Spring - the Paris-Nice cycle race ends in style at the Promenade des Anglais in March and the Festin des Cougourdons celebrates local folklore. April is regatta time at the Baie des Anges, while the onset of summer is anticipated during La Fête des Mai - picnic hampers at the ready please.

Summer - music lovers rejoice; the Sacred Music festival rings throughout the churches of the old town and free concerts take place thought Nice in June. Jazz is the order of the day in July, when Nice Jazz Festival comes to town, while Bastille Day is a huge celebration on July 14th. Meanwhile, August brings concerts in the Cloister of the Cimiez monastery.

Autumn - bargain lovers should watch out for the Fête de la San Bertoumieu in September, a huge market of traditional arts and crafts in old Nice. And October offers not only Halloween celebrations, but the return of the International Festival of Military Music.

Winter - February is carnival time in Nice and you can expect Mardi Gras and flower processions to liven up the French Riviera's winter season. Closing parades will include bonfires and fireworks displays best seen from the Promenade des Anglais.

Of course, the Côte D'Azur is also home to Cannes' notorious film festival, when the razzle dazzle of the French Riviera is showcased in a week-long celebration of the showbiz world's famous, infamous and up-and-coming. The event, this year celebrating its 60th anniversary, takes over the region between May 16th and 27th - a party not to be missed.