A love affair spanning over a century
There is a long history of friendship and mutual sympathy between the Americans and the Côte d’Azur (or the French Riviera, as they call it). It all started in the 1920s with Sara and Gerald Murphy, who fell in love with the region, had a magnificent home built on the Cap d’Antibes and brought their friends to visit. Then, in the 1930s, when Zelda and Scott Fitzgerald arrived, they too fell for the magnificent Antibes countryside and the Côte d’Azur in general. It was here that F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote his famous novel Tender Is the Night, which popularised the French Riviera and its dolce vita atmosphere. The great French artists such as Picasso, Matisse and Chagall who also spent time here made it a coveted destination for an American public looking for a taste of modernity and beauty. This long history is also reflected in place names. The Quai des États Unis (United States Quay), in Nice, at the end of the Promenade des Anglais next to Nice Old Town is dedicated to this friendship and a reproduction of the Statue of Liberty has been erected there.
A sunny yet mild climate that Americans love
The climate in Nice and its surroundings benefits from its location on the Mediterranean and the shelter afforded by the Alps to the north. Its climate is therefore hot with 300 days of sunshine per year but made milder by its proximity to the sea and mountains. Year round, you are almost guaranteed warm temperatures that aren’t scorching, which is ideal for a holiday! The coast is also very popular with its exceptional colours featuring every shade of blue and its clear, warm waters that are perfect for a dip. It’s a nice contrast with the cool Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
Niçoise cuisine: a melting pot of French and Italian flavours
Americans all have different tastes, but when they come to France, they appreciate its plentiful, refined cuisine. There are vegetarians and even vegans among their ranks. As the Côte d’Azur is very close to Italy, there is a strong Italian influence. That means you can sample delicious pasta dishes, grilled or cooked fish, exquisite daubes (a simmered stew) and abundant vegetables seasoned with local herbs. It pays to be adventurous and try a new dish. There’s plenty to discover that will delight the taste buds, such as octopus, chard tart or cèpe mushroom ravioli. There are local wines to taste too, such as the Bellet wines (Nice PDO) that are completely organic and often made from rare grape varieties that can only be found here. There’s plenty to please American palates, which means they generally come back for seconds!
American-style comfort with a French-style change of scene
When an American arrives at the Mediterranean coast, they want to find the things they enjoy: king-sized beds, air conditioning in the summer and the high standards they are accustomed to. That’s exactly what you can expect of the apartments and villas recommended by the leading Côte d’Azur holiday let specialists such as https://www.rivieraholidayhomes.com, thanks to their high-quality selection of properties. They also want to discover the unique, intimate charm of the Côte d’Azur when they take a walk, through its characteristic old town centres such as Nice Old Town with their pink, yellow and orange tones, the sociable squares with their sun-drenched café outside seating areas and ice cream sellers. And not forgetting the hilltop villages like Eze with their medieval streets (where you half expect to see a knight suddenly appear on each street corner) and the dizzying views from the ramparts. It’s utterly picturesque. The Côte d’Azur is like an open-air museum where you can see past and present together all at once.
Truly unforgettable, legendary spots
Don’t be surprised to encounter lots of American tourists at the Cap d’Antibes, in Villefranche sur Mer and Cannes or on the Promenade des Anglais. They have taste, and it’s a taste that favours picture-postcard coastlines and cliff-edge roads that feel like they are suspended between the earth and the sky. They also love a legend, and are keenly aware that each year the great American stars come to the Croisette in search of a Palme d’Or, and that one of these stars, Grace Kelly, met her prince on the Côte d’Azur, becoming Princess of Monaco. These legendary people and places abound in Nice and the surrounding areas. For American tourists who love nature and wide-open spaces, let’s not forget that the Côte d’Azur has it all a bit further inland. The foothills of the Alps are home to diverse wild flora and fauna you won’t find anywhere else that are yours to discover while hiking.
A warm welcome, kindness and great service with a team of professionals on hand
In a recent study, American tourists praised the warm welcome they were given in France, and in particular on the Côte d’Azur. True professionals like the ones you will find at https:// www.rivieraholidayhomes.com/en know that when you cross the Atlantic to visit the French Riviera you deserve particular care and attention. This is particularly well received, with 88% of visitors providing a very favourable review of their stay in Nice and the surrounding areas, whether they come from the US or another continent.
Tempted by a holiday in France? To make the very most of it, choose the leading holiday rental specialist for your holiday let: Riviera Holiday Homes
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