Family-friendly activites this weekend on the French Riviera

If you are looking for inspiration for family-friendly activities this weekend, there is so much happening on the French Riviera that you will not be disappointed.

Here are a few of the fun (and mostly free!) activities to enjoy as a family:

ANTIBES

The Antibes Lifeboat is hosting an open weekend (Saturday and Sunday) at Port Vauban with rescue displays and lots of animations to keep kids entertained etc.

Antibes Lifeboat Open Weekend 13 and 14 May 2017 at Port Vauban in Antibes

There is also the Antibes Rally this weekend with the team photos and autograph sessions today at 6.30pm at Salis beach.  For the race programme, visit http://www.antibes-rallye.com/index.php?lang=en

On tomorrow from 3pm, there is a Bataille des Fleurs at Esplanade du Pré-aux-Pêcheurs across from Antibes port (Free entry of course).

CANNES

On Sunday from 2pm-7pm, the Maison des Associations is hosting ‘Natsu Matsuri’ a Japanese culture day (paired with the sister city of Shizuoka). Free entry with Japanese food, origami and calligraphy workshops, kids games etc

Natsu Matsuri in Cannes

GRASSE

From Friday 12th to Sunday 14th May, Grasse will host the 47th edition of Expo Rose (the Rose Festival).  The floral favourite will comprise of 8500 bouquets, 13000 rose bushes and over 25000 roses placed on statues, fountains and public squares throughout Grasse.  Lots of animations, music, dances and parades.

LA COLLE SUR LOUP

All day Sunday is the 11th edition of the Rose Festival ‘Autour de la Rose’ with parades, workshops for creative arts and culinary design themed on roses as well as gardening stands selling roses.  Don’t miss the 11am and 3pm shows at Place de Gaulle with floral creations and models.  Note:  Workshops have a fee.

NICE

Free event all weekend, Éclairage Public, at the old abattoirs with theatre, dance, music.  This will be really eclectic if you’re looking for something a bit different!

On Sunday, another day of entertainment will be hosted at the Jardins des Arènes de Cimiez for the Fête des Mai series.  Click here for the Fête des Mai programme.

TOURRETTE-LEVENS

An exhibition about astronomy and science at the Espace Cultural from 2pm-6pm, free entry.  Find out more about Tourrette-Levens programme for discovering the universe here:  http://tourrette-levens.fr/events/tl-cultive-science/

VALLAURIS

All day Sunday is Fête de la fleur d’oranger with parade, music, kids games

VILLENEUVE LOUBET

All weekend is the free entry Children’s book festival (Festival du Livre Jeunesse) at the Pole Auguste Escoffier, you can read the programme here:  https://fr.calameo.com/read/00468199396499c37f145

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Flower Power! ANTIBES

May has been overtaken by cinematic media in Cannes, however the region has had an explosion of spring blooms with the pretty Expo Rose in Grasse, and last weekend at the Fête des Roses et Plantes at Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild in Saint Jean Cap Ferrat.

Expo Rose, Grasse

Today, as part of Les Floralies floral events in Antibes, is the last day of an open weekend called Senteurs au Jardin held annually at the Villa Eilenroc on the Cap d’Antibes.   The Villa rose gardens are open to the public all weekend.  I came across a local blog by ‘Sunshine and Suitcases’ and Elizabeth explained all about this event and some of the other local flower-themed days here:  https://sunshineandstaircases.wordpress.com/2016/04/27/events-in-may-les-floralies-antibes-in-flower/

Les Floralies, Antibes

You can also see the hugely popular Bataille des Fleurs (Battle of the Flowers) today in Antibes. Many people are familiar with the big flower parades as part of both Nice Carnival and Fête du Citron however smaller towns also host Flower Parades which are just as much fun.  For first timers,  the floats are decorated in a theme and the people on the floats throw out flowers to the crowd, usually carnations.

The Antibes Bataille des Fleurs starts at 6pm today at place de Gaulle with the flower-decorated floats going through Old Town and finishing at Pre des Pêcheurs by the port.

 

4 Ideas for Activities & Sightseeing for the next fortnight

1. Jazz e Brasil will inject some Latino rhythm in your afternoon on Saturday 30 April when the Cannes Bel Age Orchestra pairs with the Rio Ao Vivo Orchestra to bring a concert of jazz, Brazilian music and swing alongside capoeira and dancers.  3pm, Espace Miramar, rue Pasteur, Cannes

Jazz e Brasil, Espace Miramar

2.  The 26th Salon des Vignerons from 29 April-02 May at the Hippodrome in Cagnes-sur-Mer will host around 300 producers from various regions in France for a great show with wine tasting, seafood, cheeses, foie gras etc.  There is an onsite children’s play area at the venue if you take the kids along.

Salon des Vignerons 2016, Hippodrome, Cagnes sur Mer

3.  Antibes Art Fair is still on until 02 May.  Make sure you visit if you like antiques, art and curiosities.

4. Fans of beautiful blooms should venture to the perfume capital of France, Grasse, from 03-08 May where the streets will be transformed for Expo Rose.

Expo Rose, Grasse

The queen of flowers – the rose – will take pride of place with 25000 roses decorating city fountains and monuments, sales of bouquets and rose bushes. This year’s theme is based on the revues of Music Hall so keep a look out for classic cars, parades and costumed actors.

Afterwards, head to Chocolaterie Maison Duplanteur, the only artisan chocolate factory in the region and try their unique Rose Chocolate (70% high end dark chocolate with rose petals from Grasse!).  They also have other yummy products such as ginger and orange tablettes, milk chocolate with banana and cashew nut and Grasse coat-of-arms with gilding.

Maison Duplanteur’s Rose Chocolate, Grasse

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