Some may argue that it has been a long time coming, but at last the elegant town of Menton, located between Monaco and the Italian Riviera, is celebrating Menton’s long and rich love affair with the painter, poet, filmmaker and dramatist Jean Cocteau, with the opening of the Jean Cocteau Museum.

Menton’s association with Cocteau dates back to the 1950s, when the multi-talented artist was commissioned by the city of Menton to create various pieces of art, including the Salles des Mariages in the city hall. In gratitude of the splendid work Cocteau carried out in the city, Menton adopted the artist as an honorary citizen.

It was during this time that Jean Cocteau transformed a small and abandoned fort in Menton into a museum for his personal artwork, where he hung his own paintings, tapestries and mosaics.

On November 6, 2011, Menton opened its doors to its own Jean Cocteau Museum, located in Menton’s Old Town in a building, so striking in its aesthetical merits that it does Cocteau’s artwork the justice it deserves.

Until May 7, 2012, the Severin Wunderman Collection will be held at the Cocteau Museum. The collection has been gathered by Severin Wunderman, a well-known art lover and former owner of the Swiss luxury watch brand Corum.

The exhibition consists of more than 2,000 artworks, including ceramics, books, paintings, tapestries, drawings, manuscripts, prints and jewellery made by Cocteau himself. A handful of artworks created by fellow artists, including Modigliani, Picasso and Di Chirico, are also on display at the exhibition.

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Saint-Paul-de-Vence, situated approximately 25 kilometres from Nice, is one of the oldest medieval towns on the Cote d’Azur. Having long been a haven for the rich and famous, in the 1960s this ancient town saw many a French actor being drawn to its unusual eccentricities, including Simone Signoret, Lino Ventura and Yves Montland.

Alongside famous actors, some of the world’s most celebrated artists have lived in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, such as Marc Chagnall, and, more recently, artist lovers Arielle Dombasle and Bernard Henri Levy.

Being a well-known hive for attracting famous actors, poets and artists, it seems only natural that Saint-Paul-de-Vence is equally as renowned for its modern and contemporary art museums and galleries, the most famous being La Fondation Maeght, one of the most esteemed galleries in the south of France.

The Fondation Maeght was founded in 1964 by Marguerite and Aime Maeght, a French art collector and editor. The extensive collection housed at the Fondation Maeght includes works by some of the most important and influential artists of the 20^th century, including Joan Miro, Fernand Leger, Georges Braque and Alexander Calder.

This independently funded gallery, which relies on no state funding whatsoever, attracts more than 200,000 visitors each year and many of the art exhibitions that are put on every year in museums throughout France, in Europe and beyond, are based on Fondation Maeght collections.

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Yoga and Pilates are well-established methods to tone the body relax the mind and combat stress in a fun and relaxing way. The world famous towns, beaches and shops on the Cote d’Azur are also all about relaxing, having fun and winding down.

Given the region’s natural aptitude at making its visitors feel unperturbed and stress-free, it is only natural that Yoga and Pilate’s classes can be found here in abundance.

Check out three great Yoga and Pilates classes held in the exquisitely stunning surroundings of the French Riviera.

Real Pilates Cannes

With the slogan “Your body is our priority”, it is no wonder many of the well-heeled members of Cannes elite choose to attend Real Pilates Cannes.

Guests learn how to exploit authentic Romanas Pilates in private, duo or group classes in the bright and airy yet tranquil and relaxing atmosphere of the Pilates studio, situated in the heart of Cannes.

Bikrim Yoga, Nice

Discover the unique qualities of Bikram Yoga with a friendly, English-speaking instructor in the beautiful port area of Nice. Designed to stimulate the ‘mind, body and spiritual nirvana,’ Bikram Yoga involves a 90-minute workout, in a heated studio, in which students can burn up to 1,000 calories.

The 26 postures of Bikram Yoga work every inch of the body, including the internal organs, to ensure maximum health is maintained. These effective classes, which can help build concentration, focus, determination and will power are held every day, although, be warned, they get booked up extremely quickly.

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