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Menton -

Set close to the Italian border, Menton is blessed with a temperate Mediterranean climate. Nicknamed the "Pearl of France," the town is famous for its lush, verdant gardens, and the annual Fête du Citron (Lemon Festival) that takes place in February. (Photo: Wikipedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)

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Menton -

A notable Menton resident was Jean Cocteau (1889-1963). The French artist spent much time in the town, and a collection of work, including drawings, paintings, and lithographs, can be appreciated at the Bastion Museum (pictured), which is located on the harbor wall.

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Cannes -

The very name conjures up images of glamour, wealth, luxury, and a world-famous film festival. And while Cannes is indeed known for all things rich and famous, the city's environs are worth exploring for picturesque beaches and Le Suquet—the old town known for its cobbled lanes lined with traditional restaurants. Pictured is the city viewed from Le Suquet. (Photo: Wikipedia/CC BY-SA 4.0)

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Île Sainte-Marguerite -

Largest of the Lérins Islands, the tiny forested island of St Marguerite is famous for its association with the Man in the Iron Mask. The unidentified prisoner was incarcerated for 11 years in the island’s fort, now renamed the Musée de la Mer (Museum of the Sea). (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0)

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Île Saint-Honorat -

The second largest island in the Lérins group is Île Saint-Honorat. It's been home to a community of monks since the 5th century. You can visit the fortified abbey. (Photo: Wikipedia/CC BY 2.5)

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Bandol -

Always worth a visit for its charming harbor full of colorful fishing boats, Bandol is also an alluring destination for its wine. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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Bandol wine -

The Bandol wine region is one of Provence’s most internationally recognized wine regions. Shop around in the village for a bottle or two. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0)

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Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat -

A favorite holiday destination for European aristocracy and the odd millionaire, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is renowned for its peninsula of verdant vegetation and pristine beaches. 

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Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild -

A Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat must-see is the regal rose-colored Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. Open to the public, it's crammed with antique furniture, Old Master paintings, sculptures, objets d'art, and a collection of rare porcelain.

(Photo: Wikipedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)

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Mercantour National Park - Attracting around 800,000 visitors every year, this beautiful natural wonder is embroidered with 600 km (372 miles) of marked footpaths.

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Mercantour National Park - Hikers can trek over seven valleys, enjoy a stopover in anyone of 28 villages, and cast their eyes over water features such as the Lakes of Vens (pictured).

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Vallée des Merveilles -

Mercantour National Park's big cultural draw is the Valley of Marvels, named for the amazing petroglyphs carved into the rock faces. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

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Vallée des Merveilles -

Dating back to the Bronze Age, the ancient rock art represents weapons, cattle, and human figures that often appear quite mysterious (pictured is "Le Sorcier." (Photo: Wikipedia/CC BY-SA 2.5)

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Saint-Tropez - This internationally known seaside resort was made famous by a host of visiting celebrities, among them Louis de Funès and Brigitte Bardot.

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Saint-Tropez -

Still a jet-set destination, Saint-Tropez nevertheless has managed to retain some of its yesteryear charm, most noticeably in and around the old port. (Photo: Wikipedia/CC BY 2.0)

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Alpes-de-Haute-Provence -

If you're all beached out, head inland for some truly breathtaking mountain scenery in places such as Rocher de La Baume. (Photo: Wikipedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)

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Verdon Gorge -

The Verdon Gorge in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence is often considered to be one of Europe's most beautiful. This is where to take a dip in crystal clear alpine water and indulge in other water sports. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

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Èze -

The medieval village of Èze has been described as an "eagle's nest" for its elevated position overlooking the Mediterranean. 

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Èze -

Cottages of terra-cotta peer over a high cliff 427 m (1,401 ft) above sea level to lend Èze a decidedly lofty air. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0)

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Bormes-les-Mimosas - This Provencal village is known for its many varieties of flowers, which thrive thanks to the microclimate of the area.

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Blooms and bouquets -

Nestling in hills, Bormes-les-Mimosa's medieval houses are overgrown with bougainvillea flowers, and the bouquet is quite intoxicating! (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-ND 2.0)

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Monaco -

A sovereign city-state, glitzy Monaco is one of the most expensive and wealthiest places in the world: 30% of the population is made up of millionaires. You have to see the place, but look and don't touch. (Photo: Wikipedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)

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Fontvieille, Monaco - The principality enjoys an achingly beautiful setting, and is best explored leisurely on foot. Pictured is the Fontvieille area.

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Grasse - Let yourself be guided by the scent of this picturesque town, considered the world capital of perfume.

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Fragrant destination -

Linger here and breathe in the atmosphere, made sweeter by the fact that this is the center of the French perfume industry. Pictured is the bronze parfumeur standing outside the International Perfume Museum. (Photo: Wikipedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)

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Hyères - Each year, the city hosts the Hyères International Festival of Fashion and Photography, an unmissable event in the region which takes place at the end of April.

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Îles d'Hyères -

An ideal excursion out of the city is to visit the three nearby islands of Îles d'Hyères—Île de Porquerolles (pictured), Port-Cros, and the Île du Levant. (Photo: Wikipedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)

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Saint-Paul-de-Vence -

One of the oldest medieval towns on the French Riviera, Saint-Paul-de-Vence is distinguished by a warren of narrow lanes that all seem to lead to the church atop a rocky outcrop. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

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Celebrity retreat - Bathed by an exceptional light, Saint-Paul-de-Vence has hosted numerous artists and writers, among them Jean-Paul Sartre and Pablo Picasso. Former Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman has a home here, as did British actor Donald Pleasence, who died here in 1995.

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Ramatuelle -

Surrounded by greenery, the pleasant rural retreat that is Ramatuelle offers an alternative to the beaches of the nearby Mediterranean coast. (Photo: Wikipedia/CC BY 3.0)

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Ramatuelle coast - That said, the beaches are only a short distance away, like relaxing Pampelonne, a small pocket of sand hemmed in by rocks.

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Toulon - An important naval port, busy Toulon stands out for its warm and inviting atmosphere and down-to-earth attitude, which many foreign visitors find appealing.

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Mont Faron -

For eye-watering views of Toulon, take the cable car to the top of Mont Faron, which summits at 584 m (1,916 ft). (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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Nice -

Another show-stopping Riviera destination, Nice is renowned for its ornate hotels, historic squares, and grand palaces and churches. (Photo: Wikipedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)

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Promenade des Anglais -

For many though, Nice is all about the beach which fronts the seemingly never ending Promenade des Anglais. 

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Monte Carlo -

An administrative district of Monaco, Monte Carlo is a byword for the extravagant display and reckless dispersal of wealth, and you either love it or hate it! 

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Casino de Monte-Carlo -

It's the location for several world-famous buildings including the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, the Opéra de Monte-Carlo, and of course the celebrated casino (pictured). (Photo: Wikipedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)

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Cassis -

East of Marseille is the delightful town of Cassis. A popular tourist haunt, the destination is renowned for the cliffs that overlook the harbor, and for the sheltered inlets called calanques that texture the coast. (Photo: Wikipedia/CC BY 2.0)

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Calanque de Port Miou -

One of most scenic of these inlets is Port-Milou, a very long and narrow creek of shallow, turquoise water that harbors a marina. (Photo: Wikipedia/CC BY-SA 4.0)

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La Ciotat -

Did you know that La Cioat was the setting of one of the very first projected motion pictures, 'L'Arrivée d'un train en gare de La Ciotat,' filmed by the Lumière brothers in 1895? (Photo: Wikipedia/CC BY-SA 4.0)

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Vieux port -

It's changed a bit since then, but the old port (vieux port) area still retains vestiges of the town's historic veneer. (Photo: Wikipedia/CC BY-SA 4.0)

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La Lavandou -

Believe it or not, this is where the well-known song 'A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square' was written by Eric Maschwitz, with the music provided by Manning Sherwin. (Photo: Wikipedia/CC BY-SA 4.0)

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Le Lavandou -

Years later an attempt was made to find the bar where this classic song was first performed, but to no avail. Why don't you try? (Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

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Fréjus -

The Romans called their Fréjus 'Forum Julii' and today their presence is everywhere, not least with the remains of the once mighty aqueduct. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

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Roman Fréjus -

The rich Roman architecture extends to the ruins of an amphitheater, a lighthouse, a bridge, and the fridarium arch (pictured), which formed part of a Roman bath complex. 

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Cavalaire-sur-Mer -

Cavalaire-sur-Mer was one of the sites of a beach landing in Operation Dragoon, the Allied invasion of southern France in 1944. (Photo: Wikipedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)

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Cavalaire-sur-Mer -

The "invaders" today are tourists seeking the sun on the town's numerous golden beaches. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

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Saint-Raphaël -

Saint-Raphaël makes a great option for anyone looking for a quiet but chic destination with plenty of history to catch up on. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0)

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Saint-Raphaël -

Napoleon Bonaparte and his forces landed here from Egypt in 1799 prior to his coup d'état in Paris. Back then Saint-Raphaël  was a small fishing village, but the destination has lost none of its charm. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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Sanary-sur-Mer -

A lovely diversion from Toulon, Sanary-sur-Mer boasts an appealing harbor front where seafood restaurants do a roaring trade. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-ND 2.0)

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Sanary-sur-Mer -

The colorful wooden fishing boats moored in the harbor are known as pointus. Part of local heritage, they're maintained with care and traditional know-how. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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Grimaud -

Behind the Riviera deep in the hinterland are places like Grimaud, a hilltop village whose foundations date back to the 10th century. (Photo: Wikipedia/CC BY-SA 4.0)

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Grimaud -

The village is dominated by an 11th-century castle. Partly restored, its crumbling walls are fun to clamber over. (Photo: Wikipedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)

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Mandelieu-la-Napoule -

Modern Mandelieu applauds itself as a sophisticated ocean and golf resort. (Photo: Wikipedia/CC0 1.0)

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Mandelieu-la-Napoule -

Napoule meanwhile claims all the historic glory for its splendid 14th-century Château de la Napoule, seen top right in the photograph. (Photo: Wikipedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)

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Roquebrune-Cap-Martin -

The area that encompasses Roquebrune-Cap-Martin includes several towns and small villages. Roquebrune itself enjoys a fabulous location overlooking the cape and the bay. (Photo: Wikipedia/CC BY-SA 4.0)

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Cap-Martin -

Cap-Martin is named after the headland, an affluent enclave that's attracted wealthy individuals for over 100 years. Coco Chanel’s La Pausa, the villa she designed, built, and owned until 1953, is located here. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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Cagnes-sur-Mer -

The celebrated artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir moved here in 1907 in an attempt to improve his arthritis, and remained until his death in 1919. (Photo: Wikipedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)

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Cagnes-sur-Mer coastline -

Besides attracting admirers of Renoir, Cagnes-sur-Mer draws visitors to its coast, behind which the French Alps form a spectacular backdrop. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

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Juan-les-Pins -

A major holiday destination popular with international travelers, Juan-les-Pins is named for the stone pine trees (pins in French) that once embroidered the area in great numbers. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0)

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Jazz à Juan festival -

A host of legendary jazz performers have played the town’s annual jazz festival, which takes place over the second and third weeks of July. Along the Boulevard Edouard Baudoin ceramic tiles containing hand prints of more than 50 musicians who have appeared at the festival dot the sidewalk, including those of Ray Charles, Keith Jarrett, and Sony Rollins.

See also: The world's most exclusive celebrity vacation destinations.

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