The French Riviera Under Le Ponant’S Sails

Nice is situated on the SE coast of France on the French Riviera, and is the second-largest French city on the Mediterranean coast. Monaco lies 13km to the east. Nice itself is an attraction: the rich blue-green sea, diverse shopping, splendid dining and lovely art-deco façades. Read more about Nice, France

Portofino, part of the Italian Riviera, sits on a peninsula in the Tigullio Gulf east of Genoa. It is a picturesque half-moon shaped seaside village, with shops, restaurants - with their famous sea food - and cafes, lining the shore. The crystalline green waters invite visitors to enjoy diving as there are 20 dive sites, as well as boating, in specified areas. Read more about Portofino, Italy

Of all the French Riviera resorts, Menton is the warmest and most Italian, being within a couple of kilometres of the border with Italy. Monaco is 8 km to the west. Menton retains an atmosphere of aristocratic tourism, being even more of a rich retirement haven than Nice. Read more about Menton, France

Antibes is a resort town of SE France, on the Mediterranean Sea in the Côte d'Azur, located between Cannes and Nice. The major attractions of Antibes are its history, climate, art, yachting, and its sandy beaches that are completely man-made, and – yes - there are 48 beaches along 25 km of coastline. Then there’s its yacht marina built on the site of a Roman harbour in the 1960s that is now the largest on the Côte d'Azur. Read more about Antibes, France

The picturesque and elegant French city of Cannes, situated on the French Riviera, is possibly best known for its famous annual Film Festival, though it is also known for some beautiful beaches, glamorous yachts, a variety of luxury shops, and restaurants. Cannes is a most cosmopolitan town, and visitors are hard pressed to find a genuine native, as many attracted to the Côte d'Azur have chosen to make it their home. Not surprisingly, restaurants have international cuisines, including the traditional gastronomic delights. Read more about Cannes, France

The seaside resort town of Saint-Tropez that lies 104 km to the east of Marseille in SE France is very popular with tourists. Set on the lovely blue water of the Bay of Saint-Tropez, this modern version of a medieval town is distinguished by the line of yachts along the quay, the promenade, and the famous terrace cafes. Behind the cafes, the small streets and old buildings comprising sunset-hued pink, orange and deep red townhouses are picturesque, but they're possibly more popular for the multitude of shops and restaurants than their historical significance. Read more about St Tropez, France

Cassis, a very ancient fishing port, is a commune situated in southern France and is a fascinating village to visit. The village was rebuilt on the old ruins of the 18th century, resulting in a more regular layout than most other medieval villages. A walk through the old village streets reveals quaint old buildings, some dating back to the 16th century, and some restored with the colourful pastels of Provence. Read more about Cassis, France

Nice is situated on the SE coast of France on the French Riviera, and is the second-largest French city on the Mediterranean coast. Monaco lies 13km to the east. Nice itself is an attraction: the rich blue-green sea, diverse shopping, splendid dining and lovely art-deco façades. Read more about Nice, France