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Alpes Maritimes
Population:
1.022.710 inh.
  All
the way down in the south east of France along the Mediterranean, and
next to the Italian border, are the Maritime Alps and the world renowned
Côte d'Azur.
 What
makes this departement so beautiful is its craggy coastline with the
Alps plunging straight down in the blue sea. At certain times of the
year one can even have the difficult choice of whether to ski or to
swim.
The
slopes and the sea are merely an hour apart by car. The sun is legendary
shining 320 days a year.
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La Côte d'Azur or French Riviera
From Cannes to Nice
going through Antibes
and Menton all the way
to the Italian border this area is one not only of beauty but
of prestige. The coastline is spotted with turn of the century
mansions and modern luxury homes.
During
the summer months when the Côte d'Azur is particularly lively
one can find sunbathers on the beaches of sand or pebbles and
strollers leisurely walking along the Croisette in Cannes
or the Promenade des Anglais in Nice.
The
quaint old quarters ot Nice and the famous flower market are a
delight to visit. All along the coast one is charmed by the little
fishing ports so important to the local culture and industry.
There are world renowned events that take place here such as Mardi
Gras in Nice, the Jazz Festival in Juan les Bains, and the Film
Festival in Cannes.
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Inland (arrière pays)
As
soon as one leaves the sea going inland the landscape changes
radically. The roads spiral through the hills and the mountains
jutting up high above the water. The vegetation changes; its
Mediterranean nature showing through.
IThe
hills are covered with umbrella pines, thyme shrubs, flowering
laurel trees, giant cactus plants and olive groves, all accompanied
by the constant singing of the cicadas.
The
city of Grasse has
become the perfum center of France thanks to all of these aromatic
plants.
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The Alpes d'Azur
Right
in the north of the departement are the Alps with their snowy
peaks and their sunny ski resorts, some within an hour's drive
from the sea. 80% of this departement is mountainous, offering
fabulous skiing in the winter.
The
325 km. of navigable rivers lend themselves to a great variety
of water sports including abseiling and kayaking.
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The
park of Mercantour spreads out over 120 km. from the Col de Tende to
Ubaye. It is a natural reserve sheltering many species of animals and
plants all in a magnificient setting of 68.500 ha.
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