Hostels in French Riviera

The French Riviera is a beautiful region along the coast of southern France. The blue Mediterranean coastline runs along several cities with numerous hostels up to the Italian border. All of this is easily accessible by train, as well as bus and other long-distance transportation. French is the official language, but English and even Italian are also widely spoken.

Several options exist for getting to the French Riviera. There are several ship ports, short and long-distance bus service, and at least one train station in nearly every city, usually with easy access to the hostel either by walking or by taxi.

There are several hostels in the French Riviera, especially in the cities of Nice and Cannes. These cities are just a train ride and day trip away from the rest of the French Riviera, so if you cannot find accommodation in another city you'd like to visit, it may be wise to book a hostel in a larger city and visit as a day trip. Several hostels are near train stations for easy accessibility.

The largest city with the most hostels in the French Riviera is Nice. This city possesses the Promenade des Anglais, a beautiful walkway along the shore. Nearby is the historic Old Town. East of that is a hill perfect for hiking, sightseeing, and other tourist activities, and beyond that is a port.

Other French Riviera cities include Cannes, Antibes, Menton, and a few other smaller towns. A special offering of the French Riviera is that it borders Monaco, the second smallest nation in Europe and the world. It is worth a day trip to see the attractions of Monaco.

The French Riviera is best known for its stunning coastline. Note that while some beaches are made of sand, many of the beaches (most notably Nice) are composed of rounded stones. So prepare accordingly with something comfortable to lay on if you'd like to relax on the beach. As with any beaches in France, women sunbathing topless is not uncommon and it isn't considered to be provocative or offensive here. The water from the Mediterranean Sea is salty, making it easy to float and swim. You'll see other water activities offered, especially parasailing and boating.

North of the French Mediterranean coastline are mountains, some of which may be within walking distance. These hills and mountains often provide viewpoints for the sea or a nearby river or bay. There are also museums, ruins, and other lesser-known attractions in the northern parts of cities, particularly Nice.

The French Riviera is a change of pace from the northern parts of France. Enjoy!

Handwritten by local expert for French Riviera hostels Jessica Lippe