The Mediterranean coast of southeastern France, known as the Côte d'Azur or French Riviera, draws a steady stream of visitors and expatriates with its balmy temperatures and clear, beautiful light.
For the enjoyment of residents and tourists alike, the region hosts a steady stream of festivals, galas, and exhibitions throughout the year.
Individual cities including Cannes, Monaco, Nice, Menton, Antibes, Juan les Pins, and Saint Tropez are home to theatres, concert halls, opera houses, ballet companies, variety shows, and museums.
There is, in short, something for everyone and for every pocketbook.
Two annual events, however, stand out in terms of focusing the attention of the world on the French Riviera.
Cannes Film Festival: The Cannes Film Festival held each May claims the top spot as the signature event of the Côte d'Azur.
The festival showcases European films, but also gives international stars and movie producers a place to launch new offerings and to sell their works for global distribution.
The red carpet comings and goings of these celebrities dominate the world's entertainment reports for the duration of the festival, and for many, the word "Cannes" epitomises cinematographic excellence.
The 63rd La Festival International de Cannes well be held from May 12-23, 2010.
Tourists can see lesser known, but top-quality films for free by acquiring an "invitation" available in the registration area approximately an hour before the screening.
The Cannes tourism office will have schedules of films to be shown and can help visitors to obtain a higher priority "badge" for better seating.
Most showings are subtitled in French only, but some larger cinemas offer English captioning.
Monaco Grand Prix: The Circuit de Monaco, a Formula One race, dates from 1929.
The prestigious event, also held in May, ranks on par with the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Collectively, but informally, they are regarded as the Triple Crown of Motorsport.
Drivers negotiate the winding streets of Monaco at relatively low speeds, but on terrain so dangerous as to make the race one of the most prestigious in the world.
More than 3,000 seats are available to watch the 77 lap, 263 kilometer event, with prices averaging 90? to more than 500?.
Residents routinely hire out their terraces to spectators as viewing platforms for the four-day period, with prices ranging from 8000? to 140,000?.
Off season walking tours of the race course are also available.
Examples of Events for 2010: Some of the events in the region specifically scheduled for the ensuing year (which also illustrate the range of offerings on the French Riviera) include: -30th Anniversary of the Mercantour National Park, a protected 68,500-hectare site stretching more than 120 km from the Col de Tende to the Ubaye Valley.
-The 50th International Antibes Juan-les-Pins Jazz Festival from July 14-25, the oldest such musical event in Europe.
-Two showcase exhibitions celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Fernand Leger National Museum from February 5 to May 17.
The facility is home to 348 pieces by the artist including drawings, oil paintings, mosaics, and stained glass windows.
Although best known as a playground for the rich and famous, the French Riviera's diverse, cosmopolitan lifestyle accommodates all tastes and all budgets with a year round programme of events and a permanent compliment of attractions that set the Côte d'Azur apart from any other European destination.
For the enjoyment of residents and tourists alike, the region hosts a steady stream of festivals, galas, and exhibitions throughout the year.
Individual cities including Cannes, Monaco, Nice, Menton, Antibes, Juan les Pins, and Saint Tropez are home to theatres, concert halls, opera houses, ballet companies, variety shows, and museums.
There is, in short, something for everyone and for every pocketbook.
Two annual events, however, stand out in terms of focusing the attention of the world on the French Riviera.
Cannes Film Festival: The Cannes Film Festival held each May claims the top spot as the signature event of the Côte d'Azur.
The festival showcases European films, but also gives international stars and movie producers a place to launch new offerings and to sell their works for global distribution.
The red carpet comings and goings of these celebrities dominate the world's entertainment reports for the duration of the festival, and for many, the word "Cannes" epitomises cinematographic excellence.
The 63rd La Festival International de Cannes well be held from May 12-23, 2010.
Tourists can see lesser known, but top-quality films for free by acquiring an "invitation" available in the registration area approximately an hour before the screening.
The Cannes tourism office will have schedules of films to be shown and can help visitors to obtain a higher priority "badge" for better seating.
Most showings are subtitled in French only, but some larger cinemas offer English captioning.
Monaco Grand Prix: The Circuit de Monaco, a Formula One race, dates from 1929.
The prestigious event, also held in May, ranks on par with the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Collectively, but informally, they are regarded as the Triple Crown of Motorsport.
Drivers negotiate the winding streets of Monaco at relatively low speeds, but on terrain so dangerous as to make the race one of the most prestigious in the world.
More than 3,000 seats are available to watch the 77 lap, 263 kilometer event, with prices averaging 90? to more than 500?.
Residents routinely hire out their terraces to spectators as viewing platforms for the four-day period, with prices ranging from 8000? to 140,000?.
Off season walking tours of the race course are also available.
Examples of Events for 2010: Some of the events in the region specifically scheduled for the ensuing year (which also illustrate the range of offerings on the French Riviera) include: -30th Anniversary of the Mercantour National Park, a protected 68,500-hectare site stretching more than 120 km from the Col de Tende to the Ubaye Valley.
-The 50th International Antibes Juan-les-Pins Jazz Festival from July 14-25, the oldest such musical event in Europe.
-Two showcase exhibitions celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Fernand Leger National Museum from February 5 to May 17.
The facility is home to 348 pieces by the artist including drawings, oil paintings, mosaics, and stained glass windows.
Although best known as a playground for the rich and famous, the French Riviera's diverse, cosmopolitan lifestyle accommodates all tastes and all budgets with a year round programme of events and a permanent compliment of attractions that set the Côte d'Azur apart from any other European destination.