Taking the TGV train from Gare de Lyon to Nice via Lyon, Avignon, Aix-en-Provence over about 5 hours enabled us to admire the countryside before we were hit with the so called "glitz and glamour" that the French Riviera is known for!! We are going to spend the next few days seeing the sights here.

Cannes

150 years ago, Cannes was nothing more than a fishing village. Mention Cannes today, and the first thing that comes to mind is the Cannes International Film Festival- where rich and famous celebrities descend upon this beautiful beach town for a couple of weeks of glitz and glamour in the name of all things film-making. For the rest of the year people come here to unwind on its beaches, stroll along its boulevards, stay in its hotels, shop in its boutiques and eat in its restaurants.

The Suquet (Old Port) : the hill of the "Suquet" is where Cannes began and dates back almost 400 years ago. With its winding cobbled lanes and narrow stairways; Le Suquet exudes an old-charm and nostalgic atmosphere. Visit the ramparts, the Musée de la Castre, the square tower and the church. Admire the view over the city and the port, La Croisette: in 1850 it was nothing more than a path running parallel to the sea across sand dunes and is now an avenue renowned for high end luxury shops and hotels. Since 1929, Regates Royales has been organising numerous sailing regattas throughout the month of September in Cannes. Thousands of crews take to the water each year and we were fortunate enough to be there for the start of this year's racing. For 12,000 Euros you too can take part as a VIP!!!

Rue Meynadier is lined with charming 18th-century houses, which have been repurposed as boutiques, selling everything from trendy and clothing to wine and cheese. Pop into L'Atelier Jean-Luc Pelé (at No. 36-38) to check out the macaroons which are absolutely scumptious. Visit the Palais des Festivals-home of the Cannes Film Festival - jump the temporary fences and take your photo on the red carpet or simply watch everyone else posing.

Nice

With 7 kilometres of beach along the Promenade des Anglais which gently curves around the Mediterranean's Baie des Anges (Bay of Angels), Nice has one of the longest and most famous beaches of the French Riviera. It seems that most of the beach is "private" and you pay to sit on it which was a totally foreign concept to us Aussies who are used to just going to any beach and relaxing. And to make it even worse is that the beaches are not soft and sandy but full of pebbles so you will need that chaise lounge if you are going to relax!!

Personally I preferred to wander the narrow lanes of the Vieux Nice or the old town. There is some fantastic Baroque architecture and the ochre-coloured buildings lend an air of what life might have been like in years gone by. A must for flower lovers is a visit to the market at the Cours Saleya which is simply bursting with every colour flower imaginable. This market, which has been running since 1897, is also a great place to grab some tasty street food or simply sit and people watch. Close by we even found a little slice of Tassie with the Van Diemen's Bar and Restaurant.

Interesting fun fact is that Nice has only been part of France since 1860. Prior to that it was part of Italy but had to be given up to repay France for their help defending itself from the Austrians!!

Today was our lucky day as we were able to convince our guide to take us to the medieval village of Eze to visit the Fragonard Parfumerie. Their perfume is one of my weaknesses, so I just knew my credit card was going to get a workout. We did a tour of the factory first as well as tested our own ability to identify difference scents. We learned that a "nose" is a master perfumer and is one of the rarest professions in the world. This is a family run business now into the fourth generation and you can see some of the artefacts in the foyer. Me, I was busy stocking up on goodies!!

Monaco

Squeezed into just 200 hectares, this principality might be the world's second-smallest country (the Vatican is smaller), but what it lacks in size it makes up for in attitude. A few things come to mind when most people think of Monaco: gambling, yachts, and the ultra-wealthy. Monaco has been ruled by the Grimaldi family since 1297.

Prince's Palace of Monaco: Built in 1191 as a Genoese fortress, it's been home to the Grimaldi clan almost continuously since the late 13th century, when the family's patriarch captured it through wily deception. The white and cream palace has a low, wide profile and lacks the ornate elegance of most Renaissance or Baroque palaces. That's because it was a fortified citadel rather than a mere ceremonial palace for much of its long history. Changing of the guards is at 11.55 each day.

Saint Nicholas Neoclassical Cathedral: where the much-loved Princess Grace of Monaco and Prince Rainier lie at rest. Built of white La Turbie stone, the 19th-century cathedral is a lovely peaceful stop with an ornate 16th century altarpiece by Louis Bréa, a well-known painter from Nice.

Monte Carlo covers 160,000m2 and the port provides enough anchorage for up to 700 vessels! Walk around and find different vantage points. If you're a James Bond fan, they filmed Golden Eye in Monte Carlo and this harbour was one of the filming spots.

Monte Carlo Casino: This is probably the most iconic building in Monte Carlo. It sums up the type of rich and famous lifestyle that exists in Monaco. From the luxurious cars parked outside to the expensive hotels that surround it; you can smell money in the air. TheMonte Carlo Casino opened in 1863 as a bid to bring tourists and income to Monaco and famously featured in the James Bond movies Never Say Never Again and Golden Eye. An extravagant Belle Époque confection, dripping in marble and gold, elaborate plasterwork and detailing but unfortunately my memory of this casino will be the dirty ladies' toilets!!

All in all, I was pleased to escape…. This area is the juxtaposition of style, charm, charisma, luxury, grandeur, decadence versus artificial, distasteful, repulsive, vulgar, tasteless and tacky !!! Many of the views are dominated by high-rise hotels and apartment blocks. It seems that every square inch is being utilised and not always in a positive way.