Music and Fireworks on the Cote d'Azure
The fireworks begin at 10:30. Upcoming shows include: Brazil on August 8th, Germany on the 15th and France on the 24th. France is using its hometown advantage to present their show in a different location, the Route de Nice near the Casino la Siesta.
Monte-Carlo also hosts a fireworks festival around the same time. Monaco's dramatic background is a great place to watch a pyrotechnic competition. The best viewing areas are around the port, just off the Casino Terrace and from the palace area to the ramparts of Fort Antoine. If you miss the fireworks in July and August but are in the area in November, Monte-Carlo is the place to go. The winner of the pyrotechnic competition returns on Nov. 18 to celebrate the victory with a fireworks display showing why they are the champions.
Once you have had your fill of light shows, take in one of the many music festivals along the coast. Two of the most famous are the Nice Jazz Festival and the Jazz à Juan, both of which take place the end of July. Both offer the chance to sit outside and enjoy great music in a beautiful atmosphere.
Jazz à Juan is the more traditional of the two and the music is strictly jazz or rhythm and blues. A schedule can be found at: http://www.antibesjuanlespins.com/. Nice has expanded its repertoire to include independent rock musicians, http://www.nicejazzfest.com/njf2.php?lan...
Juan les Pins follows its jazz festival with Nuits de Juan and hosts an innovative blend of independent rockers that draws a younger crowd. If you want to sample the music but don't want to pay, join the locals who picnic in the park across from the stage. The acoustics are great and occasionally you can sneak a peak at performers on stage.
Monte-Carlo hosts some big names in July and August. This year's line-up includes BB King, Lisa Stansfield, Lauryn Hill, Joe Cocker, Jean-Michel Jarre and Andrea Bocelli and Frankie goes to Hollywood. Tickets to these concerts are 35 euros for a drink and show, $60 if you also want dinner. Check http://www.montecarloresort.com/default.... for more information.
The hip Pantiero festival in Cannes includes a blend of hip-hop and rock. Parisian electric punk band Volt, UK's Riton and Maxïmo Park open the festival on Aug.17th. Pantiero runs through Aug. 20.
For those who like classical, I would recommend Menton's , a chamber music festival that takes place from the middle of July to the
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