Winter long weekend: destination Côte d’Azur! | Côte d’Azur France / French Riviera

1. A festive weekend at the Nice Carnival

To prolong the festive season, spend a weekend enjoying the convivial atmosphere at the heart of the Nice Carnival.

The famous Nice Carnival is one of the biggest in France, and one of the best known in the world! For 2 weeks in February (and 3 weekends), night shows and decorated floats follow one another in a jovial, musical atmosphere! Every year, a battle of the flowers is organized: 20 floats parade through the streets, distributing over 100,000 flowers from the region to the public. It’s a show worthy of the greats, both enchanting and colorful!

The carnival welcomes several thousand visitors every year: remember to book your accommodation early enough:

● Hotel in Nice

● Bed and breakfast in Nice

● Camping in Nice

● Find accommodation in Nice

Make the most of this vacation to visit downtown Nice: between history, culture, art and gastronomy, the city has a lot to offer. Here are our tips and tricks for discovering Nice in a different way: 10 free or low-cost activities!

2. A colorful WEEKEND at Combat Naval Fleuri

Traditions and folklore

On Monday, February 19, 2024, join us at the Combat Naval Fleuri in Villefranche-sur-Mer!

A carnivalesque parade of some fifteen Mediterranean pointus decorated with local flowers (carnations, mimosas…). Along the quays, the boats will throw flowers at you, which will have to be returned to the boats, for a “naval battle”! Let the battle begin!

3. A weekend of fun at the Menton lemon festival!

Plus a zest! For lovers of lemons, pulp and cocktails, head to the town of Menton for an event unlike any other in the world: the Fête du Citron. This winter, during your stay on the Côte d’Azur, treat yourself to a few days at this spectacular event, which takes place over 15 days in February.

On the program: discovering lemons from every angle!

● Visit the Jardins Biovès with its majestic citrus sculptures
● Take part in exhibitions and corsos, day and night.
● Visit the craft and orchid fair at the Palais de l’Europe
● Dance to the rhythm of brass bands, shows and folklore…
● The highlight of the show is the fireworks display.

Of course, the town’s various bars and restaurants will be delighted to offer a taste of this famous lemon: as a main course, dessert or cocktail (to be consumed in moderation, of course).

Menton is packed with activities, and well worth a few days to discover! The town offers a multitude of accommodation options, and there’s something for everyone:

– Find accommodation in Menton

– Bed and breakfast in Menton

– Hotel in Menton

– Visit Menton, its famous gardens and gentle way of life

4. A fragrant weekend on the Mimosa road

Stay with the color yellow for the rest of the event and take the Mimosa Route: a sensory getaway to be enjoyed between January and March. With its mild climate, the Route du Mimosa lets you discover the riches and landscapes of the Côte d’Azur, between sea and mountains.

From Bormes-Les-Mimosas to the town of Grasse, a 130 km circuit takes you through the small villages of the Côte d’Azur, with the golden flowers as a backdrop. An experience that awakens the senses. Between scents and colors, thousands of golden bunches play with the sun and contrast with the blue of the sky and sea.

Would you like to try it out? Discover our articles dedicated to the Mimosa Route:

– Our tips for the Mimosa Route

– The Mimosa Route: a sensory itinerary in 8 stages

The final touch? If you take this route in February, head to Mandelieu-La Napoule, the Mimosa capital of France, for its traditional Mimosa Festival! On the program: flower-decked floats, night shows and the election of Miss Mimosa!

5. A traditional Violet weekend

Every year, the Violette Festival takes place on the first weekend in March, heralding the end of the season for growers. It was created in 1952 by Victor Linton, a Scottish-born artist and silversmith living in Tourrettes-sur-Loup.

From March 1 to 2, 2025, the famous festival celebrates the violet in Tourrettes-sur-Loup. With a craft market, tours of the Bastide aux violettes, entertainment, corso fleuri and flower battles, you’ll know all about violets!

A little history… Linton, who had fallen under the village’s spell, wanted to honor the producers and their know-how with a festival. For the first edition, bicycles, baby carriages and donkeys were transformed into flowery mounts that children happily rode. In the Place de la Libération, stalls selling local produce rubbed shoulders with stalls selling arts and crafts.

Over the years, the violet festival has become a veritable institution, attracting locals and tourists alike from all over the world. The festival is particularly popular with Italians, who flock to the festivities. Bicycles have given way to imposing floats entirely covered in flowers. Each edition attracts thousands of spectators.

6. A sports weekend in the Côte d’Azur ski resorts

Do you love mountain sports? Take advantage of a long winter weekend to get away from it all and recharge your batteries in the snow-covered landscapes of the Côte d’Azur! The region welcomes you to the heart of its magnificent resorts! Downhill skiing, Nordic skiing, snowboarding, snowshoe trekking, zip-lining… Take to the roads of the most beautiful resorts to try your hand at snow and ski activities.

The region is blessed with the Southern Alps and Mercantour-Argentera massifs, located between a nature park and the coast.

– Isola 2 000, the ski resort with a sea view
– Auron, a village resort at the gateway to the Mercantour park
– Valberg, a family-friendly ski resort
– All ski resorts in the Alps

Frequently asked questions :

Where to sleep this winter on the Côte d'Azur?
When it comes to hotels and accommodation, there’s something for every taste and price on the Côte d’Azur. In winter, you can enjoy the best establishments at a more affordable price than in summer. Here are the different types of accommodation available on the Côte d’Azur:
● Hotels
● Campsites
● Bed and breakfast
● Unusual accommodation
● Gites and furnished accommodation
● Tourism residences
● Holiday villages
● Youth hostels
● Refuges
● Sports facilities
Where to go on a long weekend in November?
Take advantage of the All Saints’ vacation to stay in France and enjoy a family weekend on the Côte d’Azur! Sumptuous landscapes await you: from the Mercantour National Park to lakes, valleys, beaches, gorges, villages and even islands! Discover the Côte d’Azur in a different way with a stroll or a hike.
→ Discover the 13 most beautiful hiking sites on the Côte d’Azur!
Take advantage of a hike to visit monuments and historic buildings: museums or castles(Château de la Napoule hike, Grimaldi museum castle… ). Depending on the route you choose, a guide can accompany you and reveal all the secrets of this region.
Where to go for a weekend in December?
In December, set sail for the Côte d’Azur for a weekend, or more if you like! Visit the most popular towns along the coast, which are much less crowded in winter, and discover the magic of Christmas in a mild, sunny climate.
For your next Christmas vacation in the sun, alternate between beaches, Christmas markets and ski resorts! Take part in the shows and entertainment in the villages of the Côte d’Azur: Saint-Paul de Vence, Biot, Menton… Accommodation and hotels will be more affordable during this winter season.
To keep you waiting until Christmas, discover our advent calendar for Christmas vacations on the Côte d’Azur.
Where to go for a weekend in January?
January is the perfect time to treat yourself to a relaxing weekend to get the year off to a good start and recover from the festive season. The sunny Côte d’Azur offers vacations in a mild climate, even in winter! Temperatures never drop below 5°, and can reach 15° during the day!
For this relaxing weekend, discover the landscapes and history of the Côte d’Azur. Stroll between museums, parks and gardens, lakes and the various beaches of this destination. The Côte d’Azur has inspired artists such as Matisse, Monet, Renoir and Picasso! Here are the 8 must-see museums on the Côte d’Azur!
For the ultimate in relaxation, opt for a stay in one of the many SPA hotels on the Côte d’Azur. Don’t forget that little glass of champagne in the jacuzzi, doesn’t it make you want to?
→ Discover the most beautiful SPAS on the Côte d’Azur!
When does winter start?
Winter generally begins in late December (around the 20th) and ends in late March (also around the 20th).
DID YOU KNOW? Not all destinations in the world have the same seasons: the seasons are reversed between the northern and southern hemispheres (a difference caused by the Earth’s axis of rotation in relation to the sun).
What to do on a winter weekend
For nature lovers, you can choose to spend a few days in the mountains, one of the winter season’s top destinations. In the city, for those who want to experience the vibrancy and atmosphere of city Christmas markets. Or in the countryside, for a change of scenery and peace and quiet! But you can also go to the Côte d’Azur, where you’ll find the best of both destinations: ski slopes, wild landscapes, beautiful beaches, typical villages and trendy, dynamic cities. On the Côte d’Azur, there’s something for everyone, activities for the whole family, and above all… the sun is there all year round!
In winter, the Côte d’Azur offers a festive Christmas atmosphere under the sun. Here are a few ideas for winter weekend activities in the region:
● Go hiking in the valley
● Enjoy a day’s skiing in the Alpine resorts
● Discover the hilltop villages of the Côte d’Azur hinterland
● Spend an afternoon on an island
● Run a museum marathon on the Côte d’Azur
● Discover local history, culture, gastronomy and craftsmanship
How to get to the Côte d'Azur from Paris?
The Côte d’Azur is very well served, and you can get here easily from all over France, and even Europe, by plane, train, car or boat!
Nice is 930 kilometers from Paris, and takes the A6, A7 and A8 freeways in an hour and a half. From Paris to Hyères or Saint-Raphaël, it’s an 8-hour drive.
The train is a good alternative for getting to the Côte d’Azur from Paris. Thanks to the TGV, you can reach Nice from Paris in 5h25.
→ Find out more about how to get to the Côte d’Azur!
What price a winter vacation on the Côte d'Azur?
For your winter vacation on the Côte d’Azur, you’ll be able to take advantage of the best hotels at the lowest possible cost, since prices are much lower than during the summer season, and flight prices are also more attractive. This means you can enjoy a more intimate Côte d’Azur experience, at a more affordable price! Plan your trip in advance to take advantage of the best offers!