Alpes Maritimes
 Population: 1.022.710 inh.

What makes this departement so beautiful is its craggy coastline with the Alps plunging straight down in the blue sea. At certain times of the year one can even have the difficult choice of whether to ski or to swim.

The slopes and the sea are merely an hour apart by car. The sun is legendary shining 320 days a year.

La Côte d'Azur or French Riviera From Cannes to Nice going through Antibes and Menton all the way to the Italian border this area is one not only of beauty but of prestige. The coastline is spotted with turn of the century mansions and modern luxury homes. During the summer months when the Côte d'Azur is particularly lively one can find sunbathers on the beaches of sand or pebbles and strollers leisurely walking along the Croisette in Cannes or the Promenade des Anglais in Nice. The quaint old quarters ot Nice and the famous flower market are a delight to visit. All along the coast one is charmed by the little fishing ports so important to the local culture and industry. There are world renowned events that take place here such as Mardi Gras in Nice, the Jazz Festival in Juan les Bains, and the Film Festival in Cannes.

Inland (arrière pays) As soon as one leaves the sea going inland the landscape changes radically. The roads spiral through the hills and the mountains jutting up high above the water. The vegetation changes; its Mediterranean nature showing through. IThe hills are covered with umbrella pines, thyme shrubs, flowering laurel trees, giant cactus plants and olive groves, all accompanied by the constant singing of the cicadas. The city of Grasse has become the perfum center of France thanks to all of these aromatic plants.

The Alpes d'Azur Right in the north of the departement are the Alps with their snowy peaks and their sunny ski resorts, some within an hour's drive from the sea. 80% of this departement is mountainous, offering fabulous skiing in the winter. The 325 km. of navigable rivers lend themselves to a great variety of water sports including abseiling and kayaking.

The park of Mercantour spreads out over 120 km. from the Col de Tende to Ubaye. It is a natural reserve sheltering many species of animals and plants all in a magnificient setting of 68.500 ha.