It’s more than Cannes

The Cannes Film Festival is coming this May and all that glitters is finding its way to the south of France for another week and a half of fanciful fun. Starting May 14 and continuing through May 25, this event is a must for the up and coming in film. Find out more about Cannes Film Festival

Keep in mind, this is an impossible time to truly enjoy Cannes as the hotels are packed and the streets filled with paparazzi, but don’t skip the region all together.

I took trip through southern France in the fall of 2000 stopping in Nice to shop for designer fashion, Saint Paul de Vence to admire contemporary artist studios and Cannes to ponder life’s unanswered questions on the shores of the Cote d’Azur. It is a magical place dusted with fantastic views, scenic vistas and unparalleled style.

Traveling to the French Riviera is simple, you can either fly right into the Nice Côte d’Azur airport (the second largest in France) or you can take an overnight train from Paris or another major European city. Once there, you can get around by train, bus or rental car. From yacht tours to museums, wineries to golf courses, there are endless activities in the region to keep you occupied.

Here are some useful links for your trip:

• Load up your phone with a Brightroam France SIM card so you can keep in touch
• Visit Guide Riviera for information on things to do and see
• Visit St Paul de Vence to experience a charming castle town built in the 9th Century
• Stay at Villa St Maxime - a stunning BNB with all the bells and whistles