Lifestyle

The Côte d’Azur is buzzing with events and activities all year round. Here is our guide for the year of events, with something for everyone. Check out our blog for up-to-date information on events and things to do on the French Riviera.

Spring

Nice Half Marathon
April
Allianz Riviera Stadium, Nice
Annual half marathon held around Nice’s brand new football stadium.

Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters
April/May
Monte-Carlo Country Club, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin
This annual tennis tournament kicks off the clay court season with an incredible Mediterranean backdrop. A big date in the European sports calendar.

Cannes Film Festival
May
Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, Cannes
Every year, Cannes rolls out its red carpet for the world-renowned film festival. Founded in 1946, the festival brings together stars and visitors from around the globe. For just under 2 weeks, Cannes becomes a buzzing hive of celebrities, parties and fabulous outfits.

Monaco Grand Prix
May
Monaco
Since 1929, the Grand Prix has been the biggest event in Monaco’s busy calendar and arguably the biggest motor race in the world. Visitors flock from far and wide to soak in the atmosphere and watch the competitors wiz round the famous hairpin bend.

La Nuit des Musées
May
All around France
For one night a year, museums open their doors for free, allowing you to experience all of their wonders in a different light.

Summer

Fête de la Musique
21st of June
All over France
The annual music festival was founded by former French Minister of Culture, Jack Lang, and is celebrated throughout France. Expect live bands, mojito stands and people of all ages dancing in the streets.

Iron Man Nice
June/July
Promenade des Anglais, Nice
This gruelling triathlon takes place every year starting and ending on the world-famous Promenade in Nice. Competitors carry out a 3.8 km swim, a 180 km bike ride and a marathon (42 km) to top it all off. Not one for the faint-hearted!

Nice Jazz Festival
July
Théâtre de Verdure, Place Masséna, Nice
In 1948, Nice hosted the first jazz festival in the world. Over the years, it has welcomed the likes of Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald and Miles Davis to name but a few.

Jazz à Juan
July
Juan-les-Pins
Another of the Riviera’s annual jazz festivals is held in Juan-les-Pins on the seafront. The town’s Boulevard Edouard Baudoin is lined with ceramic handprints of its famous performers.

Monaco International Fireworks Contest
Dates in July and August
Port Hercule, Monaco
Since 1966, Monaco has been hosting an International Fireworks Contest which is an atmospheric show of colours, shapes and music. Viewing points can be found all around Monaco and you can see it all for free.

Lavender and sunflower fields
June to August
The picture-perfect lavender and sunflower fields can be experienced from around June to August every year in many locations around Provence. Our top locations are around Grasse and the Préalpes d’Azur national park, and the Plateau de Valensole in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. The best way to experience them is by car or motorbike, stopping along the way for photos and picnics.

La Prom’ Party
Dates in July and August
Negresco Hotel to the Avenue des Phocéens, Nice Free concert marrying pop, rock, jazz, blues and world music! The Promenade transforms into a giant dance floor with a buzzing atmosphere.

Fête du Port
Early September
Port Lympia, Nice
Annual niçois festivities situated on Nice’s charming port. Here you can find traditional music, children’s activities, delicious food stalls from the city’s top chefs and a beautiful firework display to top it all off.

Autumn

Monte Carlo Yacht Show
End of September
Port Hercule, Monaco
This world-famous luxury sailing and yachting trade show takes place over 4 days and welcomes 30,000 visitors a year. Here you can find stands from all professions in the business and over a hundred magnificent superyachts on display. An informative and glamorous day out.

Cannes Royal Regatta
Late September
Bay of Cannes
A week of classic yacht racing held in the bay of Cannes. If you are into yachts, you can apply to compete and if not, it makes a great spectator sport.

Marathon des Alpes-Maritimes
November
Nice - Cannes
Annual marathon held by the sea, starting on Nice’s Promenade des Anglais and finishing on the Croisette in Cannes. Marathons don’t get much more glamorous than this one!

C’est pas Classique
November
Acropolis events centre, Nice

A weekend of free classical music concerts for everyone to enjoy.

Winter

Village de Noël

December - January
Place Masséna, Nice
An enchanting festive village animates the Place Masséna around Christmas time. The famous square fills with gift stalls, delicious food and drink, a Ferris wheel, an ice rink and Santa’s Grotto.

Prom Classic
January
Promenade des Anglais, Nice
Annual 10k race along the Promenade.

New Year
All along the Riviera
The French Riviera is characterised by glitz and glamour all year round and the new year is always welcomed in style. Fireworks displays can be found in the big cities and festivities are held all along the coast.

Carnaval de Nice
February
Nice
One of the world’s biggest carnival events is held annually in the heart of Nice. For two weeks in February, the city’s streets are lined with colourful papier-mâché floats representing current affairs and the world’s big personalities. Flower and costume parades take place day and night, providing an unforgettable experience for the whole family.

La Fête du Citron
February/March
Menton
Since 1934, Menton annually hosts a unique and unforgettable event… a lemon festival! For two whole weeks you can witness designs, decorations, floats and processions, all made out of citrus fruits. A whopping 145 tonnes of oranges and lemons are used every year.

Ski
December - April
Various locations
It’s not all beaches and cocktails on the Côte d’Azur! In the winter months, you can find great ski resorts just an hour and a half away from the coast. Auron, Isola 2000 and Valberg are some of the closest and most popular resorts.