Every summer, I see the same thing: travelers racing from one
location to another, looking more stressed than relaxed. They're trying
to tick off as many spots as possible in just a few days—cramming their
itineraries full in the hopes of "seeing it all." But if you really want
to get the most out of your vacation, especially in a region like the
French Riviera, slow travel is the way to go.
The Côte d’Azur,
like many parts of France, is made up of destinations that are each
unique in their geography, culture, food, and vibe. These are not places
to rush through—they deserve to be savored. Each little town or coastal
gem offers something different, and diving deeper into fewer places
will reward you far more than racing through many.
I’ve
honestly lost count of the number of times I’ve stepped off the train in
Villefranche-sur-Mer and overheard someone saying, “Wow, I didn’t know
this was part of Nice,” cue eye roll. When I can, I
gently let them know—with a bit of humor—that Villefranche-sur-Mer and
Nice are actually very different places. And that’s part of the point:
many travelers miss out on the nuance of the region because they don’t
take the time to truly explore and learn.
Over the years, I’ve seen people mislabel their locations both in
person and on Instagram—claiming they’re in Cannes when they’re actually
in Cap d’Antibes, or saying they’re in Monaco while wandering around
Èze Village. Some even post from Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat insisting they’re
in Nice. A little research before you arrive can go a long way—and can
make your trip more enjoyable and meaningful.Even worse? The
so-called “content creators” who breeze into town for a day or two and
suddenly claim to have all the inside tips. They often dish out
completely inaccurate advice—directions, places to eat, even
descriptions of beaches that are just plain wrong. Locals usually jump
into the comment sections to correct them, but honestly, the best way to
learn about a place is to talk to the people who live there. Most of us
are happy to share tips—we know the region is built around tourism and
we appreciate curious, respectful visitors.
Too
often, I see people spending a few minutes on a beach, taking a quick
photo in front of a monument without really knowing what it is, or
walking around glued to Google Maps instead of looking up and
discovering something magical. They scarf down lunch, rush to the next
location, and end the day exhausted and irritable—not exactly the
vacation vibe.
The French Riviera was built on the idea of leisure. It’s a place
meant to be enjoyed slowly, thoughtfully, with a sense of wonder. Some
of the best travel moments happen when you allow yourself to get a
little lost, stumble upon something unexpected, or have an unplanned
conversation with a local.Yes, social media has made it tempting to turn every trip into content. But ask yourself—are you actually experiencing the places you’re posting about?
Take the recent Monaco Grand Prix, for example. The area was flooded
with influencers who seemed to know little about Monaco or Formula 1.
Many of them spent more time filming themselves than enjoying the event
or the region. Word is, the companies who brought them in weren’t too
impressed with the outcome either.At the end of the day, checking
a bunch of places off a list might impress your followers or your
friends back home—but it’s not the same as truly knowing a place. And
that applies across all of Europe, not just the French Riviera.
One of the best-kept secrets of travel is this: pick just a few spots
and dive in deep. Learn a little of the language, meet some locals,
take time to enjoy a long lunch or a quiet walk without a destination.
You’ll leave with real memories, authentic stories, and maybe even some
new friends.
And don’t worry—the Côte d’Azur isn’t going anywhere.
Take your time. Enjoy the experience. And if you fall in love with it
(as many do), you can always come back for more.
