French Riviera: Sophia Antipolis Excursions

Monaco - Monte Carlo

CEA staff will take you on a tour of this tiny independent state nestled between the French Alps and the Mediterranean. An impressive 30,000 people live on only 0.7 square miles, making Monaco-Monte Carlo the second smallest European state after Vatican City. We will take a spin around the Monaco Formula I Grand Prix circuit (by bus of course) to see the famous Casino and "Belle Epoque" district, the opera house built by Charles Garnier, and the Hotel and Café de Paris. From Monaco we will drive high up above the Mediterranean along the Moyenne Corniche to the medieval village of Eze with its exotic gardens, and breathtaking views of the Riviera coast.

Grasse

Grasse, the perfume capital of the world, is located high in the hills above the Mediterranean. It is a unique medieval site, recognized by the "Caisse National des Monuments Historiques" as a city of art. Surrounded by jasmine and roses, Grasse has retained its narrow winding streets, cobblestones, archways and medieval squares and market places. Grasse has been world capital of the perfume industry since the Renaissance and is the birthplace of painter Jean-Honoré Fragonard after whom the Fragonard Parfumerie is named.

Today three-quarters of the world’s essences are produced in Grasse, chez Fragonard. Many designer perfumes, such as Chanel n° 5 were elaborated and are still produced here.

A tour of the Fragonard factory will reveal some of the procedures involved in creating and producing perfume, followed by a visit to the "Musée International de la Parfumerie" where you will discover 3000 years of the history of this extraordinary art. At the Fragonard factory shop, you will get the chance to sample and purchase from a large selection of well-known perfumes at discount prices.

Cannes

Since 1834, when the Lord Chancellor of England, Lord Brougham, spent the night in a small fishing village en route to Nice, Cannes has been synonymous with glamour and glitz. "Star" of the French Riviera, Cannes is world-renowned for its International Film Festival, yachts and cruise ships, designer shopping, palatial hotels, belle époque architecture and golden sandy beaches.

Located in the narrow winding streets of the old town known as "Le Suquet," stands the Tour de Mt. Chevalier. You will have the chance to explore this fortress from the 11th and 12th centuries that houses an amazing collection of archaeological and ethnographic exhibits in the Musée de la Castre. The tower and the 12th-16th-century Notre-Dame-de-l'Espérence church add a touch of medieval flavor to the town.

"La Croisette," is full of upscale shopping opportunities and is an ideal place to people-watch, whereas la rue Meynadier is perfect for the budget-minded student and bargain-hunter in search of souvenirs. There are restaurants to suit every budget in Cannes, from Pizza or Tex-Mex to Michelin 5-star, and the town's nightlife is second-to-none.

Biot and Vallauris - Discover the Secrets of Glass and Pottery

The glass factory of Biot is famous for its colorful bubble glass. More than 30 glassworkers expertly blow, handle and conjure the molten glass into works of art, producing beautiful carafes, vases, candle-holders and much more. The factory houses a small museum as well as a large showroom and store. Glass blowing demonstrations are held throughout the day. The staff is courteous and will pack your purchases with great care, ready to be shipped back to the U.S. Be sure to check out their "seconds" table for great bargains.

On to Vallauris where pottery has been a tradition since Gallo-Roman times; and where Picasso worked from 1948 to 1955 at the Madura workshop, one of his most creative periods working with ceramics. His most famous works from this period are "the man with the goat" ("L'homme au mouton") and the enormous fresco "war and peace", ("La guerre et la paix") which you can see in the chapel inside the Musée Château.

Provence - A Journey Through Time

In the 19th century, Provence's light and landscapes attracted illustrious painters such as Cézanne and Van Gogh. Our journey will begin with a visit to Arles, where Van Gogh spent his most creative years. The city has some impressive Roman monuments, such as the arena, the theatre and the cryptoporticus (subterranean galleries), which date back to the 1st century B.C. On place du Forum, you will see the café that inspired "Café de Nuit" one of Van Gogh's best-loved works.

Les Baux-de-Provence, is a medieval fortified town with amazing views of Provence. From the top of the village you will enjoy a 360° view over the Vallée des Baux, famous for its olive oil. You will also visit the famous hill top castle, to learn about the music and songs of the Troubadours and life in Provence in Medieval times.

A Provence tour is not complete without a visit to Avignon and a guided tour of the Palais des Papes (Pope's Palace) as well as the Pont Saint Bénézet, inspiration for the famous song, "Sous le Pont d'Avignon."

Also included in the tour is a visit to the Pont du Gard, the largest remaining roman aqueduct in the world, built shortly before the Christian era, to allow the aqueduct of Nímes to cross the Gard river. The Roman architects and hydraulic engineers created a technical and artistic masterpiece which is today over 2,000 years old. Finally, a tour of the famous Chateauneuf-du-Pape area includes a visit to one of the local vineyards. A local wine expert will explain how wine is made and teach students the basics of wine tasting.

The Italian Riviera - San Remo

Get a taste of the Italian Riviera, as we cross the border to San Remo, the Italian capital of flowers (cittá dei fiori). The town has a spectacular assortment of rare plants and flowers, rightfully earning its nickname. The main attractions are the striking onion-domed Russian Orthodox Church, inspired by the Tsarina Maria Alexandranova, a long stretch of golden sandy beach and a hilltop Old Town known as "La Pigna", with Medieval houses, steep streets, winding alleys, and ancient squares.

In its heyday, from the late 1800's to the 1950's, the city was a magnet for aristocrats and artists. Tchaikovsky composed here, Monet painted, and Hollywood starts such as Frank Sinatra, Ava Gardner, Carry Grant and Grace Kelly came here in search of La Dolce Vita.

San Remo's Saturday market located in the historic center attracts throngs of bargain-hunters with its local handmade leather goods, shoes, clothes and accessories.

Other local highlights include the opulent Hanbury Gardens, the prehistoric remains at Balzi Rossi, and Dolceacqua, a small Ligurian village where the impressionist painter Claude Monet painted the old bridge and castle in 1884.