Côte d’Azur

Côte d’Azur is part of Provence, but is often referred to separately as it is the coastline that runs along the Mediterranean Sea and the region takes its exotic name from the blueness of this sea. The Côte d’Azur is a summer playground for the rich and beautiful, and the season starts in spring with the Cannes Film Festival, which draws a host of major ‘A’ list stars. The large cities of Nice, Cannes, Monaco and Marseilles are either loved or not so loved by many as at the height of the season they are full to the brim with holiday-makers, but visit in spring or autumn and you will find a gentler and calmer environment in which to relax and enjoy their natural beauty, although in the midst of winter many places will be closed. Many of the ingredients used here are similar to those in Provence, but with the added abundance of seafood, cooked in every way. Visit any market and you will see fish so fresh from the sea that they are still moving on the stalls! Most of the fish are sweet and small with rouget (red mullet) and loup (sea bass) being the most common. They are often simply grilled drizzled with local olive oil and a squeeze of lemon. The more classic dishes are bouillabaisse from Marseilles and bourride, which is served with rouille, a tasty garlic and chilli mayonnaise that is spooned on top along with croûtons. In the heat of the summer beautiful salads and tasty, grilled vegetables are enjoyed, dressed with quality olive oils.