Historical fiction set in 1920s OXFORD
Hidden Côte d’Azur
26th June 2021
The Côte d’Azur is the length of French coast stretching roughly from Marseilles in the West to the Italian border in the East. It’s home to resorts such as St Tropez, Cannes, and Nice – the playgrounds of the rich and famous. There’s also a much quieter, hidden and less intense side to the Côte d’Azur, where life happens at a more tranquil pace.
Start in Marseilles and head East. You’ll soon come across the impressive Calanques – a series of rocky cliffs and bays which you’ll see as you head towards the the town of Cassis. They’re essentially inlets that have been formed in the limestone cliffs, leaving behind a series of beautiful little bays. The Massif des Calanques is a wild and rugged terrain spanning 20 km in length and 4 km in width along the coast. Its highest peak is Mont Puget at 565m. The area has been protected by a national park since 2012. You can get to the coast itself by driving down through the Massif (a tad scary, but very much worth it) or by boat from Marseilles. The inlets and bays are often quiet even in the height of summer.
A litte further along the coast you’ll arrive at Hyères, a charming medieval town with narrow streets, old churches, and old facades. But be ready to work for the view as you’ll have to climb to the top! You’ll also find quaint shops as well as charming cafes and restaurants in town. There are some brilliant beaches and walks in the area. Hyères serves as an idyllic escape from the glitz and glamour of Cannes and St. Tropez. This little gem is no secret among the French, as locals flock to the town and nearby beaches for a relaxing holiday every year – if you want to experience the French bon vivant, Hyères is the place.
Between Cape Taillat and Cape Camarat, Escalet Beach is surrounded by claws of granite and shale. This is on the same peninsula as Saint-Tropez, near the festive and mythical Pampelonne Beach. However, Escalet is mercifully tranquil. The underwater stone lace attracts many fish, providing an opportunity to snorkel in the depths before lying down on a beach to enjoy the beautiful Mediterranean coast. A pretty peaceful and relaxing place.
The Lérins islands are the stars of the bay of Cannes, and Sainte-Marguerite is the largest of them. Geographically very close to Cannes (20 minutes by boat), but an eternity apart. There are 150 hectares of peaceful eucalyptus and Aleppo pine trees, surrounded by the clearest sea. The botanical journey allows you to observe the species of maritime trees and plants. To the west of the island, the pond of Bateguier is the sanctuary of many migratory birds. A really great place to escape the hustle and bustle of Cannes itself.
And finally on to Menton, the last town on the Côte d’Azur before the Italian border. Nowadays the town is a bit sleepy, but it used to be a really popular resort for the British. If you’re there, you have to go to the Old Port. It’s beautiful and peaceful in its own right, but also provides the best views of the old town. The pastel coloured buildings certainly have a very Italian feel to them.
Not only a beautiful coast to visit, the Côte d’Azur is also the setting for many amazing books. Here’s a list of ten of our favourites – enjoy!
Tony for the TripFiction team
Join team TripFiction on Social Media:
Twitter (@TripFiction), Facebook (@TripFiction.Literarywanderlust), YouTube (TripFiction #Literarywanderlust), Instagram (@TripFiction) and Pinterest (@TripFiction)