French Riviera Book

Introduction: A Trick of the Light     15
History
From Caves to Cistercians     16
Shaping the Coast     21
Post-War Boom     33
Decisive Dates     40
Features
In Words and Pictures     43
Taste of the Coast     53
Places
Introduction     63
Hyeres and the Massif des Maures     67
St-Tropez and its Peninsula     81
St-Raphael, Frejus and the Argens Valley     95
Cannes     107
Antibes and the Plateau de Valbonne     121
Grasse and the Loup Valley     139
Cagnes, Vence and the Var Valley     149
Nice     165
Cap Ferret and the Golden Triangle     179
Monaco     189
Menton     205
The Perched Villages     219
Border Country     233
Photo Features
The Riviera on Canvas     50
The Cult of Celebrity     118
Tropical Gardens     146
Fantasy Land     202
Information Panels
Roman Remains     19
The Blue Train     26
Brigitte Bardot     39
The Cannes Film Festival     110
PicassoCountry     124
Renoir at Les Collettes     152
The Fondation Maeght     156
Matisse in Nice     168
Menton's Gardens     210
Vallee des Merveilles     240
Travel Tips
Transport
Getting There     248
By Air     248
By Sea     248
By Train     249
By Bus     249
By Car     250
Getting Around     250
From the Airports     250
Public Transport     250
By Car     251
By Bicycle     253
Hitch-hiking     253
In the Air     253
Accommodation
Choosing a Hotel     254
Hotels     254
Bed & Breakfast     254
Gites     254
Gites d'Etape     255
Youth Hostels     255
Camping     255
Hotels by Region     255
Hotel Guides     256
Hyeres and the Massif des Maures     256
St-Tropez and its Peninsula     257
St-Raphael, Frejus and the Argens Valley     258
Cannes     258
Antibes and the Plateau de Valbonne      259
Grasse and the Loup Valley     260
Cagnes, Vence and the Var Valley     260
Nice     260
Cap Ferrat and the Golden Triangle     261
Monaco, Monte-Carlo     262
Menton and Roquebrune-Cap-Martin     262
The Perched Villages     263
Border Country     263
Activities
The Arts     264
Festivals     264
Nightlife     265
Shopping     266
Sport     268
A-Z
Budgeting for your Trip     270
Business Hours     270
Children     271
Crime and Security     272
Customs     272
Disabled Travellers     272
Embassies & Consulates     272
Emergencies     273
Entry Regulations     273
Health Care & Services     273
Money     275
Postal Services     275
Public Holidays     275
Telephones     276
Tourist Information     277
Websites     277
Language
Understanding French     278
Further Reading
History and Culture     282
Food and Art      282