The Côte d’Azur goes from Menton to Saint-Tropez. No, it’s the Alpes-Maritimes and the Var. But anyway, everyone knows that it goes from Hyères to Genoa… It’s an endless debate that you may have already had: where does the Côte d’Azur start and where does it end? We will try to make you understand.
Côte d’Azur or Riviera? To Saint-Tropez, Toulon, Cassis? to Menton, BordigheraGenoa? Just the Alpes-Maritimes? The Var, inside or outside? What about Marseille then? The coastline with or without the hinterland? You have to believe that each Azurean has his own definition of the Côte d’Azur. It is often the subject of heated debate under certain posts on social networks.
–
The term Côte d’Azur appeared in 1887. It is invented by Stephane Liégeard who recounts in his book “Côte d’Azur” his travels which go from the east of Marseille to the limit of Genoa. The work does not give, in reality, not really strict boundaries. But he create a phenomenon.
Côte d’Azur, Côte d’Or, Côte d’Argent…
“Liegeard was from Côte d’Or in Burgundy-Franche-Comté, we can think that he had in mind the name of his department when creating the term Côte d’Azur” explains Jean-Christophe Gay, Geographer, Professor at the Côte d’Azur University and Scientific Director of the Côte d’Azur Tourism Institute.
Very quickly, at the beginning of the 20th century, the term was taken up and asserted itself in promotional campaigns. So much so that other coasts will copy the name. Thus will be born the Côte d’Émeraude, the Côte Fleurie, the Côte d’Opale, the Côte d’Argent, the Côte Vermeille, the Côte d’Amour, the Blue Coast, etc…
–
And internationally too. Starting with the Costa Brava or the Costa del Sol in Spain. The French Riviera (French Riviera translation abroad.) makes babies. With the boom in tourism, Florida calls itself theAmerican Riviera at the end of 19e century, the surroundings of Santa Barbara: the Californian Riviera. Et cancun and its surroundings Mexico: the Maya riviera. Tourist destinations are inspired by our coastline.
The Varois also claim it. It’s completely legitimate and it starts a debate
Jean-Christophe Gay
Geographer, Professor at the Côte d’Azur University, Scientific Director of the Côte d’Azur Tourism Institute
–
But back to our sheep, finally our borders.
In 1942, CRTs (Regional Tourism Committee) are created. In the region, two branches, Marseille (which manages the Var) so nice (only the Alpes-Maritimes). “This space which was until then indistinctly called Côte d’Azur, will be gradually claimed by the CRT of the Alpes-Maritimes, which will appropriate it. For the committee, the Côte d’Azur therefore goes from Menton to Théoule- sur-Mer. But the people of Var also claim it, and of course, Saint-Tropez works very well in the appellation. The coast of the Moors too. It is completely legitimate, and it starts a debate. “
Historically, it is therefore very vague. From a point of vue administrative, touristic, territorial or for Liegeard, the Côte d’Azur is to Limits variables.
From Menton to Saint-Tropez
It’s a marketing approach, a tourism approach and not a territory
Clair Béhar
General Manager of CRT Côte d’Azur France
–
For the Regional Tourism Committee, the limits of the Côte d’Azur are precise: from Menton to Saint Tropez. Point.
–
“It’s a marketing approach, a tourist approach and not a territory. It’s not an administrative area. We are in a customer approach, so we adapted. The offer adapts to the demand” explains Claire Béhar, General Manager of the CRT Côte d’Azur France.
“We also registered the Côte d’Azur France brand in the INPI (National Institute of Industrial Property) register in 2016. It is an umbrella brand for other brands that are already very strong. Very attractive cities are known individually : Saint Tropez, Nice, Menton, Monaco, Cannes, Antibes-Juan-les-Pins.
About twenty companies and nearly 150 products are also associated with the Côte d’Azur France brand. This allows the promotion of local and regional products.
–
And the high country then?
Should the term Côte d’Azur be confined to the coast? Another big question that has no official answer. Yes according to Jean-Christophe Gay. “When Liegeard speaks of the azure, it is not the blue of the sky, but the blue of the sea. The Côte d’Azur is the coast. Then the arrival of tourists who will develop the rear -country, and related activities.”
However, the inhabitants of the Alpes-Maritimes do call themselves the Azurians whether they live on the coastal strip or in the hinterland. “It is a capture of the expression by the Alpes-Maritimes. They are Maralpins” adds the Scientific Director of the Côte d’Azur Tourism Institute.
Crux of the Riviera
Côte d’Azur, Riviera. French Riviera, Italian Riviera. Is the Riviera part of the Côte d’Azur, or is it the other way around?
–
The Riviera is the coastline on the Italian side. This is the official name. There are several (Riviera di Ponente, Riviera di Levante, Riviera Romagnola, etc.), but what interests us is the entire Gulf of Genoa, commonly known as “the Italian Riviera”. According to the definition of Lieageardthe Riviera is therefore partly included in the Côte d’Azur. Not according to the Regional Tourism Committee.
The confusion also comes from the term French Riviera (Translation of Côte d’Azur in English, more difficult to pronounce by foreigners, although sexier… the Coooote d’Aziuuuuuwwwww).
In conclusion: we leave you with all that. Good luck.
–
