Landscape
On the Riviera there is of course the seaside with its sand and stone beaches or its rock coasts. But there is also the back country, very "hilly" with many peaks above 2500 meters altitude up to 3143 meters from the Gelas mount which is only approximately 40 kilometers from the sea.

Climate
It is obviously Mediterranean i.e. soft. At the seaside the temperatures vary, on average from 10 to 30 degrees celcius during the year. It is not rare to have variations from 5 to 6 degrees between the top and the bottom of a hill. In addition, the temperatures in mountains can go down to -10. In June or July you will be able, the same week, to bathe in the sea and to walk on snow in the park of Mercantour. Certain rigorous winters, the snow fell on the palm trees of Nice and Cannes.

Vegetation
The plants and trees typically Mediterranean abounds: Olive-trees, thyme, rosemary, etc. But you will find also trees more exotic, like the mimosa or the eucalyptus (imported from Australia) as well as many varieties of cactus (Garden of Eze). If you go to mountainous areas, the vegetation is very different. Chestnuts, hazel trees, spruces, fir trees and larches form beautiful forests.

Architecture
The tumultuous history of the area make the architecture very varied, the east being dominated by the Italian style as shown in the many churches and vaults of the Nice area. On the other hand the rest of the area has a Provencal style. You will also discover vestiges of Roman monuments there as in La Turbie or Frejus.

Life style
In this domain too all is possible. If you like excitement, the nightlife, the cinema, and the casinos then the cities on the sea front are for you. On the other handif you prefer the calm and a more peaceful life feel free to go to the villages of the backcountry.