IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD outside Port la Galère (3km) is the charming seaside village of Théoule sur Mer with shops, bars and restaurants. Cannes is 10 minutes away and Nice airport 35 minutes. The Iles de Lerin can be reached by ferry from Théoule or, of course, you could hire your own boat from the Port la Galère marina for the trip!

The Côte d’Azur isn’t only beaches and sparkling sea. In the mountains immediately behind the coast are beautiful medieval villages with their colourful weekly markets and superb restaurants; Tourettes sur Loup, St Paul de Vence, Mougins and the extraordinary village perché of Gourdon are between 20 minutes’ and 1 hour’s drive. The Old Town sector of Nice is well worth exploring for its shopping and charming colours and architecture.

For a spectacular day trip visit the breathtaking Gorge du Verdon - France’s Grand Canyon and, indeed, the second largest in the world after the USA version.

On the coast between Cannes and Nice is Marineland (www.marineland.fr) with tropical fish, sharks, dolphin shows and incredible performances by a group of killer whales.

There are 7 golf courses within easy or very easy (10 minutes) reach (www.rivieragolfer.com), mountain walks (also mountain bike routes) into the Esterel from Théoule and scuba diving and snorkelling from the Port la Galère marina. If you want to be really adventurous, try parapenting, hang gliding, whitewater rafting or canyoning.