Monaco is a tiny principality on the Côte d’Azur about half-way between Nice and the Italian border. It epitomises the Riviera with its palm trees, lush gardens, luxury hôtels and glamorous lifestyles. The Grimaldis of Monaco Monaco is ruled by the Grimaldi family – the present Prince, Albert II is a well known environmentalist. His father and predecessor Prince Rainier, famously...

Fabulous Nice, capital of the French Riviera, occupies a prime position on the beautiful Baie des Anges at the foot of the Alps. Moreover, its Italianate charm, resulting from a long association with its next door neighbour (see the County of Nice), its Baroque buildings and near perfect climate all contribute to its appeal. I have distinguished between the modern...

This remote, high altitude (800m/2625ft) village is located about 64km/40miles north east of Nice. Perched on a ledge overlooking the Valley of the Vésubie, magnificent views are on offer. On the Salt Road On the Old Salt Road or route de sel between Nice and Piedmont, this is a fascinating old village. Called Uels in the Occitan language there are some...

Perhaps the most well-known resort on the Riviera di Ponente (the Western half of the Italian Riviera) San Remo is famous for its intensive cultivation of flowers, the Festivale della canzone Italiana di San Remo (Italian Song Festival) and not least because it has been a tourist haven since the nineteenth century when the English and Russian aristocracies used to...