Destination : Côte d'Azur

Why the Côte d'Azur ?

The Cote d'Azur, a sure value on the international tourism scenery. This cosmopolitan mediterranean destination in the heart of Europe, the French Riviera Cote d'Azur, offers a priviliged climate with over 300 days of sunshine per year. Its unique natural scenery, the intense light, the softness of its climate remain the unmissable ingredients of a lifestyle made in the Cote d'Azur.
Land of exception and emotion, the Cote d'Azur - French Riviera owes a large part of its success to its exceptional diversity and richness; a uniquely contrasted identity between sea and mountain; natural preserved scenery from the mediterranean coast to the South Alps; an extraordinary cultural heritage covering most of men's history; a great canvas of creation for artists the whole world over; a multitude of festivals and large international events; sunfilled gastronomie reinvented by the best known chefs; a wide range of leisure activities and an infrastructure which has seduced worldwide visitors for over 150 years.

10 good reasons to choose the Cote d'Azur:

1. 1. An accessible region
2. 2. An important and well structured logistical offering
3. 3. Hotel capacity suited to demand
4. 4. A dream destination
5. 5. A land of innovation
6. 6. An expertise confirmed every day
7. 7. Strict hygiene and security regulations
8. 8. A cosmopolitan metropolis
9. 9. A tourist destination without limits
10. 10. Book Your Event : your interface for the organisation of your events.

Important figures

• Main french tourist destination after Paris, 10,4 million visitors in 2008
• Main french airport after Paris: 9 844 122 passengers in 2009
• 103 direct flight destinations to 34 countries - 57 airlines
• Nice-Paris main air route in France with 33 flights daily
• 671 hotels with a bed capacity of 58500 of which more than a third a 4* and 5*
• Second french centre in terms of tourist accommodation
• Average of 65% rate of occupation for tourist accommodation
• Under one out of two holidays taken between June and September
• Second french carhire fleet
• Main cruise destination - 980 813 cruise travellers in 2009
• Main 'games' destination in France - 17 casinos of which 5 in Monaco
• Main golf destination in France - 21 golf clubs and 23 golf courses of which 11 18-hole
• 15 ski stations and 700 km of ski runs
• 1 National park - Park Mercantour
• Over 130 museums and exhibitions open to the public
• 100 parks and gardens open to the public
• 10 leisure parks
• 200 consession beaches
• 14 thalasso centres
• Nearly 5000 restaurants of which 36 in the 2010 Michelin guide

The towns of the Cote d'Azur:

Useful Information:

Language

French

Currency

Euro -> exchange rate conversion

Shop opening/closing hours

Banks, currency exchange, post offices and government offices
Shops are usually open from 9 am to 7pm from Monday to Saturday. Some of the large supermarkets may stay open till 8pm or 9pm.

Bank opening hours, 8 till 12 and 2 - 4.30 from Monday till Friday, with Saturday morning opening for some.

National holidays 2011

1st January - New Years Day
25 April - Easter Monday
1st May - Labour Day
8 May - Victory Day
2 June - Ascension
13 June - Pentacost
14 July - Bastille Day
15 August - Assumption
1st November - All Saints
11 November - Remembrance
25 December - Christmas

On national holidays, banks, government offices, shops, most businesses as well as a large number of museums are closed

Emergency numbers

In an emergency you can call the following numbers for free from any phonebox or land line :

- 17 for Police
- 18 for Fire Brigade
- 15 for Doctor
- 112 from a mobile phone

Dialling codes

- Dialling code France - Abroad: 00 + country code + city/region code + number
- Dialling code Abroad - France: 0033 + 9 numbers (do not dial the first 0)

From the US and Canada: 011 33 + 9 numbers
From Australia: 0011 33 + 9 numbers
From Japan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand: 001 33 + 9 numbers

Electricity

220 Volts - 380 Volts / 50 Hertz.

Climat / temperature

The Cote d'Azur has a mediterranean climat characterised by an exceptional number of nearly 300 days of sunshine per year and moderate temperatures for a large part of the year.
Rainfall rarely but mostly in March/April and October/November.
In winter it rarely freezes but you should allow for a warm sweater.
The particular topography of the Cote d'Azur favours contrasts.
For example in winter you can sunbathe on a sheltered beach and go skiing at a ski resort.

General weather forecast Alpes-Maritimes :
Tel. : 08 92 68 02 06

Daily weather forecast and outlook for the week.
- in France
- on the Cote d'Aur