THE FRENCH RIVERA - A STUDENT’S VIEW

It was the spring of 1882 and the royal train carrying the “Countess of Balmoral” arrived in Menton two days after leaving Windsor Station on March 14th. Menton is a town on the south-east coast of France famous for its gardens and beaches, just a short drive from Monaco, and the “Countess of Balmoral” was nothing but a pseudonym used by a certain Queen Victoria. Thus began the legend, fame and glitz of the French Riviera. This coastal strip from St. Tropez to Menton along the French Italian border, thanks to a wide range of high-profile events from the Cannes Film Festival to the Monaco Grand Prix, shines just as bright even today.

I am currently pursuing my masters in Nice, so it seems fitting I should start there. An incredibly modern and developed industrial hub, it makes you feel like you are in the renaissance when you wander down the cobbled path to reach Vieux Nice (Old Nice). My personal favourite place here, Vieux Nice is crammed with chapels, restaurants, bars, trinket shops, and ice cream parlors in each alleyway. It is vital that if you really like a place, you go and try it because trust me, you won’t be able to find it again. The roads are always bustling with tourists and locals alike as street performers attempt to jump through a ring of fire or dance a romantic tango completely blindfolded. It may not be the Eiffel Tower but it is an experience which you can find nowhere else. One of the defining features of Nice is it’s gorgeous 4.4km oceanside route called the Promenade Des Anglais. Walk down the Promenade and you’ll see the most azure waters and breathtaking sunsets but also every level of runner, skater, swimmer and cyclist this diverse city has to offer. Because let me be clear, for all its beauty, its the people that make Nice so special. Completely disproving the “rude French” trope, in my experience, everyone in Nice is genuine, respectful and well, nice.

An incredibly scenic one-hour bus ride from Nice is the home of the rich and famous, the Principality of Monaco. Famous for it’s casino, yachts, fast cars, luxury shops and of course Charles Leclerc (just google him, you’ll thank me), the second smallest country in the world is one of the most otherworldly places you can imagine with wealth everywhere you look. Monaco with its abundance of sun and absence of taxes is a billionaire favourite which is exactly what makes it so fascinating for all of us. But beyond the unimaginable wealth, Monaco is an excellent place to just soak in the sun or take a walk through the picturesque botanical gardens. How can one be bored here when you can simply window-shop for yachts, Berkins, Aston Martins or Ferraris? The air smells different here and the mediterranean sunlight dancing on the sea covered by yachts is a sight not to be missed.

On the way from Nice to Monaco, there are a host of idyllic spots like Villefranche-Sur-Mer, St Jean Cap-Ferrat which are perfect for hikes and picnics. While climbing up the Fort du Mount Alborn in Villefranche-Sur-Mer, we encountered a group of girls having a bachelorette party overlooking the sea right in front of a 16th century fort, finally a real reason to get married. My favourite of these spots is the small village of Èze. Known for its soaps and perfumes, walking around Èze feels like being lost inside a huge castle. At the top of the hill in Èze is an exotic garden (Jardin Exo que d’Èze) and I cannot stress enough that it’s the most beautiful, vibrant and magical place of its kind. The view of the city from here is breathtaking and an absolute paradise for the influencer inside all of us. As someone who is not really a “garden person” this place left me completely enchanted. 

I am still yet to discover so much more about the French Riviera and I can’t wait to see what else this small coastal region has to offer. It’s truly the best place in the world, not just according to me but also the Queen of England. It is said that when Queen Victoria was dying in January 1901 she said: “Oh, if only I were at Nice, I should recover”.