Place Masséna, Nice, Côte d’Azur. The fountain is part of a broad square which is the heart of Nice as a whole and from which thick muscled bronze figures surge. Here on the square the central activities of the Carnaval celebration unfold each winter and the square is transformed with flashing lights and Macy’s-size puppets. It’s framed by several Italian-style arcaded buildings built in 1815, their façades stuccoed in rich, red ochre.

View of beach and the Promenade des Anglais. Under Napoleon III in about 1860, France reannexed Nice and the surrounding areas west of the Alps from northwestern Italy. Nice is the largest town on the French Riviera and one distinguishing feature of many of the beaches of the Riviera, especially this one, is the fact that they are rocky rather than sandy.

View of exterior of Royal Palace of Monaco, Monte Carlo, Monaco. The Principality of Monaco is a sovereign state covering less than a square mile. Its history really began when the Grimaldi family bought it from the Republic of Genoa in 1308. Prince Rainier III has ruled the principality since 1949 with the assistance of a National Council and this is a picture of the royal residence.

View of harbor of Monaco from royal peninsula or Rocher, Monaco. The territory of Monaco includes the old town on the rock (Rocher de Monaco), the new town of Monte Carlo, the Fontveille quarter, and this port area which links the town and quarter.

Palais du Festival, Cannes, site of the prestigious annual May film festival.

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