Holiday villas on the Côte d’Azur

Things to do on the Côte d’Azur

• Beaches and coves: spend the day on the sandy beaches around Sainte-Maxime, Les Issambres, Fréjus and Saint-Raphaël, or discover smaller bays and rocky coves along the Esterel coast and around the Gulf of Saint-Tropez.
• Family days out: alternate beach days with water parks, treetop adventure parks, animal and nature parks, mini-golf and other family attractions found throughout the Côte d’Azur. Many adventure parks offer courses for both younger children and teenagers.
• Boat trips and water activities: take a family boat trip across the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, explore the coastline from the water, visit the Lérins Islands off Cannes, rent a paddleboard or try one of the many water sports available along the coast.
• Iconic seaside towns: stroll along the harbour in Saint-Tropez, the Croisette in Cannes, the old town of Antibes or the Promenade des Anglais in Nice. These towns are easy to combine with a morning at the beach, an ice cream stop or a relaxed family lunch by the sea.
• Outdoor activities: walk or cycle through the red-rock landscapes of the Esterel, explore coastal paths, discover nature reserves or enjoy a round of golf. The region offers plenty of ways to spend an active day away from the beach.
• Markets and gastronomy: visit local markets, enjoy fresh fish and seafood, taste Provençal dishes, olive oil and local rosé, then return to your villa for an easy dinner or barbecue on the terrace.
• Travelling with a dog: a villa with a garden can be particularly convenient when bringing a dog on holiday. Depending on where you stay, there are walking routes, coastal paths and countryside nearby. Check the individual villa page to see whether pets are allowed and whether the garden is enclosed.

Where to stay on the Côte d’Azur?

The best place to stay on the Côte d’Azur depends on the type of holiday you are looking for. Sainte-Maxime is a popular base for a villa holiday on the Côte d’Azur, particularly for families who want beaches, restaurants and easy access to the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. Nearby Plan-de-la-Tour offers a quieter setting slightly inland, while still being within easy reach of the coast and Sainte-Maxime.

Further west, La Ciotat combines beaches and coves with a lively harbour and makes a good base for exploring this part of the Mediterranean coast. Around Cannes, Villa.nl also offers villas in places such as Théoule-sur-Mer and Mougins. Théoule-sur-Mer is particularly attractive for a holiday close to the sea, while Mougins offers a more peaceful setting inland, with Cannes and the coast nearby.

For families, a private villa offers practical advantages that can make a holiday much more relaxed. Several bedrooms give everyone space, while your own kitchen, garden, terrace and private pool mean there is no need to plan every day around outings or hotel schedules. Depending on your family, useful features to look for include an enclosed garden, a fenced pool, air conditioning, shaded outdoor dining and a location within easy reach of beaches, shops and activities.

How to get to the Côte d’Azur?

The Côte d’Azur is well connected by air, train and car. Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is convenient for stays around Cannes, Théoule-sur-Mer and Mougins, while Marseille Provence Airport can be a practical choice for La Ciotat and the western part of the region. Toulon-Hyères Airport may also be an option, depending on the location of your villa.

Several coastal towns are also accessible by train, but for many villa holidays a car is the most flexible option, particularly when travelling with children. It makes supermarket trips easier, gives you room for beach equipment and pushchairs, and allows you to explore different beaches, villages, markets and family attractions during your stay. Always check the exact location of your villa before deciding which airport, station or route is most convenient.