLEIL!"
P. 20-23
EXCLUSIVE RIVIERA!
P. 24-25
WELL-BEING ON THE FRENCH RIVIERA: A DESTINATION OF HARMONY & HAPPINESS
P. 26-27
GOLF: SWINGING IN THE SUN!
P. 28-29
BUSINESS TOURISM: THE FRENCH RIVIERA, A FIRST-CLASS BUSINESS DESTINATION…
P. 30-31
DISABLED TOURISM
P. 32-33
THE FRENCH RIVIERA ONLINE
CONTENTS 2 3
THEFRENCHRIVIERA: MAINCELEBRATIONS IN 2010 2010 will be a year rich in celebrations of the world-famous sites that make for its wealth and contribute to the artistic life and tourism in the dĂŠpartement...
30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MERCANTOUR NATIONAL PARK In 2010, the Mercantour National Park will mark its 30th anniversary. It features exceptionally rich flora and fauna. The great inventory of biodiversity, an ambitious international project currently underway in the Mercantour National Park, highlights the worldwide recognition of the biological value of this area, of which we are legitimately proud. Occupied by humans for over 6,000 years, the Mercantour Massif also offers its historical, cultural and social specificity, as reflected in the architectural, artistic and religious heritage in all our valleys. A National Park is always a treasure; the Mercantour Park is located in the heart of the Alpes-Maritimes, a breathing lung that deserves this tribute. > Press contact: Florent Favier florent.favier@mercantour-parcnational.fr www.mercantour.eu
40TH ANNIVERSARY OF MARINELAND IN ANTIBES Marineland is a marine park founded in 1970 in Antibes. Acquired by the Parques Reunidos Group, which operates nearly 70 aquatic and animal parks all over the world, Marineland Antibes ranks second among all the Group’s parks in terms of sales. Last year, the number of visitors increased by 15%. > Press contact: Delphine Dutoit - d.dutoit@marineland.fr www.marineland.fr
50TH ANNIVERSARY OF “JAZZ À JUAN” After having greeted the greatest jazz musicians since 1960, the Festival of Antibes Juan-les-Pins has a twofold appeal. First, it offers rich programming, loyal to genuine jazz. Second, it is also a true laboratory, where everyone can see that jazz remains very much alive: fine openers, free “off” alternative concerts, hotel bars and streets filled with brass bands... Ever since 1960, the saga of jazz has found its place in Juan in all its immense diversity, according to the artists, newcomers or famous stars, innovators or iconoclasts, classical or modern. > Press contact: Béatrice di Vita beatrice.divita@antibesjuanlespins.com www.jazzajuan.fr
50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FERNAND LÉGER MUSEUM IN BIOT Where “abstract art leads to mural art”: this museum, dedicated to Fernand Léger’s work, features over 348 of the artist’s original works, drawings, oil on canvas, stained glass and mosaic. 2 Exhibitions for the Museum’s 50th anniversary: • 5 February to 17 May 2010: Tribute to the donors Nadia Khodossievitch-Léger and Georges Bauquier • 19 June to 11 October 2010: Discs and semaphores: the language of signals with Léger and his contemporaries. > Press contact in Nice: Françoise Borello francoise.borello@rmn.fr www.musees-nationaux-alpesmaritimes.fr
YEAR OF FRANCE-RUSSIA, IN 2010 In the context of the Year of France-Russia 2010, several events are scheduled on the Riviera. • 5 to 13 January “Ruskoff: festival of Russian arts and cinema” – Theatre of Nice. • 18 June to 27 September: “Lydia Delectorskaya, Matisse’s muse and model,” Matisse Museum – Nice. • 22 to 25 August: Russian Art Festival – Cannes. Name and address of the Organizer of the Year of FranceRussia > www.culturesfrance.com
150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ANNEXATION OF NICE TO FRANCE The treaty of Turin of 24 March 1860 officialized the deed by which the Duchy of Savoy and the Comté de Nice became a part of France. The people of Nice voted by plebiscite to join France once and for all. This date was the starting point for unprecedented economic growth: building new roads, arrival of the railway in 1864, spectacular demographic and real-estate evolution, etc. Many events are scheduled www.nice.fr
RENDEZ-VOUS EN FRANCE NICE, RIVIERA CÔTE D’AZUR 30 & 31 MARCH 2010 This is the largest international trade fair for the French tourist offering organized by Atout France in partnership with the French regional tourist boards (CRTs). This is the first time the Alpes-Maritimes département has the opportunity of hosting this event, with no less than 1,500 players in tourism (French “tourism” exhibitors, foreign tour operators, journalists...). Nice and Riviera Côte d’Azur, the host city and region welcome the world In the context of a policy of active promotion of tourism aiming to enhance the image and renown of the Riviera Côte d’Azur destination, “Rendez-vous en France” represents an exclusive opportunity to publicize all the assets of its tourist offering (accessibility, diversity between the sea and mountains, art de vivre, culture... professionalism of its players...). > MORE INFORMATION AT www.rendezvousenfrance.pro
CRUISE FAIR “SEATRADE MÉDITERRANÉE 2010” CANNES 30 NOVEMBER TO 2 DECEMBER – cf Cruise page 7
100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE OCEANOGRAPHIC MUSEUM OF MONACO Founded in 1910 by Prince Albert I of Monaco, the Oceanographic Museum is an exceptional venue entirely dedicated to the sea. Its mission is to develop and promote Oceanography as widely as possible through its founder’s historic collections, permanent and temporary exhibitions and its Aquarium’s living collections. > Press contact: Mauricette Hintzy - m.hintzy@oceano.org www.oceano.mc MAIN CELEBRATIONS 4 5
THE JOYS OFTHE SEA More than a film set, the French Riviera offers many treasures to be “pirated� without restraint. Hikes along trails, capes and peninsulas on the Mediterranean Sea to explore, voluptuous snorkelling, sunbathing...
SOME FIGURES 120km of coastline A succession of famous seaside resorts 40km of beaches, sand or shingle 4 capes 2 islands 150 private beaches (approximately)
HIKING ALONG THE CAPES Stroll along the coast. Let yourself be charmed by the beauty of the setting. The coastal trails follow the shores of the capes: Cap Martin, Cap d’Ail, Cap Ferrat, Cap d’Antibes... The Isles of Lérins inspire peace and splendour... And there are also fortifications, lighthouses, villas literally on the water...
NAUTICAL ACTIVITIES > > > > > >
Sailing / Windsurfing / kitesurfing Waterskiing / motonautism (jet ski, parascending...) Rowing / sea kayaking Scuba diving Skin diving Fishing at sea
> Marineland – the Park of the Sea > 7 museums dedicated to the sea > 33 yachting harbours > Yachting (boat rental) > Outing at sea
THE FRENCH RIVIERA, A CRUISE DESTINATION Riviera - Côte d’Azur: the glamorous cruise destinations in the Mediterranean Sea The French Riviera is recognised as a Cruise destination throughout the Mediterranean, with 910,000 passengers year round in its four major cruise ports, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Nice, Cannes and Monaco, and, more recently, Antibes and GolfeJuan. The Alpes-Maritimes département and the Principality of Monaco greeted nearly a million cruise passengers in 2008; a remarkable figure when it is remembers that there are a little under 13 million worldwide...
THE FRENCH RIVIERA CRUISE CLUB : One for all, all for cruising in the Alpes-Maritimes! Launched in July 2007, the French Riviera Cruise Club aims to promote the development of cruises on the Riviera. The CRT Riviera is a founding member of this club alongside the General Council of the AlpesMaritimes département, the Nice Côte d’Azur Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the tourist bureaus of Cannes, Nice and Villefranche-sur-Mer. > www.frenchrivieracruiseclub.com
“SEATRADE MÉDITERRANÉE 2010” CRUISE SHOW – Cannes - 30 November to 2 December The Côte d’Azur, a flagship destination for Mediterranean cruises This is the only professional trade fair in the Mediterranean to bring together all sectors in cruises, ferryboats and superyachting. For the first time since it was founded in 1996 and thanks to the active participation of the French Riviera Cruise Club and its Chairman, Alain Gumiel, it will be held in France, at the Festival Hall in Cannes. The Mediterranean is the second most popular destination after the Caribbean. This event, with the participation of 58 countries, will greet 160 exhibitors and 4,000 professionals. On the agenda: theme lectures and conferences and training programme by travel agencies (Top Cruise)
From 25 to 28 February “MEDITERRANEA, THE WORLD FESTIVAL OF UNDERSEA IMAGES & ADVENTURE “ OF ANTIBES JUAN-LES-PINS This event is one of the finest showcases of the “Silent World” as well as a great crossroads for exploration. This event is part of a longstanding tradition particularly dear to the heart of a city that greeted the pioneers of deepsea diving, starting with the emblematic Captain Cousteau. His famous ship Calypso came out of the shipyards of Antibes in the early 1950s.
THESEA 6 7
CONTRASTBETWEEN THE SEA AND MOUNTAINS YEAR ROUND This is the most spectacular characteristic with its great variety of landscapes that provide infinite possibilities for the destination...
THE FRENCH RIVIERA’S GREAT ASSETS: MOUNTAINS, SUNSHINE AND THE SEA ALL WITHIN AN HOUR’S DRIVE! From the peaks towering over 3,000m above sea level to the plains of the Pre-Alps, enthusiasts of alpine and cross-country skiing can take advantage of more than 700km of trails in sunny landscapes offer an incomparable diversity of settings: mountain pasture and forest, majesty of the highest summits and picturesque perched villages, such is the privilege of the Alpes-Maritimes... The Alpes-Maritimes boasts 3 international resorts (Valberg, Auron and Isola 2000) and 12 “small family resorts” all over the Massif. Their assets in terms of snow and sunshine are guaranteed just a 1½-hour drive from the coast! After skiing? There is no lack of choice... Practice of certain thrilling sports: ice climbing, dog sleigh, igloo building in the Mercantour or more simply, snowshoeing, ice driving, outings in a horse-drawn carriage or a few fitness sessions... But also discovering local arts and crafts, culinary specialities and historic villages brimming with secret treasures (painted chapels, museums...). Why not play on the contrast between sea and mountains and, in the late afternoon, sit on a terrace on La Croisette or Promenade des Anglais, followed by an exceptional soiree like those proposed during the Cannes Shopping Festival, the Carnival of Nice or the Citrus Festival of Menton!
ACTIVE LEISURE ACTIVITIES > Climbing & alpinism/ bungee jumping > Adventure trails > Via ferrata/Via souterrata > Hiking & trekking > Horseback riding > Biking > Free flying > High-altitude golf > Canyoning > White-water sports > Caving > Fishing
LOCATION: AN HOUR’S DRIVE FROM THE SEA > 4,000km of trails and hiking itineraries > 65 mountain bike trails > 1 National Park: Mercantour National Park > 30 climbing sites > 200 caving sites > 325km of rivers > 70 canyons
NEW : “CHEMINS DU SOLEIL” LOCATION: AN HOUR’S DRIVE FROM THE SEA > 15 ski resorts including 3 international resorts > 1 National Park: Mercantour National Park > 700km of pistes > 97 ski lifts > 250 instructors > 4 snow parks TOURIST DATA > 500,000 tourists in the hinterland > 80% of the total surface area of mountains in the AlpesMaritimes département > 465 peaks exceeding 2,000m above sea level (including six peaks over 3,000m) ACCOMMODATION CAPACITY IN RESORTS > 8600 beds in 207 establishments
SPRING, SUMMER, AUTUMN... THE MOUNTAINS OF THE ALPES-MARITIMES: A FABULOUS PLAYGROUND Once the snow is melted, the Alpes-Maritimes become a wonderful playground for thrill seekers, trekkers and sportspersons of all levels. The resorts of the Alpes-Maritimes offer 2 high-altitude golf courses, via ferratas and some of Europe’s finest canyons... Water, land and air are available from April to October. New structures enhance the preservation of sites, fauna and flora. Especially in the Vésubie Valley and in the Pre-Alps of Grasse with the creation of a Scénoparc® at St-MartinVésubie and a private 800-hectare natural reserve at Thorenc. We should also recall that the Mercantour National Park is in the heart of the department and represents a major asset for the protection of the natural and cultural heritage.
In 2000, in the context of the Interregional Convention for the Alps, the “Grande Traversée des Alpes” (GTA - main trail through the Alps) is officially launching the project for a “Grande Traversée” of the pre-Alps on mountain bikes between Lake Geneva and the Mediterranean Sea. Today, “Les Chemins du Soleil” (sunlit trails) are marked and labelled by the FFC between the towns of Grenoble, Valence, Sisteron, Digne and Nice. Two sportier variants link Saillans and Montmorin in the Drôme département and Roquestéron and Nice in the Alpes-Maritimes. A total of over 1,000km of marked trails with quality accommodation await mountain bikers on the move. But things don’t stop there, since the “Grande Traversée des Alpes” is now working on extending the “Chemins du Soleil” northward towards Lake Geneva. Within a few years, it will be possible to cross the French Alps entirely on foot or bikes! > www.grande-traversee-alpes.com
FOR MORE INFORMATION > RandOxygène
www.randoxygene.org > “Nature Active” - CRT Riviera brochure > Press file: Winter seasons 2009 / 2010 – The mountains
SEA AND MOUNTAINS 8 9
LIVE THE FRENCH RIVIERA AS AN ARTWORK... Beloved of painters, the French Riviera maintains privileged ties with them. And today more than ever, from the Riviera to the Alpines foothills, art is part of the landscape‌
The French Riviera is a legendary destination. Its contemporary history shows its close links with the lives of the greatest artists and creators (painters, sculptors, architects, actors, dancers, fashion designers, musicians...) since the end of the 19th century. Places for new trends, the theatre of often revolutionary artistic movements, inspiring, like a muse... dear to the heart of many artists. Without listing them all: Picasso, Renoir, Matisse, Cocteau, Léger, Folon, Hartung, Fitzgerald, Maupassant, Nietzsche, Cendrars, Gary, Eiffel, Garnier, le Corbusier... All left their mark on the Riviera along with an unbelievable number of film and stage actors! History continues today and many artists meet, as did their masters, in this land of hospitality: designers, architects, painters, writers and actors find venues for their expression and creativity on a level with their ambitions. Theatres, opera houses, auditoriums open to them, supported by the strong cultural policy conducted by institutions. In 2008, three of the French Riviera’s major museums reopened: the Picasso Museum in Antibes, the Fernand Léger Museum in Biot and the International Museum of Perfumery in Grasse, an opportunity for the CRT Riviera Côte d’Azur to set up a strong advertising campaign around Art and the French Riviera called “Vivez la Côte d’Azur comme une œuvre d’art” [Enjoy the French Riviera as a work of art], re-enhanced thank, in particular, to “La Côte d’Azur des Peintres” (“Painters’ Riviera”).
SOME FIGURES The French Riviera offers an extremely broad range of cultural venues with over 100 museums and over 150 art galleries in the Alpes-Maritimes and the Principality of Monaco. The offering can be broken down as follows: > 3 National French museums: Fernand Léger, Marc Chagall, Picasso La Guerre et la Paix (the only département in the PACA region with national museums. > 2 museums run by the département: Asian Arts in Nice and Merveilles in Tende > 15 museums dedicated to a movement including 10 for modern and contemporary art > 11 museums dedicated to one artist (Renoir, Peynet, Fragonard, Cocteau, Matisse...) > 11 museums relating to a period in history > 10 museums dedicated to the history of a city or region > 30 theme museums > 21 folk art museums This places the Alpes-Maritimes in fourth position in France for the number of major museums
For more information: Culture press file – CRT Riviera THINGS TO KNOW The CRT Riviera Côte d’Azur has already undertaken promotion for tourists on the subject of Art since 1990. In a nutshell: 1990: 100 ans d’Art et de Culture (100 years of Art and Culture) 1992-1993: La Côte d’Azur de Matisse (Matisse and the French Riviera) 1998: La Côte d’Azur et la Modernité (The French Riviera and Modernity) 2003-2004: La Belle Époque de la Côte d’Azur (The Belle Époque on the French Riviera) 2007-2008: La Côte d’Azur des Painters (Painters on the French Riviera) 2009: Picasso in Provence Côte d’Azur
LIVETHE FRENCH RIVIERA AS AN ARTWORK 10 11
GARDENS OFTHE FRENCH RIVIERA In a Mediterranean climate, parks and gardens are the fruit of the creativity of “inventors” and cosmopolitan enthusiasts...
The diversity of its landscapes and its mild climate have made the Alpes-Maritimes ideal for developing the Art of Gardens. The work of travellers or artists with the blessing of the subtropical climate, the Riviera’s gardens display their colours and luxuriance: purple bougainvillea, fiery lantana, intense blue ipomoea, orange and lemon trees... Since the 19th century, amid Mediterranean vegetation, between olive, pine and carob trees and vineyards, the British introduced countless exotic plants: palm, banana and eucalyptus trees, bougainvillea, hibiscus, agave, prickly pear, aloes... Sharing their passion has even led some private owners to open their gardens, confidentially, to reveal their knowledge to true aficionados, an opportunity to exchange information and seeds and a moment of peace in wonderful pristine sites.
GARDENS OF THE RIVIERA MENTON: MY CITY IS A GARDEN In the 19th century, botanists, particularly from Britain, created exceptional gardens in Menton. Taking advantage of the microclimate, they introduced tropical species that were splendidly acclimatized. The public can discover these exceptional gardens thanks to tours organized by the Service du Patrimoine. For more information on free or guided visits of the gardens... > www.tourisme-menton.fr Public Gardens in Menton Jardin de Maria Séréna Jardin de la Serre de la Madone Fontana Rosa, le jardin des Romanciers Val Rahmeh Botanical Garden Palais Carnolès Private Gardens in Menton Le Clos du Peyronnet Jardin des Colombières La Citronneraie
GARDENS IN ANTIBES JUAN-LES-PINS > www.antibesjuanlespins.com
Parc Exflora Eilenroc gardens Parc Thuret Fort Carré garden
GRASSE & ITS PRIVATE GARDENS > www.grasse.fr
Flowers have made Grasse the International Capital of Perfumery. The city proudly displayed its gardens, which shone both for their beauty and their fragrance, along with fields of jasmine, rose and tuberose flowers, the three key ingredients in the art of perfumery. Private Gardens in Grasse Charles de Noailles in Grasse (St-François district). Villa Fort France garden in Grasse: > www.valeriedecourcel.fr/jardin/ Villa Bouscarella in Châteauneuf-de-Grasse.
GARDENS IN THE REGION OF GRASSE Château de Gourdon > www.chateau-gourdon.com Château de Mouans-Sartoux > www.mouans-sartoux.com Bastide des Parfumeurs – New! > www.labastideduparfumeur.org Florian citrus garden in Bar-sur-Loup > www.confiserieflorian.com Florihana in Caussol > www.florihana.com GARDENS 12 13
EXOTIC GARDEN ÈZE > www.eze-riviera.com A theme trail, a contemplative area, 15 earthen goddesses by the sculptor Jean-Philippe Richard are displayed along trails for a poetic botanical itinerary.
VILLA EPHRUSSI DE ROTHSCHILD GARDENS ST-JEAN-CAP-FERRAT > www.villa-ephrussi.com The Villa is surrounded by nine splendid gardens with patios, waterfalls, ponds, flowerbeds, shaded paths and rare trees: Florentine, Spanish, “à la française”, exotic, stone, Japanese, Provençal gardens...
ARBORETUM ROURE > www.arboretum-roure.org A village located 1,100 metres above sea level, boasts an arboretum with mountain deciduous trees and conifers from all over the world, plus collections of maples trees and wild roses...The arboretum also offers the chance to see the work of many artists who have appropriated this timeless site.
RENOIR GARDEN CAGNES-SUR-MER > www.cagnes-tourisme.com Renoir acquired this farming estate of approximately 3 hectares from Mathilde Nicolas, widow Armand, on 28 June 1907, after falling in love with the splendid olive grove. He immediately had a house built and moved there in autumn 1908. He lived there until his death, on 3 December 1919. His youngest son, Claude Renoir, inherited the estate where he lived until 1960. The municipality of Cagnes, assisted by the General Council of the Alpes-Maritimes purchased Les Collettes on 5 April 1960 to convert Renoir’s house into a museum to celebrate the memory of Renoir on these premises.
MEDIAEVAL GARDEN STE-AGNÈS > www.sainteagnes.fr Nestled inside the restored ramparts of the castle, the small mediaeval garden, founded and managed by L’Association des Peintres du Soleil, invites visitors to stroll and dream in the paths lined with lavender and discover an exceptional panorama on the Mediterranean Sea it dominates at an altitude of nearly 800m above sea level. The Garden des Virtues, Delights or Vices evokes the days when fine ladies listened to Troubadours singing of Courtly Love. Represented in topiaries, they are now the silent keepers of esoteric secrets that visitors, beguiled by the charm and serenity of the place, may even discover! At the foot of the castle keep, wheat and vine grow on farming terraces as in the time the site was still occupied, alongside the vegetable garden with it Mediterranean fragrances and flavours. The garden is open to visitors every day from 9am to 1pm and from 2pm to 6pm. > Information: 33 (0)4 93 35 87 35 or 33 (0)4 93 57 14 60
HISTORIC GARDENS TOURRETTES-SUR-LOUP NEW! 17 gardens share the Planet’s medicinal and culinary history on 4,000 square metres. From April to November: guided tours are organised every hour, by appointment. Each tour lasts 30 to 45 minutes. Admission fee. 106, Chemin de la Vallière – 06140 TOURRETTES-SUR-LOUP > Contact: Ms Dominique Munoz - Brigadoon@wanadoo.fr Mobile : 33 (0) 6 98 74 07 77.
FLOWERS AND FRAGRANCES OF THE FRENCH RIVIERA Rose de mai (Rosa centifolia), jasmine, tuberose, violets, carnations, broom, orange blossom, mimosa, lavender... no other region than the French Riviera has so beautifully celebrated the language of flowers. Like olive trees, they are one of the symbols of this sun-drenched region.
FLOWERING DATES Mimosa: January to March Carnation of Nice: March to April Violet of Tourrettes-sur-Loup: March to April Orange blossoms: April to May Rosa centifolia of Grasse: May Wild narcissus: end of May Lavender: summer Jasmine: July to October Tuberose: July to August
THE ROUTE OF GARDENS The General Council of the Alpes-Maritimes created a Route des Jardins of the Riviera including the Belle-Époque gardens of the French and Italian Riviera. Architecturally, the Belle Époque is characterized by the rise of eclecticism borrowing decorative elements from the past to achieve a highly dynamic style. Some sixty sites are concerned along the coast from Mandelieu to Menton. > MORE INFORMATION www.cg06.fr
Page: Tourisme - Theme Routes.
THE MIMOSA ROUTE The Mimosa Route runs from Bormes-les-Mimosas to Grasse. This 130km itinerary recommended from January to March represents the symbol of the Riviera in winter, which its gentle climate for holidays between azure blue and sunshine gold. “Route du Mimosa” brochure available for download at: > www.ot-mandelieu.fr
GARDENS 14 15
ITINERANCE TOURISTROUTES TOURISTTRAINS From the Mediterranean shores to the Great Alps, wonderful itineraries to discover the natural, historical and cultural heritage.
TOURIST ROUTES ROUTE OF THE GREAT ALPS Foreseeing the fabulous development of automotive tourism, the Touring Club de France devised this itinerary in 1909, linking Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean Sea, from Thonon to Menton over the main Alpine passes: 600km via 3 National Parks (Vanoise, Écrins, Mercantour), with a total of 15,000m difference in altitude. The Route of the Great Alps and its 16 mountain passes, 6 of them higher than 2,000 metres above sea level, have offered prestigious victories to cyclists in the Tour de France. In the Riviera, this historic itinerary runs through Valberg, St-Martin-Vésubie, Sospel and Menton. > www.routedesgrandesalpes.com
LA VIA ALPINA The first hiking itinerary linking 8 countries in the Alpine Arc was inaugurated in June 2002. It follows existing trails between the Principality of Monaco and Trieste via France, Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, Austria and Slovenia. This route reinforces the Alpine identity and that of the regions it crosses. The CRT Riviera Côte d’Azur is an active partner in this realization initiated by French association La Grande Traversée des Alpes, since eight stopovers along Via Alpina are located in the Alpes- Maritimes, from Col de la Lombarde (Isola 2000) to La Turbie. > www.via-alpina.com
LA ROUTE NAPOLÉON “Heroic and legendary, it marks the beginning of the fantastic cavalcade of the Hundred Days”. Route Napoléon retraces the former Emperor Napoleon’s historic march from Golfe-Juan in 1815 after his return from the Isle of Elba. The Route crosses the hinterland of Grasse, then follows Highway N85 through the Alps to Digne and Grenoble. Information points recall the main stages through the splendid Provençal landscapes: Cannes, Grasse, Saint-Vallier-de-Thiey, Escragnolles, Séranon, Le Logis du Pin, Castellane... Laffrey and Grenoble. Every year, on the first Sunday in March, Vallauris Golfe-Juan commemorates the Emperor’s landing: a show not to be missed. > www.route-napoleon.com
LA BONETTE-RESTEFOND: THE HIGHEST ROAD IN EUROPE The journey between Nice and Barcelonnette can be made via the Restefond Pass at an altitude of 2,802m. Leaving the Riviera coastline, the track crosses the plains of the River Var to the Mescla Gorge and Tinée Valley. A unique view over the Alpes d’Azur unfurls beneath the highest point of this 150-km trek: the peak of La Bonette, above St-Dalmas-le-Selvage, culminating at 2,862m.
WALKING AND WAR HERITAGE… THE AUTHION CIRCUIT Pilgrimage to the sites of deadly combat in 1794 and 1945. Set off from La Roya and continue on either Piste de la Maglia or Piste du Caïros to enjoy a breathtaking view: to the north across the Massif des Merveilles, the Mercantour and the Italian Alps; to the south across the Riviera dei Fiori and the Côte d’Azur coastlines. Access the fortified Authion-Turini Massif via three valleys: La Roya, La Bévéra and La Vésubie. The Turini Circuit threads its way through fortifications constructed between 1920 and 1940: Les Mille Fourches, La Forca, Cabanes Vieilles and Plan Caval.
FORTS ALONG THE TENDE PASS Pistes de Marguareis or La Route de l’Amitié French forts on the Maginot Line in the Alps, and the Italian fortifications opposite them, can be explored along two itineraries crossing alpine pastures. French side: access via the former salt route or the Piste de Castérino. Italian side: access via the tarmacked road starting at the northern exit of the Tende tunnel. A panoramic view of the entire valley unfolds below the imposing Fort Central. The circuit takes in Fort Pernante, Le Fort de la Margherie and Fort Giaure. In the vicinity of Sospel, discover constructions on the Maginot Line built in 1930 to stem the arrival of the Italians: Fort Saint Roch, Fort du Barbonnet and the Agaisen construction on the southern Maginot Line. > FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE FORTIFIED VALLEYS OF THE FRENCH RIVIERA: www.forts-roya-bevera.com www.royabevera.com www.vesubian.com
FORT ON CAP MARTIN A part of the Maginot Line, built after 1930, the Fort was involved in the combat between French and Italian troops in June 1940. Like all elements in the Maginot Line, it was equipped for life underground in perfect autarchy. It was manned by 343 soldiers and 11 officers. > www.roquebrune-cap-martin.com
TOURIST TRAINS TRAIN DES MERVEILLES At the initiative of the Regional Council and managed by the SNCF (National Railway), the first tourist train, Train des Merveilles, is part of the regular Nice-Breil-Tende line. Every day from May to September, then on weekends, this scenic itinerary is accompanied by activities onboard organized by the Comité Régional du Tourisme Riviera Côte d’Azur. > www.trainstouristiques-ter.com
TRAIN DES PIGNES The Chemins de Fer de Provence offer regular service between Nice and Puget-Théniers year round on a traditional railcar along the Var Valley from Nice to Puget-Théniers, regardless of weather conditions. Excursions in an old steam locomotive Every Sunday from mid-May to mid-October, the Chemins de Fer de Provence organize a return trip from Puget-Théniers to Annot and back in a steam locomotive, a listed historic monument dated 1909 and recently restored to working condition. A 1-hour journey at 20km/h on wooden benches with an open platform... (traditional railcar to get to Puget-Théniers from Nice, with a special timetable). > www.trainprovence.com
ITINERANCE 16 17
“CUISINE DU SOLEIL!” “Sun-drenched cuisine!” With their profusion of colours and smells, the stalls in the markets of Provence are an invitation to good eating.
These lands of sunshine, with their flavours, rich and varied, suave or potent, have yielded their fruit, vegetables brimming with the warmth of the Midi. Early in the morning, you “feel” locally grown aubergines, taste the olives of Nice, look for squash flowers to prepare fritters and onions for pissaladière (local onion tart). With the sunny accents, market gardeners call out to those who are undecided. Attracted by the fresh produce, the region’s greatest Chefs go to these markets to make their selection, transforming these Mediterranean goods into genuine masterpieces of gastronomy. The Comté de Nice is also renowned for its wines, among the great vintages of Provence. Especially the wine of Bellet, a small vineyard of great renown, with original aromatic whites and sumptuous reds. It is no accident if the French Riviera boasts no less than thirtythree restaurants with Michelin stars: one 3-star establishment, eight with two stars and twenty-four with one star (in 2009). They all contribute to the region’s prestigious position on the gastronomic map of France. This culinary wealth also provides an opportunity to discover tourist itineraries with stops at the finest tables for an “outing along the coast” or in the heart of the “villages of the Côte d’Azur” where gastronomy is an integral part of the art of living.
SOME STAR-STUDDED CHEFS > Alain Ducasse and Joël Robuchon in Monaco > Alain LLorca in La Colle-sur-Loup > Mauro Colagreco in Menton > Christophe Dufau in Vence > Didier Elena in Èze > Keisuke Matsushima and David Faure in Nice List available from the CRT.
TRULY EXCEPTIONAL PRODUCTS: OUR FAVOURITES A great institution on the Riviera for those with a sweet tooth: orangettes, candied fruit and flowers crystallised and candied (rose, jasmine...) await you at Confiserie Florian > www.confiserieflorian.com at the Gorges du Loup or the Port of Nice. Another traditional establishment, Alziari (14, rue SaintFrançois de Paule in Old Nice) > www.alziari.com.fr founded in 1868, needs no longer prove the quality of its products: olive oil, olive paste, tapenade, olives... In Cannes, you will want to sample cheeses at Maître Fromager Ceneri (22, rue Meynadier) and chocolate at L’Atelier Jean-Luc Pelé > www.jeanlucpele.com (36, rue Meynadier). And there is “vins de Cannes” - tasting of wines and liqueurs from Lérins. La Tonnelle’s sommelier greets you and accompanies you in your discovery of different wines, vinification methods and the vintages prepared by the monks of Lérins. > www.abbayedelerins.com
COOKING CLASSES Taught by great (Michelin) star-studed Chefs, these classes enable us to learn their tricks of the trade and cooking secrets.
THE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF GASTRONOMY – LES ÉTOILES DE MOUGINS – Theme for 2010: “Female Chefs” with the presence of Anne-Sophie Pic A key event in French and foreign gastronomy, this Festival gathers each year in September an exceptional group of the finest chefs from all over the world. Cooking demonstrations, sampling, initiation course, lectures, gala dinner, prestigious contest made up the many activities scheduled in the streets of the village. > www.lesetoilesdemougins.com
THE “CUISINE NISSARDE” LABEL, TRADITION RESPECTED A certain number of restaurants on the Riviera have agreed to respect the “Cuisine Nissarde, le respect de la tradition” label, by offering a chance to discover traditional recipes from the authentic cuisine of Nice. List of member restaurants at: > www.cotedazur-en-fetes.com
SOME SPECIALITIES > Pissaladière: onion tart with fillets of anchovy and black olives. > Socca: crêpe made with chickpea flour, water and olive oil and baked in a wood-burning oven. > Salade niçoise: anchovy, tuna, tomato, green pepper, celery, hardboiled egg, black olives and a dribble of olive oil for seasoning (artichoke hearts and baby broad beans can be added in season). > Pan-Bagnat: round loaf of bread filled with Salade Niçoise and onions or spring onions. > Bagna Cauda: raw vegetables dipped in a hot fondue of olive oil, garlic and anchovy. > Soupe au pistou: vegetable soup with carrots, turnips, cabbage leaves, courgettes, beans, leeks, potatoes, garlic, salt, pepper and lard, serviced with pesto (paste made with basil and olive oil). > Beignets de fleurs de courgettes: courgette flower fritters. > Petits farcis: tiny vegetables (tomatoes, courgettes, onions, muchrooms, courgette flowers, bell peppers and aubergines) stuffed with lard, egg, basil, garlic and parmesan. > Tourte aux blettes: a sweet tart with Swiss chard (only the green of the leaves is used), raisins and pine nuts. > Dried figs. > Candied fruit. > Ganses (fritters). “Cuisine du Soleil”, typical ingredients: garlic, olive oil and aromatic herbs like basil, thyme, rosemary, sage...
List available from the CRT.
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EXCLUSIVE RIVIERA Escape to the sunshine of the Riviera, an exclusive trip so close to home! Discover the French Riviera, with its Haute Couture, trends, furniture, interior decoration and arts & crafts... Discover the Riviera, a destination for shopping!
FASHION Cannes, is an ideal showcase for shopping, emblematic of luxury goods. Big-name brands do not hesitate to invest in the “golden square” of La Croisette, Rue d’Antibes and the Festival and Pointe Palm Beach. Monaco is unquestionably an international capital of luxury. The greatest names in fashion settled very quickly in the Principality; haute couture, perfumery, jewellery, the finest jewels have found there home here. Nice combines in the city centre some fifty of the most prestigious brands. In Nice, the golden triangle is delimited by Rue Paradis, Avenue de Suède and Avenue de Verdun. The Nice Étoile shopping centre is located on Avenue Jean Médecin with many brands. Old Nice also groups over 600 shops, artists and craftsmen. It is truly an outdoor shopping centre where you will find shops featuring local products and typical gifts, as well as many trendy boutiques. The Galeries Lafayette department store (www.galerieslafayette.com) is present in Nice and Cannes as well as Saint-Laurent-du-Var in the Cap 3000 shopping centre (www.cap3000.com) and offers new services: a VIP lounge with a personal shopper, a welcome desk with a multilingual hostess to provide information for foreign visitors (only in Nice). Antibes Juan-les-Pins becomes the trendy centre of the French Riviera every summer. A multitude of shops open their doors to satisfy all fashion-conscious customers. Folly and eccentricity are the watchwords for the city with its Jazz Festival.
It should also be recalled that prestige brands originated on the French Riviera, like the famous shirt maker Façonnable founded in the 1950s and found today throughout the world, and Chacok (www.chacok.com) since the first shop was created in the south of France in 1971. In 1973, the founder Arlette Decok set up headquarters in Biot, where it remains today.
7 to 10 January 2010
THE CANNES SHOPPING FESTIVAL The main meeting for fashion lovers. Fashion shows with designers from the world over, special dinners, Fashion Awards, event for the general public, feverish soirees... > www.cannesshoppingfestival.com
FOR THE HOME The town and villages of the Riviera also offer their treasures. Some creators and designers have set up their studios in more discreet parts of the Côte d’Azur.
In Grasse, the Fragonard Maison boutique (www.fragonard. com) is brimming with original trendy deco gift ideas: the Fragonard spirit unites the world of perfume with that of the house.
ARTS & CRAFTS Biot village famous for its speciality of blown glass: the Verrerie de Biot glassworks (www.verreriebiot.com) exports its famous bubble glass all over the world. Verrerie Guyot (www.verrerieguyot.free.fr) also created unique pieces of blown glass, blending colours and using gold and silver leaf. The village of Biot is full of craftsmen - master glassblowers who offer creations both original and classical, some considered to be works of art. In the 1950s, the ceramist Éloi Monod took over and developed the craft of glassblowing, creating a very distinctive type of bubble glass. The best known example is that of Jean-Claude Novarro, a glassblower at the Verrerie de Biot who was able to assert his talent and has become today one of the world’s most famous glassblowers. The ceramists of Vallauris Jean Marais and Jean Cocteau made the reputation of Vallauris, a village that already had many ceramists. This craft persists today, an exceptional heritage the village protects. In the streets, there are galleries and areas dedicated to ceramic artists who make the reputation of this little village on the Riviera today, exporting its creations for international exhibitions bearing with them the artistic identity of Vallauris.
INTERNATIONAL BIENNALE OF CONTEMPORARY CERAMICS to be held in the summer of 2010 in Vallauris with the United States as guests of honour 1966 - 2010: in 1966, a national ceramics context was founded at the instigation of the ceramists of Vallauris with support from the municipality. In 1968, it became an international biennale of ceramic art: the formula was launched and has lasted successfully to this day, positioning ceramic creation in the world of contemporary art. International renown: the Biennale, in which the greatest ceramists of the second half of the 20th century and today have participated (Édouard Chappalaz, Michael Cleff, Bernard Dejonghe, Hans Hedberg, Elisabeth Joulia, Jun Kaneko, Yves Mohy, Stéphane Pancréach, Gilbert Portanier, Clémence Van Lunen, Betty Woodman, Masamichi Yoshikawa and many more) is organised by the municipality of Vallauris. > www.vallauris-golfe-juan.fr
La Colle-sur-Loup... with Jacqueline Morabito, designer of furniture, jewellery and objects > www.jacquelinemorabito.com In Nice... with the talented young designer Stéphanie Marin (www.smarin.net): discover the famous Livingstones evoking the river cobbles of Nice! EXCLUSIVE RIVIERA 20 21
LEISURE ACTIVITIES: SOME IDEAS TO SATISFY YOUR WHIMS Let yourself be lulled by the Sea and cast off onboard truly exceptional yachts and legendary sailboats... by treating yourself to a skipper’s services with Arthaud Yachting, the specialist of nautical events. > www.arthaudyachting.com Take off in a helicopter for a panoramic flight, a tour or simply a transfer to snow-covered winter resorts with Azur Hélicoptère. > http://azurhelico.com Set out for an outing in the hinterland in an Alfa Spider Duetto, drive down La Croisette in Cannes in an AC Cobra, or go out to dinner in Monaco in our Rolls Royce with Rent-A-Car, the French Riviera’s sports and vintage car rental company. > http://rentacarclassic.com
ACCOMMODATION The French Riviera features sixteen 5-star hotels representing a capacity of 2,178 rooms and 4,473 beds (on 1 January 2010). This recognition in terms of luxury hotels enables international clientele to appreciate the French Riviera destination in the niche in which it has held a dominant position for over a century.
ANTIBES JUANLES-PINS
Hôtel du Cap Eden Roc > www.hotel-du-cap-eden-roc.com
Hôtel Belles Rives > www.bellesrives.com
Hôtel Impérial Garoupe > www.imperial-garoupe.com
CANNES
Hôtel Intercontinental Carlton Cannes > www.ichotelsgroup.com
Hôtel Majestic Barrière > www.majestic-barriere.com
Hôtel Martinez > www.hotel-martinez.com
Hôtel Palais Stéphanie > www.lepalaisstephanie.com
EZE
Hôtel Cap Estel > www.capestel.com
GRASSE
La Bastide Saint Antoine > www.jacques-chibois.com
NICE
Hôtel Négresco > www.hotel-negresco-nice.com (NB: closed for works in 2010 – reopening scheduled on 1 July 2010)
Le Palais de la Méditerranée > www.palais.concorde-hotels.com
ROQUEBRUNE CAP-MARTIN
> www.montecarloresort.com
Monte-Carlo Beach Hôtel
SAINT-JEAN CAP-FERRAT
> www.grand-hotel-cap-ferrat.com
Grand Hôtel du Cap Ferrat Hôtel Royal Riviera > www.royal-riviera.com
SAINT-PAUL DE VENCE
Le Mas de Pierre
VENCE
Château Saint-Martin & Spa
> www.lemasdepierre.com
> www.chateau-st-martin.com
“CHAMBRES D’HÔTE”, LUXURY AND CHARM In a privileged environment, whether on the coast, in the hinterland or the mountains, the French Riviera offers many “chambres d’hôtes” and “tables d’hôtes”. Open by private owners in their homes or estates, these “chambres d’hôtes” are available by the night. Two affiliated networks: Fleurs de Soleil > www.fleursdesoleil.fr Gîtes de France > www.gites-de-france-alpes-maritimes.com.
NEW THIS YEAR Les Chambres de Mon Moulin in Pégomas, along the Mimosa Route. > http://les-chambres-de-mon-moulin.com La Bastide Fleur de Pierre in the hills between Saint-Paul de Vence and La Colle-sur-Loup. > www.bastidefleurdepierre.com Harmony of body and mind, ambiance favourable to relaxation at Villa’Zen in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. > www.villazen.fr List on request from the CRT. .
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WELL-BEING ONTHE FRENCH RIVIERA: A DESTINATION OF HARMONY AND HAPPINESS
The trend for well-being corresponds to a need that is complementary to exoticism and a new art of living. Stress and a frenetic lifestyle lead to a search for reconciliation with ego and body. Following this trend, the Alpes-Maritimes département now offers a range of well-being care that expands day after day. The département’s offering of care in spas and thalassotherapy centres answers this growing need for recharging one’s batteries. Indeed, the sea nourishes humankind. It even provides care! The ancients were prescient, and the third millennium has found in thalassotherapy both a new science and a new art of living, comfortable in body and mind. The luxury hotel business rapidly responded to this demand by also proposing holistic care, like sophrology, yoga and Tai Chi Chuan, to reconcile body and mind, against the backdrop of the sea, Mediterranean landscapes and the aroma of lavender, thyme and rosemary. And it is by appealing to our senses - vision, smell, hearing, touch - that we can rediscover peace of mind and joy of living, thanks to the pure mountain air, the benefits of seawater care and spas.
DEEP NATURE SPA BY ALGOTHERM HOTEL BOSCOLO EXEDRA NICE **** NICE Unique in Nice, the Deep Nature Spa by Algotherm is located in the very heart of Hôtel Exedra Boscolo Nice, one of the city’s new flagship hotels. On its 500m² surface area, it offers a spa swimming pool, regenerating massage, sauna or steam bath while sipping herbal tea and a fitness room with the latest equipment. > www.deepnature.fr www.boscolohotels.com
NEW - U SPA BARRIERE End of March 2010. The French Riviera will have a new exclusive 450m² spa in Hôtel Majestic, facing the sea and opening directly on the Festival Hall in Cannes. Areas dedicated to relaxation and to care blend nature and luxury as well as top-of-the-range facilities will further enhance this legendary venue’s appeal. > www.majestic-barriere.com
H02 – THERMES MARINS DE CANNES CANNES Cannes’ very first new seawater therapy centre is set to be the “in” address for health and well-being on the Côte d’Azur from the Film Festival in May 2009 onwards. Named the H02, this luxury spa shall comprise a 3000 m2 complex over 3 levels entirely devoted to well-being and total relaxation. The new space will have 46 spa treatment booths. Clients will be able to enjoy the benefits of seawater-based treatments combined with the expertise of beauty care treatments offered by the Anne Sémonin, Dr Hauschka and Valmont brands. A stone’s throw from the Croisette, the Thermes Marins de Cannes will be directly connected by an underground passage to the city’s latest palace, the 1835 White Palm Hotel. > www.lesthermesmarins-cannes.com
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GOLF: SWINGING INTHE SUN! 21 golf courses open all year round could ask for no finer backdrop than the landscapes of the French Riviera.
This is without doubt what makes the French Riviera one of the choice destinations on “Planet Sing”! From wherever you are based in the region - Nice, Monaco, Mandelieu-La Napoule or Cannes - you’re within half an hour of a golf course. They are all aesthetically and technically perfect, set in outstanding environments and combining every possible pleasure! Great names in the sport are drawn to courses designed by the most illustrious architects (Robert Trent Jones, Don Harradine, Bob van Hagge, etc)... So you may well bump into some highly talented players in the shade of an umbrella pine or mimosa tree!
SOME FIGURES > > > > > >
21 golf courses 11 with 18 holes 5 with 9 holes 4 compact courses with 9 holes 4 practice ranges 10 golf courses less than 20km from Cannes and, not far, 12 18-hole courses in the Var > 3 golf courses in the mountain
A distinction for golf tourism on the Riviera: International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO*) rewards the Provence Alpes-Côte d’Azur Destination The excellence of golfing opportunities on the Riviera was honoured by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators whose trophy of excellence for the Europe zone for the year 2010 went to the Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur Region. IAGTO (International Association of Golf Tour Operators) is the global trade organisation for golf tourism. Founded in 1997, it boasts 1,340 tour operators accredited from golf, hotels, golf courses, receptive agencies, airlines, tourist bureaux as well as media and commercial partners in 77 countries. > http://www.iagto.com/Public/Awards/2010/PR3.aspx
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A GOLFING PASS TO DISCOVER THE DIFFERENT COURSES ON THE FRENCH RIVIERA! The “Golf Pass Pays de Grasse” opens the gates to four major courses: > Golf du Claux Amic (Grasse) > Golf de la Grande Bastide (Châteauneuf-de-Grasse) > Golf d’Opio-Valbonne (Opio) > Golf de Saint-Donat (Grasse) Combine sport and lifestyle throughout the seasons. > www.grasse.fr The “Pass Golf Mandelieu” comprises two green fees, giving you access to two 18-hole courses in Mandelieu-La Napoule: the Old Course and the Riviera Golf. > www.ot-mandelieu.fr
HIGHLIGHT: A Golf & Spa Resort on the French Riviera For the first time on the French Riviera, one resort offers a host of plus points in a single venue: outstanding geographical location, perfect integration into a natural setting, a sophisticated and friendly atmosphere, top-ofthe-range décor and service. > www.royalmougins.fr GOLF 26 27
BUSINESSTOURISM: THE FRENCH RIVIERA, A FIRST-CLASS BUSINESS DESTINATION...
The French Riviera and Monaco have for years played host to the world’s most prestigious events / The International Cannes Film Festival, Formula 1 Grand Prix, Nice’s Carnival, Tennis Masters, Jazz Festival and many others. Organizational know-how, the quality of its hospitality infrastructures and that of its professionals have enabled the French Riviera to become a leading destination for corporate and association meetings, conventions, incentives and trade shows. Once known mainly as a luxury vacation destination, the French Riviera has for over 20 years offered an ideal setting for meeting industry. The French Riviera Convention Bureau represents and promotes the Alpes-Maritimes in this context. The convention bureau is a facilitator. It is the single channel for any event organiser, constituting an interface with professionals and institutional players in the region. It is involved in four segments of business tourism: company events / trade shows / association congresses / incentive trips.
10 GOOD REASONS TO CHOOSE THE FRENCH RIVIERA 1 - Easy to get here 2 - Coherent and structured logistics 3 - A well-adapted hotel capacity 4 - A dream destination 5 - A land of innovation 6 - Proven know-how and experience 7 - Strict health and safety regulations 8 - A cosmopolitan metropolis 9 - Unrivalled tourist attractions 10 - A dedicated Convention Bureau > MORE INFORMATION ON www.frenchriviera-cb.com
SOME FIGURES > Top destination for business tourism in France after Paris > Top airport in France after Paris > 10 million passengers a year > 33 daily flights between Nice and Paris > 101 direct destinations > 30 countries > Top helicopter service in Europe > 8 convention centres > 1,000 seminar rooms > 500,000 participants in conventions, seminars and exhibitions > 700 hotels, 30,000 rooms (30% classified 4*) > more than 130 museums
Information on the net: “Events and Conventions” in French and in English on the Convention Bureau’s websites: www.cotedazur-cb.com
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DISABLED TOURISM
Making holidays more accessible to disabled people has become a national priority in France. This is reflected in the policy implemented over recent years by the Ministry for Tourism. The Comité Régional du Tourisme Riviera Côte d’Azur is the Project Manager for the “Tourisme & Handicap” label in the Alpes-Maritimes. Its goal is to implement a host of initiatives focusing on accessibility.
SOME FIGURES
The “Tourisme & Handicap” label pertains to the four main fields of disability (sight, hearing, physical and mental). The scheme is voluntary, and the label can be awarded for one or several disabilities. All establishments sporting the label benefit from competitive edge in terms of quality. In order to perfect the “accessible tourism” label, CRT Riviera is helping communes throughout the destination to adapt their tourism infrastructures. Its in-depth accessibility project provides disabled visitors with information about tourist sites that have been approved for their disability with a little autonomy. Given demographic ageing, the project also concerns the senior population. Communes in the Department are aware of the need for an accessibility policy on their territory. They are currently in the initiation phase and are proving to be very dynamic - hence the synergy being generated between local councils and institutions, fostering accessibility to sites and services both for tourists and for residents, and creating suitable tourism products.
> > > > > > > >
73 sites carrying the label in the Alpes-Maritimes 37 accommodation facilities 16 Tourist Offices 3 show/exhibition venues – congress centres 11 museums – historical monuments 4 leisure parks/botanical gardens/flower gardens 1 restaurant 54 leisure sites/beaches
CRT Riviera has produced a new “Accessibility Guide” for an audience with specific needs. The new brochure details the tourism sites that have been awarded the national ‘Tourisme & Handicap’ label plus accessible sites recommended by Tourist Offices, and suitable holiday offers and packages on the French Riviera.
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THE FRENCH RIVIERA ONLINE
You can find complete information on the French Riviera on the official portal:
www.cotedazur-tourisme.com This official portal for tourist information on the destination Riviera Côte d’Azur offer web users a chance to prepare their stays actively: > Presentation of the complete offering for tourism in the département. > Enhancement of our destination’s main themes, through articles in the Web Magazine, or creating “mini sites, dedicated pages” on such key themes as snow > www.cotedazur-montagne.com, Saint Valentine’s Day... It is available in 4 languages: French – English – Italian and Spanish; soon in German. > Web users will also find a page on “gentle prices, listing the best rates on the Riviera by category. > Video excursions on the Riviera, prepared and produced by DP & DWP- DJANET PRODUCTION & DEC WORLD PRODUCTION: to discover the towns and villages of the French Riviera “live”. These videos complete what already exists in terms of 3D maps and virtual tours of the riviera, available on the home page of the portal: > www.cotedazur-tourisme.com
OTHER SITES Business tourism: > www.frenchriviera-cb.com Site of the Tourist Observatory (statistics): > www.touriscope.com Online photo library: visuals on the “Côte d’Azur”, at your disposal royalty-free on the site: > www.crtriviera-phototheque.com (except for use on cover pages and posters).
SOCIAL NETWORKS Join us on Facebook: For all other who love the French Riviera, this page enables you to share your favourites, photos, videos! and, of course, keep up with all the local news... http://www.facebook.com/pages/CotedAzurTourisme/107143874529 On Twitter https://twitter.com/Visit_Cotedazur
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