Tips and useful information

Weather, shop opening times, public holidays, health, safety… Make the most of your stay on the Côte d’Azur with complete peace of mind! Here is our selection of useful tips and information.

Côte d’Azur climate

With more than 300 days of sunshine a year, life is good on the Côte d’Azur!

Located between the Alps and the Mediterranean, the Côte d’Azur enjoys a mild and sunny climate all year round, with more than 300 days of sunshine per year. In summer, due to the Mediterranean climate, temperatures rise and sometimes exceed 30°C. Between October and April, rain is more frequent and can be particularly heavy in March/April and October/November. In winter, the Côte d’Azur coastline enjoys mild temperatures. Frosts are rare but you’ll need a sweater. Spring and autumn are ideal and very pleasant for a stay on the Côte d’Azur.

Useful contact: Météo France website.

Shop opening times

Useful practical information!

Shops on the Côte d’Azur are generally open from 9am to 7pm Monday to Saturday. Large shopping centres usually close at 9pm. In some international tourist areas on the Côte d’Azur, shops may also open on Sundays. Opening is generally between 11am and 7pm. This is the case in the centre of Nice and Cannes, at CAP3000 in Saint-Laurent-du-Var and at Polygone Riviera in Cagnes-sur-Mer. For banks, the usual opening hours are 8:30am-midday and 2pm-4:30pm, Monday to Friday, with Saturday morning opening in some branches. Remember to check beforehand. Museums are generally closed on Tuesdays.

Public holidays on the Côte d’Azur

It is always useful to know in advance when public holidays fall so you can avoid any unpleasant surprises…

January 1 (New Year’s Day), Easter Monday, May 1 (Labour Day), May 8 (Victory in 1945), Ascension Thursday, Whit Monday, July 14 (National Day), August 15 (Assumption Day), November 1 (All Saints’ Day), November 11 (1918 Armistice), December 25 (Christmas).

During these holidays, banks, government offices, shops, most companies as well as many museums and tourist sites are closed.

Remember to check beforehand.

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Useful emergency numbers

Call the following numbers:

European emergency number: dial 112.
SAMU (medical emergencies): 15.
Emergency Police: 17.
Fire service: 18.

Police Nationale
– Nice : 1, Av. Maréchal Foch. Tél. 04 92 17 22 22.
– Menton : 9, Rue des Patourneaux. Tél. 04 93 28 66 00.
– Cannes : 1, Av. de Grasse. Tél. 04 93 06 22 22
– Grasse : 12, Bd Carnot – Tél. 04 93 40 31 60
– Antibes : 5, Av. des Frères Olivier. Tél. 04 92 90 78 00.
– Cagnes-sur-Mer : 20 bis, Chemin des Grands Plans. Tél. 33 04 92 13 56 10.

Gendarmerie Nationale: Outside these municipalities, contact the Operational Centre of the Gendarmerie des Alpes-Maritimes on the following number: 04 93 18 42 30.

Lost and found : 42, Rue Dabray à Nice. Tél. : 04 97 73 44 10.

Useful information for foreign visitors

Visas and formalities: A stay on the Côte d’Azur is subject to the same conditions as in any other region in France. Refer to the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: www.diplomatie.gouv.fr.
Money: You can withdraw money at bank ATMs. There are lots of them on the coast. However, the situation is getting more complicated in the countryside, plan your withdrawals ahead of time. There are also currency exchange offices in tourist towns and at Nice Airport.
Telephone: To call France from abroad, dial the international access code 00, followed by the France code +33 and the desired number. To call abroad from France: dial the international access code 00, followed by the country code and the desired number.
Electricity: In France, electrical outlets operate on 220 Volts – 50 Hertz.

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10 recommendations for a successful stay!

• 1 If travelling by car, ensure you comply with car parking regulations and speed limits on roads and motorways.

• 2 On the beach, in a restaurant, at an event… don’t leave your belongings unattended.

• 3 In a crowd, beware of pickpockets.

• 4 Don’t carry large sums of money or objects of great value. Leave them in the hotel safe.

• 5 Protect your identity documents: make copies.

• 6 Never buy counterfeit goods.

• 7 In public places, follow the smoking and non-smoking rules.

• 8 Always carry a little cash with you for any small expenses such as transport tickets, drinks…

• 9 Before you go to the sea or the mountains, find out about the weather and make sure you have the right equipment for your activity.

• 10 Due to major events or congresses, it is sometimes difficult to find accommodation. It is recommended to book really early.

What to do in the event of theft?

• 1 Immediately notify the theft (within 48 hours) to the National Police or the Gendarmerie. Numbers above.
• 2 Submit the complaint report to your insurance company (send a registered letter within the deadlines for compensation).
• 3 In the event of theft of chequebooks or credit cards, immediately notify your bank so that your card or chequebook can be blocked:
Carte Bleue: 08 36 69 08 80.
Visa: 08 00 90 82 81 / 08 00 90 20 33.
American Express: 08 00 90 86 00.
Mastercard: 08 00 90 13 87.
Cheque books: 08 36 68 32 08.