Dip your toe in the sparkling blue waters of the French Riviera

No matter how many times you've seen it before, that first glimpse of the Mediterranean is always magical. If you are visiting the French Riviera who could resist dipping a toe in those sparkling blue waters, which lend their name to this dramatic stretch of coastline between Hyeres in the west and lovely Menton in the east?

Renowned for its beauty and climate, the Riviera has inspired many artists and its popularity with the British has grown ever since Queen Victoria patronised its shores in the19th century. Then, most of the coastal communities would have been engaged in fishing. Today, many have become chic resorts, bristling with yachts at anchor and luxury Riviera villas, acquiring reputations as celebrity playgrounds.

By far the largest resort on this coastal strip is Nice, whose sandy beaches, temperate climate, atmosphere and good transport links attract visitors year-round. Nearby lie the yachting mecca of Antibes; Cagnes-sur-Mer, where Renoir retired; and Villefranche-sur-Mer, with its beautiful harbour. Exclusive villas nestle in seclusion on the Cap d'Antibes, Cap Ferrat and Roquebrune-Cap-Martin headlands, while just up the coast lies the tiny kingdom of Monaco. Looking down on this scene are the attractive hill villages of Eze, Haut-de-Cagnes, St-Paul-de-Vence and Biot. Inland, Grasse - perfume capital of the world - sits in its own sea of lavender fields. Below Nice, on the Golfe de Napoule, lies star-studded Cannes.

Further west the less-developed coastline is beautiful, boasting 430 kilometres of shoreline with sandy beaches, tranquil bays and popular resorts that give the coast its reputation, such as Saint Tropez, Sainte Maxime, Frejus and Saint Raphael. Beyond here, the red peaks of the Massif de l'Esterel plunge into the sea, forming rocky coves.
The hinterland offers a striking contrast to the coast with a sun-baked landscape where the gnarled olive tree thrives and has come to symbolise Provence. Amidst the hills full of olive groves, vineyards and forests are some of the prettiest villages in France such as the perched villages of Fayence and Bargemon.

To see a selection of Riviera villas go to Rent in Provence Or, for villas in some of the other wonderful areas of France go to France villas