The Berkeley Guides:
Berkeley Guide to Europe:
France:
The Riviera
Also known as the Côte d'Azur, the French Riviera is a narrow stretch of Mediterranean coastline extending from St-Tropez to the Italian border. For decades the Riviera has been Europe's playground, conjuring up images of wealth, sandy beach resorts, and all that is chic. In reality, the beaches are mostly small and pebbly (at least those east of Antibes), the area is overdeveloped and crowded, the movie stars have escaped to more secluded areas, and it's horribly expensive.
Nevertheless, the sun, the sidewalk cafés, the smell of sand and sea, and the sight of aloof expatriates still hold a sublime allure. Life along the coast revolves around the beach; people come to the Riviera to get horizontal and maximize their UV exposure. Some beaches are public and free, but on many others, you have to pay a fee (40F and up), for the right to a plot of sand, an umbrella, and maybe your own personal beach slave to serve you drinks.
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