It is unlikely anyone would hesitate when called to travel to Paris for business. The City of Lights is a hub of entrepreneurial innovation in myriad industries including aeronautics, cybersecurity, finance, health, renewable energy and space; more than 15,000 foreign companies do business here. To that end, the city’s prime location in the heart of Europe and its robust air and high-speed rail network make it easily accessible for global travelers from destinations such as North America, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and, of course, throughout Europe.

The French lean heavily into a work-life balance, and Paris offers plenty in that regard when work is done for the day, from culture to gastronomy, fashion to green spaces in which to reconnect with nature. From there the entire country awaits exploration: the Champagne region; the Loire Valley; Mont-Saint-Michel off the coast of Normandy; and Côte d’Azur, or the French Riviera, in the south of France.

Dotted along Côte d’Azur lie glamour-filled yet approachable destinations, the likes of Cannes, Nice, Monaco, Monte-Carlo and Saint-Tropez.

PHOTO: © ARKADI BOJARSINOV | DREAMSTIME

The glamour of the 1930s is alive and well in Nice, considered the capital of Côte d’Azur. Begin a visit with a stroll along the palm tree-lined Promenade des Anglais on Baie des Anges, with its sparkling blue water. Afterward, meander the streets of Old Nice, popping into shops and cafés at whim as you wind your way to Cours Saleya, the city’s iconic flower market. Make the most of your visit to Nice by taking some time to meet up with one of the city’s greeters, who will offer a local’s perspective of the city; they happily share their favorite things to see, do and eat.

When it comes to dining, Nice offers no shortage of delectable fare. Some say Niçoise cuisine is instantly recognizable: simple in nature and deeply rooted in the Mediterranean. Each year the Cuisine Nissarde label is awarded to restaurants maintaining a commitment to respecting local products, traditional recipes and preparation, all in an effort to preserve the authenticity of Niçoise dishes. Try a few local bites during your visit like socca, a thin wafer made of chickpea flour best enjoyed hot; ravioli à la daube, a hearty dish of stewed meat, red wine and vegetables; salade Niçoise with an assortment of fresh vegetables, tuna, hard-boiled eggs and olive oil; and pan bagnat, essentially a portable Niçoise salad on a roll.

© CRISTINA ALEXE PFA ALEXE CRISTINA
| DREAMSTIME.

Just 30 minutes by train from Nice, visit Monaco and its most famous neighborhood, Monte-Carlo. With such iconic names, it may come as a surprise the principality is smaller than New York’s Central Park, at just less than 1 square mile. There is more to Monaco than the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix and Le Casino de Monte-Carlo, too.

Take La Condamine, the neighborhood where locals go to shop, dine and simply enjoy being with one another at Place d’Armes and its arcades. Or venture to Rocher de Monaco, Rock of Monaco, a natural outcropping and part of the principality’s oldest area. Here you will find Old Town and Palais Princier de Monaco, or Prince’s Palace. After closing for six years for renovations, The Exotic Garden of Monaco reopened its cliffside space housing 1,000 species of cacti and succulents, just as it has for more than 90 years. Another green space to enjoy, Princess Grace Rose Garden in Fontvieille Landscape Park, features more than 450 rose varietals from around the world.

Mareterra is Monaco’s newest neighborhood, a pedestrian- and eco-friendly space anchored by Promenade Prince Jacques along the Mediterranean Sea. Alongside residences, Mareterra brims with galleries, boutiques, and plenty of restaurants and bars to enjoy. At the end of the day, raise a Monaco Spritz made with L’Orangerie, a locally made citrus liqueur, and make a toast to another day in paradise.

In addition to Nice and Monaco, Côte d’Azur is also home to villages worth exploring, like medieval Èze and its historic perfumeries; Saint-Paul de Vence, considered one of the coastline’s most beautiful villages; and Biot, the region’s glassmaking capital.

INFO TO GO
The quickest way to get to Côte d’Azur from Paris is by air; the flight from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport or Paris Orly Airport to Nice Côte d’Azur Airport takes about1.5hours.Slowtravel options include SNCF’s high-speed and express trains, taking between four and 5.5 hours, or a 9.5-hour drive. Once in the French Riviera, take advan- tage of the bus and train systems to easily navigate from one destination to the next.