Côte d’Azur is an enchanting place. Located just a few hours away from Italy, it is shaped by its coastal beauty as well as by a number of villages, clefts, landscapes and roads that lead all the way to the sea. I had the chance to discover – or better say to rediscover – this place during a long weekend after Christmas. Yes, it was just a few days after Christmas and as you can see from my pictures, this region – just like Liguria – is characterized by a moderate weather all year long. I decided to stay in Hyeres, an old medieval town that enjoys the sunshine around 300 days per year. It became popular during the golden age of weather-oriented tourism. It is located in a territory characterized by a wild diversity of protected natural environments; more than 300 hills, more than 115 natural pure areas and 40 km of coast with rocks and sand beaches. It represents an exceptional natural heritage along with the Giens peninsula – which is connected to the mainland via a double cordon of sand; this land hosts salt pans that grabbed the attention of many ornithologists around the world. Hyeres is a exceptional place suspended between the sky and the sea; it is characterized by the beauty of a beach town from the 19º century along with its 7000 palm trees and a sophisticated horticulture. It is a real perl, and it is a great starting point for a relaxing weekend around the area.
Provence is a strip of land that deserves to be explored. It is scattered with a number of enchanting towns; tiny maritime villages that seem to be frozen in time. From St. Tropez to Tolone and back; this has been my itinerary during my weekend.
St. Tropez, for instance, despite its frivolous soul, keeps the shape of a beautiful town characterized by red roofs and by its enchanting historic centre. One can get lost among a number of small shops offering culinary delicacy and stone jewels.
I suggest you to explore this area by car in order to get lost among its beaches along the coast, as well as its streets that lead towards breathtaking landscapes and delicious oyster restaurants.
