When to go dans les Alpes-Maritimes ?
The region's mild climate is proverbial: 300 days of sunshine a year! While winters are pleasant, summers on the Côte d'Azur can be scorching. All the more reason to head for the cooler altitudes of the Pre-Alps! In every season, the region comes alive with events to suit all tastes: outdoor activities, gourmet events, traditional festivals... A full calendar of events to discover!
The climate of the Alpes-Maritimes varies from the mountainous type in the alpine hinterland to the Mediterranean type when you get closer to the coast. Severe thunderstorms break out when warm coastal air masses meet cold mountain air masses. For the coastline: heavy showers in spring, slightly less in autumn, drought in summer, mild and dry winter. For the mountains: quite lively winter, summer storms. In the Alpes-Maritimes, the sun shines 300 days a year!
Sun, sun, sun, sun! This department is the sunniest in France and many nationals and foreigners settle there to enjoy a gentle retirement while enjoying an exceptional microclimate. You can stay there happily all year round. However, in full summer, the heat wave will push you towards the beaches and swimming or in the mountains where the altitude lowers temperatures. The high summer is the high tourist season. It is difficult to find accommodation without a reservation in advance and prices are soaring, especially on the coast. The coastline is home to some of the most prestigious seaside resorts in the world, Cannesñ Niceand Mentonñ but also Cagnes-sur-Merñ Antibesor ñJuan-les-Pins. So many sites that invite you to come and enjoy international festivals under the stars in summer, such as the jazz festival in Antibes. As for the Cannes Film Festival, even to see the red carpet from far away, you will have to do it very, very early. In Menton, in February, the lemon is celebrated in a spectacular parade. You should also know that this department is the most stormy in France with 70 to 110 days of storms per year. Especially in spring but also in autumn for the coast, in summer for the mountains. These are not without risks. Be aware of the weather before planning a trip to the sea or mountains. In addition to the coastline, bathing and water sports enthusiasts can enjoy many rivers flowing down the mountain and many bodies of water in this area. In winter, the Mercantour resorts (5 resorts, including the most famousAuron one) delight skiers and all snow sports enthusiasts.
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Discover les Alpes-Maritimes
The history of the "Villages & Vallées d'Azur" is closely linked to the riches that nature has offered its inhabitants for thousands of years. Exploring this region means strolling through medieval villages, admiring landscapes with your feet up on a hill and your eyes on the Mediterranean, discovering a varied cultural and architectural heritage, enjoying remarkable biodiversity in carefully preserved areas, walking in the footsteps of farmers or taking part in outdoor sports. Just like its warm climate, the local gastronomy delights with its generosity. Specialties can be sampled at convivial gatherings that put the region in the spotlight and share the calendar with a bevy of festive events throughout the year. Authentic and picturesque, the "Villages et Vallées d'Azur" are sure to arouse your curiosity.
