In the residential heights of Vallauris, around 1.5km from the heart of this handsome town, Villa Bleu De Ciel enjoys a prime position with stunning French Riviera views, a short drive to Cannes, Antibes and the glorious beaches of Juan-les-Pins.
Vallauris is an atmospheric town with bustling restaurants and cafes, shops and ceramic studios. Once the home of Pablo Picasso, look out for street-art across the town which has been inspired by the famous painter and visit the highly regarded Musée National Pablo Picasso. It’s just a short drive down to the coast at Golfe-Juan, a seaside resort with restaurants, a marina, sandy beaches and boat hire opportunities.
Soak up the glamour of Cannes as you stroll along La Croisette boulevard, only 7km away. As well as the city’s boutiques, high-end restaurants and bars, you can also experience the charm of its old quarter, Le Suquet, enjoy the vibrant Marché Forville and take a boat tour from its marina. Not to mention Cannes’ palm-fringed beaches and watersports.
The chic resort of Juan-les-Pins (6km) is another great spot for its French Riviera beaches as well as a range of water-based activities, boat trips and beachside restaurants. Continue on to explore the old town in Antibes (7km) with its maze of narrow lanes, historic ramparts and pretty restaurants whilst Cap d’Antibes offers magnificent coastal walking trails and picturesque bays.
Other attractions on the French Riviera include the grand city of Nice (26km) and the impressive municipality of Monaco (48km). Then there’s the outstanding natural beauty of Cap-Ferrat, the charm of Villefranche-sur-Mer and the views from the medieval village of Èze.
Heading inland towards the Côte d'Azur hinterland, follow Picasso’s footsteps in Mougins (9km), a flower-filled village with a reputation for its art and gastronomy, and visit the historic town of Valbonne (13km) on a Friday morning for its wonderful market. The perfume capital of France, Grasse (20km), can also be visited in a day, passing olive groves, rolling hills and woodland, or stay closer to home and enjoy lunch out in hilltop Biot (11km) with its sensational views of the French Riviera coastline.
The Region
Despite being renowned for its annual international film festival in May at the iconic Palais des Festivals, Cannes is not just a glamourous destination for the rich and famous. The attractive Côte d’Azur town is loved all year round for its palm-fringed beaches, upmarket shopping opportunities and wonderful restaurants as well as a certain French Riviera charm.
Stroll along Cannes’ iconic La Croisette boulevard following the footsteps of stars from years gone by as you admire prestigious hotels, luxurious boutiques and private beach clubs. Stop off for a cocktail as the sun sets and admire the twinkling lights across the bay. Even at night, La Croisette remains the vibrant heart of this bustling town.
Shop to your heart’s delight along the streets of the Carré d’Or district – come across hundreds of well-known stores along Rue d’Antibes. At the end of a busy day there’s a vast choice of restaurants to suit every taste and budget from authentic bistros spilling out on to the street to Michelin starred establishments.
Soak up the historic side of Cannes as you explore Le Suquet quarter’s medieval lanes passing little shops, atmospheric restaurants, flower-filled balconies and old fishermen’s houses. Climb to the top of the hill by Église Notre-Dame d'Espérance for stunning views of the harbour, followed by a visit to Château de la Castre and its popular museum. This part of Cannes is also home to the colourful Marché Forville showcasing the very best gourmet delights of Cannes and beyond.
Escape the crowds as you venture to Croix Des Gardes natural park with forest walking routes, botanical plants and glorious views across to the Lérins Islands. Look out for some fantastic boat trips from Cannes’ marina from whale and dolphin-watching excursions to family adventures on board a chartered yacht, sight-seeing ferries and romantic sun-set cruises.
Beyond the city centre, visit the ceramic studios and National Picasso Museum in Vallauris, follow Picasso’s footsteps in the enchanting hilltop village of Mougins (loved for its galleries and gastronomy) and appreciate the artistic vibe of Biot with beautiful views of the French Riviera. Chic Juan-les-Pins, so loved by Parisians in the summer, is home to beachside restaurants and more watersports whilst keen walkers will adore the incredible coastal trail around Cap d’Antibes.
In the other direction is the charming seaside village of Théoule-sur-Mer, backed by the dramatic Esterel massif, another paradise for hikers. By staying in one of our collection of handpicked rentals in Cannes you can experience all of this and more during your time on the glistening Côte d’Azur.
