Though the Cote d’Azur is technically part of Provence, this side of the region has a personality all its own. Marseille's Old Port has a gritty, nostalgic charm to it, while the beaches of Nice (two hours away by car, two and a half by train) feel ritzy and glamorous.
The cities along this stretch of the coast — which also include Cannes and the colourful Menton — are dotted with palm trees, bright parasols, and a sense of luxury you'll be hard-pressed to find anywhere else in France. If you feel like channelling your inner Grace Kelly or Blair Waldorf, hop over to Monaco and maybe do a little gambling in Monte-Carlo, too.