The Côte d'Azur (French Riviera) is a glamorous stretch of Mediterranean coastline named for its deep azure-blue waters. The skies are often a mesmerizing cerulean hue as well, thanks to the sunny weather most of the year in this area of southern France.

The Côte d'Azur begins at Saint-Tropez (overlapping with the Provence region) and extends all the way to Menton, less than 30 kilometers from the border with Italy. The Côte d'Azur became popular with the British as a wintertime resort in the 1820s. Nowadays, it's a bustling (and crowded) summer vacation destination. Spring and autumn bring milder weather and a quieter, more relaxing atmosphere.