The Côte D’Azur, more commonly known by English speaking folk as The French Riviera, is a favourite holiday location for many. It’s easy to see why. There’s a magnificent rocky coastline with many dramatic vantage points, and secret swimming holes. A plethora of historic towns and villages in gorgeous shades of pink, orange and yellow. You can stroll along the promenade des Anglais in Nice or trek in the majestic Mercantour.
I wrote Substitute Child while I lived in Mandelieu la Napoule. This town in nestled between their famous neighbour of Cannes and the rugged Estérel mountains. I made sure that my heroine visited many of my favourite places and I’ve documented two walking tours, so that you can follow her journey. These tours are through Antibes and Cannes.
Walking tour of Antibes
Walking tour of Antibes
1. Start at the Ferris wheel beside the port of Antibes on Avenue De Verdun.
2. Walk alongside the ramparts (old walls) of Antibes down to the far end of the port. There will be hundreds of leisure craft gently bobbing in the water.
3. Walk back towards the wall and under the archway taking the left turn up Av. de la Salis. You will enjoy the same wonderful views back to the port and across La Gravette Beach that Jacques showed Charlotte.
4. Continue along this road for another twenty metres and enjoy looking over to the Cap d’Antibes.
5. After fifty metres stop at the Picasso museum and then wind your way through the narrow streets back to Cours Masséna
6. I recommend you stop at the Antibes Provencal Markets to take in the smell of flowers and spices.
7. Then follow Rue Sade down the hill until you emerge into a large town square. I recommend you, pick up a gelato and then enter Rue Thuret.
8. Follow Rue Thuret until the end where it joins Boulevard d’Aguillon. Turn right and you will be a few steps away from the Hop Store, where Charlotte, Mason and Scott enjoyed their first drink together. (Let me know if the sign, No kissing in the bar unless with staff, is still there).
Walking tour of Cannes
1. Start at the Palais des Festival et des Congres at the end of the Croisette. Look at the hundreds of handprints of movie stars who’ve left their mark while visiting the city.
2. Walk along the Croisette taking in the sparkling Mediterranean on your right and the stunning hotels on your left. You could walk a long way here taking in the wonderful seaside ambiance. I propose you cross the road and take Rue Mace up to Rue D’An[1]tibes. The shops may tempt you, but I suggest continuing up Rue Chabaud until you come to the pedestrianised street of Rue Hoche. You will see a number of lovely cafes on this street.
3. Continue along Rue Hoche until you reach Rue de 24 Août and turn left and walk back down to Rue d’Antibes.
4. Turn right and walk a few hundred meters down this shopping street then turn right at Rue Louis Blanc. Walk three blocks and you will see the Marche Forville on your left.
5. Walk through to the end of the market and turn left at Rue du Docteur Pierre Gazagnaire, walking down to Rue Felix Faure which joins Rue Georges Clemenceau. Turn right here. Take Rue du Barri to walk up to the castle to view the city of Cannes and Îles de Lérins.
6. When you walk back down the hill the same way, walk across Rue Georges Clemenceau and down to Quai Saint-Pierre. You can walk along the waterfront, to the large carpark where you can take a boat out to Îles de Lérins. I would suggest you visit Ile Sainte Marguerite if you are pressed for time. You’ll not only be able to visit the forest where Scott and Charlotte were held captive, but also the cell which was home to the ‘Man in the Iron Mask’.
And if you want to pack action filled reading with a touch of romance for your holiday on the French Riviera, pick up a copy of Substitute Child.
