FRANCE PORTS & CITIES
FRANCE PORTS & CITIES
| Cannes | Marseille | Nice | St Raphael |
| St Tropez | Toulon | Villefranche |
Cannes
West Mediterranean Cruise to Sun-Kissed Cannes
A cruise to Cannes, this sun-kissed city has a central palm-lined main boulevard and miles of sandy beaches, public gardens, luxury hotels, cafes and shops. The Palais des Festivals is home to the glitzy international Cannes Film Festival. From here, you can visit the nearby tiny sovereign state of Monte Carlo, home to the Grand Casino, Monaco's Royal Palace and St. Nicholas Cathedral, where Princess Grace married Prince Ranier III.
Marseille
Cruise to Marseille - Which Master Painter was Born in Nearby Picturesque Aix? - France
A cruise to Marseille, the largest port in the Mediterranean and the second largest city in France, serves as your gateway to the lush fertile region of Provence and all its cultural contributions to gastronomic excellence, Impressionistic art, and ancient architecture. This port city is a worthwhile stop on your Southern France excursion if not just to experience the down-to-earth warmth of Marseille's residents. This cosmopolitan city with a generous heart boasts a trading history that goes back more than 2,500 years. Inland from Marseille, Avignon has an immaculately preserved old centre, enclosed by medieval walls built by the last of nine popes who were based here during the 14th century. You'll also find museums, monuments, eateries of all kinds and ample opportunities to shop. About 16 miles from Marseille is Aix, a picturesque college town filled with youthful energy and students from all over the world. Birthplace of Paul Cézanne, this master painter found inspiration all around him, such as Mont Ste-Victoire, which became a favourite subject at the end of his life.
Nice
Cruise to Nice, Sheltered by an Amphitheatre of Hills and Overlooking the Mediterranean - France
Perhaps the Greeks who colonized Nice in 350 BC did not visualize the glamorous future of this resort, but they knew enough to honour the settlement with the name of a goddess, Nike. Over the years, Nice has been passed back and forth from Sardinia to France, where it has remained since 1860. Today, the palm-lined Promenade des Anglais, the flower market ablaze with colour and the wonderful climate draw visitors from around the world.
St Raphael
Cruise to St Raphael, with a Smart Beach and Even Smarter Shops and Restaurants - France
Cruise to one of the most exclusive of all the ritzy French Riviera resorts, St Raphael has a smart beach and even smarter shops and restaurants along its promenade below the 1,500ft Massif de l'Esterel. It also has an unusual museum of underwater archaeology but, for historical sightseeing, nearby Frejus is more rewarding. In fact, so close have they spread that it is difficult to see where St Raphael ends and Frejus starts except that the best Roman ruins – an amphitheatre, aqueduct, and smaller theatre – are in its upper, older quarter (Frejus Ville) a mile from the seafront (Frejus Plage), also in Frejus Ville is a 12th century Gothic cathedral built on the site of a Roman temple and next to a 5th century Baptistry. It also has its own excellent – if more conventional – archaeological museum. The famous Corniche runs along above St Raphael and the swish French Riviera resorts (St Tropez, Nice, Cannes, Antibes) aren't very far away.
St Tropez
Cruise to St Tropez, From Christian Pilgrimage to Movie Star - France
When Roger Vadim made 'And God Created Woman' in 1956, it turned both Brigitte Bardot and St Tropez into movie stars. Quite a change for a town which was once a place of Christian pilgrimage. The first thing youll see when you arrive is the line-up of expensive mega-yachts double-parked in both old and new harbours. Right behind is the old town, with its jumble of narrow streets crowded with designer boutiques, cafés and restaurants. It is not pedestrianised but you are still better off on foot as the centre is quite small and that way you will not miss out on the buzz in the streets. Look out for the museum of art (Musee de lAnnonciade) where you can see originals by Matisse, one of the first wave of literati to make St Tropez cool.
Toulon
Cruise to Toulon and Watch the French Warships Around the Harbour - France
Better known as France's main naval base than as a cruise port, Toulon has unexpected charm and is all the better for not being a major tourist destination as you can wander through the cobbled streets of its delightful old town untroubled by crowds. Superb maritime and art museums, the magnificent Romanesque cathedral and Le Marche, where fresh flowers, fruit and vegetables are bought to market every day. Ship buffs also have the bonus of watching the comings and goings of the French warships around the harbour. The best view of the old town and the harbour is from Mont Faron which overlooks both - take the funicular up from Boulevard LAmiral Vence.
Villefranche
Cruise to Villefranche, a Centuries-Old Fishing Village, filled with Gallic Charm - France
The steeply terraced streets of this pretty centuries-old fishing village set against a densely wooded backdrop create a delightfully timeless picture. Despite its increasing popularity with tourists, Villefranche remains a small, relatively uncrowded resort with plenty of Gallic charm. The centre is just behind Villefranche cruise terminal, across the road and up a series of steps. Along a maze of narrow cobbled streets, you will find chic boutiques and a choice of both cheap and expensive cafés and restaurants. Alternatively, walk along the seafront to a long narrow beach which curls around the bay. Up some steps is the way to the neighbouring, almost Victorian-style resort of Beaulieu-sur-Mer. Villefranche is a convenient base from which to explore the French Riviera and Cote dAzur and the medieval villages of Eze and St Paul-de-Vence.
WORLD MAP
