Hello from the beautiful Mediterranean Riviera and Cannes. Leaving Lake Como behind, I made a quick stop in Milan for some shopping (although I didn’t buy anything), before heading towards the Italian Riviera. Although I visited Cinque Terre last year (read more here), I had never explored the other side of Genova. On my way to France and Cannes (with a quick stop in Monaco), I wanted to see what the hype was all about. How does French vs Italian Riviera compare? And is the Mediterranean Riviera really worth a visit?
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Relaxing in Cannes – French Riviera
And so, as I was relaxing in Cannes, a place I truly fell in love with all over again (I only briefly visited it a few years ago), I reflected on the differences between the Italian Riviera vs the French Mediterranean Riviera. Was it really that much different? Yes, it certainly was!
Once I parked the car in Cannes, I didn’t use it for four days. It was time to enjoy the beautiful Mondrian Hotel and rest. But also walk, hike and cycle. There’s so much to do in Cannes, not just incredible shopping, dining, and French wine tasting, but also stunning scenery to enjoy on foot and bike. I really enjoyed it
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Antibes
One morning I set off and cycled to Antibes, which was absolutely stunning. Benjamin, the guy I rented the bike from, gave me a few local tips, including the amazing hike along the Cap d’Antibes. It is a beautiful narrow and panoramic pathway edging the rocky coastline. The weather was absolutely beautiful, and I made the most of it.
Antibes is a beautiful coastal town, and I would highly recommend stopping there.
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The Mediterranean Riviera around Cannes and Antibes turned out to be the perfect place to relax and enjoy the charm of the French Riviera.
As for the comparison, French vs Italian Riviera? Was it really that different? I still have more of the French side to explore (let’s go to St. Tropez), but for now, let’s look back at my short stay on the Italian Riviera.
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Sanremo and Imperia – Italian Riviera
From Milan to the Italian Riviera it was only a quick 2 hours drive, however, I didn’t stop until I reached Sanremo. Originally I thought I would stay in Imperia for a few nights, but I couldn’t find a nice Hotel so I settled on Sanremo, a beautiful town on the coast of Liguria.
I really enjoyed Sanremo. The narrow little streets, the friendly locals, the delicious Italian food, it all had such a vibrant and inviting atmosphere. Especially when compared to Imperia. While the old town of Imperia was lovely to stroll through, it felt quite empty and lacked the energy that made Sanremo special.
However, while eating the most amazing pasta dishes (I figured it was best to just let the chef create a dish), I must admit, I missed the French wine. Was I yearning for the French Riviera?
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French vs Italian Riviera summary
Overall, when comparing the Italian Riviera to the French Riviera, I have to say, the French Riviera wins for me. It’s telling that I hardly took any photos while in the Italian Riviera. It just didn’t have the same relaxing vibe. It felt noisy, crowded and packed. I also found parking to be quite a challenge in Italy. The streets were often too narrow and tight, with limited parking options.
That said, once I reached the French Riviera, I didn’t stop in Nice for the same reason. I couldn’t find a parking spot along the boulevard. Then again, it was a Sunday and extremely busy. Nice is very beautiful, though! I have to come back here one day.
And so, the French Mediterranean Riviera just felt more suited to me, from the language and baguettes to the people and, of course, the wine. Somehow, I felt more at ease here. I really enjoyed Cannes and the surrounding area. The fact that I could enjoy a nice wine amongst the shops, but also go hiking and cycling. It seemed easy and fun.
So, French vs Italian Riviera? You should definitely experience both and decide for yourself. You might have a completely different opinion. The Mediterranean Riviera is undoubtedly a stunning part of Europe. It just depends on whether you prefer Italian pasta or French wine. Tough choice, I know!
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