There is a bit of a myth surrounding the month of September in the French Riviera. It appears to be perceived that as August comes to a close, so does this part of France. That cannot be further from the truth.
Lately through various conversations with locals and clients this month, one topic continually seems to come to light, that being why the month of September seems to be one of the best times to be in the French Riviera.
As soon as September 1st rolls around, the beaches day by day start to become more spacious yet the weather is still quite remarkable, traffic overall is better, there is less noise and places you expect to be completely crowded with tourists offer more room to move.
For those of us that live and work here, September for some it can sometimes bring a slight sense of relief and the opportunity to reflect upon the summer season and what can be done better to bring the best experiences for the client while still seeing the high season come to the end.
Here’s a secret. The month of September offers so much to those traveling to the French Riviera on business or just a last minute vacation to the region.
Prices overall whether it be for food at grocery stores tend to be lower, terraces at restaurants are more open and there are new seasonal menus available, there are many clothing sales taking place, hotels, apartment and villa rental costs also tend be far more economical. We regularly negotiate with an owner on a villa rental for the behalf of our clients but September is the prime time to take advantage of such deals and owners would rather end their season with their properties occupied.
If you are an outdoor enthusiast, the weather is perfect. No heatwave announcements to be concerned about, just ideal for swimming at any number of private and public beaches, or tending to your favorite water sport plus the hiking trails are far less busy offering you ample room to take in the natural surrounding landscapes and vistas while perhaps stopping somewhere to enjoy a picnic uninterrupted.
This is the month the Cannes Yachting Festival takes place followed shortly by the Monaco Yacht Show which brings in a very international audience.
September is when it is said the region starts to go back to the locals, so whether you want to network with new business associates or just meet those who live here while on holiday, this is the opportune time as there is a sense of people being more relaxed and not pulled in a myriad of directions since most who live here work in the travel industry to an extent.
Years ago, you could sense the end of season and the region used to feel like it was clearing right out of people and the whole area felt very quiet. Now due to what we think is the internet and how it has changed the workplace atmosphere meaning many people can work remotely and have varying holiday times. The French Riviera still feels very much alive and full of opportunities.
So for a pleasant change, why not break the usual vacation trend and find your own true experience of the French Riviera by visiting in the month of September. You won’t regret it.
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