Springtime is elusive in Provence, although slightly more predictable on the Côte d’Azur. It is not the season for lounging poolside in your new bathing suit.
Temperatures are variable at this time of year. We hiked on the coast in March, enjoying summer temperatures, only to throw on winter layers a few days later when facing a mistral wind. However, March is a great month to visit and play golf. If you are near Aix-en-Provence, plan to visit Paul Cézanne’s Atelier before the summer crowds.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Marcel Pagnol’s passing, with several events celebrating some of his famous books and films.
Private chef and cooking school owner Stephanie Villegas created this delicious 2024 spring menu. This 3-course meal includes seasonal produce – peas, artichokes and berries – and mouthwatering roast chicken. Enjoy the taste of Provence this spring.
After mid-winter celebrations in Provence, life returned to “normal” on the French Riviera after the annual festivities in Nice and Menton wrapped up on March 3rd. In Nice, the 151st Carnaval de Nice celebrated the “King of Pop Culture” with floats, flower parades, music, and street performances. This year’s Olympics were the theme for the 90th Fête du Citron® in Menton.
Some of our other favourite coastal destinations, Antibes, Cannes, St Jean Cap Ferrata, and Villefranche, are popular all year, even if the water is a little cool for swimming in March. The town of Vence, a short drive from Nice, has a pedestrian-friendly old centre that is well worth visiting.
Continue reading here to learn more about what’s happening on the French Riviera at this time of the year.
If you are contemplating a trip to the South of France, here is our Vistor’s Guide to the Alpes Maritimes.
