Hidden gems of the Western Mediterranean

Capital of the Cote d’Azur, Nice is surrounded by an amphitheatre of hills and mountains that protects it from the wind. You will probably want to explore the Promenade des Anglais, where you can sit on one of the famous blue chairs laid out opposite the baie des Anges. The Château hill is also a very pleasent place to walk. This is the entrance to the old city, with its bustling markets and regional products along the main street, the Cours Saleya.

City of art and history, Menton is located at the far eastern side of the Cote d’Azur. You will be won over by the Provence houses with their palms and lemon trees. Very close to the Saint-Michel-Archange basilica, take a mosey around the charming place aux Herbes, and the medieval streets that follow a sinuous plan. Here and there, you can see snatches of the coastline. These picturesque points of view have attracted artists since the beginning of the 20th century. Don’t miss works by the most famous Menton figure: Jean Cocteau. They are exhibited in two museums: the Bastion museum and the Séverin-Wunderman collection.

Close to the Cinque Terre, Portofino is the jewel of the Ligurian Riviera. This "small village that stretches like a half moon around a silent basin", described by Guy de Maupassant, is today a pretty, lively little port that has managed to preserve the authenticity of its maritime traditions, which have been recognised since Ancient times. Built in the hollow of a small natural cove sheltered by the pine forest, the village is at the heart of a protected maritime reserve. The shimmering colours of its house fronts and the exceptional location of this village have inspired many authors and artists. You will also see the Portofino lighthouse, immaculate in its green setting. Perched on the Punta del Capo, it watches over the peninsula and its postcard setting.

In the elbow of a creek on the northern coastline of Elba Island, a small corner of paradise awaits in the form of Portoferraio. As you approach its coastlines, you will make out the powerful and majestic contours of its Medici fortresses. Napoleon Bonaparte spent many of his 300 days in exile here. The Palazzina dei Mulini, his first imperial residence, whose gardens offer outstanding views of the sea, is a must-see. Historical treasures are followed by another kind of treasure, namely white sand beaches, and equally tempting local specialities including gurguglione and rice with cuttlefish ink.

Nestled on a rocky spur in the north-west of Corsica, the port of Calvi offers its whiteness between two sapphire-coloured bays. Capital of the Balagne region, the Genoese city benefits from an exceptional natural setting between the abrupt relief of the central chain, fertile hills and long sandy beaches. From the promontory of the Notre-Dame-de-la-Serra chapel, built in the 19th century on the ruins of a 15th century sanctuary, you will not miss the sublime panorama of the seaside, the mountains and the Calvi citadel. A little further west, you will have the opportunity to discover with the peninsula of Revelatta, a wilder and more preserved part of Corsica.

Birth town of Napoleon Bonaparte, Ajaccio occupies a privileged location on the Île de Beauté. Rich in history and culture, the old “imperial city” is imbibed with the memory of this son of the soil. His presence is tangible, from the citadel to the imperial chapel, without forgetting the statues of the emperor in several of the city’s squares. As you stroll through the shaded streets in the old town centre, you’ll come across the central market on place Foch, where you can taste one or two local specialities, for instance, brocciu, lonzu or the famous canistrelli.

A discreet outpost of the glittering French Riviera, the port of Cassis masterfully plays its Provençal music. Between the stunning calanques coves and Cap Canaille, the town stretches out with charming southern houses, their blinds repainted countless times, while the port exudes such a sunny and recognisable feeling, giving everything here a festive spirit. The surroundings are also well worth the visit: hills drooping beneath the vines, parasol pines curling up into the azure of the sky, prickly pears hanging onto white limestone, the Provence of the Fauvist painters unveils itself in this idyllic spot.

Lying between sea and mountains, the seaside resort of Rosas is part of the province of Girona in Spain, in central Costa Brava. You will be charmed by the historic Renaissance citadel, as well as the wide sandy beaches and coves with their crystal-clear waters on the edge of the town. Restaurants serving typical Catalan cuisine and numerous bars all make Rosas a lively tourist destination.

Minorca’s charm lies in its unspoilt authenticity and varied landscapes. The whitewashed streets of Ciutadella and Mahón invite you to wander through sun-drenched squares and past balconies adorned with flowers, while the harbours come alive with the to-and-fro of boats and bustling pavement cafés. The coves with turquoise waters and beaches of fine sand are the perfect setting for a swim or a spot of relaxation. With its historic heritage, picturesque villages and unspoilt nature, Minorca reveals a subtle Mediterranean charm, offering a gentle way of life and breathtaking panoramas.

Located on the seashore between the mountains of Montjuïc and Tibidabo, Barcelona offers its many visitors a perfect blend of tradition and modernism. Truly an open-air museum, the “prodigious town” reveals an astonishing range of artistic treasures and museums, combining Roman ruins, medieval districts and a number of avant-garde elements from the 20^th Century. Over the years, it has been marked by some of the greatest artists, such as Picasso, Miró or Gaudí, most of whose work has been listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Take the time to stroll along the Ramblas and enjoy the gentle, typically Mediterranean lifestyle of the capital of Catalonia.