The south of France is a real hotbed of beautiful tourist cities. Every year, millions from around the world flock to the part of the country kissing the Mediterranean Sea, basking in the sunshine and enjoying the incredible restaurants overlooking the water.

When it comes to booking a trip to the south of France though it can be tricky to decide upon what to do. Some people like to hire a car and work their way along the cost, potentially even crossing into Italy or Spain, while others settle in one place and maximize what the town or city has to offer.

There are some places that certainly stand out more than others though, and here are our top four places to visit along the south coast of France…

Cannes

Cannes is a beautiful city that offers luxury and glamour in abundance, largely down to the fact that once a year it comes alive and Hollywood’s elite arrive for the film festival.

Of course, that’s a very special time of year to visit, but you will find Cannes a brilliant place to sit back and relax across many months of the year.

It’s a shoppers paradise especially, with many designer boutiques to pick up your holiday wardrobe, and once you’re shopped out you can kick back in the many trendy bars and restaurants that line the coast.

For those looking to explore, the palaces of La Croisette are particularly resplendent, while the old quarter and harbour are certainly worth a gentle stroll around.

Monte Carlo

Sticking with the glamour theme, Monte Carlo is a city in Monaco, an independent principality in its own right, and not officially part of France. But we’re keeping it on the list due to the fact that you shouldn’t miss out on it when visiting the likes of Nice.

Monte Carlo is well known for its opulence, and gambling in the area is a big part of that. The Monte Carlo Casino is a casino that is a far cry from what you’d find online or in your local town. Where you can play for pennies on sites like casino777.nl, it’s all about the thousands in this place, with dress codes like James Bond and ownership of a yacht seemingly a must. Still, even if you’re not on that kind of budget, it’s a great place to look around.

Grand Prix weekend is always a special time of year to visit, with the parties seeing champagne popped in abundance and celebrities and the elite turning up in their droves.

Nice

Nice is a picturesque coastal city that overlooks the Med with a backdrop of the Alps. It’s just eight miles down the road from Monaco and much of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The main focus of the town is the Promenade des Anglais, named due to the fact it had some rather royal visitors in its early days, including Queen Victoria.

For art lovers, it’s certainly worth a visit, with many renowned painters having taken inspiration from its beauty, including Matisse, Arman and Marc Chagall. Much of their work is also displayed in the city’s art galleries, which are always worth escaping from the sun to on a hot summer’s day.

Saint Tropez

Saint Tropez is a tiny town of just 4,000 people, but a real hit with holidaymakers. Made famous by Bridgette Bardot’s arrival in 1950, it completely changed the town from a sleepy fishing village to a must-visit for the international jet set.

Today it’s exactly that. During the summer months people arrive in their thousands to kick back and relax on the beach and in the town’s exquisite restaurants. Super yachts line the port and people wearing the latest designers line the harbour in what is truly one of the most glamorous places in all of France.