Little Pieces of Light

Saint-Paul de Vence

If you are in the area for at least a week, then this is a must-do day-trip. Saint-Paul de Vence is one of the prettiest and best-preserved medieval villages in all of Europe; surrounded by stone ramparts that date back to the 15th Century. There are 50 art galleries here (all of a high quality), along with many shops, some restaurants, and a couple of small hotels. While the art is amazing (and may well play havoc with your credit card), the main attraction here is the town itself. Adorable, im

2024/05/20 01:17

French Riviera Orientation Guide

Welcome to our orientation guide for the French Riviera.HELP US OUTDo you have a great tip you'd like to share - that we could add to this day-trip entry? If so, please add a comment (below) or use our suggestion form on the ★ Little Pieces of Light ★ homepage. And if you are looking for somewhere to stay in the area, please do check out Haute Vue; our large holiday home with private pool in Montauroux. It has panoramic views, private pool, super-fast WiFi and modern air-conditioning, and is the

2024/05/17 19:00

International Boules Grand Prix in Fayence

Pétanque, or boules as it is more commonly known abroad, is a Provençal institution and can be played on just about any dusty, gritty surface, at all times of the year. For two days in June, La Bouleheureuse ("the Happy Ball") in Fayence/Tourrettes hosts the annual Regionals for this part of France; which also attracts many of the world's best players.The Fayence ITB Grand Prix Photo © C.Go. Var MatinSponsored by ITB (a specialist wood construction firm in PACA), the event is hosted by the thi

2024/05/12 00:20

Saint-Tropez & Sainte-Maxime

This is one of our favourite day-trips and the one we would most probably turn to if - say - we had some friends visiting for just a weekend and only had one opportunity to show them the very best of the French Riviera.Saint-Tropez Photo © 2018 Robert BrandsMORNINGMake an early start, as it's gong to be a long and lovely day! Our top tip is to stop at your local boulangerie on the way and collect some ready-made baguette sandwiches that you can throw in a cool box or cool bag, together with so

2024/05/10 02:29

The Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival

In November each year, the Principality becomes the centre of the jazz world, with some of the biggest names in the business performing in the unique setting of the Opéra Garnier. Founded in 2006 - at the behest of well-known jazz fan Jean-René Palacio - the Festival has become a real highlight of the Riviera winter season, and always promises a blend of tradition and new musical inspirations from every corner of the world, with an emphasis (above all) on creativity.Italian Singer Mario Biondi p

2024/05/09 04:00

The Saint-Tropez Sailing Regatta

The Voiles de Saint-Tropez is a sailing regatta which takes place once a year in the gulf of Saint-Tropez, in the Var. Organised for the first time in 1999, it will be celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2024, so it may surprise you to know this makes it the oldest sailing event on the Mediterranean coast.The Regatta in full flow © Les Voiles de Saint-TropezThe organisers - the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez - are also one of the oldest sailing clubs (founded in 1862). They bring together over

2024/05/09 03:13

Roots du Lac Reggae Festival in Montauroux

Since 2018, this eco-friendly, festive, and family-oriented Music Festival has been growing in popularity. Held over two days, it's essentially a roots festival; so lots of rocksteady, dub, ska, reggae, and tropical house music. If you like Bob Marley (and who doesn't frankly) then you are going to love this!The Main Stage © Roots du LacThe venue is open land at the Terrain Laroche, alongside the Collège De Léonard de Vinci (a large moddle school serving 700 students from across the valley). In

2024/05/08 02:55